After a three month layoff, WFAC Wrestling returned on Friday, Feb. 9th, with a card at the Newport, AR National Guard Armory.
The night was centered around the "Sharon Burnside Memorial Cup Tournament," held in honor of late WFAC co-owner Sharon Burnside. The winner of the tournament would not only hold the distinction of being the first annual winner, but would also be named No. 1 contender to the vacant WFAC title.
At the start of the show, Burnside's son Chris "Lineman" Bryant came out to the announcer's table to address the fans, thank them and let them know that WFAC is back.
In round one of the tournament, Cody Daniels defeated Kid Krazzy.
WFAC Executive Director Brian Thompson interviewed Allan Storm, who received a bye into the second round of the tournament based on his standing in WFAC history. Brian asked Allan two questions, but he remained silent until a demonic song came on, at which time Allan went nuts until the song stopped playing.
In round one of the tournament, Idol Bane defeated Wild Bill. Bane's shoulder was posted mid-way through the match and Bill took advantage. Bane rolled bill up for a three count after Bill got into an argument with the referee.
Brian Thompson introduced the second man to receive a bye into round two of the tournament - Scott Fury. Fury came out and told the crowd that Scott Fury is no more and that he is Scotty Graham, allegedly a descendent of the legendary Graham wrestling family.
In a semi-final tournament match, Idol Bane still injured from the previous match defeated Allan Storm. Storm had Idol in a submission and Idol tapped the mat trying to reach the ropes. On the third tap he reached the ropes. The referee told Storm to break the hold. Storm, hearing the taps, thought he won the match. The referee said "no." Storm pushed the ref, who pushed Storm into an Idol Bane roll up for the win.
About 8 minutes into a 10 minute intermission, a commotion was heard coming from the lockerroom and suddenly Cody Daniels and Cujo came through the curtain brawling. It took two referees and several security guards to get the two into the lockerroom.
In the second semi-final match of the tournament, Scotty Graham defeated Cody Daniels by countout. Daniels was on his way to the ring when Cujo attacked him and they brawled to the back again. At first, the referee disqualified Graham and awarded the match to Daniels. Graham disputed the result and came to the announcer's table. He threatened to sue WFAC and said that since the referee never signaled for the bell to start the match, the result was unofficial. Thompson said that technically Graham was right. Graham them said that the referee could not start the match and if Daniels doesn't answer the ten count, he wins by countout, which is what happened.
Special guest "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton was introduced. He thanked the fans for coming and talked about how he was a good friend of "Momma Sharon." He challenged anybody in WFAC at any time. Thompson put over the fact that Eaton has one of the "best right punches in wrestling history."
Prior to the tournament final and Main Event, three WFAC dignitaries were introduced as Deadly Dale, Little Lucky and Cujo came to the ringside area. They were to serve as judges in the case of a time limit draw.
In the tournament final, Scotty Graham defeated Idol Bane to win the event. Toward the end of the match, Cujo sucker punched Deadly Dale and Lucky, who then were escorted to the back by security. During the commotion, Cujo attacked Bane and then Graham hit him with a thumb to the throat (similar to Umaga's finish). The referee was distracted by all of the chaos, not seeing the outside interference.
Bobby Eaton came out to congratulate Graham. Graham dissed Eaton and said he wished it could've been Bobby. Eaton went to the ring and said, "Le'ts go!" Thompson made the match and put the tournament title on the line. Cujo distracted Eaton, giving Graham an edge. Graham worked Eaton's leg for the entire time. Eaton was able to pull himself up and deliver three big knockout right handed punches and get the win. After the match, Cujo jumped Eaton and it was a 2-on-1 attack on Eaton until Idol Bane and Cody Daniels made the save. Daniels and Cujo ended up brawling to the back.
Graham ended up talking trash on the mic saying it didn't matter about Bobby getting the win, since he may have lost the cup but not his spot as No. 1 contender. Thompson stopped him and said there will be law and order in WFAC. He said since Graham and Cujo liked to do things in "two's" there will be a tag team match next week. It will be Scotty Graham and Cujo vs. Idol Bane and Cody Daniels. Since there's not a No. 2 contender, if Bane or Daniels get the fall on Graham they become the No. 2 contender. Then he added a little swerve that if Cujo pins either Bane or Daniels, he'll get the spot and Graham will have to face his cohort for the WFAC title!
RassleNotes: Crowd was 70 paid with about 90-95 in the building for a gate of $350 . . . Teco Murdoch provided the ring to WFAC after a last minute cancellation . . . show started a little late at 8:15 p.m., but was over around 10:20 p.m. for a two-hour show . . . The promotion plans to run the building every Friday night. The only time they won't run is when the National Guard has a drill weekend, usually once per month...The Cujo here is NOT the same guy as in Memphis and he does not do a Moondog gimmick...This show was booked by Brian Thompson and looks like this group could be fun. Loved the idea of Eaton winning the Cup, but Graham still gets to keep his heat as #1 contender.
