*Story originally appeared in Solie's Vintage Wrestling on
December 7, 1997
Magnum TA
Retired
Former NWA United States Champion
Photo came from
World Of Wrestling Hall Of Fame
"Hello, fans and welcome to NWA World Wide Wrestling!!! We are coming
to you from Virginia Beach, VA!!! I am Tony
Schivone along with David Crockett and today you will see such stars
as Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, US Heavyweight Champion
Magnum TA, "The Minnesota Wrecking Crew" Ole & Arn Anderson and
many other top stars!!! So, now let's go up to....."
says Tony.
That's all he gets off because just as he is about to get the program
underway, a man with a microphone suddenly speaks!!! He
interrupts Tony with a "shut the hell up!!! You know, it amazes me
that they actually pay you(Tony) to do this!!! A damn retard could do this!!!
This has to be the most sorry piece of trash ever put on a damn television
screen!!!" Tony, in a state of shock,
responds, "Who are you? What the hell are doing here?!!! Your not supposed
to be here?!!" Austin says, "Who am I? WHO
AM I?, with that Austin knees Tony in the gut and gives him his "Stone
Cold Stunner." The Virginia crowd is stunned!!! "That'll
give you a clue who I am!!! The name is "Stone Cold" Steve Austin!!!
I am the best damn wrestler in the world today!!! I have
kicked plenty of a** up there in the WWF!!! From Bret Hart to his sorry
sack of crap brother Owen Hart to Rocky Maivia to
even Vince McMahon!!! The damn head of the WWF!!! So, with no other
new challenges to conquer, I kept hearing about
the old NWA!!! 'The oldest sanction body in pro wrestling today!!'
Well, the oldest is right because you got that fat piece of
crap Dusty Rhodes who couldn't hold on to his pants belt for more than
three days much less a title!!! At this point, the crowd
is booing fiercely!!! SCSA responds to the crowd with "bird" sign!!!
"Shut up!!! And I'll tell you a worst thing, the NWA got a
beach bum who thinks he's Tom Selick for a US Champion!!!" The crowd
really looses it now as fans begin to throw things at
Austin!!! Security forcefully ushers Austin out of the building!!!
Meanwhile, medical help is called out for Tony Schivone. But, it doesn't
really matter, Austin had made his presence known in the NWA.
THE CHALLENGE
Over the next week, NWA President Bob Geigel makes this taped statement:
"After an extensive investigation into the
incident involving "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, we have concluded that the
World
Wrestling Federation were unaware of Mr. Austin's
intentions and were, in no way, involved in Austin's deplorable
endeavor. As for Mr. Austin, legal action
is pending."
Vince McMahon also made this statement:
"We here, at the World Wrestling Federation,
apologize for the actions of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. We did not have
any knowledge that he was going to show up
on an NWA television program and we certainly do not condone his
actions against a wrestling commentator. Until
this is resolved, the WWF has no alternative but to indefinitely suspend
Mr. Austin from active competition in the
WWF until further notice."
The following week, NWA US Champion Magnum TA made these comments:
"You know, it's one thing to attack a wrestler.
But it is another thing to attack a broadcaster. Austin, let me say this!!!
If
the NWA will allow you to compete here, I'll
be more than happy to step into the ring with you myself and teach you
a
stern lesson."
In response to those comments, Geigel made these words: "....While I
can, being a former wrestler, appreciate Magnum's
dedication to the NWA, the NWA thinks this is best suited to be handled
legally and I don't think a match would necessarily
put Austin in his place. So, while I do understand Magnum's feelings.
The NWA can't, and won't, sanction a match between
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Magnum TA."
The next week, Magnum was wrestling a "squash" match on NWA World Wide Wrestling. Upon winning that match, Magnum was ready to leave the ring when a voice from ringside boomed out over the speakers:
"Hey, Magnum TA!!! Yeah, that's right. It's
me "Stone Cold" Steve Austin you piece of trash!!! I heard your little
comments over the tv earlier in the week!!!
I'll give you credit for one thing, you're the only one with any balls
around to
say anything about me!! I mean, where are
all the great NWA stars!!! Where is the so-called "Russian Nightmare"
Nikita Koloff?!!! Yeah, he big and strong
but he's a stupid piece of shit!!! He can't even go to the bathroom without
Ivan
Koloff and that dumb lackey that they have
following them around!!! Makes you wonder now don't it!!! Now, as for
you!!! Magnum, I'll be more than happy to
step in the ring with you and pull out a big can of whoop-a** and show
you
the meaning of Austin 3:16!!! And that's the
bottom line, cuz Stone Cold said so!!!"
Magnum's response:
"Hey Austin!!! All I hear from you is a lot
of talk!!! We don't need no contract!!! Get in here right now!!!"
With that, Austin runs into the ring and he and Magnum exchange blows.
Austin uses a double leg takedown on Magnum but
neither man has a clear advantage. Several security officers come in
to separate the two men. As Austin is being dragged away, Magnum has to
be pinned down by the remaining officers to keep him from going after Austin.
Magnum, however, does see
Austin giving him the "bird" as he being carried away!!!
Later in the show, NWA Promoter Jim Crockett, Jr. made the following
announcement: "Because of the recent actions of Mr.
Austin and Magnum's desire to get in the ring with "Stone Cold", I
have gotten permission from both the NWA and WWF to
sign a match between Magnum TA and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. The match
will be for Magnum's NWA United States
Heavyweight Championship. They have also agreed to have a no-disqualification,
no-time limit event and it will happen on
World Wide next week!!! Furthermore, because of the attention surrounding
this match, I have made the following steps: 1.
Because of the magnitude of this event, this match will be the main
event of a two hour card that will air from the Charlotte
Coliseum in Charlotte, NC on WTBS. The card will stay on the air past
the two hours if necessary but you will see great
action. 2. Because of the personal animosity between not only "Stone
Cold" and Magnum but also NWA and WWF wrestlers, I have added a stipulation
that even these two are not aware off. The match will take place inside
of a cage with a roof on top
of the cage!!!"
The site of the match is Charlotte, NC. The undercard for this event
was also NWA VS. WWF matches just to catch the feel.
Here was the line up and the results:
Ric Flair (1985) VS. Hunter Hearst Hemsley (1996)
This is a surprisingly close match up. At about 15 minutes into it,
Shawn Michaels comes down to interfere as Flair has Triple H in his figure
four leglock. Flair, seeing trouble coming, makes a motion for help in
the form of National Tag Team Champions
Ole & Arn Anderson. As the ref is trying to break up the outside
action, Chyna clobbers Flair from behind and holds him for
Hemsley. Triple H bounds off the ropes with a flying knee but Flair
moves out of the way and Hemsley hits Chyna instead. Flair quickly takes
advantage with a quick roll-up for the three count!!!
Tully Blanchard (1985) VS. Brian Christopher
After about 10 minutes, Tully is ready to put Lawler, Jr. away with his "slingshot suplex" when Lawler jumps up on the apron. As Lawler, Blanchard and the ref argue, Lawler slips in a pair of brass kuckles into the ring!!! Baby Doll, Tully's valet, comes over and pulls Lawler down and give him a pretty good whippin'. Meanwhile, Christopher gets the knuckles to use on Tully but Tully kicks him in the gut, picks up the object, and uses it on him!!! The ref, however, had seen Blanchard use the object and DQ's Blanchard!!! Christopher leaves with DQ victory.
Ivan & Nikita Koloff (1985) VS. The Headbangers
The 'bangers control most of the match by keeping Ivan in the ring for
most of this 20 minute affair. But once Ivan made the tag
to Nikita, it was all over for Mosh and Thrasher!!! Nikita wasted no
time as he immediately "sickled" Thrasher and Mosh and
(for added humiliation) covered them both for the win!!!
Hulk Hogan (1986) VS. Steve "Dr. Death" Williams (1988)
In a 30 minute affair, Hogan goes for the legdrop after making a comeback
(the match was controlled mostly by Williams) and
connects!!! Surprisingly, Williams kicks out!!! Hogan can't believe
it!!! Hogan picks Williams up for an Irish-whip into the
ropes but Williams reverses it, picks up Hogan and executes the "Oklahoma
Stampede" powerslam but Hogan kicks out of that as well!!! The two continue
to battle outside the ring until the ref calls the match a double-countout!!!
The Giant VS. Bruiser Brody (1986)
In the only non-NWA VS. WWF encounter, The Giant battled Bruiser Brody
to a no-contest as the match never officially
started!!! These two big men tore into each other with no regard for
the other!!! The time of the match was less than 3
minutes!!!
THE MATCH
Ring Announcer Tom Miller is standing in the cage to make the introductions:
"Our next event of the evening is a one fall cage
match, no-time limit, no-disqualification for the NWA United States
Heavyweight Championship!!!"
With that announcement, shattering glass blasts over the speakers as the music of "Stone Cold" plays!!!
Miller: "Introducing first, from Victoria, TX weighing in tonight at
245 pounds, here is the challenger "Stone Cold" Steve
Austin!!!!"
A roar of boos goes up to the rafters in the Charlotte Coliseum as Austin
makes his appearance. He appears cold (no pun
intended) and focused on the task at hand. As he enters the cage, he
looks at a group of fans that are booing him mercilessly!!!
Austin, with a look of indifference, walks into the cage, mounts the
the second rope and raises both of his hands in the air and
receives a tidal wave of boos!!! Austin gives the "up-yours" sign to
the fans!!! He then gets off the ropes and sits in the corner
and awaits Magnum!!!
Miller: "His opponent!!! From Virginia Beach, VA, weighing in at 236
pounds, the US Heavyweight Champion, Magnum
TA!!!"
A thunderous roar goes up from the crowd as Magnum makes his way to
the cage to face the "rattlesnake"!!! Magnum, still
outside the cage, takes off his leather vest and his title belt. Then
he enters the cage and stands in the center of the ring to face
Austin. Austin gives a look out to the fans in the Charlotte Coliseum
but this turns out to be a ruse as he charges and takes
down Magnum and the two pick up where they left off on World Wide!!!
For about 30 seconds, neither man has the
advantage until they get to their feet. Magnum then overtakes Austin
with three unanswered rights to the jaw!!! Austin goes
down and scoots to the corner with Magnum in hot pursuit!!! Magnum
picks up Austin and whips him into the opposite
corner!!! Austin, however, explodes out of the corner with an high-powered
clothesline with almost knocks Magnum out of his
boots!!! Austin screams at Magnum and flips him a "double bird" to
his face!!! Austin then throws Magnum into the ropes,
picks him up and executes his "Stun-Gun" move across the top rope!!!
As Magnum is slumping to the canvas, Austin rebounds
off the ropes with a running elbow/forearm smash across Magnum's chest
and throat!!! Austin picks up Magnum and throws a
right hand to the face of Magnum!!! Austin again throws him into the
ropes and goes for a backdrop. Magnum, however, read
the move and hooks him for a piledriver!!! Magnum picks him up and
jumps about 4 inches off the ground for added impact of
the piledriver!!! Austin is as limp as a dishrag right now!!! Magnum
goes for the cover but only gets a 2 count.
Magnum puts a rear chinlock on Austin trying to wear him down!!! He
holds this for about a minute or so but Austin manages
to get back to his feet!!! Once there, he elbows Magnum in the gut
twice!! Austin takes to the ropes and gets a shoulder
tackle!!! Austin hits the ropes again but puts on the breaks when he
sees Magnum setting up for his belly to belly suplex!!!
Austin, seeing Magnum wide open, gets a quick kick in and goes for
"The Stone Cold Stunner" but Magnum reverses it into a
hammerlock takedown before Austin could apply it!!! Magnum then drives
his knee into the elbow and bicep of Austin!!!
Magnum also adds insult by smacking Austin in the back of the head
and screaming, "How's that Austin?!!! How's that?!!!"
Magnum adds more pressure by hooking his left arm underneath Austin's
chin and hooks both of his hands together to form a
combination hammerlock/chinlock-crossface!!! The pain is unbelievable
but Austin refuses to give up!!! After about 2 minutes
of suffering, Austin moves Magnum into a corner. As the ref forces
a break, Austin drives his shoulder into Magnum three
times!!! Austin then throws Magnum into the ropes, sidesteps him and
throws him into the cage face first!!! The ref is
admonishing Austin but Austin glares at him and says, "Hey stupid!!!
No-DQ!!! Remember?!!" The ref backed away. Magnum is laying with a cut
on the forehead as Austin is walking towards him!!! Austin then flings
him into the corner and begins to
kick/stomp Magnum down faster and faster!!! Austin then stops, turns
around, and "moons" Magnum and mule-kicks him in
the face!!! Austin then drags Magnum out to the center of the ring
and hooks a "Texas Cloverleaf" on Magnum!!! Magnum is
bleeding heavily now as the pressure is building on his legs and back!!!
Somehow, Magnum manages to get on his right side to
relieve some of the pressure and inch his way to the ropes!! The ref
calls for a break but Austin justs laughs at him!!! "You must got a memory
shortage ref!!! No-DQ!!! I don't have to break nuthin' except Magnum's
stinkin' back!!!" He continues to hold
on to the hold!!! Magnum, however, uses extra leverage from the ropes
to force Austin off of him!!! But the "Cloverleaf" has
taken its toll as Austin held it for almost 5 minutes!!
Austin picks up Magnum in a powerslam position and rams him back-first
into the steel cage fence!!! Austin hangs on to
Magnum and does it a second time and just dumps him down to the mat!!!
Magnum's in tremendous pain at this point!!! Austin
mounts the ropes to taunt the crowd, which responds with a sea of boos
that come from ringside to the top of the Charlotte
Coliseum!! Austin goes back to the attack but Magnum responds with
a right to the gut!!! Austin reels but comes back only to
take another shot to the stomach!!! Magnum then gets to his feet and
attempts a vertical suplex but can't get it because of his
back!!! Magnum leans against the ropes to stay upright!!! Austin gets
a running start, aiming a knee to Magnum's back.
Magnum moves out of the way and Austin's knee strikes the steel fence!!!
TA quickly takes Austin down to the canvas and
puts him in a figure-four leglock!!! Uncharacteristically, Magnum takes
a page out of Ric Flair's playbook and uses the top rope to add more pressure
to the hold!!! Austin is screaming to the heavens but will not give it
up!!! Magnum then suddenly lets go
of the top rope and crashes down, adding more pain to the figure four!!!
Magnum does this about three more times!!! Austin's
knee is in dire straits but he will not concede!!!
Magnum, satisfied that Austin has been weakened, releases the hold and
goes to finish Austin off!!! As Magnum comes in
however, Austin grabs Magnum's trunks and throws him into the referee!!!
Seeing both Magnum and the ref down, Austin
heads for the door. "Open up this damn thing," says Austin. He gets
his wish. At first, it looks like SCSA is trying to escape but he finding
some weapons. He gets a steel chair and a table and brings it into the
caged-ring!!! Austin sets up the table and puts
Magnum on top of it!! Austin then heads to the top rope to finish Magnum
off!!! Magnum, however, recovers and meets Austin at the top (by this time
the ref is back on his feet). After trading some blows, Magnum hooks his
belly to belly suplex from the
top rope onto the table!!! The impact is such that the table breaks!!!
Austin's back is lacerated from going into the table!!!
Austin is out as Magnum covers!!!
The ref counts 1.2.....but Austin gets a shoulder up!!! Magnum, angrily,
moves half of the broken table to one side and sets up
the other half onto the cornerbuckle. He attempts to whip Austin into
it but Austin reverses it and Magnum goes into the table
head-first!!! When Magnum turns around, he is met with a "Stone Cold
Stunner!!!" Austin covers for the 1.2....but Magnum
kicks out!!! Austin can't believe it!!! He picks up Magnum but TA counters
with a double-leg pickup!! Magnum slingshots
Austin into the cage!!! Austin is now busted open as well!!! Magnum
(after a series of punches to Austin's head to take
advantage of his cut) goes for the slingshot again but makes the mistake
of setting it up near the steel chair that Austin brought in earlier!!!
As Magnum bends over to get leverage for the slingshot, Austin clocks Magnum
in the back of the head with the
chair!!! Austin covers for 1.2. and 3!!! Austin has won the NWA United
States Heavyweight Title!! As he leaves with the title
belt, Austin grabs the mic and says, "Magnum!!! You gave one hell of
a fight!!! But, once again, Austin 3:16 says 'I just
whipped you ass'!!! And that's the bottom line, cuz Stone Cold said
so!!!" Austin has to be escorted out by security as the fans
are rioting in the Charlotte Coliseum!!! Magnum, meanwhile, has to
be rushed to Charlotte Memorial Hospital for medical
assistance.
