-This is the last show before Christmas, and I'm in the holiday mood to share some gifts with you all as we look at the AWA 1981 Christmas show with a special added bonus.
-The story behind this show.
-The AWA 1981 Christmas show took place December 25, 1981 from the St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, MN.
-Rodger Kent is on the call, and the show is shown in the most complete form possible.
-Kenny Jay vs. Rene Goulet: JIP. Jay with a wrist lock. Goulet comes back. He gets a chin lock on. He kicks Jay. Goulet with more kicks. The referee makes him break. Goulet with a headscissors. Jay briefly turns it over for a two count. Jay with a modified sharpshooter to Goulet. Goulet gets to the ropes. Jay with a step over toe hold. He gets a two count. Goulet tries to get away. Jay keeps the hold on to get a two count. Goulet finally gets out. Jay with a shoulder block. Goulet with a pair of elbows and a body slam. He drops a second rope knee drop to get the pin.
-Curt Hennig vs. Evan Johnson: Early Hennig here. JIP. Johnson with a side headlock to Hennig. Johnson with a headscissors. Hennig tries to get out and does. They circle each other. Hennig with a side headlock. Johnson with an arm bar. Hennig with a slam, but Johnson keeps the hold on. Hennig tries to get out of the hold. Hennig with a snap mare to break the hold. Hennig with a shoulder block. They trade moves. Hennig with an arm bar. They get tied up in the ropes. They break and circle each other. Hennig with a drop toe hold. Into a leg lock. They get back to their feet. Johnson with some moves. He gets a one count. They tie up in the corner. They trade blows. Another rope break. Hennig with a bear hug. Johnson with a takedown for a two count. Hennig with a sunset flip for a two count. Hennig with a takedown and an atomic drop for a two count. Hennig with a flying mare. Hennig with a series of covers. The match goes to a time limit draw.
-Non-title match. The High Flyers Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell vs. Crusher Blackwell and Sheik Adnan-Al Kaisse: JIP. Gagne has Blackwell in an arm lock. The referee checks on Blackwell. All four men are in now. Gagne gets a two count. Brunzell tagged in and got an arm bar on. Adnan tagged in. Brunzell with a wrist lock on Adnan. Gagne tagged in and hits a knee drop on Adnan. Brunzell back in. He keeps the arm bar on. Brunzell with a hammerlock. He gets a two count. Gagne tagged in. He works on the arm of Adnan. Brunzell tagged in. He hits a headbutt and drops an elbow. He misses a second elbow drop. Blackwell beats Gagne down in the corner. The referee makes him break. Gagne moves on a splash attempt. All four men are in again. Blackwell throws Gagne over the top rope, but the referee didn't see it. Brunzell goes out to check on Gagne. Adnan goes after Gagne. Brunzell goes in after Blackwell, while Gagne goes after Adnan on the outside. He gets back in, but Blackwell jumps him. He beats Gagne down. Brunzell breaks up the count. All four in again. Adnan goes in and gets a front face lock on. Brunzell tagged in, and the referee didn't see the tag. Blackwell tagged in and got a bear hug on Gagne. Gagne fights to get out. He chops Blackwell, but Adnan tagged in and picked the bear hug up. Gagne breaks out again. Blackwell in. Back and forth. Brunzell tagged in. He hits a series of dropkicks. Adnan tagged in. Brunzell gets him down. High-Flyers quick tag. Gagne hits a knee drop. Brunzell puts the figure four on. The referee is tied up with Gagne, allowing Blackwell to splash Brunzell. Adnan covers and pins Brunzell. The heels quickly leave.
-Special bonus: The Midnight Rockers Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty vs. Doug Sommers and Buddy Rose with Sherri Martel from WrestleRock '86: Larry Nelson interviews Sommers and Rose. They say they are going to use the Midnight Rockers as a stepping stone to the tag titles. Rockers get a good reception when they come out. Rose does his 217-pounds weight bit. Rod Trongard on commentary. Jannetty and Rose start. Rose does one-handed push-ups to start. Jannetty also does some. It takes a while to get started. Michaels tagged in and did a back flip off the turnbuckle, but Michaels shakes the ropes, and Rose falls when he tries. Sommers tagged in. Michaels with a pair of arm drags. He hits a dropkick. Rose tagged in. He stalls. They lock up. Michaels with an arm drag. Jannetty tagged in and hits a double ax handle. Jannetty with a flurry of offense. Sommers tagged in and Jannetty gets an arm bar on. Sommers gets to the ropes. Jannetty moves on a corner charge. Jannetty with the arm bar again. Michaels tagged in. Double shot to Sommers. Rose tagged in. Jannetty also tagged in. They trade moves. Lock up and drive to the corner. Rose throws a shot. Jannetty moves and Sommers gets hit. Michaels tagged in and got an arm bar on. Rose struggles to get out. Rose gets out briefly. They then trade holds. Jannetty tagged in and drops a knee on the arm. Double team by the Midnight Rockers for a two count. Sommers hits a forearm smash to Michaels. Sommers runs Michaels into the corner. Michaels is being punished in the heels corner. Sommers with a suplex and a two count to Michaels. Rose tagged in and hit a corner whip. Back and forth. Sommers and Jannetty both tagged in. Jannetty cleans house. Jannetty gets a one count on Sommers. He power slams Sommers for a two count. All four men in the ring. The Midnight Rockers clear the ring. Jannetty goes up top, but Rose pushes him off and Jannetty takes a nasty looking bump. Sommers covers Jannetty to get the pin. They brawl after the match. Sherri and her team say they did what they said they were going to do.
-Final Thoughts: Not an overwhelming show, but a change of pace this holiday season.