AWA All-Star Wrestling

I caught the tail end of this show on ESPN at 2 or 2:30 just before it went under. I was ten at the time and just started watching the WWF religiously and here was this AWA show. In a way it was better that WWF programing b/c you had well established superstars fighting each other instead of prelim jobbers getting squashed. Granted their superstars during this time were just the fat left over from one of Vince McMahons talent raids but they were well seasoned and talented wrestlers none the less. Here's a list from what I recall: -Greg Gagne getting his leg splashed by Kakina Maximus(Yokozuna) outside the ring thus loosing the chance to become tag team champions w/ Paul Diamond(Max Moon). Gagne was out w/ an injury and the Destruction Crew (Beverly Bros.) won the tag straps. -Paul Diamond was looking for a new tag partner and found the Trooper (the Patriot) -John Nords (Berzerker) gimmick was a lumberjack who carried around an axe called Bessie or Bertha. -Diamond and Trooper beat Sato and Tanaka (Orient Express) for a shot at the tag straps. -some wrestler called the Unknown Soldier. -World champ Larry Zybisko(sp.) was to fight the Unknownn Soldier but it turned out to be Mr. Saito under a mask. -Wayne Bloom would never let Mike Enos talk during promos. -I also caught the tail end of the Team Challenge Series. I remember Mikman Millman helped the team win and he kept going on and on about it.

The little bit I saw during the early 90's was enough to leave an impression on me. The product was nothing like the glitz and glamour of the WWF. It was a no nonsense, pure wrestling at its finest. Very traditional right down to the mic work. I'm still trying to find old AWA tapes. If you're sick of the current product the WWe is dishing out. Get ahold of some classic AWA or NWA. You won't be disappointed.

I watch them in Wrestlemania, Summer Slam, Survivor series and the Royal rumble. However, where did these wrestlers come from and how did they get started? Just like any other profession, before you make it to the big leagues you have to pay your dues somewhere. The AWA Wrestling association so you how the wrestlers got there start and the dues that they had to paid to before making it big in the WWF. Sergeant Slaughter and Jerry Blackwell take on the Road Warriors Hawk and Animal for the AWA Tag Team Championship. The Incredible Hulk Hogan takes on Mr. Saito and Dr. Dave Shultz in a handy cap match. You'll here Mean gene Okerland name mention as the time keeper. Rick Martel and Tito Santana face of against Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne for some AWA Gold inside of a steel cage. You'll also see the East and West Connection also know as Jessie The Body Ventura and Adorable Adrian Adonis. Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwenkle takes on terry Allen who went on to WCW as Magnum TA. Now let's talk about the legend of Andre the Giant. Andre was born may 19th 1946. His grandmother measured in at 7 foot 8 inches. At age 12, Andre was already a very big boy standing 6'4 and weigh over 200lbs. Andre was working as furniture maker when he was approached about being a wrestler. Andre started wrestling when he was 17 years old. At the age of 19, Andre was over 7 feet tall and 335 lbs. One of Andre matches in AWA was against Jerry Blackwell who weighs over 473 lbs himself. This was a $5000.00 slam match on 11-4-80 with the first wrestler to slam the other gets the cash. Andre was introduced to his first battle royal on October 17 1982, where the winner of this match gets 100 thousand dollars. Some of the wrestlers that were in the ring at the time were jerry Blackwell, Jessie Ventura, Bobby Heenan, Nick Bockwenkle, and Ken Patera. Then on November 11th 1982 Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant teamed up together to face the Nick Bockwenkle, Ken Patera, Dungam and Heenan himself. Wahoo McDaniel also made his debut in the AWA in 1969 before he went to WCW also. Other wrestlers that came up through the AWA were The Fabulous Freebirds, Curt Henning, Rick Flair, and Magnum TA. Larry Zbysko, Superstar Billy Graham. If you think that Vince McMahon is the only owner to get into a ring then you never saw Verne Gagne wrestle. I believe that most of Vince McMahon's ideas in the early years were taken from the AWA. At Wrestlemania, two when Rowdy Roddy Piper faces Mr. T in a boxing match that idea had already been used by the AWA. The idea of the Heenan family also was used in the AWA. Vince didn't make Hulk Hogan the legend that he is because he also use the same name in the AWA it was also funny watching Mean Gene Okerland move up the ranks from a time keeper, to doing locker-room interviews to doing wrestling commentary. The match between the Andre the Giant and Big John Studd at Wrestlemania one as the 15 thousand dollar slam match also came from AWA. If you think about it, most of McMahon idea came from other wrestling organization. If you really watch this DVD, you'll fine that if it wasn't for the AWA, I don't think the WWF would be where it's at today. In addition, you see that some of the wrestlers were in two different organizations also. For instant Ric flair was wrestling in the AWA at the same time that he was wrestling for World Championship Wrestling. Overall, I give this picture 10 weasel stars because it was such a revelation as far as understanding the world of professional wrestling back in the late 70s and early 80s.

IN THAT WORLD where the world of Sports & Athleticism collides with the universe of the Melodrama, the Morality Play and Mythological Heroes & Monsters, we find the American phenomenon of Professional Wrestling. In it there are many variations of the species, each peculiar to its own terrain and indigenous populous.

WHEREVER OR FOR whomever they 'rassled', the Pro Grappler was basically the same and were quite adaptable to journeying between the various Eco systems. From the big shows in Madison Square Garden (NYC), the International Amphitheater (Chicago), Kiel Auditorium (St. Louis) or to any tiny venue anywhere, Wrestling was Wreatling. Its parts were very interchangeable.

BUT IN MUCH the same manner as fads and fashions, what was in vogue today would not necessarily fly the next. Where false biographies, counterfeit titles of nobility and backgrounds done a la Jules Verne were always around, it seemed that these elements were taking center stage ahead of ability on the mat.

IN THE FACE of all this excessive intrusion of the superficial, there was no greater defender of a "back to basics" than Verne Gagne. Having been in wrestling as a kid, it could be said that Gagne grew up in the sport. He was an All American Wrestler from the University of Minnesota, where the local boy also was an End on the Golden Gopher Football team*

HIS CAREER IN the pro ranks began following service in the U.S. Marine corps in World War II. It was a career that started near the top and never fell off. His matches were often nationally televised events; being several title shots vs. World Champion, Lou Thesz.**

UNLIKE MANY TALENTED persons in any variety of fields, Mr. Gagne invested wisely in a boxing & wrestling promotions business in Minneapolis, formerly run by former World's Heavyweight Champion Wrestler, Joe Stecher and his brother Tony. This Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club would become the American Wrestling Association, AWA for short.

THIS WAS THE parent organization that gave the America, Canada and the whole World "AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING". The series bowed in 1960 and lasted from 1960 until approximately 1988. Although it first was done from the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, it later relocate to the Showboat Hotel in Las Vegas, where it did its last shows.

THE SHOW AS well as the AWA promotions fell victim to changes in the grappling business. In place of the former territorial system, national promotions dominated the scene. Local TV programs run on UHF stations gave way to cable and some "punk" from NYC moved in on everyone else.

THIS SHOW DID as great a job that was possible in bringing on virtually every great in the business in the course of its run. Of course, these "stars" were also going to be appearing in big cards being promoted in very big venues where the program aired. But, after all that's what the show was for!***

WE FEEL THE need to include just a brief statement about Wrestling's being 'fixed" or "rigged". At every night of pro wrestling, no matter where, the show will be opened with an address by the Ring Announcer that goesa somethinga lika thisa:

"Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen, welcome to All Star Heavyweight Wrestling, Joe Blatz promoter." (and now most importantly) he continues......"These EXHIBITIONS are sanctioned by the State Athletic Commission of (your state here)." Nuff said about that.

NOTE: * Verne had a chance to go to the Chicago Bears and was an End in the 1949 College All-Star Football Game (as LaVerne Gagne). He chose wrestling.

NOTE ** Most of these matches originated in Chicago's International Amphitheater and were televised over WGN TV and the Du Mont Television Network.

NOTE*** All of those stars appeared, as well as rookie newcomers (aka "Job Men") such as this writer, who did some pro wrestling for about 7 years (part time).

Back in the early 80's "AWA Wrestling" on "ESPN" was some of my first exposure to the ring and the action was fun most of it out of Minnesota and other regional regions. True the league did not have the budget of "WWF" or "NWA" still it was fun and entertaining with Hall, Henning, Gagne, and the Freebirds, plus the legendary "Road Warriors" started here! This league was like a little bit of food club or B list wrestling still it was a springboard for fun action between the ropes! Like an appetizer before the juicy steak!

Remember when they had such wrestlers as Tom "Rocky" Stone, Jake "The Milkman" Milliman, Rooster Griffin, Sammy Darrell, that pear shaped wrestler Herman Schafer, Nacho Barrara, The Black Panther, Coco Lewis, Angel Rivera, John Hill and his war dance, Chris Curtis, Paul Gardner, Rocky King, The Beast from Argentina, Hollywood Nelson, Spike Huber "who should of been better than a preliminary wrestler" Brian Knobs, Jerry Sags, Rick Hunter, Kenny "KO" Kaos, Ron Ritchie, Freddy "Puppy Dog" Pelequin, Craig Carson, The Zulu, "Torpedo" Guzman, Tom Zenk,and Sonny Rogers. And they described Col DeBeers as "The mercenary from South Africa, champion of apartheid!