MAPLE LEAF WRESTLING
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
09-17-1981
Buffalo Memorial Auditorium

OPENING MATCH: STEVE WRIGHT vs. EDDIE GILBERT (referee-Terry Yorkston)

-The match starts with a friendly handshake between both baby faces. They circle the ring and begin feeling each other out with some mat wrestling. Gilbert seems to know a counter for most of Wright’s moves, but Wright stays at few steps ahead by using his vast knowledge of holds and his edge in experience. The entire match is wrestled clean and stays in the ring with both men working at a very fast pace. Both men trade an incredible series of pinning combinations at about the 10 minute mark. Wright with a backslide, but Gilbert rolls out at two. Both men get back to their feet, Gilbert with a small package but Wright kicks out. Wright with a go behind into a schoolboy, but Gilbert escapes again. Gilbert is up before Wright and hits him with a sunset flip for yet another near fall! The match tilts into Gilbert’s favor as the youngster has Wright reeling with punches, arm drags and drop kicks. Gilbert whips Wright into the ropes but Wright reverses it. Wright sets early for a backdrop and Gilbert counters by going for a second sunset flip. Wright counters the sunset flip by using his slight advantage in body weight to shift forward and cradle Gilbert’s legs. Gilbert is all tied up and the referee counts to three as he valiantly tries to escape.

RESULT: WRIGHT BY PINFALL AT 13:29 WITH A COUNTER TO GILBERT’S SUNSET FLIP ATTEMPT

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY MAPLE LEAF PRESIDENT FRANK TUNNEY…

-Tunney walks to the ring and takes the house mic, a grim look on his face.

TUNNEY-“Ladies and Gentlemen, I regret to inform you that the Rougeau Brothers are yet to show up tonight. I have not heard from Jacques or Raymond since Saturday afternoon, but I assure you that they would not miss an opportunity at the WCFL World’s Tag Team Championship without a very good reason. In fact, the Rougeaus were very proud of their title shot. That is all that they were talking about the last time I spoke with them.”

-Jerry and Johnny Valiant come to the ring, both grinning from ear to ear.

JOHNNY-“So let me get this straight, President. The Rougeaus didn’t have the guts to show up here tonight to take on the Andersons.”

TUNNEY-“Yes, that is correct. They have not arrived here YET anyway. “

JOHNNY-“Well then let’s just say, oh hypothetically, that the Rougeaus don’t make it here tonight. That would leave the Andersons without and opponent, right?”

TUNNEY-“Once again you are correct, Mr. Valiant.”

JOHNNY-“Well then, your in luck!”

JERRY-“Yeah, your in luck.”

TUNNEY-“In luck? What are you two talking about?”

JOHNNY-“Well seeing as the Rougeaus aren’t here and seeing as we are and aren’t scheduled to be wrestling anyone tonight. I figure we can do you a favor.”

TUNNEY-“A favor?”

JERRY-“Yeah, a favor.”

JOHNNY-“Well I’m sure that you would like to have a World Tag Title match here tonight like you promised all of these here New York fans.”

TUNNEY-“Certainly, that is what was advertised and that is what is going to take place!”

JOHNNY-“Then you agree.”

TUNNEY-“Agree to what?”

JOHNNY-“Agree that should the Rougeaus not have the guts to show up here tonight, that there would be no team better than to take their place than the Valiant Brothers.

JERRY-“Yeah, and right here in front of our home state fans on top of that!” (Crowd boos)

TUNNEY-“No, no I don’t agree. The Rougeaus earned that shot at the titles!”

JOHNNY-“Let me remind you Tunney that when I got pinned in that match that it wasn’t by the legal guy! If you don’t give us this shot then I’ll be on the phone with my lawyers in New York City in no time flat!”

TUNNEY-“Well um, there’s no need to do that. I tell you what I will do. I can’t promise you the match just yet, but if the Rougeaus have not made it here by time for the match to start you two may take their place. Fair enough?”

JERRY-(celebrating) “Brother! Brother! We did it! We did it! We tricked those…”

JOHNNY-(smacking Jerry and talking to him under his breath) “Shut up! Will ya! (back to normal) Mr. Tunney, I have talked it over with my brother and those arrangements seem to suit us quite nicely. I am certain that the Rougeaus would not dare show their faces in our state of New York! It is now only a matter of time before our hands are raised in victory as the new WCFL Tag Team Champions!”

-The Valiants leave as Tunney ensures the crowd that he will do everything in his power to get in touch with the Rougeaus before their match tonight…

SECOND MATCH: KENNY JAY vs. MIKE MILLER (referee Fred Atkins)

-The match starts with both men bowed up chest to chest arguing over that happen when they competed as a tag team last week. A shoving match ensues with quickly turns into fisticuffs. The taller Miller takes control of the match early running on adrenaline. He levels Jay with several big rights sending Jay scooting back to the corner. Jay starts to use his experience to work over the inexperienced Miller and take control of the match. Miller gets a second wind and takes control of the match yet again. He nails Jay with a series of big clotheslines that sends Jay scrambling to the floor. Miller shows his in experience yet again by not following Jay out to the floor right away. Jay finally entices Miller to come out side and gets him to chase him around the ring. Jay enters the ring first and catches Miller with a knee lift as he is reentering the ring to take charge of the match once again. Miller fights back and hits a side slam to get a near fall. Miller disagrees with the ref about the count. As Miller argues with the ref, Jay rolls him up from behind and collects the pin fall using a hand full of tights for leverage.

RESULT: KENNY JAY BY PINFALL AT 6:20 WITH A HAND FULL OF TIGHTS

THIRD MATCH: KING KONG BUNDY vs. AKIO SATO (referee Fred Atkins)

-Bundy appears to have moved up to the next level of competition here with the internationally experienced Sato. Sato uses his agility, experience and martial arts prowess to give Bundy fits during the first five minutes of the match. Bundy looks bewildered as Sato buzzes around him like a hornet, using quick blows and his speed to stay away from the lumbering monster. Bundy tries to use he size and great strength to his advantage but Sato maneuvers out of each situation. Bundy charges Sato but Sato quickly hops over the ropes and to the floor, leaving Bundy huffing and puffing and angrily kicking at the ring ropes. Bundy demands that Sato re-enter the ring. When he does, Sato goes to work on Bundy’s legs with a series of stiff kicks to his shin and thighs. Bundy looks pissed and now seems to be moving even slower than normal. One mistake is all Bundy needs however as he catches Sato by the leg on one of his kick attempts, lifts his prey into a bear hug position and runs him into the turnbuckle. A now exhausted Bundy follows this up with a big splash to get his demanded 5 count.

RESULT: BUNDY BY PINFALL AT 9:01

AMATURE WRESTLING DEMONSTATION WITH RIC FLAIR & TERRY TAYLOR

-Flair and Taylor make their way out to the ring together. Flair appears to be giving Taylor a pep talk of some sorts, but you cannot hear what is being said between the two men. Flair and Taylor enter the ring and Flair gets on the house mic.

FLAIR-“All right ladies and gentlemen, Woooooooooooo! It’s now time to see if I can teach the kid a thing or two, or maybe find out if he’s got a little something up his sleeve. Terry, I asked a few guys from the back to help us out on this one. Guys, come on out here.”

-Steve Wright, Eddie Gilbert and Kenny Jay make their way to the ring.

FLAIR-“Now Terry, I know you’ve been having trouble with Adrian Street and I intend to use this here demonstration to help you out. I know you’ve been in the pro game for a few years now, but I think we need to go back to basics and see what you’ve got and work from there.”

TAYLOR-“Okay.”

FLAIR-“Terry, you may know who these guys are, but just in case some of the fans out there don’t allow me to give them a little introduction.”

-Flair walks up to Kenny Jay…

FLAIR-“This here’s the Sod Buster! He’s been around the game for a while now and has been in the ring with three former World’s Champions. This guy really knows what’s going on when he steps into the ring. Moving on…”

-Flair moves down the line to Steve Wright…

FLAIR-“Now I know this guy’s no stranger to you, Terry. Steve Wright, international superstar, master of thousands of holds and escapes! I’m sure that you know from experience that this guy can really go and I’m sure that after that recent loss to you that he’s looking for a little retribution.”

-Flair moves down the line to Eddie Gilbert. Flair shakes his hand and rubs the youngster on the head. Gilbert smiles a bit, humoring Flair…

FLAIR-“Now! This kid here is the son of Tommy Gilbert, enough said. His dad was one of the toughest ever and Eddie’s known professional wrestling ever since he was knee high to a grasshopper. I tell you, this kid’s going to be a good one!”

-Flair goes through the wrestlers in order, first Jay, then Wright and finally Gilbert. He demonstrates one of many amateur techniques to Taylor and then asks Taylor to give it a shot. Taylor passes each test with flying colors, perhaps doing even better than Flair himself…

FLAIR-“Woooooooo! What do you know! I think the kid’s got it! I tell you what Terry, how about one final test?”

-Flair gets down on all fours in an amateur stance asking Taylor to take him on…

VOICE FROM RINGSIDE: “Now wait just one second!”

-Harley Race has made his way ringside and taken over the house mic. Flair and Taylor look up from what they were doing.

RACE: “Why don’t you try me on for size?”

-Flair gets back in an amateur stance again. He dares Race to step in the ring. Race steps through the ropes and readies himself.

RACE: “No, I’m not talking about you Flair! I want the kid!”

-Flair quickly hops up and stands side by side with Taylor.

TAYLOR: (audibly talking to Flair) “Ric, I don’t know if I’m ready for this. That guys held the World’s title a half a dozen times.”

-Flair huddles up with Taylor and whispers some pointers in his ear. Meanwhile Race is becoming restless…

RACE: “Any day now! Let’s get on with it! You three (Gilbert, Wright and Jay) get out of here. I don’t want inferior competition littering up my ring! You three just sit back at watch a real pro at work!”

-A very tentative Taylor gets into an amateur position. Taylor gets down on all fours and Race engages him. Taylor sits out with only a little effort. Race looks shocked and furious…

RACE: “Why don’t you try me on for size now! Your nothing but a punk kid just like Flair!”

-Race demands that Taylor try him on for size. Race gets on all fours. Taylor locks him up and rides him. Race cannot escape. He scurries to the ropes and Taylor lets go. When Race gets to his feet he angrily kicks the ropes. Flair seems amused by what has happened so far…

RACE: “Dumb luck! It’s nothing but dumb luck I tell you! Taylor let’s go another round!”

Race now demands that Taylor get down on all fours again. Taylor obliges and then an angry Race goes to kick Taylor in the ribs. Taylor senses what is going on and rolls out of the way causing Race to miss and take a huge flailing back bump. Flair and Taylor laugh and mock Race who then angrily rolls out of the ring and gets on the house mic…

RACE: “Flair! Taylor! No one makes a mockery out of Harley Race and gets away with it!”

FLAIR: “What are you going to do about it Harley, fall flat on your ass again?”

Race pounds the ring apron in anger. In the background, Taylor says something to Flair, who seems to think that it’s a good idea…

FLAIR: “I tell you what! Terry just had a good idea right now. He says that if you want a piece of us then why don’t you go to the back and get yourself a partner and take us on in a tag team match. Right now! Woooooooooo!”

TAYLOR: “Go ahead Harley, We’ll be right here waiting on you!”

-Race angrily marches backstage and returns a few moments later with someone that Taylor is all too familiar with… “Exotic” Adrian Street!

FORTH MATCH: “NATURE BOY” RIC FLAIR/TERRY TAYLOR vs. “HANDSOME” HARLEY RACE/”EXOTIC” ADRIAN STREET (referee Terry Yorkston)

-Taylor and Race are about to start the match off when Race demands that Flair step in the ring. Race then bellows something about this being Flair’s fault and that no one embarrasses Harley Race and gets away with it. Flair continues to anger Race by repeatedly showing him up to the point that Race demands that Flair tag in Taylor. Flair tags Taylor in and Taylor shows Race up for a few moments until Race takes over by raking the eyes. Race and Street take over the match by working over Taylor in their corner. After several minutes Taylor starts to come back but gets cut off. Several more minutes pass with Taylor getting the stuffing beat out of him. Taylor appeared to have made the tag but the referee was distracted and didn’t see it. After a few more minutes, Taylor was finally able to make the hot tag and he and Flair cleaned both Street and Race’s clocks. The duo used a series of double noggin knockers to send Race and Street out of the ring. Once Race and Street regrouped Street and Flair engaged in some good mat wrestling and then Flair tagged Taylor back in and more of the same continued. Taylor and Flair worked over Street’s leg to set up the figure four but Street was finally able to make the tag to Race. Race gives control back to his team taking over on Taylor. Adrian Street distracts the ref allowing Race to throw Taylor over the top rope and to the floor without getting DQ’ed. Flair gets into the ring in protest but is attacked by both Street and Race. Race and Street go for a spike pile driver on Flair but as Street goes up the turnbuckle, Taylor recovers to shove him off the top rope into the guard railing. Flair then kicks his legs forcing Race to set him down for a split second allowing Race to be hit out of no where with a top rope sunset flip by Taylor who was the legal man! The ref makes the count and Race has been pinned clean in the middle of the ring by Terry Taylor! The place comes unglued. A stunned Race quickly gets up and staggers backwards falling out of the ring between the ropes. This gathers a round of laughs from the crowd. Street staggers up to Race and tries to explain what went wrong. Meanwhile, the ref raises Taylor’s and Flair’s arms in victory.

-Flair grabs the mic…

FLAIR: “Terry, I’ve got one more thing I want to show you before we leave Buffalo tonight! Wooooooo!”

-Flair drops the mic, demonstrates his signature strut, and then coaxes Taylor to do like wise. Taylor, a little bashful at first eventually is talked into it by the persuasive Flair. Taylor does the “Flair” strut and the crowd comes undone yet again…

RESULT: FLAIR & TAYLOR BY PINFALL AT 28:59 WHEN TAYLOR PINNED RACE

INTERMISSION

FIFTH MATCH: LEO BURKE vs. BUDDY ROBERTS (referee Terry Yorkston)

-Roberts stalls much of the match trying to stay away from Burke’s advantage in power. Roberts is able to take advantage by breaking rules and manipulating the referee. Once soundly in control, Roberts thinks he can out wrestle Burke, but Leo is up to the task. Roberts pouters out of the ring and tries to regroup. Burke demands that Roberts get back in the ring, but Roberts acts as though he is going to walk to the back. After a few moments, Roberts comes charging back towards the ring and slides in and quickly back out to break the count again. Roberts gloats on the floor with his back away from the ring. As Roberts points at his head about how smart he is as Burke sneaks up behind Roberts and taps him on the shoulder. Roberts shrugs off the tap and says “not now ref”. He continues to gloat and Burke taps him on the shoulder again. This time Roberts turns and is met with a big right hand by Burke. Burke hits Roberts several more times and then sends him back into the ring. Roberts take control again for a brief period. Roberts goes to whip Burke into the ropes, but Burke reverses it. Burke drops down and Roberts continues to run the ropes. On the rebound off the ropes, Burke hops up and catches Roberts with a belly to belly suplex to get the three count.

RESULT:BURKE BY PINFALL AT 15:25 WITH A BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX

SIXTH MATCH: ANGELO MOSCA/????? vs. BOBBY DUNCUM/BARRY ORTON (referee Fred Atkins)

-Mosca comes to the ring alone where he is confronted by Duncum and Orton…

DUNCUM: “Well what have we got here! Doesn’t look like An-ge-LO has got him a partner now does it Barry?

MOSCA: “Oh I’ve got a partner all right!”

DUNCUM: “Oh you do? I think that you just THINK that you have a partner. You see An-ge-LO, I heard ya’ talkin’ on the show last week and you gave out just a little bit too much information about your so called partner! Why I’ve known Stan Hansen for years. Hell, Stan was even there for me when my baby boy, Junior was born. There’s no way in hell he’s teaming up with you!”

-At this time, a large masked man appears at ringside in a cowboy hat and a long trench coat. The masked man slowly gets into the ring and makes his way towards Duncum. He slowly approaches Duncum and Orton, stops in front of both men and says nothing…

DUNCUM: “Stan, I know that’s you! Why don’t you take that silly get up off and help me clean this jerk’s (Mosca’s) clock!”

-Duncum extends his hand towards the masked figure in a gesture of friendship, but is instead met with a big right hand to the jaw. Mosca and the Masked Man brawl with Orton and Duncum until the heels bail out of the ring. The masked man then takes off the mask to reveal…BLACKJACK MULLIGAN!!!

-Once Orton and Duncum get over the shock and gather up some courage, the match begins. Caught off guard Orton and Duncum are dominated for the entire match. There is a lot of brawling all over the ringside area. There is a lot of all four men brawling in the ring at once with Duncum and Mosca pairing off and Orton and Mulligan pairing off. Mosca and Mulligan simultaneously ram their opponents heads into opposite turnbuckles and then whip Orton and Duncum into each other. Orton and Duncum roll out of the ring after this continuous onslaught and opt to head for the locker rooms. Mosca, Mulligan and the crowd count along with the ref as Orton and Duncum are counted out of the ring. Mosca and Mulligan have their hands raised in victory and Mosca then gives Mulligan a hardy handshake and pat on the shoulder.

RESULT: MOSCA/MULLIGAN BY COUNT OUT AT 9:17

SEVENTH MATCH: WCFL TAG TEAM TITLES-THE ANDERSONS © vs. THE VALIANT BROTHERS (referee Terry Yorkston)

-When the Valiants make their way out into the arena the fans immediately know that the Rougeaus have not made their title shot. Even their home state fans boo them. The Andersons enter to almost the same reaction as they aren’t liked anywhere as well. Both teams open up by feeling each other out. The Valiants stall but the Andersons keep the pressure on and keep the match moving. Each team tries to get the advantage by breaking the rules, but for every dirty trick the Valiants can muster, the Andersons have an equally dirty trick in their play book and vice versa. The match continues in this manner for several minutes with no one team taking a clear advantage. Just as it appears that the Valiants are starting to come up with some offense, The Rougeaus storm the ring and brawl with Jerry and Johnny. Jacques and Raymond are all rights and lefts and dominate the brawl all around ringside and down the aisle. As the Valiants head for the safety of their locker room, The Rougeaus return to the ring and try to explain to the Andersons what happened. The Andersons don’t want to hear any of it, as they are not happy about being cost a victory. The Andersons brawl with the Rougeaus. The Valiants make their way back out and join the Anderson in their beat down of the Rougeaus. The Andersons finally leave, but like vultures, the Valiants continue to feed on the leftovers. Eddie Gilbert and Mike Miller try to come to the Rougeaus rescue but are quickly disposed over the top rope by Jerry and Johnny who then continue their destruction of the Rougeaus. Finally Angelo Mosca, Blackjack Mulligan and Terry Taylor hit the ring and the Valiants bail out. The Rougeaus have to be helped to the back. They are now in no shape to explain why they were late.

RESULT: THE VALIANTS BY DQ AT 12:39 WHEN THE ROUGEAUS RUN IN AND ATTACK THE VALIANTS

MAIN EVENT: ANDRE THE GIANT vs. THE SHEIK (referee Fred Atkins)

-This match marks both combatants return to Maple Leaf Wrestling after several weeks on the road. Both men have a storied past and there is no love loss between them. The Sheik’s manager, the Grand Wizard believes that a win over Andre will catapult him to the very top of the rankings while Andre just wants to continue being the 8th wonder of the world.

The Sheik tears into Andre before the opening bell and rips into his flesh using a fork that he pulled from his boot. The ref signals for the bell in a panic and is finally successful at getting the weapon away from the mad man. The Giant goes down in pain, blood flowing freely from his forehead. The Sheik, sensing that his opponent is hurt, goes after Andre with everything that he has. He pounds the tip of his pointed boot into the canvas and then repeatedly kicks Andre in the ribs. Andre now clearly in pain fights back in the only way he knows how. Rising up to one knee, he connects on the Sheik with a head butt. The Sheik is staggered but quickly comes back only to be met with another Giant head butt. The Sheik retaliates by pulling out a second fork, this time from his tights. The Sheik stabs the Giant just above the right eye this time, bringing the Giant to one knee once again. The ref can stand no more and calls for the bell. The Sheik, a crazed look in his eyes, shoves the referee down and goes after him with the fork, mounts him and slowly raises the fork over his head in a psychotic attempt to do some major damage. Seeing what is happening, Andre lifts the Sheik off the ref by taking a hand full of the Sheik’s hair in each hand. The Giant has snapped in a fit of anger! He repeatedly head butts the Sheik repeatedly, refusing to let The Sheik fall to the canvas. Referees, officials and wrestlers storm the ring in an attempt to stop Andre from doing any more damage. At first, the Giant is oblivious to everything around him but he eventually listens to reason and lets The Sheik fall in a heap on the canvas. The Giant then has his hand raised in victory as Angelo Mosca and others continue to try to keep Andre calm and collected.

RESULT: ANDRE BY DQ AT 7:16