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Midwest Territorial Wrestling Thread


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Faced with the need to promote a card with no TV and little ad budget, the MTW team struck upon an idea - a self printed and distributed program of sorts, featuring profiles of their competitors. Leading up to the card, we will share these stories. First, we have a man who's been everywhere - Barry Darsow.

 

A SMASHING CAREER

Barry Darsow looks for one more shot

 

It’s 4:45 AM, and the alarm clock beeps once before Barry Darsow’s large paws slap it quiet.


“I’ve gotten pretty good at waking up before the alarm so that I can grab it before anyone else hears it,” he explains.


Darsow ambles to the kitchen, where he preps himself a protein-packed breakfast and chugs a cup of instant coffee. Then he’s out the door, on a warm-up jog that typically checks in a bit under 3 miles.

“Gotta have the stamina - figure if I get the roadwork in while I’m exhausted, it’ll transfer better to the ring.”


Darsow returns to his modest ranch suburban home and starts breakfast for his wife and son, Dakota. His wife, a nurse at the local hospital, and his son, a budding athlete in middle school, come first. At least, first after cardio. One might look at Darsow and assume he’s a traditional man’s man, and he may be in many facets, but at home, he handles chores like breakfast and morning cleaning. After Darsow cleans up breakfast, he takes Dakota to school while his wife heads to work. Darsow heads to his side venture, a print shop that specializes in logo printing for equipment like hard hats and construction materials.


“It helps pay the bills. It’s not that I didn’t do well for myself in wrestling, but it’s hard out here. I don’t want to work forever and I really don’t want my wife to work forever, and we just need to be prepared. This helps keep the funds coming when my main career isn’t flourishing.”


“Isn’t flourishing” might be an under-sell right now for Barry Darsow. After a short stay in World Championship Wrestling - which ended in controversy after a match with Dustin Rhodes at a supposedly “Uncensored” pay-per-view - he’s been on the hunt for another opportunity.


“It isn’t that people aren’t calling, but I really want them to call Barry Darsow - not Smash.”


Darsow is hard on his employees at Added Value Printing, but that’s because he needs to get home again quickly to keep up on his training. Before he hits the iron in his home gym, he stops to reflect on a trophy case in the hall.


“I’m proud of my career. Don’t ever get the wrong idea. It’s just ..”


Darsow pauses while he runs his hand across a leather helmet.


“My whole career, I’ve been good enough. The belts, the awards, that proves it. But you know also, my whole career, I’ve never been good enough as Barry Darsow. I’ve always had to be someone else.”


Experts in the sport struggle to find an answer for this phenomenon. Noted WWF Expert Thomas Pillard doesn’t disagree with his assessment.


“He’s huge, and he’s durable. He’s a pretty solid grappler and definitely a powerhouse brawler. You’d think a guy like that would have been able to carve out a singles career as a contender. But he spent most of his time in tag teams. And almost always under a pseudonym of sorts.”


Is it because Darsow lacks some inner quality?


“It could be. Sometimes we see athletes hide behind paint and masks because they need that to provide some sort of armor against the crowd or opponents. But if he contends that it wasn’t really his choice, then maybe he just went with the flow too much.”


Darsow bristles at the idea he needed protection.


“I’ve been a fighter my entire life, and I’m a fighter in this sport. I wore what I had to wear to get along. I’m not ashamed of any of it. I’m a three time WWF Tag Team Champion. How many guys can say that?”


Pillard concurs, to a point.


“He certainly was a 3 time champion. Nobody can deny that. The third reign was lackluster. I think it’s fair to ask how much Ax contributed to the team. Darsow hasn’t repeated that success anywhere else. We saw what happened when he teamed with Crush. We saw his time as Repo Man and his recent WCW foray. I’m not convinced he still has it.”


Telling a hardened vet like Barry Darsow he doesn’t have “it” anymore is tricky. To his credit, Darsow doesn’t shy away from the possibility.


“I’m older. I know that. I know who I am. I also know that I can’t go to sleep at night with Uncensored being my swan song. I can’t walk away from this sport without doing my damnedest to leave my mark as Barry Darsow.”


Whatever aggression Darsow has about how his career has gone, he works out on the weights. He watches tapes relentlessly. And hours later, he is there to greet his wife and Dakota with a homecooked meal.


The days are long for Barry Darsow, and the nights are short. But he keeps slapping that alarm clock, and when the phone rings with an offer from Midwest Territorial Wrestling to compete in a one night heavyweight tournament, he’s ready.

 

As long as they let him enter as Barry Darsow.

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After seeing that poster, I was like, I might go if there's nothing good on TV...

 

After reading this, it would take a really good episode of X Files or Batman: TAS to keep me away.

 

If you can sell me on the Beverly Bros the way you have sold me on Darsow, even the allure of fresh 1995 television won't be enough to keep my money in my pocket.

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HAMMER TIME

Greg Valentine Goes to Work

 

Interviewing Greg Valentine is a lot like wrestling Greg Valentine - things don’t pick up until about 20 minutes in.

 

We met “The Hammer” at a diner on a grey morning. No health food here. Not even sure anything green was on the plate. Valentine worked his way through a mountain of eggs and bacon while we tried to get him to open up. Eventually, we found the key. We asked about his legacy.

 

“I think I’m one of the best to ever wrestle,” he stated definitively.

 

Careful to not offend the Hammer, we pointed out that his opinion isn’t necessarily a common one. A good wrestler? Sure. One of the all-time greats? Well…

 

“I know.”

 

After what felt like another twenty minutes of stone-faced silence, Valentine took a long drink from his coffee mug and elaborated.

 

“When I started, I had the most potential you’ve ever seen. I won straps, matches, lots of money. And that continued into New York.”

 

Valentine paused. More coffee. A sigh.

 

“It went good. Then it didn’t.”

 

Valentine was a long-reigning Intercontinental Champion and then a long-reigning Tag Team Champion. After losing the tag belts to The British Bulldogs, legendary commentator Gorilla Monsoon long speculated that “The Dream Team” had been mentally broken by the events of WrestleMania 2 and their title loss. Valentine hung around the tag scene a bit longer before splitting into singles competition again, with his high-water mark perhaps a 2nd round defeat in the World Title Tournament at WrestleMania IV, or his series with Rugged Ron Garvin. Then, it was back to the tag ranks with the Honky Tonk Man and a whimpering end to his WWF career.

 

“Yeah. It’s not the resume of a great. I know.”

 

Sensing his combativeness, we moved on. Why was he here in a Michigan diner with no family?

 

“I grew up on the road. With my dad. He was never home, always out competing. It’s what I know. The wife and kids are fine. They don’t want to come on the road with me.”

 

In his mid-40s, isn’t it time for The Hammer to wind it down, maybe spend some time with that family?

 

“No.”

 

Pretty simple answer.

 

We sat in silence some more as Valentine looked over the breakfast pastry options before settling on a coffee refill.

 

***

 

Famed wrestling psychologist Sydney Basil knows the type.

 

“Greg Valentine feels like he let his career slip through his fingers. It’s that simple. He started hot, he had the pedigree, and then he just plateaued.”

 

It’s hard to disagree. After his rise, he never seemed able to crack into that rarefied air of a consistent World title contender, and his return to the tag team ranks with the Honky Tonk Man paled in comparison to the incredible job he did bringing along Brutus Beefcake to prominence.

 

“I have no doubt he thinks he’s one of the greatest. Technically speaking, he might even be. But you can’t go just on potential or the skill when the athlete hasn’t lived up to those in the ring itself.”

 

Few men have been more formidable at their best. The Hammer pounds his opponents methodically while seemingly never tiring, a great feat for a heavyweight. His stoic demeanor makes it difficult for anyone, especially the fellow on the end of his clubbing blows, to figure out if he’s even making a dent in his reserves.

 

“That same stoicism might even have played a role in his career going the way it did. That lack of emotion can serve you well in the ring, but he needed to show more emotion about the direction of his career. I think he’s very susceptible to “bottling it up” and prone to being influenced by others - look at how much of his career has been spent with a manager.”

 

Valentine, especially in his national career with the WWF, was seldom seen without a manager or partner, it’s true. And, when the bottle uncorked, he snapped on Jimmy Hart and spent a year feuding with his former friends, albeit he was often on the losing end.

 

***

 

“I don’t need a manager. Maybe I stuck with Hart too long. I probably did. I know calling myself the greatest might sound crazy. I know how good I am though.”

 

Is that knowledge what drives him back into the ring, still, at this age?

 

“Yeah. I want to be remembered as a great wrestler. As great as I know I am. And I know I slipped on the back 9 of my WWF career. This is where the comeback begins. The greatest comeback you’ve ever seen.”

Valentine is done talking. It’s time to go train. He leaves us with the bill and heads out the door.

 

You have to wonder … in the age of Heavyweight Champion George Foreman … can Valentine do it? Can he complete the ultimate comeback?

 

It starts in a gloomy fall in Port Huron, Michigan. We’ll see where it ends up.

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UNCLE FRED

The Big Man Prepares a Shocking Return

 

Now I hear she's got a house up in Fairview

And a style she's trying to maintain

Well if she wants to see me
You can tell her that I'm easily found


***


“Uncle Fred” might be easy to find, but not many people go looking these days. The affable big man, once a minor celebrity around Lakeland, FL, now spends most of his days alone. After a short return to the World Wrestling Federation, his increasingly erratic behavior has led to a divorce from his long-time wife and a retreat into peaceful solitude.


How does a surprisingly agile superheavyweight fall into retirement and seclusion so quickly?


It only takes a trip.


***


Well everybody's got a secret, son
Something that they just can't face
Some folks spend their whole lives trying to keep it
They carry it with them every step that they take


***


It’s no secret that Fred Ottman was the man in the mask during the infamous Shockmaster debut. His initial debut a huge bust, he floundered around WCW before returning to New York to fight Yokozuna. Today, we found Ottman in his one bedroom home, in the steamy Florida countryside, watching television.


“They think I went crazy.”


We’d been warned about visiting Ottman. Those warnings feel trumped up and unnecessary as we chat on a lazy Sunday afternoon.


“I don’t dwell on that. It was a board. Damn thing got in my way. I was still the same guy in the ring but they just didn’t think, from a business perspective, people were going to buy a lot of Shockmaster merchandise. It got all fouled up.”


Fred reminisces about his career with the jovial nature of a stereotypical jolly fat man sitcom character. Where’s the guy nobody wants to visit?


“Guess they don’t want to be around a loser. Never won much, you know. And then the helmet.”


There’s a hint of sadness in his eyes.


***


Some folks are born into a good life
And other folks get it anyway anyhow
Yeah and I lost my money and I lost my wife
Them things don't seem to matter much to me now

 

***


“I left him because he was a bummer. And when you’d question him about it, he’d stonewall. Then he’d get angry.”


We’re talking to Suzy Ottman at her modest home, near “downtown” Lakeland.


“Maybe you didn’t see the rage. It’s not there all the time. He’s pretty good at bottling it up.”


We’re at a hardware store in Lakeland where the man formerly known as US Steel picked up his home improvement supplies now.


“Fred? Angry? I never seen it. A little mopey, sure. He stopped coming around a bit ago though. Did ask for work once but I just didn’t have anything to offer.”


We went everywhere. Diners, drive-ins, and dives all across the county. They’d seen Fred, they’d seen him sad, they’d seen him happy, and then they’d stop seeing him. Not a hint of violence. No malice. Just a man who seemed to have little left, except his positive attitude.


“Of course you didn’t hear about it. If they saw it, they aren’t gonna tell you. They’re still hoping he’s gonna get a big payday again and be here to be the hero.”


Suzy seems annoyed at our very presence.


“No, he never hit me or anything like that. But he’d get this look in his eyes. Then he’d be in the garage doing god knows. It’d be loud. And he wouldn’t talk for a week.”


***


We’re back at the compound.


“Money did get a bit tight. Not many promoters seeing any interest in bringing me in lately. I got a call from some folks up in the Detroit area, I guess. They’re doing a tournament. Thought I might be interested. Going to go check that out soon.”


He doesn’t seem particularly excited about this new opportunity.


“Guess you might say I’m a bit tentative when these things pop up. Afraid to grab too close. Might get shocked.”


He chuckles, but it’s a chuckle that hides something.

 

"I'll be honest. I need the cash. It's been rough the past few years. Lots of ... stuff."

 

We haven’t broached his family yet. Might that play a part?


“Thought I said I don’t talk about that.”


We point out no one gave us a list when we requested the interview.


“Think it’s about time for you to go.”


We’re not about to argue with a 400+ pound professional wrestler. We leave, Ottman doesn’t get out of his chair. Then we remember. A kid at one of the restaurants. He’d stopped us when he heard us talking about Fred, and told us to check out the garage if we get a chance. Seemed like an odd request and we’d forgotten all about it. Ottman was sitting, in the dark, watching a golf tournament on the TV. We walked out, and then snuck back around to a door behind the garage that was unlocked. We eased it open and flipped on a light.


Hanging from every space on every wall - Shockmaster helmets. All purple. All glitter. Swaying in a weak breeze.


We left. Quickly.


***


Tonight I'll be on that hill `cause I can't stop
I'll be on that hill with everything I got
With our lives on the line where dreams are found and lost
I'll be there on time and I'll pay the cost
For wanting things that can only be found
In the darkness on the edge of town

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UNCLE FRED

 

We walked out, and then snuck back around to a door behind the garage that was unlocked. We eased it open and flipped on a light.

Hanging from every space on every wall - Shockmaster helmets. All purple. All glitter. Swaying in a weak breeze.

We left. Quickly.

***

 

Wow!

 

That's some disturbing and amazing stuff right there.

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I'm back! Picking up the pace a bit from here out to get the full picture out by the card on the 16th. Bracket will be released soon.

 

VIGILANT VIRGIL

Virgil doesn't care if you remember him

 

“Look man, I was a main attraction. I was a champion. If that ain’t a superstar I don’t know what is.”


Mike “Virgil” Jones doesn’t want his career reduced down to nothing. And he has a bit of a point. Look at some of the most memorable moments of the golden era of the WWF - there’s a good chance he’s lurking on the fringe. His Million Dollar Championship win at SummerSlam 1991 was an incredible moment on a loaded card. He was the first high profile win for 2-time champion Yokozuna.


“I know what I did. I was important. I don’t need you trying to minimize that.”


Virgil is preparing for a return to action in the Midwest Territorial Wrestling heavyweight tournament this September. He’s stayed in fighting shape throughout his hiatus from the national spotlight, and hopes the tournament is going to be a ticket back to the big time.


“I’m coming to this dump of a town, and I’m the favorite. Busted ol’ Smash, that sack of bones Greg Valentine. Who’s gonna beat me in this thing?”


His confidence may be off-putting, but it’s hard to argue. Virgil is closer to his prime than many other big names in the field, and he’s got an experience edge over the rest. He’s quick. He’s strong. He’s been a champion - albeit an unsanctioned, unrecognized one.


“Man, trying to minimize me again. Nobody else beat Dibiase for that belt. It’s not like I was the only one who had a shot.”


Virgil is slamming weights around in between his remarks. He’s pumping iron with a purpose. I try to relay some of the stories I’ve heard already, the motivations behind his opponents.


“Barry Darsow can feed his ugly wife and kids with his Hasbro toy money. Don’t buy that crap from him. Valentine was never the best and he ain’t gonna walk back in and make some hero comeback. I’m supposed to be scared of the Shockmaster? Some fat Roadblock I’ve never met? The freakin’ Beverly Brothers?”


With each rep and each insult, I find myself buying into his logic more and more. We’re in a public gym, and a young WWF fan comes over. Virgil brushes him aside. He doesn’t even admit he’s Virgil. The man is an ass. He’s also focused.


“You come here and you want to write some fairy tale BS about hard luck hard working Virgil trying to get back in the spotlight or something making fun of me or whatever. I don’t care. You can write what you want. I’m not coming to freaking Port Huron, Michigan to wrestle a bunch of losers and make some poor kid who didn’t give a damn about me two years ago happy with an autograph. I’m here to win, get my money, get out. On to the next one.”


It was a brief interview. But it left me with a nagging feeling that, of all people, Virgil might be the man who’s most prepared for September 16th.

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Whew, ok, here's the rest of them. Sorry Glenn and Chris Michaels, you guys didn't quite make the cut

 

 

AROUND THE RING

A Look at Other Competitors

 

THE BEVERLY BROTHERS

 

At the height of their national fame, Beau and Blake Beverly were World Wrestling Federation tag team title contenders, flaunting their high-class pedigree and substantial ring talents for us commoners to see.

 

In September of 1995, they are combing through real estate listings and classifieds, looking for an opportunity to regain what they’d lost.

 

“The economy has been rough,” says Beau.

 

“It’s hard on everyone”, says Blake.

 

With the Dow Jones up almost 3,000 points since they made their WWF debut, the NASDAQ breaking the 1,000 mark, the economy steadily adding jobs in every report, and GDP growth on an upward trend, their sentiments don’t necessarily hit home with reality. On a personal level, the economy has been rough on the once proud Beverly family. After a mediocre stint in the big time, the brothers had blown through a substantial chunk of their family inheritance.

 

“The trainers, the gyms, it all cost money,” said an anonymous family friend. “They just didn’t win enough purse money to make it up. And the cost of changing managers - you wouldn’t believe the exit clause Coach had in his deal with them.”

 

That’s left the Beverly Brothers in uncharted territory - looking through the Cleveland Plain Dealer for jobs, an affordable home in their old stomping grounds of Shaker Heights, and notice of any wrestling shows.

 

“We saw the ad for the MTW Tournament way down here in Cleveland. So we gave them a call,” says Beau.

 

Blake interjects - “I know we’re usually a tag team, and this a singles tournament, but we need to get our name out there.”

 

------

 

ROADBLOCK

 

Joseph "Roadblock" D'Acquisto knows a thing or two about working a real job. He’s spent most of his adult life as a construction worker in New York state.

 

“I was workin’ on the highway most of the time,” says Roadblock. “My nephew kept telling me I was so big that I shoulda been a wrestler.”

 

Roadblock didn’t take the traditional route into the sport though.

“Well, the big show came to Rochester one night and I saw the champ, Hogan, in the gym getting a workout in. I went up to him and I says, how do I get into this sport?”

 

It didn’t go as he would have hoped.

 

“Hulk blew me right off. Said I was too fat, focus on my real life. I was pretty disappointed.”

 

Disheartened, but not completely broken, the big man bought himself a ticket to the arena event that night. He took that same nephew with him. When it came time for Hogan’s match, Roadblock felt a charge come over him.

 

“I just didn’t like the way he had talked to me. But my nephew, he loves Hogan, so I wasn’t gonna try to kill him or anything. I did the next best thing.”

 

To the shock of those around him, Roadblock jumped over the rail before Hogan made his entrance. One Man Gang was awaiting him in the ring, and Roadblock charged after the Gang. There was a scuffle, and Roadblock held his own. The police took him away, but Roadblock made sure to give Hogan a stare on his way out.

 

The bug had bitten Roadblock, hard.

 

“I know it ain’t how you’re supposed to start, but feeling that ring, the energy of the crowd, I knew it beat pouring asphalt any day.”

 

Roadblock trained with the legendary Larry Sharpe, but despite his imposing size, power, and appearance, hasn’t made a dent in the big time promotions.

 

“I think Hulk got scared. I’ve been a little blacklisted you might say.”

 

With competition in the wrestling world at an all time high, the matchmakers at MTW didn’t want to leave anyone with talent without an offer - the Hogans of the world be damned. Roadblock got the call, and he was ready to go. The Man Hogan Fears is on his way to little ol’ Port Huron, MI.

 

******

 

D-LO BROWN

 

D-Lo Brown knows all about hustle. The former Maine Black Bear football standout is back in his hometown of Chicago, and his days are packed.

 

Early morning, Brown rises from his southside apartment to commute to his day job - working as a freelance C.P.A for various companies in the area.

 

“I know people from growing up, and they got small businesses and such,” he says. “After college, they wanted to help me make sure I didn’t backslide into what so many kids slide into around here, so they help send me some business. I do the bills.”

 

Brown is a great accountant, but that’s not his passion.

 

“I grew up watching them all - JYD, Hacksaw Reed, Simmons - you know I liked the other guys like Hogan and Flair too, man, but those cats showed me what’s possible for someone like me.”

 

Brown does his day job and then heads to the gym. He grabs matches wherever he can within driving distance of Chicago. Recently, he spent some time running with some questionable characters - New Jack and Mustafa Saed.

 

“I’m trying to make it in this sport, so I’ll roll with whatever I gotta roll with, sometimes,” Brown says. “Look though, I’m not a ‘Gangsta’ type guy normally. I don’t think they’ve got the best ideas. But you know, you try breaking into this sport. You gotta make some compromises sometimes.”

 

The MTW tournament holds huge appeal for the young, athletic Brown.

 

“It’s a chance, first of all, to be on my own. To not rely on a partner. It’s a shot to do this the way that I want to do this, without the cheating and the controversy. To just be a wrestler”.

 

******

DUKE DROESE

 

“Haulin’ garbage ain’t so bad. You get to meet some folks, see some interesting things. You wouldn’t believe what they throw out. Fully working microwaves. Perfectly good furniture. Crazy world we live in.”

 

Duke Droese was a garbageman long before he was a wrestler.

 

“Oh yeah I still get made fun of on the street for that. I didn’t know what I was getting into. Vince and the guys were asking me about my background after I won a couple tryout matches. Messed up, mentioned I had been hauling trash. Duke the Dumpster was born.”

 

Droese doesn’t hold ill-will towards the WWF for the casting.

 

“It was memorable, ya know? I knew the deal there. You gotta Be Somebody, not just old Duke Droese. And it’s not like it wasn’t true. So I went with it. Pretty good run I think.”

 

Without the New York media behind him and without the national spotlight, Droese hopes to rebuild - without as much trash.

 

“I’m excited to be Duke Droese. I got lots of interests. I’m pretty good at cards. Great in the weightroom. I’m more than a garbageman. I’m a wrestler.”

 

******

THE GAMBLER

 

“You got to know when to hold’em, know when to fold’em.”

 

It’s perhaps the 40th gambling reference the man known only as The Gambler has made, and I’m starting to lose my patience with the interview, held at appropriately enough, the temporary casino recently opened in Windsor, Ontario, not far from the upcoming MTW card to be held in Port Huron, MI.

 

He doesn’t want to tell me his name, and he keeps pulling the handle on a slot machine, pausing before answering any question I have.

 

What brings you to MTW? Why wrestling?

 

“Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.”

 

But if you win the match, isn’t that earning money?

 

Silence. More slot pulls.

 

What’s your philosophy when it comes to wrestling? Scientific? Brawler? High flying?

 

“The house doesn’t beat the player. It just gives him the opportunity to beat himself.”

 

This makes slightly more sense.

 

Who do you fear in MTW? Who are you hoping to face? Are you actually entered in the title tournament?

 

“In a bet there is a fool and a thief.”

 

Is that .. an answer? I presume he’s the thief. You’re the thief right?

 

Nothing. Ok. Do you think you have a shot?

 

“Nobody has ever bet enough on a winning horse.”

 

Again, I’m left to assume, and I think he views himself as the horse. This is going nowhere fast.

 

******

 

JIM STEEL

 

“Bro, bro, bro, you don’t even know.”

 

Ok, I say to Jim.

 

“Bro, I was, bro, I was gonna be big. Like not muscle big, but I am muscle big, but like big, bro.”

 

Ok, Jim.

 

“They had plans for me, bro. But I was showing up Hogan, bro. He couldn’t hang with the muscles, bro. He couldn’t do it.”

 

Sure, Jim.

 

“Bro, you don’t even know! It was sick. I’m so ripped. So ripped. And Hulk, he was like old. Flab. No way bro, they wanted me, but he had the money, bro.”

 

“Jungle” Jim Steel is explaining to us that the WCW brass thought he was going to be a champion, but that Hulk Hogan had gotten jealous and pushed him out the door. Because he was in better shape.

 

“Bro, not just that, I was getting all the cheers. The crowds loved it. That Tarzan stuff, bro, man, I couldn’t believe I came up with such a good idea.”

 

We explain to Jim that Tarzan was a character. He was using the Tarzan mannerisms that the creators of Tarzan had created.

 

“Well, bro, yeah, bro, you could look at it that way, but I took that Tarzan thing, and I like, expanded it, into something bigger. I still get people coming up on the street, like, bro, were you the Jungle dude? And I’m like, bro, yes, thank you, I’m glad I meant so much to you.”

 

Do you really have people telling you this?

 

“All the time bro. All the time. They loved it. Big part of their youth, bro.”

 

Is it worth trying to explain to Jim that his WCW run was just one year ago?

 

“Bro, it meant a lot to people. You know, bro, I had movie offers. TV deals. All in the works. Hogan man, he killed it all. I was gonna be Encino Man, bro.”

 

The timeline here is quite hazy. I think we’ve learned enough about Jim’s conception of his career.

 

*****

TOM BRANDI

 

Tom Brandi is 6’4, about 250 pounds, ripped, and fast. He’s a hot prospect in the wrestling world. And he knows it.

 

“They’ve compared me to Rick Martel, but stronger. Martel was a champ. I’ll be a better champ.”

 

Brandi doesn’t lack for confidence, especially when touting his offers.

 

“WWF has called me. The timing isn’t right. WCW has put in offers. I’m not a stupid man, though. I’m going to collect some hardware, and then the price goes up. I’m going to crush some bums out here in the wilderness, and then we get the big checks.”

 

Brandi has spent some time in the big leagues, a run in WCW mostly teaming with Tom Zenk, but that was the beginning of his career. Since then, he’s added weight and speed. He’s looking a big time prospect.

 

“No, I’m not really excited about coming to Port Huron. But I need the victories. I need the buzz. And this is gonna be an easy one. A real easy one.”

 

Brandi doesn’t spend his time on a spare job or with a family. He’s focused on wrestling 100% of the time. He doesn’t hide his goal.

 

“I’m going to be the first unified WCW/WWF champion. That’s all there is too it. Nobody has what I have.”

 

He certainly isn’t lacking confidence.

 

******

 

And that does it - the tournament comes your way in just two days on September 16th!


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Top work here, out of all the promotions on here, this is the one if I could be most interested in seeing if this was real life the world building you have is top notch don't think I've ever seen anything like it in fantasy booking

 

Got to say I was bummed out when I did not get the Gambler in the draft but after reading the intro to his story I can't wait to find out more about your plans for him.

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Notes: Hello hello. Thanks for your kind feedback! I have a busy weekend coming up and have the card finished, so I'm posting it a day early just to make sure I get to it.

 

MIDWEST TERRITORIAL WRESTLING #1 - 9/16/1995 - McMorran Place - Port Huron, MI

 

 

Welcome to McMorran Place, in Port Huron, Michigan! Welcome to the Midwest Territorial Wrestling Heavyweight Championship tournament! Tonight features 8 men in a single elimination tournament for the MTW Heavyweight Championship Title, in addition, there will be three feature bouts of professional wrestling action!

 

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Johnny Swinger vs Glen Osbourne


Swinger, in plain long tights, takes on Osbourne (no facepaint) in a warm-up-the-crowd match with some comedy spots. Osbourne has a size advantage, and that takes a toll on the more agile Swinger. As the massive 410 person crowd settles into McMorran Place, Osbourne finishes Swinger off with a big powerslam and the 1-2-3.


Glenn Osbourne d. Johnny Swinger (7:05, pinfall)

 


Ladies and Gentleman, the following contest is a first round match in the MTW Heavyweight Championship Tournament.


 

Barry Darsow vs. Duke Droese (1st Round Tournament Match)


Droese is wearing a Andre the Giant style singlet (no garbage man outfit) and Darsow is in a (non-Russian) version of his Krusher Kruschev gear. Droese takes the early advantage but Darsow is a wily vet and can handle the punishment. He fights his way back and gets the victory with the Russian Sickle lariat.


Barry Darsow d. Duke Droese (7:10, pinfall)

 


Virgil is making his way out for his first round match as Darsow is leaving. Virgil mocks Darsow, calling him a crybaby, yelling that he doesn’t care about his fat kid and ugly wife. Darsow doesn’t bite but does tell him he’ll see him next round if he’s lucky. Ottman enters and is a jovial smiling babyface, trying to fire up the crowd with his Tugboat toots. He’s wearing a Typhoon style singlet except it says “FRED” instead of “TYPHOON”, presumably because of the many letters Jerry McDevitt has sent the office lately.


Virgil vs. Fred Ottman (1st Round Tournament Match)


Two of the favorites for the tournament square off early and don’t get confused folks, this is MTW action, not a highly rated episode of WWF Superstars! Two pros going back and forth in a solid match that sees Virgil try to out-speed and hustle the big man, and Ottman using his girth to his advantage when possible. Virgil starts trying to work over Ottman with his boxing background and gets the big man rocking. Ottman makes a comeback, but misses a big splash in the corner, which gives Virgil the opportunity to land a huge knockout punch to the jaw and get the victory.


Virgil d. Fred Ottman (8:43, pinfall)

 


Virgil taunts a fallen Ottman mercilessly, and Ottman, groggy, doesn’t fight back.


Greg Valentine vs. D-Lo Brown (1st Round Tournament Match)


It’s the grizzled vet Valentine versus the up and comer D-Lo Brown. Brown is on top early, but as we all know, it takes a bit for Valentine to get the motor warmed up. Valentine eventually takes over and lays a beating on Brown, who is game and doesn’t check out quite yet. The match wears on and Brown makes a spirited fight of it, but the vet is able to pull it out when he locks in the figure four and Brown, after a struggle, can’t make the ropes and is forced to submit.


Greg Valentine d. D-Lo Brown (14:23, submission)

 


Brown limps to his feet and offers his hand to Valentine. Valentine looks at it, but walks away. Brown is confused and disappointed by the “gesture”.


Tom Brandi vs. Roadblock (1st Round Tournament Match)


Tom Brandi enters the ring to theme music - the only person of the night with it - as the strains of “Eye of the Tiger” feel the arena. He’s wearing a towel over his head and accompanied by Jim Steel and Jim Powers as cornermen. After an extensive warm-up routine, the bell rings.


Roadblock charges, crushes him with a splash, whips him into the ropes, and devastates Brandi with a Bossman-Slam. 1-2-3.


Roadblock d. Tom Brandi (00:22, pinfall)

 


Powers and Steel confer with each other, shrug, and roll Brandi to the outside, and remain in the ring since it’s time for their bout with the Beverly Brothers. The Beverly’s enter the ring in their old WWF gear, though it’s looking a bit worn out. A fan asks them for an autograph and Blake demands $1 in exchange.


 

Beverly Brothers vs. Jim Powers & Jim Steel


A formulaic tag team contest with Powers & Steel trying to play babyface even though the crowd isn’t buying it after their appearance with Brandi. The Beverly Brothers may be down on their luck financially but look solvent in the ring, as they control most of the bout. Powers makes a hot tag to Steel who goes wild on both, but gets distracted by some cheers in the crowd. As he launches into a posing routine, the Beverly’s take out Powers and then take down Steel with the Shaker Heights Spike.


The Beverly Brothers d. Jim Powers & Jim Steel (8:00, pinfall)

 


**INTERMISSION**


Fans are given an intermission as we are about 1 hour into the live card. Many of the superstars of wrestling have their merchandise tables up and autographs available.


**END OF INTERMISSION**


 

Barry Darsow vs Virgil (Tournament Semi-Finals)


The first semi-final match kicks off with Darsow and Virgil meeting. Immediately they start slugging it out, tempers still high after their exchange of words earlier. They trade the advantage back and forth with Virgil looking for the KO and Darsow swinging and missing with attempts at the lariat. Finally, Darsow is able to duck a punch, and catches Virgil with the Sickle when he turns around. Darsow takes the pin!


Barry Darsow d. Virgil (12:30, pinfall)

 


But Virgil isn’t satisfied with that at all! He is shaking his head. Darsow climbs a turnbuckle to celebrate but when he dismounts, Virgil unloads with a roundhouse! Darsow is down and he might be bleeding. Virgil yells at Darsow, and the crowd, as the small security detail tells him to leave. Darsow is up and staggers to the back.


 

Greg Valentine vs Roadblock (Tournament Semi-Finals)


Roadblock has a much harder time this round. He tries to steamroll Valentine early like he did Brandi, but the Hammer is just too experienced for that. He stalls and executes some hit and run attacks on Roadblock until the big man is a bit winded, then the Hammer goes to work, methodically working over the leg, chopping Roadblock down. The figure four seals it after Valentine counters a last-ditch Roadblock flurry.


Greg Valentine d. Roadblock (8:45, submission)

 


Our final “feature” of the night is next


The Gambler vs Chris Michaels


In a match designed to give the crowd one more chance at the concession stand and the title match competitors a rest, The Gambler breaks out his full arsenal of card tricks before the match. Finally Michaels has had enough and goes to work on Gambler. They have a by-the-numbers time killing match until Gambler hits him with Snake Eyes and gets the pin.


The Gambler d. Chris Michaels (9:00, pinfall)

 



MTW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FINAL


Greg “The Hammer” Valentine vs. Barry Darsow


Darsow is looking a bit beat up after two hard fought matches and the suckerpunch from Virgil. Valentine looks haggard, but he’s Greg Valentine.


Two men with a lot riding on this go to war, oblivious to the “small time” surroundings and crowd. Valentine immediately targets the jaw, laying in forearms and trying to finish the job Virgil did. Eventually he starts to reorient his attack to the legs to setup the figure four. Darsow fights off Valentine repeatedly, and shows a ton of heart in the process. Darsow is opened up and things aren’t looking good! But out of nowhere, Darsow connects with The Sickle! But he’s down too! Darsow can’t make the cover in time and Valentine is out at 2. Darsow struggles to his feet and tries again, Valentine ducks! Valentine goes for a suplex but Darsow blocks it, grabs the leg, and he’s going for the single leg crab he used as Repo Man! Valentine kicks Darsow off, Darsow into the ropes and back at Valentine, Valentine catches him with a spinebuster, and he holds the leg - figure four! Darsow is bleeding, he’s trying for the ropes, but he can’t make it!


Greg Valentine d. Barry Darsow (17:32, submission)

 


The winner … and first MTW Heavyweight Champion .. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine!!


Ring announcer thanks everyone for their attendance, and announces the next MTW Event … October 14th in Jackson, Michigan!

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