North American Championship Wrestling
Sanctioned by the American Wrestling Assosciation
 
Saturday Aug. 14, 1980
Olympic Auditorium
Los Angeles CA.
 
 
 
 
 
Match 1:  Six Man Tag Team Match - 15 Minute Time Limit
The Italian Stallions, Johnny Garcia & Tony Rocco and Mike Boyette vs. The Thunderfoots & Victor Rivera
 
The action was fast and hot to start the night, and the fans were happy when the good guys picked up the win with Boyette pinning Thunderfoot #1 with a sunset flip at 12:20.
 
 
 
 
Match 2:  Silver State Brass Knuckles Title Match - 30 Minute Time Limit
Porkchop Cash vs. Danny "Bullwhip" Johnson
 
Cash went right after Johnson to open the match because of the hanging incident two weeks ago.  Johnson put up a good fight though, and came prepared for this type of battle.  He had his fists taped up and went toe to toe with Cash.  Cash though was feuled by anger and finished off Johnson by dumping him over the top rope, and then body slamming him on the floor.  Johnson couldn't answer the ref's ten count and Cash retained the title in 9:03.
 
 
 
 
Match 3:  Special Challenge Match - 30 Minute Time Limit
John Tolos vs. Prof. Toru Tanaka w/ Fred Blassie
 
Tolos wasted no time in going after Tanaka as soon as the bell rang.  He and Tanaka engaged in a bitter contest.  Tanaka used an array of nerve holds to control the action, while Tolos used his experience to fight back every time.  The match ended when Tolos left the ring to chase Fred Blassie who had been trying to interfere.  The ref counted Tolos out of the ring.  Blassie dashed into the ring and when Tolos followed, he was met with chops by Tanaka.  He answered those with punches, and quickly had chased both Tanaka and Blassie from the ring.  He then chased them down the aisle way.  Time of match was 11:44.
 
 
 
 
Match 4:  Pacific Championship & Perfect Record vs. Perfect Record - 30 Minute Time Limit
Al Madril vs. Ricky Rickard
 
Before the match began, the two men shook hands.  The match was a scientific battle throughout, and both men were giving it their best as they both want to be Pacific Champion, and keep their winning records intact.  It was back and forth, with both men showing the other that they weren't going to back off.  Rickard went for a leap frog, and came down awkwardly on his left leg.  He hobbled around the ring for a moment, and Madril came over to check on him.  Rickard was bent over, and seemed to be telling him what was wrong, when all of a sudden Madril hooked him around the neck and delivered a fisherman's suplex and got a cheap three count to keep his title and end Rickard's win streak at 17:30.  Madril got his belt and left to a chorus of boos.  Rickard needed the referee's assistance to make it back to the locker room.
 
 
 
 
Match 5:  North American Tag Team Championship Match - 60 Minute Time Limit:
The Heavenly Bodies w/ Blassie vs. Antonio Inoki & Tiger Mask
 
The challengers dominated most of the match.  Inoki had too much expericence on the young Bodies, while Tiger Mask was much quicker for them.  The Heavenly Bodies just seemed to be out of synch the whole time, and their Japanese foes took full advantage and dominated the match.  After several quick near falls, Fred Blassie motioned for his men.  They jumped from the ring and took a hike to the locker room, taking a countout loss in the process at 16:50.
 
 
 
 
Match 6:  Grudge Match - 30 Minute Time Limit
Jesse "The Body" Ventura vs. Hercules Hernandez
 
The youthful Hercules dominated Ventura in the early going, due to being the stronger of the two.  Eventually though, Ventura turned the match to his favor and used a wide assortment of moves and holds to control Hercules.  He actually lifted Herc up for his over the shoulder backbreaker, but the youngster refused to give up.  It bewildered Ventura, but he kept on the attack, and finally finished off Herc with by throwing him shoulder first between the top and middle turnbuckles into the ring post.  He pulled him back out of the ropes and pinned him at 13:17.
 
 
 
 
Intermission
 
 
 
 
Match 7:  Tag Team Challenge Match - 30 Minute Time Limit
Bob Backlund & Pat Patterson vs. "Cowboy" Bob Yuma & A Mystery Partner
 
Yuma's mystery partner turned out to be Billy Anderson.  Anderson charged the ring and went right after Backlund and Patterson with Yuma at his side.  Backlund and Patterson rebuked their effort and the match started properly.  Backlund and Patterson had an anwer for all of Yuma and Anderson's offense, until they started cheating and performing illegal double teams.  They wore down Backlund for a while, but he made a hot tag to Patterson who came in and cleaned house.  Backlund got back to his feet, and the two of them racked the heads of Yuma and Anderson.  Patterson lifted Anderson for a brainbuster, while Backlund delivered an atomic drop to Yuma and they pinned both men at 15:00.
 
 
 
 
Match 8:  Loser Leaves Town, Handicap Street Fight - No Time Limit
Jerry Brown vs. Spike Huber & Saul Weingeroff
 
Spike and Saul came in with Spike wearing jeans and boots, and Saul in full football pads and uniform.  The uniform was that of Pittsburgh Steeler Terry Bradshaw.  They waited for Brown, but he came in out of the crowd behind them.  He tapped Spike on the shoulder, and when he turned around he threw a handful of powder in his eyes.  He then stalked Saul as the fans were cheering him on.  He grabbed Saul by the face mask on his helmet and slung him to the mat before ripping the helmet off of him.  Spike was starting to come around at this point, and Brown drilled him in the gut with the helmet, putting him out to the floor.  Brown then went back to Saul and ripped the jersey and shoulderpads off of him.  He then unloaded with big punches on Saul in the corner that busted him wide open.  He was stopped by a shot across the back with a folding chair by Spike from behind.  Spike and Saul then double teamed Brown into a bloody mess.  They stopped their attack long enough to gloat to the crowd and celebrate a little with high-fives.  But that just gave Brown time to regain his composure.  he jumped up behind them and got ahold of the football helmet again.  He waited for them to turn around, and they were scarred stiff.  They both dropped to their knees begging for mercy.  He kicked Saul in the chest to put him all the way down.  He then told Spike to get up and threatened him with a helmet shot if he didnt.  Spike stood up and Brown blasted him in the head with the helemt anyway, drawing blood.  He then went over and kicked at Saul a few times, and then Brown put the helmet on.  He walked around and waited on Spike to get up, and when he did, Jerry headbutted him down and out with the helmet and covered him for the three count at 9:05.
Spike Huber has to leave NACW for 90 days.
Jerry celebrated with some ringside fans before leaving.
 
 
 
 
Match 9:  Grudge Tag Team Match - 30 Minute Time Limit
Black Gordman & Great Goliath vs. Hector & Mando Guerrero w/ Gory
 
The fans were expecting a wild one and got it in full with this encounter.  The match broke loose at the opening bell and referee Johnny Duggan was never in full control as all four men battled it out.  He DQ'ed both teams at 6:50  of intense action.  Once the bell rang, the action spilled to the floor and all the way back to the locker room as both teams were set on revenge.
 
 
 
 
Main Event:
 
Match 10:  AWA World Heavyweight Championship - 60 Minute Time Limit
Dick Murdoch vs. Nick Bockwinkle
 
The challenger came out first to the Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries, looking smug and feeling confident with his trade mark towel in his right hand. He enters the ring raises his arms and looks at the thousands in the crowd booing him.  
 
Bockwinkel has spend the last several months raising the ire of fans in California and across the country on nationwide television. While on his quest for another world title reign, the veteran former champion has issued campaigns against the AWA’s top stars on both coasts. This campaign has had its successes and its failures against a new generation of stars such as Bob Backlund, Tommy Rich and Austin Idol. Feeling like a human bridge between two generations, Bockwinkel feels a sense of urgency, younger stronger horses are in the race now and his opportunities for establishing his greatness are running out.  
 
As Jerrold Immel’s Theme from Dallas blares through the speakers, The AWA World Heavyweight Champion Dick Murdoch enters the arena to the cheers of the fans. Murdoch is wearing white chaps, a vest, a white cowboy hat and the AWA World Heavyweight Title on his shoulder as he makes his way to the ring soaking up the cheers from and shaking hands with the Los Angeles fans.  
 
Once in the ring, you can see a three inch bandage across the forehead of the champion proving Murdoch is a fighting champion. That is a motto he has lived by since winning the world title last November. Murdoch finally achieved the status of his close contemporaries Terry Funk, Dory Funk, Jr., Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race and Jack Brisco by winning the world title. But being world champion isn’t without a cost, friendships have ended, travel dates have been brutal and the wear and tear on the body has been noticed.  
 
The bell rings and the two veteran titans clash, with Murdoch seizing the advantage with a side headlock after the initial opening lock up. The champion maintained control with the headlock for the opening few minutes, when the challenger escaped, the champion would snare him again and bring him to the mat.  
 
Finally, Bockwinkel captured the advantage after whipping Murdoch into the ropes and stunning him with a knee. Bockwinkel dropped an elbowsmash to the back of Murdoch’s neck then started working on the leg.  
 
At about the ten minute mark Murdoch kicked out of Bockwinkel’s toe hold which sent the challenger to the mat. Murdoch got to his feet but was noticeably limping as he grabbed Bockwinkel and whipped him into the ropes. Murdoch nailed Bockwinkel with an elbow that sent him crashing to the mat. The champion followed that up with another elbowsmash as Bockwinkel laid prone on the canvas.  
 
Murdoch held his opponent in a front facelock working on the head and neck area. Bockwinkel struggled but seemed caught in the champions grip.  
 
Bockwinkel finally got to his knees and was able to maneuver Murdoch into a test of strength. From the weaker position Bockwinkel held his own in this battle until Murdock released his right hand as the challenger was in a vulnerable spot, then Murdoch sent him crashing to the mat with another hard elbowsmash.  
 
So far over 15minutes had passed in the match and skill for skill neither man was able to best the other for very long. Murdoch got his challenger to his feet, whipped him into the ropes and lifted him in the air for a bodyslam. The champion was successful but limped a little following the slam. He then captured Nick in a rear chinlock putting pressure on his neck and back muscles.  
 
Bockwinkel again maneuvered out of the hold and was close to the ropes. On the break from the ropes, the challenger nailed Murdoch with a punch to the side of the head. The punch stunned Murdoch for a moment but The Outlaw has been punched by the best and not so best, if Bockwinkel wanted to brawl, the world champion certainly knew how to do that.  
 
Bockwinkel quickly begged off as Murdoch fists cocked started to charge. Bockwinkel left the ring and went to the floor. Murdoch, against the advice of the referee, chased out after him.  
 
At the 20minute mark, Murdoch grabbed Bockwinkel and clobbered him hard which sent him reeling. Murdoch followed it up with ramming Nick’s head into the ring apron. Dick then grabbed his opponent and threw him back in the ring.  
 
Bockwinkel rolled into the ring but quickly got to his feet, charged Murdoch and sent his knee into the champion’s thigh. Murdoch’s leg buckled as he fell against the referee and Bockwinkel tumbling into the ring.  
 
Bockwinkel tied Murdoch’s leg in the ropes and went to work on it. The referee called for the challenger to release Murdoch’s leg but Bock waited until the count of four to do so several times.  
 
Murdoch was in trouble. He lifted himself with the help of the ropes and hobbled forward. Bockwinkel kicked Murdoch’s leg, whipped him into the ropes and nailed him with another hard knee.  
 
With the champion on the canvas, Bockwinkel went to work on the leg. After several kneedrops on the Murdoch’s leg Bockwinkel snared the Texan in the Indian Death Lock. The pain was obvious on Murdoch’s face. Bockwinkel kept the pressure going for several long minutes until the world champion made it to the ropes. The referee called for the break, but the legs were locked so tightly, he had to undo the competitors himself.  
 
Once the hold was broken, Bockwinkel stalked Murdoch. But the champ always has something he can turn to. He can outbrawl just about anyone and Nick Bockwinkel was about to learn that.  
 
As Bockwinkel approached, the hurt champion nailed him with a closed fist to the head. Bockwinkel hit the mat like a ton of bricks as the fans cheered. Just over 30minutes into the match, Murdoch then covered Bockwinkel but only got a loooong two.  
 
Wobbly on the leg, Murdoch was still able to get to his feet. Bockwinkel kneed Murdoch in the leg again and the champ fell against the ropes but stayed on his feet. As the challenger approached again, Murdoch punched Bockwinkel and staggered him. Bockwinkel punched back and the two pier sixed it for about a minute.  
 
The referee tried to break it up but was pushed by both men. Bockwinkel was able to get a knee in Murdoch’s side which sent him out of the ring. Bockwinkel followed him out and slammed his head into the time keeper’s table which opened up the wound on the champion’s forehead.  
 
The blood seemed to energize Murdoch as he hobbled towards Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel tried another punch but Murdoch blocked it and rammed his challenger face first into the ring post.  
 
Murdoch got back into the ring slowly, while Bockwinkel staggered outside of the ring bleeding from the forehead now as well. Bockwinkel seemed in trouble as he got to the ring apron. Murdoch passed the referee and grabbed his challenger.  
 
Murdoch lifted Bockwinkel high in the air for the brainbuster. Murdock’s leg buckled again but Murdoch, albeit awkwardly, was able to finish the hold sending Nick to the mat head first.  
 
Murdoch slid over to Bockwinkle and covered him. The referee got to two before he stopped the count due to the challenger’s foot on the ropes. Murdoch lifted Bockwinkel’s head off the mat on the break and punched him before rising off of him. The referee backed Murdoch up. Murdoch stepped backwards a few steps then fell to the canvas. His leg was failing him again.  
 
Bockwinkel used the ropes to slowly get himself to his feet while on the other side of the ring Murdoch did the same. Murdoch stayed on the ropes and hobbled as he tried to walk using the ropes to sturdy himself.  
 
Bockwinkel groggy knew he had to make a move, but he also knew he could very well be suffering from a concussion. The referee checked both men and both warriors vowed to continue.  
 
Bockwinkel grabbed Murdoch and tried to whip him into the ropes, but the champion reversed it sending Bockwinkel into the ropes. When the challenger came off the ropes, Murdoch snared him in a sleeper in the middle of the ring.  
 
The 45minute mark passed with Murdoch on Bockwinkel’s back holding him in the sleeper. Bockwinkel knew if he started to go out and his legs buckled, Murdoch would have him. Murdoch was betting his entire championship reign on this.  
 
For little over a minute Bockwinkel stood in the ring hunched over with Murdoch ontop of him holding him in a sleeper. Both men still bleeding from their altercation outside of the ring but Bockwinkel was fading. Murdoch knew it, the fans knew it and he knew it.  
 
In a desperate move, the challenger with everything he had, rushed the corner turnbuckle. Bockwinkel charged and ducked at the last second with his head hitting the top padded turnbuckle. Murdoch wasn’t so lucky. His head sailed past Bockwinkel and hit the steel post with a sickening thud.  
 
Murdoch hit the canvas hard on the rebound. Bockwinkel could barely stand, but managed to get over to Murdoch. He grabbed the champion’s leg and snared him in the figure-four in the middle of the ring.  
 
Murdoch, with what energy he had left tried to wiggle out of it but couldn’t. He then tried to get to the ropes but he was too far away.  
 
Bockwinkel not in great shape either, put whatever he had left into the hold.
 
Murdoch’s high level of pain tolerance was able to help him withstand the figure four for several minutes. The referee kept asking him if he wanted to submit but the fighting cowboy said no.  
 
At times, Murdoch’s shoulders were to the mat but he got a shoulder up at two as he could find no escape from the challenger’s hold.  
 
But as Murdoch’s spirit didn’t submit, his body wasn’t as strong. The endless flights cross country and back; The countless challengers, skilled, fearless and dangerous; The office politics regionally and within the AWA; All of it taking a toll on the fighting champion.  
 
At 46:33, the referee counted Murdoch’s shoulder to the mat for a third time. The crowd was stunned as the bell rang ending the match. Bockwinkel released the hold and rolled away from Murdoch.  
 
NICK BOCKWINKEL HAS WON THE AWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FROM DICK MURDOCH IN 46:33 IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA.  
 
As the referee handed Bockwinkel the belt, the new champion on his knees fell to the mat holding his belt like a long lost lover. Finally, the new champion stood up and raised the belt in the air while the referee helped a bleeding Dick Murdoch laying on the canvas.  
 
Bockwinkel slowly walked around the ring parading his new belt, Bob Backlund, Pat Patterson and several others came to ringside to help the EMTs help Dick Murdoch back to the dressing room.