AfterLife Wrestling Federation — December Shows (Red)

ALWF Red: Christmas Dreams
Host: Gordon Solie

Highlights of Dusty’s war with the Heenan Family are the show-opening montage. Dusty defeated Ray Stevens, then Gorilla Monsoon, then (albeit with help) Andre the Giant in order to earn a title chance, but he put it on the line to get the entire Heenan Family on even terms in WarGames. During WarGames, Bockwinkel nearly choked out Dusty when Bobo Brazil headbutted Bockwinkel free and Eddie Guerrero made him submit. Bockwinkel said three people beat him, so those three could fight amongst themselves and he’d face the winner.

Brian Pillman vs. Art Barr

Handshake to start. Some flips and cruiserweight work follows, leading to a stalemate. Barr manages to leverage Pillman out and dives onto him with a plancha. Back in, Barr with a belly-to-belly suplex and a legdrop for two before Pillman recovers with a bodypress and leaping DDT for two of his own. Pillman with a running bulldog and he goes up, but Barr meets him up there and the two fight up top. Barr gets crotched, and Pillman ranas him into the ring off the top for two. Criss-cross and leapfrog try by Pillman, but Barr catches him in mid-air with a chokeslam. He goes up, but the frog splash hits the knees and Pillman gets La Majistral for two. German suplex by Pillman gets two. Air Pillman springboard clothesline is ducked, but Pillman rolls through and comes back with a bodypress, which Barr catches into a backbreaker for two. Tombstone try, but Pillman slides out the back with an O’Connor Roll for two. Enzuigiri and Air Pillman ends it at 7:47. ***1/4

Analysis: Total sprint to start and get the crowd involved. The match is face vs face and was back and forth as such. Pillman’s win allows the Hart Foundation to keep momentum going as a very strong mid- to upper-midcard stable. As for Barr, he could more afford the loss here as he and Spicolli are a stronger tag team with Eddie Guerrero busting out as the leader of Los Gringos Locos.

Fritz Von Erich once again shows up and promises that someone will become a great addition to the Valhalla TV roster tonight. He’s interrupted by the California Hell’s Angels (a pair of gay biker dudes — they were also known as the Dupree Brothers, and no, neither one is related to Rene or Emile), who proceed to introduce Adrian Adonis, back in full biker gear.

Adrian Adonis vs. Crash Holly

Winner joins the roster. Crash attacks off the bell, but can’t get a slam. Adonis slugs down Crash before trapping him in the corner and chopping away. A snapmare and back kick follow, then a kneedrop for two. Adonis goes to a ground sleeper, but Crash elbows out and kicks away, adding an uppercut and DDT before trying another slam. Adonis falls on top for two. Adonis adds a DDT of his own for two. Adonis with a powerslam and elbowdrop and he goes to a chinlock. Crash with a jawbreaker and a rana to start the comeback. He punches away before getting a Thesz press for two. Styles Crash follows, then a diving elbow, but the Duprees pull Crash out and get a double superkick as Adonis distracts the ref. Back in, Adonis goes up top, and Thorn of the Rose (a diving shoulder tackle) ends it at 8:02. **

Analysis: This was just a way to introduce Adonis and the Duprees as a lowcard act. Crash is very hard to take seriously as long as he embraces the “delusional superheavyweight” gimmick. He could stand to do some six-man action with Public Enemy on the Gold roster, since their styles mesh so well.

Highlights from the Gold show, as Dynamite Kid debuts.

The Hart Foundation are talking backstage, and Davey Boy is so excited to see his old friend back, but Owen wants to make sure he’s a loyal Hart member.

Hart Foundation vs. Robbinsdale Connection

This would be Owen, Anvil, and Davey against Hennig, Rude, and Zenk. Owen with a quick flurry on Zenk to start including a dropkick and hiptosses, and Davey in with a press slam (5 reps) onto an Anvil gutbuster. Anvil with a powerslam on Zenk, and Owen nails the enzuigiri for two. Rude blind tags in and tackles down Owen, allowing Hennig to take over with a dropkick and neck snap. Clothesline turns Owen around, and Zenk in with a kneedrop for two. Rude punches away at Owen’s gut and gets a press slam of his own, drawing Davey in and allowing Hennig and Rude to double-team. Hennig with a German suplex and bridge for two. Rude looks for the Rude Awakening, but Davey breaks it up before being escorted out. Zenk switches off and gets a headscissors and cradle for two. Abdominal stretch follows, with aid from Hennig, until Davey races over and spears Hennig off the apron. Hot tag Anvil, and he clotheslines everyone before giving Hennig and Rude a double noggin-knocker. Hennig rolls outside, where Davey finds him and begins throwing him into the barricade right in front of Larry (Curt’s father). He screams at Larry, causing Anvil to see it and tag out to calm Davey down. Owen goes for the Sharpshooter on Zenk, but Rude comes off the top with a bulldog to stop it. High/low on Owen, and Zenk gets the pin at 15:10. ***3/4

Analysis: A very good six-man. Both teams have fantastic chemistry, and the double-teaming and tagging timing were superb. The sideplot of Davey Boy wanting to impress his newly-arrived former tag partner took a bit from it, especially since I don’t see Dynamite showing up on either TV roster any time soon.

ALWF Intercontinental Title: Pat O’Connor vs. Ernie Ladd (w/The Grand Wizard) vs. Gorgeous George (w/Chavo the Butler)

O’Connor is defending. George bails out at the bell and preens himself, allowing O’Connor to attack Ladd and chop him down. Running knee in the corner and bulldog coming out, and O’Connor looks for a Thesz Press but gets powerbombed. Ladd chokes him in the corner and hiptosses him out, getting two. Wizard tries to get George into the ring, but Chavo won’t allow it as Ladd jams his thumb in O’Connor’s throat during a chinlock. Ladd with a headbutt and football tackle follow, getting two. He press slams O’Connor onto the top rope and catches him with a chokeslam for two. Ladd loads up the Spike, but O’Connor catches the arm coming in and gets a Fujiwara armbar. Ladd makes the ropes and rolls to the outside, allowing George to sneak up behind O’Connor and cradle him for two. He goes for a sleeper, but O’Connor drops him and gets a figure-four. Ladd breaks it up and throws O’Connor shoulder-first into the post as George bails again. Ladd gets a clawhold, powering O’Connor down for a pair of two-counts before O’Connor bridges up and spins out. A charging Ladd is caught in the spinning AA by O’Connor, leading to a double-KO. George is about to enter when O’Connor kips up. O’Connor catches Ladd charging in chop after chop before getting a jumping back elbow. O’Connor with a powerslam and jumping fistdrop on Ladd, then he goes up top and lands a diving crossbody for two. O’Connor Roll gets two. O’Connor off the ropes, but Ladd with a karate thrust to the throat, then the Asiatic Spike. George leaps in now, low-bridges Ladd out of the ring, and steals the pin and the title at 14:08. ***1/4 George grabs the title and runs to the back with Ladd in hot pursuit as O’Connor recovers in the ring, not sure who beat him.

Analysis: One thing the Red side does well is establish characters when needed, and Gorgeous George as the original character fits in beautifully. All the stalling and heel work he does makes fans want to see him lose, and when/if O’Connor gets his rematch, the heat will be enormous. O’Connor/Ladd was about 90% of the match, and it was a very good big/little affair.

Bobby Heenan fires up the troops backstage. He tells the Grahams to show no mercy to their opponents, while he thinks Bockwinkel can beat whoever goes out there because he’ll be fresh and they won’t. He then says he has a plan and has the Grahams shoo out the camera guy before discussing with the troops.

ALWF Valhalla Tag Team Titles: Eddie and Jerry Graham vs. Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher

The Grahams jump Bruiser and Crusher in the aisle as the brawl is on. In the ring, Crusher with a discus lariat on Eddie, and he and Bruiser get a double-clothesline. Bruiser with a flying Knee on Jerry, but he lands awkwardly and hobbles to the outside as Crusher comes in. Eddie clips him and puts on a chinlock as attention goes to Bruiser on the outside. Jerry tags in and gets a jumping headbutt and spear on Crusher for two. Trainers finally help Bruiser to the back, and as Crusher checks on his partner, Bobby Heenan whacks him in the back with a cane and everyone calls an audible. Crusher breaks the cane over his knee and chases Heenan into the ring, where the Grahams get a double spinebuster and Eddie pins him with feet on the ropes at 5:31. N/R

Analysis: Bruiser’s injury meant the match isn’t appropriate to rate. I’m sure the four men have a longer match in them, but Bruiser’s health was paramount. Needless to say, this had an impact on the card, as the next match had to go long to make up for it and suffered as a result. Speaking of…

Rikidozan vs. Shinya Hashimoto

This is a Lion’s Test, as Hashimoto is still in the black trunks and needs Rikidozan’s approval to move up. Riki wrestles Hash down and controls on the ground with a headlock. Hash fights out and gets a tackle, but Riki’s up quickly and demands more. Hash with a backfist, but Riki just catches it and gets an armdrag and armlock. Hash fights out of it slowly and reverses, but Riki reverses right back and chops away. Hash rolls to the outside before stepping back in and trying a chop battle with Riki. Both men fight through the pain, but after two straight chops Riki smiles at Hash and slaps him, followed with an overhead chop. Piledriver by Riki gets two. Riki drives knees into Hash’s head and gets a backbreaker. Hash fires up, blocking right after right and getting a backfist and enzuigiri. It gets one, as Riki slaps Hash and demands more. Hash gets angrier and begins firing off chops in the corner, but Riki headbutts Hash and spears him down. Cover with one hand gets two. Riki with a Tombstone try, but Hash cradles him for one, then gets a dicsus lariat and slaps on a triangle. Riki quickly stacks Hash for two, forcing a break. Hash hooks up a brainbuster, but Riki slips out the back and gives Hash one of his own. Another one-handed cover, but Hash gets the triangle out of it and is screaming at Riki. Riki frees his arm and lifts Hash up, but Hash breaks and uppercuts Riki, who no-sells as the crowd is getting impatient. The two just stare at each other before Hash tries a jumping DDT. Riki calmly slips out of it, glares at Hash, and picks him up for the Rainmaker to pin him with one hand at 17:48. **1/4

Analysis: What a weird match. It felt like a worked-shoot angle in a way, with the idea being Hashimoto wasn’t respected by Rikidozan, who insisted on keeping Shin’ya in his shadow. Backstage reports coming in were that Rikidozan felt Hashimoto couldn’t compare to Giant Baba and would flounder on his own, and the promoters clearly know this and want to see what’ll happen next.

After the match, Hashimoto gets up while Rikidozan celebrates. Rikidozan offers a handshake, and Hashimoto snaps, destroying Rikidozan from pillar to post and ending with a brainbuster through the announce table as the crowd takes Shin’ya’s side in this argument.

Art Barr and Louie Spicolli are hyping up Eddie Guerrero, saying no one believed in him for years before he made it to the top, and it’s clear no one believes in him tonight. He can steal the thunder from Dusty Rhodes and from the Heenan Family in one night and lead the Gringos to the promised land. Great promo by Eddie.

Miss Elizabeth and Sherri Martel vs. Cora Combs and Sweet Sapphire

Martel and Combs wrestle basically the entire match, with Martel cheating to take a quick advantage as the crowd is headed to the concessions. Elizabeth tags in to try to get the pin, but Combs kicks out and Martel, no fan of Elizabeth herself, keeps her in the ring. Sapphire with a powerslam for the pin at 3:42. 3/4*

Analysis: Thankfully short match. Just a cooldown that got the women on the card. The problem is that the women on the Red side are painfully shallow — well, it’s shallow all around right now — and matches like this just expose it. You don’t need to have every form of wrestling represented if it’s not ready.

A repeat of the opening video plays.

Bobo Brazil vs. Dusty Rhodes vs. Eddie Guerrero

Bockwinkel joins Solie on commentary. Three-way lockup to start, with Dusty taking advantage and elbowing both guys. He works over Bobo with elbows, but Bobo headbutts back and Eddie with a springboard forearm to Dusty. Bobo and Eddie with a double suplex on Dusty, who rolls out and rests as Bobo gets a headbutt on Eddie for two. Bobo with a headlock takedown and he works a headlock, but Eddie handstands out of it and catches Bobo with a hiptoss. Dusty back in with a slam to Eddie and he works the leg. Eddie fights out of it only to run into a back elbow from Dusty. Dusty with a clothesline on Eddie, but Bobo slugs down Dusty and gets an elbowdrop for two. Bobo tries to lift Dusty up for a suplex, but Dusty blocks and gets a spinebuster. Eddie out of nowhere with a diving rana on Dusty to send him to the outside, and Eddie dives after him. Back in, Eddie holds Dusty and Bobo gets the Wazzup headbutt to Dusty. Bobo covers, but Eddie breaks it up and gets a swinging neckbreaker. Eddie with the Tope Atomico (slingshot senton headbutt) for two on Bobo. Dusty lifts him up and gets a brainbuster for two. Dusty goes the figure-four on Bobo, but Eddie comes off the top with a frog splash on Dusty and everyone’s down. Bockwinkel stands up at the announce table and climbs to the apron to get a closer look. The referee tells Bockwinkel to get down, but Bock throws brass knuckles into the ring. Eddie sees them and takes them, but when Dusty gets up, Eddie hesitates. Bockwinkel encourages the KO, at which point Eddie realizes he’s being played and instead dives onto Bockwinkel. Dusty applauds, but turns around into a flying headbutt from Bobo and a piledriver for two. Bobo loads up a uranage, but Dusty elbows out and hooks Cross Rhodes for the pin at 19:53. ***

Analysis: Good three-way. Saving Eddie from the pinfall was a smart idea, as he clearly has a chance to be a future champion despite the logjam up top, and Bobo Brazil is the kind who can be rebuilt quickly with a few wins. Dusty had to win this match, since Dusty/Bockwinkel is THE story that’s been built to for months on end. But knowing Bockwinkel, there’s one last twist in the plot.

Bockwinkel takes the microphone and says he promised the winner of this match would get him one on one with no questions asked. But he’s worried about the people around him, so he asks Brazil and Eddie to leave the arena and get an early beer (“I’m sure Dusty will pick up your tab.”) Dusty waves them off, and the two leave for the back. Then the twist: Bockwinkel says that though he himself promised a one-on-one match, Heenan is his manager and overruled him. And with that, Gorilla Monsoon, Ray Stevens, and the Grahams surround the ring. Dusty quickly attacks Monsoon, but the 4-on-1 is just too much and they leave Dusty laying. Bockwinkel then says he’s ready. Hot angle to make Dusty an even bigger underdog, and the crowd is 100% behind him for the main event. Andre’s absence is interesting, though.

ALWF Galactic Title: Nick Bockwinkel vs. Dusty Rhodes

Bockwinkel is defending and tries a quick cover, but Dusty emphatically kicks out at two and powers up. Dusty fires off elbows to Bockwinkel and loads up Cross Rhodes, but Bockwinkel slides out and tosses Dusty to the outside, where the Grahams work him over. Back in, Bockwinkel with a picture-perfect dropkick and a snapmare as he switches to a front guillotine. Dusty lifts him up and rams him into the corner, but a blind charge results in Dusty being backdropped over the top right in front of Stevens. Stevens comes off the apron with Bombs Away before rolling Dusty in. Bockwinkel adds his own, getting two. Bockwinkel goes to a chinlock, and while the referee checks Dusty, Stevens pulls a turnbuckle off. Dusty elbows out and gets a jumping bionic elbow before backing Bockwinkel into the corner. He goes to whip Bockwinkel across, but Bock reverses and Dusty crashes into the exposed corner. Bockwinkel dropkicks Dusty back into it, then slams his head into it for good measure. Pin with his feet on the ropes gets two. Bockwinkel with a full nelson, but Dusty blocks a dragon suplex try and hiptosses Bockwinkel over. Bockwinkel rolls out and takes advice from Monsoon and Heenan, basically begging Dusty to follow him as the count gets higher. Dusty finally breaks the count and grabs Bockwinkel to throw him back in, but as he does Monsoon smashes Dusty between the eyes. Bockwinkel falls on top for two. Bockwinkel punches Dusty repeatedly in the head as Dusty’s develops a cut. Bockwinkel gets a leg trip on Dusty off the ropes, then works an Indian deathlock with bridge. Dusty crawls to the ropes, but Bockwinkel just kicks him to the outside where the Grahams get a Hart Attack. Back in, Bockwinkel gets two. Heenan finds the knuckles from earlier and tosses them in the ring in front of the referee, so that when he removes them, Stevens chokes Dusty on the bottom rope. Bockwinkel drops an elbow on Dusty’s leg and goes to the Garvin Stomp, ending by dropping his entire weight on Dusty’s leg and covering for two. Bockwinkel slaps on the figure-four, and Dusty’s shoulders fall back for a pair of two-counts. Dusty finally reaches up and tries everything to turn it over, but Bockwinkel keeps a wide base with his arms. Dusty sits up and begins elbowing Bockwinkel’s legs in the hold to break. Bockwinkel refuses to let go despite the pain, but he does go flat and that allows Dusty to reverse. The Grahams and Stevens try to re-reverse the hold, but when they succeed, Art Barr and Louie Spicolli race in and attack the Grahams! Stevens and Monsoon race over to turn the tide, but here come Argentina Rocca and Blue Demon to cut them off! A huge war is going on outside to distract the referee, allowing Heenan to throw Bockwinkel the brass knuckles again. Bockwinkel swings and misses, and Dusty gets a DDT on Bockwinkel. He clocks Heenan with the knuckles and throws them out before going to the top rope. Bockwinkel slowly stands up, and it’s a top-rope bionic elbow to Bockwinkel. Final Cut follows as Rocca holds Stevens back from interfering, and that gets the pin and the title at 25:14! ****1/4

Analysis: Whew, what a main event. This was 100% a Dusty match, with tons of cheating by the heels and Dusty overcoming very long odds. That’s not a knock on Dusty, either; he and Flair did this all the time and it always worked, as it did here. Despite the long weekend of wrestling, Dusty stole the headlines and earned every last one of them with 45 minutes of fantastic wrestling.

Dusty holds the belt up high as the midcard faces around ringside celebrate with him to end the show.

Final Analysis: This was all about Dusty, and he delivered. The undercard had some moments, with the Hart Foundation delivering in both of their matches, but everything was building up to Dusty Rhodes surviving and getting the final chance. Gorgeous George’s title win was a big heel moment, and Hashimoto snapping on Rikidozan is getting tons of attention in the Japanese Region, but at the end of the day, the feel-good moment rules all.

The Next TV Show: Bockwinkel asked for and got his rematch with Dusty, but the match ended in a DQ when Andre the Giant mugged Dusty. Heenan then said Dusty would defend at the Ashes Rumble against Andre. Meanwhile, Rumble entries confirmed included Brian Pillman, Giant Baba, Randy Savage, Bobo Brazil, and Adrian Adonis, plus Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith got a future tag title match by defeating 3 Minute Warning.