American Wrestling Association

American Wrestling Association was a professional wrestling organization, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The AWA operated mainly in the midwestern United States and central Canada. Wrestling bouts were promoted in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington (Minnesota), Winnipeg, Chicago, Omaha, Milwaukee, Denver, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. From 1957 to 1991 it was owned by Verne Gagne.

AWA Team Challenge Series

The AWA held a "Team Challenge Series" from October 1 1989 through August 11 1990. All of the wrestlers were divided into three teams, which were headed by an AWA star. They were "Larry's Legends", headed by Larry Zbyszko, "Slaughter's Snipers", headed by Sgt. Slaughter, and "Baron's Blitzers", headed by Baron Von Raschke. Numerous well-known wrestlers, including Big Van Vader and "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. were drafted to participate in the TCS, but never took part in any of the matches.

Related Topics:
October 1 - 1989 - August 11 - 1990 - Larry Zbyszko - Sgt. Slaughter - Baron Von Raschke - Big Van Vader - Bob Orton, Jr.

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Many of the matches that made up the TCS were unconventional. Greco Roman Rules, Mixed Tag Team, Tag Team Elimination, even a match where the participants (Mike Enos and the Trooper Del Wilkes) wore football helmets and pads, to name a few. The most famous match of the series was a match between Jake Milliman and Col. DeBeers. Instead of a standard wrestling match, it was a "Great American Turkey Hunt" match where the one who got a stuffed, uncooked turkey off of the top of a pole first would be declared the winner. Millman took the turkey from DeBeers when the referee's back was turned and was declared the winner. The match took place in a TV studio without an audience (the announcers claimed it was in an effort to stop wrestlers interfering, but it was actually due to poor ticket sales).

Related Topics:
Mike Enos - Del Wilkes

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The final match in the TSC was a royal rumble style battle royal featuring Brad Rheingans, the Destruction Crew, Col. DeBeers Ed Wiskoski, the Texas Hangmen, the Trooper Del Wilkes, and others. Jake Milliman again came away with the win by eliminating DeBeers at the end, winning the Series and supposed $1,000,000 check for Larry's Legends.

Related Topics:
Brad Rheingans - Destruction Crew - Ed Wiskoski - Texas Hangmen - Del Wilkes

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The final points tally was as follows: Larry's Legends (56), Baron's Blitzers (51), Slaughter's Snipers/DeBeers' Diamondcutters (48). Sgt. Slaughter left the AWA and headed to the WWE before the TCS ended and Col. DeBeers became the new team captain. The TCS concept was not a success and many fans feel that it hastened the AWA's demise.

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