Shark Week: Mission of the Shark (1991)

Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the USS Indianapolis (1991), dir. Robert Iscove, Richard Maynard Productions/Fries Entertainment



Getting back to the made for television movies portion of Shark Week, and what better than the first film to take a look at the ill-fated USS Indianapolis? Cinema fans might recall Quint's speech from Jaws

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 35

6-1-1991
Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano

 SD Jones VS Blue Demon King
Winner: King in 7

Fire Cat VS the Black Knight
Winner: Black Knight in 5

Paul Orndorff VS the Viking
Winner: Orndorff in 10

Bam Bam Bigelow VS the Bounty Hunter w/John Tolos
Winner: Bigelow with the flying headbutt in 9

UWF Television title
Steve Williams (c) VS "Leaping" Lanny Poffo
Winner: Williams in 10

One more episode to go before UWF Beach Brawl!

Shark Week: Deep Blood (1990)

Deep Blood (1990) dir. Raf Donato, Filmirage/Variety Film Production

Technically this was done more by exploitation master Joe D'Amato, but Mr. Donato is the credited one.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 34

5-25-1991
Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano


 "Iron" Mike Sharpe VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: DeBeers with a Heart Punch in 5

Tom Brandi VS the Viking
Winner: Brandi in 8

UWF Tag Team championship
Wet N Wild (c) VS Barry Horowitz and Barry O
Winner: champs retain in 8

Paul Orndorff VS "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. w/John Tolos
Winner: Orndorff in 10

UWF Television title
Steve Williams (c) VS "Soul Train" Jones
Winner: Williams in 8

Shark Week: Night of the Sharks (1988)

Night of the Sharks (1988) dir. Anthony Richmond, Amanecer Films/Belma Cinematografica/Cinematografica Jalisco S.A./Italian International Film/Koala Cinemtografica/Motion Picture Corporation of America/Rai 1/Victor Films S.A.

 Three countries working in unison and this was the best they could come up with?

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 33

5-18-1991
Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano


The Bounty Hunter w/John Tolos VS Lightning Kid
Winner: Kid in 8

 The Intern VS the Blue Demon King
Winner: Blue Demon King in 5

Luna Vachon VS Candi Devine
Winner: Luna in 10

Paul Orndorff VS Buddy Roberts
Winner: Orndorff in 10

UWF Television title
Steve Williams (c) VS Greg "the Hammer" Valentine
Winner: Williams in 10

Shark Week: Shark's Paradise (1986)

Shark's Paradise (1986) dir. Michael Jenkins, Hanna-Barbera Australia/McElroy & McElroy

Well, this is a first. What we have here is not an Australian made for TV movie, but also one from the Aussie branch of Hanna-Barbera.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 32

5-11-1991
Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano


Joshua Ben-Gurion VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Joshua in 8. DeBeers tries to heart punch the bigger fella, but Ben-Gurion just slaps him stupid.

 Black Knight VS the Blue Knight
Winner: Blue Knight brutalizes the smaller knight in 5. "I'm sick of following such a weakling! From now on, I'm no longer the Blue Knight! Now I'm the BLUE DEMON KING!" he rips off his blue mask to reveal an oni like mask under it.

UWF Tag Team championship
Wet N Wild (c) VS the Power Twins
Winner: champs retain in 10, although Sunny Beach is whipped around the ring like a ragdoll.

Paul Orndorff VS Barry O
Winner: Orndorff with the piledriver in 8

UWF Television title
Steve Williams (c) VS "Spitball" Patterson
Winner: Williams in 8. Patterson's tights are white with blue pinstripes (a la Chicago Cubs).

Shark Week: Cyclone (1978)

Cyclone (1978), dir. Rene Cardona, Jr. Corporacion Nacional Cinematografica/Productora Filmica Real

We return to the works of Cardona, whom eagle eyed viewers might recall from last year's Shark Week as the director behind Tintorera. This would be his follow up to that.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 31

5-4-1991
Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano


Lightning Kid VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Kid in 8. Shooting Star Press after a flurry of high flying moves whittles the bigger man down to size.

Fire Cat VS the Blue Knight
Winner: Blue Knight in 5 in a straight squash

UWF Tag Team championship
Wet N Wild (c) VS the Blackhearts
Winner: champs retain in 10 despite some heavy heel trickery

UWF Television title
Steve Williams (c) VS Johnny Ace
Winner: Williams in 10. Good back and forth, but Williams just straight up overpowers the Ace

UWF North American title
Dan Spivey (c) VS Billy Jack Haynes
Winner: Spivey in 10. Haynes is knocked out and carried out on a stretcher

Shark Week: Shark Kill (1976)

Shark Kill (1976) dir. William A. Graham,  D'Antoni/Weitz Productions

It's that time again folks. The time when you thought it was safe to go back into the water. Yes, it's Shark Week here at Geekademia and this week we'll be taking at look at some of the Made For Television flicks that dealt with underwater killers.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 30

4-27-1991
Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano (with limited commercial interruption!) 

40 Man Battle Royale
Paul Orndorff, Austin Idol, Steve Williams, Giant Warrior, Steve Ray, Sunny Beach, Booker T, Larry Power, Stevie Ray, David Sammartino, Fire Cat, "Gentleman" Chris Adams, Joshua Ben-Gurion, B. Brain Blair, Jay Strongbow, Jr., "Jumping" Jim Brunzell,  "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel, Cactus Jack, Terry Gordy, Louie Spicolli, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr., Bad News Allen, Bounty Hunter, Blue Knight, Mike Davis, Black Knight, Terry Gordy, Lightning Kid, Masked Superstar, the Zebra Kid, Jerry Lynn, Blue Demon, Jr.,  Michael PS Hayes, Mysterious Stranger, Bam Bam Bigelow, Tom Brandi, Iceman Parsons, SD Jones, Nikita Koloff, and Kevin Von Erich
Winner: Orndorff comes in at 1 and outlasts everyone. Williams is ticked and storms off.

UWF Fury Hours Rebook Episode 29

4-20-1991
Reseda County Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano

Johnny Ace VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Ace with the Ace Crusher in 8

Fire Cat VS Joshua Ben-Gurion VS Black Knight
Winner: Joshua in 10 after knocking out the Black Knight and power bombing the cat.

Ebony Experience (Booker T and Stevie Ray) VS the Blackhearts
Winner: Blackhearts with some heel trickery in 10

UWF Television title
Steve Williams (c) VS David Power
Winner: Williams in 10, pretty much a replay of last week's match with Larry

UWF North American title
Dan Spivey (c) VS "Jumping" Jim Brunzell
Winner: Spivey in 6. Paul Orndorff comes out and challenges Spivey for the title, promising that if he wins, he'll be a fighting champ. The locker room comes out to separate the two. 

This prompts Herb Abrams to come out and says next week we'll have a battle royal to determine who gets to face Spivey.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 28

4-13-1991
Reseda County Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano

"Soul Train" Phillips VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Phillips in 6.

Boris Zhukov VS Joshua Ben-Gurion
Winner: Joshua with a power bomb in 7

Ebony Experience (Booker T and Stevie Ray) VS Los Conquistadores
Winner: Booker and Stevie, with Booker getting the Book end on Uno in 7

UWF Television title
Steve Williams (c) VS Larry Power
Winner: Williams in 10. Just another two big hosses slapping the hell out of each other.

UWF North American title
Dan Spivey (c) VS B. Brian Blair
Winner: Spivey with the DDT in 10

Captain's Corner: Captain Lou sits down with Mexican legend Blue Demon, Jr. Demon is very excited to wrestle in the United States and especially in the UWF.

The Color Out of Space (2010)

The Color Out of Space (2010) dir. Huan Vu, Spharentor Filmproduktionon

Another version that skipped my attention.

Jonathan Davis (Ingo Heise) is a young man on a quest. His father went missing some time ago, and a private detective points him to Germany. There he finds Armin Piesrke (Michael Kausch), who tells him of the Gartner family, who lived in the area some years ago.

The Gartner family farm was an isolated place until a meteor struck and Nahum (Erik Rastetter) became the talk of the village. Until the meteor suddenly faded away and the various doctors left, but it didn't totally vanish as a strange color is left. A color that drains the life out of everything, including the Gartner family...

Not bad, shot in black and white save for the color itself, Vu tells a tight story.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 27

4-13-1991
Reseda County Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano

"Iron" Mike Sharpe VS Barry Horowitz
Winner: Barry in 5 with a sleeper hold

Boris Zhukov VS Lanny Poffo
Winner: "Leaping" Lanny in 10 with a flying elbow drop

Cowboy Bob Orton, Jr. and Cactus Jack w/John Tolos VS Los Conquistadores
Winner: Orton and Cactus in 8 with a double clothesline

Joshua Ben-Gurion VS Terry Gordy
Winner: Joshua in 8 with a power-bomb

UWF Television title
Steve Williams (c) VS Bam Bam Bigelow
Winner: Williams in 10 with a backbreaker

Captain's Corner: Captain Lou sits down with "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. He's been training all over the world, fighting the best in wrestling from Tokyo to Mexico City and they'll be making their debut in the UWF soon!

UWF Fury Hour Rebooking episode 26

4-6-1991
Reseda County Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Lou Albano

The Power Twins VS the Blackhearts (Apocalypse and Destruction) w/Luna Vachon
Winner: Blackhearts in 10. The muscle bound twins get whittled down by the black garbed cultists

Corporal Kirchner VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Kirchner in 5 in a pure American beatdown

Luna Vachon VS Malia Hosaka
Winner: Luna in 10. Malia puts up a good fight, but the Blackhearts show up and distract the ref, allowing Luna to grab her tights.

Lumberjack match
UWF North American title/UWF SportsChannel Television title
Dan Spivey (c) VS "Dr. Death" Steve Williams
Winner: Spivey in 25. The lumberjacks:
Billy Jack Haynes, B. Brain Blair, Ken Patera, the Black Knight, Jack Armstrong, Nikita Koloff, Iceman King Parsons, the Viking, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Cactus Jack, the Bounty Hunter, Michael PS Hayes, Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts

Like before it begins technical but as time wears on it grows sloppy until the two giants are just knocking the crap out of each other. Cactus Jack and Michael Hayes each grab Dr. Death's legs, allowing Spivey to hit Williams with knee that doubles him over and leaves him weak to the DDT. After the pin, a full scale brawl breaks out between the faces and the heels, with Williams trapped in the ring and the faces forced outside.

Suddenly...a figure rushes from the crowd with a steel chair in his hand. PAUL ORNDORFF returns! He clears the ring and helps Williams to the back.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook episode 23, 24, and 25

For the rest of March we take some time off.

(3-15-1991)#23 we'd focus on the newly crowned UWF Tag Team champs, the newly dubbed Wet N Wild. We'd check out the backgrounds of Steve Ray and Sunny Beach and the challenges they'll be facing, including the Power Twins and the soon to debut Blackhearts.

(3-22-1991)#24-Given the chaos of #21, Herb Abrams comes out and announces that as of today, Bruno Sammartino will no longer be serving the UWF at the announce table...but will now be the new UWF Commissioner! And his first order is that unless Dan Spivey wants to be stripped of the UWF North American title, he'll be defending it against "Dr. Death" Steve Williams in a rematch in a lumberjack match! (Reasons given-unsatisfied with the no contest ending)

Lou Albano will be taking his place in the booth.

(3-29-1991)#25 We see the first new segment, Red Talk with Colonel Red. He's bought some air time and he's going to be airing some grievances with management. He also brings out John Tolos, who introduces his 'Family': Tag Team "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. and Cactus Jack and (midcard, although not stated as such) the Bounty Hunter. Tolos is excited about a Women's title, saying he has his eyes on some fresh new talent. 

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 22

3-8-1991 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Bruno Sammartino

UWF Tag Team Championship tournament finals
Steve Ray and Sunny Beach VS Bob Orton and Cactus Jack w/John Tolos
Winner: Ray and Beach in 15. Beach gets smacked around a bit, but they manage to isolate Orton and wear the older man down before Ray pins him with a piledriver.

Bam Bam Bigelow VS the Handsome Stranger
Winner: Bigelow in 5 with a flying headbutt

The Bounty Hunter w/John Tolos VS SD Jones
Winner: Bounty Hunter in 8 with a a sleeper hold

Michael PS Hayes VS Don Muraco
Winner: Hayes with the DDT in 10

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship match

Steve Williams (c) VS Terry Gordy
Winner: Williams in a 10 minute bloody slugfest.

Captain's Corner: Lou Albano welcomes Herb Abrams, who comes out with another title. "Ladies and gentleman, we here at the Universal Wrestling Federation pride ourselves on being on the cutting edge of wrestling. We already have some of the finest men working in that ring, but, as so many of you have asked, what about the women? Well, it pleases me to announce a first not just in women's wrestling, but in the history of professional wrestling that at Beach Brawl we'll be crowning the first UWF Women's Wrestling champion. And how will we determine who win such an honor? By being the first woman to participate and win the UWF's first ever over the top battle royal! 20 women will enter but only ONE will walk out with this title belt!" He pulls out the UWF Women's title. I thinking the belt would be white with a gold plate. UWF logo at the top over a shot of the Earth. Maybe a crown behind the UWF logo.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook episode 21

3-1-1991 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Bruno Sammartino

UWF Tag Team Championship tournament semifinals
Steve Ray and Sunny Beach VS the Moondogs
Winner: Ray and Beach in 10. The Moondogs start out strong, but the wet and wild duo outpace them and isolate Spot from Spike and chip away at him for the win.

"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. and Cactus Jack w/John Tolos VS the Fabulous Freebirds
Winner: Orton and Cactus Jack. Terry Gordy throws Cactus Jack around for a bit, but John Tolos distracts both the ref and Buddy Roberts and allows Orton to cheapshot Gordy. Michael PS Hayes comes like a house of fire, but now it's Cactus Jack's turn for revenge. He and Orton double team Purely Sexy and get the pin in 15.


UWF SportsChannel Television Championship match/UWF North American title

Steve Williams (c) VS Dan Spivey (c)
Winner: Williams although by DQ in 20. Brutal back and forth between the two, with each of them starting out a technical style before devolving into a straight up brawl. After multipe pins attempts, Spivey assaults the ref for the DQ. The fight triggers a full brawl between Spivey and the heels VS the faces. Bruno Sammartino manages to clear the ring and helps restore order.

Herb Abrams comes out and declares that both men will face each other, titles or no titles, at BEACH BRAWL the first UWF PPV coming live June 9, only on PPV!


Tag team finals
Steve Ray and Sunny Beach VS  Bob Orton and Cactus Jack

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 20

2-22-1991 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Bruno Sammartino

UWF Tag Team Championship tournament quarterfinals
Steve Ray and Sunny Beach VS the Power Twins
Winner: Ray and Beach wear the powerhouses down with Beach getting the pin after a flying elbow drop in 10

Chris Michaels and Tom Brandi VS the Moondogs
Winner: Moondogs. The feral man animals shrug off the technicians and just straight up dogpile them for the win in 5

"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. and Cactus Jack w/John Tolos VS Ivan and Nikita Koloff
Winner: Orton and Cactus Jack. The heels work Ivan over and cheat to win in 8

The Fabulous Freebirds VS David Sammatino and Jay Strongbow, Jr.
Winner: Bad Boys from Badstreet, USA. They just straight up out class the second generation in 9

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship match

Steve Williams (c) VS the Handsome Stranger
Winner: Williams in 10. The Buff to be puts up a good fight but Williams hits him with a backdrop for the win and a promise to face Dan Spivey next week.

Captain's Corner: Lou Albano chats with the Lightning Kid (yes, Sean Waltman himself) and asks the rookie would be prefer to wrestle in sunny Cali or hot and humid Dallas.

Williams countdown-0 to go.

Tag team semifinals
Steve Ray and Sunny Beach VS  Moondogs (GWF loan)
Bob Orton and Cactus Jack VS The Fabulous Freebirds (GWF loan)

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 19

2-13-1991 

Penta Hotel, NY
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Bruno Sammartino

The UWF Tag Team tournament will be delayed until next time (negotiations with the Global Wrestling Federation are taking longer than previously thought but we'll have a whole card for the tournament next time)

SD Jones VS David Sammartino
Winner: Jones with a headbutt in 5

Sunny Beach VS Chris Michaels
Winner: Beach with the Tidal Wave in 8

Don Muraco VS Bam Bam Bigelow
Winner: Bigelow with a flying headbutt in 7

Black Knight VS Tom Brandi
Winner: Brandi with a House Quake in 5

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship match
Steve Williams (c) VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Williams with the Oklahoma Stampede in 10

Captain's Corner: Lou Albano sits down with Herb Abrams. Next week, besides the Television title match, we'll have the complete UWF Tag Team Championship tournament quarterfinals!

Williams countdown-1 to go.

Tag team quarterfinals
Steve Ray and Sunny Beach VS Power Twins
Chris Michaels and Tom Brandi VS Moondogs (GWF loan)
Bob Orton and Cactus Jack VS Ivan and Nikita Koloff
The Fabulous Freebirds (GWF loan) VS David Sammartino and Jay Strongbow, Jr.

Colour from the Dark (2008)

Colour from the Dark (2008) dir. Ivan Zuccon, Studio Inerzona

We're winding down this Summer of Love(craft) again for the last time but we checked out the Nicholas Cage version, I found a few more takes on HP's tale of terror from the stars.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 18

2-6-1991 

Penta Hotel, NY
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Bruno Sammartino

Steve Ray VS Tom Brandi
Winner: Ray in 13 with a power bomb

Sunny Beach VS the Blue Knight
Winner: Beach with a stepover toehold in 6

Don Muraco VS Ivan Koloff
Winner: Muraco with a reverse piledriver in 9

Black Knight VS Louie Spicolli
Winner: Louie with a sleeperhold

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship match
Steve Williams (c) VS Iceman King Parsons
Winner: Williams with a backbreaker in 15

Captain's Corner: Lou Albano sits down with Herb Abrams. He's very pleased with how the television title turned out, but now they need to expand! That's why next week they'll be starting a new tournament for the Universal Wrestling Federation's newest championship-the UWF Tag Team titles!

Williams countdown-2 to go.

Tag team quarterfinals
Steve Ray and Sunny Beach VS Power Twins
Chris Michaels and Tom Brandi VS Moondogs (GWF loan)
Bob Orton and Cactus Jack VS Ivan and Nikita Koloff
The Fabulous Freebirds (GWF loan) VS David Sammartino and Jay Strongbow, Jr.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 17

1-30-1991 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Bruno Sammartino

Iceman Parsons VS Cactus Jack
Winner: Parsons in 10. Brutal street fight but Parson overcomes the madman and gets the pin.

Sunny Beach VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Beach in 7. DeBeers tries for a heart punch, but Beach ducks and supplexs the larger man for a surprise pin.

David Sammartino VS Nikita Koloff
Winner: Koloff just overcomes the second generation superstar with a bear hug.

Don Muraco VS Louie Spicolli
Winner: Muraco in 5 with the Asian Spike.

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship Tournament Final match
Steve Williams VS Steve Ray
Winner: Williams. Rey gives it his best but Williams hits the back breaker and it's all over.

Williams countdown-3 to go.

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 16

1-23-1991 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Bruno Sammartino

Iceman King Parsons VS Greg "the Hammer" Valentine
Winner: Parsons in 10

Don Muraco VS B. Brain Blair
Winner: Blair wears the bigger man down and gets the pin in 8

David Sammartino VS Ivan Koloff
Winner: Sammartino with a camel clutch in 7

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship Tournament Semifinals
Steve Williams VS the Bounty Hunter/John Tolos
Winner: Williams just straight beats the Hunter stupid in 5

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship Tournament Semifinals
"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. w/John Tolos VS Steve Ray
Winner: Ray with a flying elbow drop

UWF North American Championship
Dan Spivey (c) VS Houdini
Winner: Spivey with a beatdown in less than 5. Houdini, now wearing a white mask with red hearts over his eyes, manages to get his jacket off, but before he can remove the cummerbund Spivey is on him like dogs on a one-legged cat.  

Williams countdown-4 to go.

TV title finals
Williams and Steve Ray 

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 15

1-16-1991 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Bruno Sammartino

Iceman King Parsons VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Parsons in five despite DeBeers' refusal to wrestle

Steve Williams VS the Blue Knight
Winner: Williams in 6 with a backbreaker

Sunny Beach VS the Black Knight
Winner: Beach with a sleeper hold

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship Tournament Quarterfinals
Steve Ray VS Cactus Jack
Winner: Ray in 10 despite the viscous beating from Cactus Jack. Steve Ray kicks him with a dropkick off the top rope for a quick pin.

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship Tournament Quarterfinals
"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. VS David Sammartino
Winner: Orton in 7 with a brutal forearm smash and a TKO.

Williams countdown-5 to go.

TV title semifinals
Williams and Bounty Hunter

Steve Ray and Orton

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 14

1-9-1991 (new date, UWF Fury Hour moves to Wednesday nights!)

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Craig DeGeorge and Bruno Sammartino

Steve Ray VS Greg "the Hammer" Valentine
Winner: Ray via a figure-four leglock in 10

Tag Team match
Ivan Koloff and Nikita Koloff VS the Power Twins (David and Larry Power)
Winner: Power Twins. Close match between the two giants, but in the end the twins unleash a doble clothesline that put the older Koloff down in 8.

"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. w/John Tolos VS Jack Armstrong
Winner: Orton in 5 via trickery.

Sunny Beach VS David Sammartino
Winner: Sammartino against the newcomer with a bearhug in 5

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship Tournament Quarterfinals
Black Knight VS Bounty Hunter/John Tolos
Winner: Bounty Hunter with an assist from Tolos

UWF SportsChannel Television Championship Tournament Quarterfinals
Steve Williams VS B. Brain Blair w/Honey Bee
Winner: Williams just straight up beats up Blair for 10 minutes. 

Williams countdown-6 to go.

TV title
Williams and Bounty Hunter move to the semifinals

Quarterfinals
Steve Ray
Cactus Jack

Cowboy Bob Orton
David Sammartino

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 11, 12, and 13

Now for here we take a different route.

Fury Hour ran for about 50 episodes, but there were reruns and specials from other promotions.

So, for the rest of December I'd have no new shows, but rather a series of sit down interviews.

Episode 11 (12-10-1990) would be focusing on North American champ Dan Spivey. An interview conducted by Captain Lou Albano followed by match highlights. We'd see Spivey training and showing off his title, plus promising to beat up anyone who gets in his way.

Episode 12 (12-17-1990) would be focusing on "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. Similar to the previous, but mostly how he's been training for his fight with Spivey.

Episode 13 (12-24-1990) would be Paul Orndorff and his recovery. The neck brace is off and Mr. Wonderful promises to be back and in fighting shape for 1991. I'd also lay out the tournament for the TV title, plus Christmas/Holliday wishes from the cast and crew of the UWF to all the folks at home.

Also, I'd be talking to as many promotions as possible. All Japan, New Japan, NWA (even through WCW wouldn't officially leave until 1993, I'd still let them know I have a TV show and would be happy to have their world champ appear on my show), and even the Global Wrestling Federation out of Dallas. Basically any other promotion that had a show I'd be chatting them up, maybe mentioning how much they could make by having some of their champs appear on my show.

Color Out of Space (2020)

Color Out of Space (2020) dir. Richard Stanley, SpectreVision

Might be the last ride of the Summer of Love(craft) but why not go full Nicholas Cage while we're on the way out?

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 10

12-03-1990 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Herb Abrams and Bruno Sammartino

Ivan Koloff VS the Intern 

Winner: Ivan in 3. The older Russian get the jobber in a Bearhug for the win.

"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. w/John Tolos VS Don Muraco
Winner: Orton in 8 via trickery

Cactus Jack w/John Tolos VS B. Brian Blair/w Honey Bee
Winner: Cactus in 9, who throws Honey off the ring apron after the match. Blair puts up a good fight, but Cactus just cheats throughout the match and elbow drops him for the win.

Steve Ray VS the Black Knight
Winner: Ray in 8, who gets jumped after the match by the Blue Knight. Good back and forth, but Ray wins with a legdrop. As for the Blue Knight, I'd like to say Glen Jacobs under the mask, but he didn't debut until 1992.

Superstar Destroyer VS Iceman King Parsons
Winner: Parsons in 8 with the Rumper Stumper

Steve Williams VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Williams in 9. Just an ugly slugfest between the two. 

Captain's Corner: Captain Lou has Herb Abrams, who announces two things; 1, he will be stepping down as announcer and brings out Craig DeGeorge as his replacement. 2, he's been listening to the boys in the back and they want more opportunities for gold, so it pleases him to introduce the latest title in the Universal Wrestling Federation-the UWF SportsChannel Television championship! He brings out the gold and white strap. Starting in 1991 there will be a tournament

Williams countdown-7 to go. 

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 9

11-26-1990 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Herb Abrams and Bruno Sammartino

Barry O VS Iceman King Parsons

Winner: Iceman in 5 with a Rumper Stumper

"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. w/John Tolos VS Jay Strongbow, Jr.
Winner: Orton in 10 with a Superplex

Cactus Jack w/John Tolos VS Don Muraco
Winner: Muraco via decision. Orton runs out post match and they beat "the Rock" down.

Larry Zbyszko VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Larry in 10 with a Figure Four leglock

Steve Williams VS the Black Knight
Winner: Williams in 5. Just a straight up beatdown with Williams throwing the Knight around before a massive forearm knocks the poor guy out. 

 The Bounty Hunter w/John Tolos VS B. Brian Blair w/Honey Bee
Winner: Bounty Hunter. Blair holds his own for most of the match before Orton and Cactus Jack smack Honey out and Tolos nails Blair with Orton's arm cast.

Williams countdown-8 to go. 

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 8

11-19-1990 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Herb Abrams and Bruno Sammartino

Ken Patera VS Larry Zbysko

Winner: Patera in 7. Good technical style but Patera gets the Swinging Full Nelson for the win.

"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. w/John Tolos VS "Spitball" Patterson
Winner: Orton in 5. Patterson's tights are red with black and white highlights (a la the Cincinnati Reds). Orton cheats like crazy and Tolos nails Patterson with an arm cast when the ref is distracted.

B. Brain Blair w/Honey Bee VS the Viking
Winner: the Viking in 9. The Viking is brutal and just straight up overpowers Blair.

Tag Team match
David Sammartino and Jay Strongbow, Jr. VS Cactus Jack and Jack Armstrong
Winner: Dave and Jay in 10. Cactus Jack and Armstrong break down five minutes in, with Cactus turning on his partner a minute later and leaves, letting him get pinned. Cactus Jack runs into John Tolos and joins him right there.

Steve Ray VS Louie Spicolli
Winner: Ray in 8. Good sportsmanship from both, but Ray gets the win with a camel clutch

"Dr. Death" Steve Williams VS Nikita Koloff
Winner: Williams in 10. Williams is motivated and mean. Two hosses smacking each other round with Williams getting the pin after a powerbomb

Williams countdown-9 to go. 

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 7

11-12-1990 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Herb Abrams and Bruno Sammartino

Steve Williams VS "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr.
Winner: Williams in a brutal beatdown. No skill, just throwing punches. He gets the mike again and swears that he's coming for Spivey and no one better get in his way. Herb Abrams makes a deal. Beat 10 more guys and he'll get his shot.

B. Brian Blair w/Honey Bee VS Louie Spicolli
Winner: Blair in 5. Good back and forth, but Blair wins with the Boston Crab.

Nikita Koloff VS the Bounty Hunter w/John Tolos
Winner: Koloff in 10. Bounty Hunter is a masked fellow, does a good job but Koloff just overpowers him and gets the pin.

"Spitball" Patterson VS the Black Knight
Winner: Black Knight in 5. Patterson's tights are Navy blue with yellow and royal blue highlights (a la the Milwaukee Brewers). Knight comes in like a house of fire and gets the win with a flying elbow drop.

UWF North American title match

Dan Spivey (c) VS Cactus Jack
Winner: Spivey retains in 10. Cactus is a bit more cautious but Spivey hits him with the Spivey Spike DDT after some power moves and gets the pin.

Captain's Corner: Captain Lou interviews John Tolos. Tolos manages the Bounty Hunter, but he's looking for more talent to join his team. He wants the best, the meanest, the most ruthless! He'll dominate the UWF as the ultimate manager. We also get an update on Paul Orndorff. He's in a neck brace but he swears he'll be back in the ring before too long.

Williams countdown-10 to go. 

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 6

11-05-1990 

Reseda Country Club

Announcers: Herb Abrams and Bruno Sammartino

Cactus Jack VS Jay Strongbow, Jr.
Winner: Cactus Jack (based on the actual match, except with a pinfall instead of a DQ) in 5. Total beatdown from Cactus Jack.

"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. VS "Spitball" Patterson
Winner: Orton in 5. Patterson's trunks are white with red highlights (a la St. Louis Cardinals). Orton gets a rollup and puts his feet on the ropes for the win.

The Black Knight VS the Viking
Winner: The Viking in 5. Black Knight tries but the Viking overpowers him and gets him with the Torture Rack,

David Sammartino VS Col. DeBeers
Winner: Son of the Legend in 10. Dave gets the Afrikaner in the figure four leglock for the win. 

Universal Wrestling Federation North American Heavyweight title match Tournament Final match

Paul Orndorff VS Dan Spivey
Winner: Spivey in 20. Starts out even between the two, but Spivey switches to a brawling style while Orndorff wears him down with some catch style. Mr. Wonderful gets beaten bloody after Spivey hits him with the Spivey Spike DDT. Orndorff kicks out at two. Spivey hits him with the piledriver and gets the pin. He goes for a post match beatdown, prompting the faces to rush the ring and get him out while Spivey tears up Orndorff's red robe before running out through the crowd with the title.

Captain's Corner: Captain Lou interviews Cactus Jack. In the actual show it was Andre the Giant, but since Abrams couldn't get Andre under contract all it did was make UWF look like a bunch of chumps. Cactus Jack goes on for a bit about what he wants and how's he going to get it-BANG BANG!

UWF Fury Hour Rebook Episode 5

10-29-1990 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Herb Abrams and Bruno Sammartino

Ivan Koloff VS Nikita Koloff
Winner: Nikita in 10. Nikita with the Russian Sickle (clothesline) and a hearty hug between the former tag team.

The Bounty Hunter w/Jon Tolos VS B. Brian Blair w/Honey
Winner: Blair (Honey being his fanservice valet, also following the actual card) with the Boston Crab in 5.

Cactus Jack VS the Viking
Winner: The Viking in 5. The Viking comes in screaming like a berserker, shouting praises to Thor as he pummels Cactus Jack. Spinebuster for the pin.

Jack Armstrong VS Superstar Destroyer
Winner: Armstrong in 5. Armstrong works mostly technical/powerhouse. Beats the masked man with Figure-Four Leglock.

Universal Wrestling North American Heavyweight title match Tournament Semifinals

Paul Orndorff VS Ken Patera
Winner: Orndorff in 15. Good back and forth with Orndorff playing the underdog to the larger Olympian. Mr. Wonderful tries for the piledriver several times but Patera powers out of it. He finally wears him down via a sleeper hold before going to the top rope for a flying elbow and the pin.

Captain's Corner: Captain Lou interviews the Black Knight. The masked wrestler promises that he'll be a champion yet and he has a surprise for the UWF fans at home...

Finals

Dan Spivey VS Paul Orndorff

UWF Fury Hour-Rebook Episode 4

10-22-1990 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Herb Abrams and Bruno Sammartino 

The Viking VS "Spitball" Patterson
Winner: Viking in 5 with the Torture Rack. Patterson's trunks are brown striped with gold and white highlights (a la San Diego Padres).

Universal Wrestling North American Heavyweight title match Tournament Quarterfinals
Ken Patera VS Ivan Koloff
Winner: Patera in 10 with a spinning full nelson.

"Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. VS Nikita Koloff
Winner: Orton via trickery in 5. Koloff dominates the match, but Orton nails him with a horseshoe and pulls the tights for an extra measure.

Col. DeBeers VS Paul Orndorff
Winner: Mr. Wonderful in 10. DeBeers plays the big man but Orndorff uses more technical skills before hitting the piledriver.

Universal Wrestling North American Heavyweight title match Tournament Semifinals

Dan Spivey VS Steve Williams
Winner: Spivey in 15. Bloody affair with both men beating the hell out of each other. Match is almost stopped, but Williams refuses, sadly leaving him open for the Spivey Spike and thus Dangerous Dan is moving ahead in the tournament.

Captain's Corner: Captain Lou interviews Ken Patera and gets his thoughts on his upcoming match and dreams of gold.

Semifinals

Orndorff VS Patera  

Spivey VS ???

Underwater (2020)

Underwater (2020) dir. William Eubank, TSG Entertainment/Cherin Entertainment

Well, this is embarrassing. I admit, watching the trailer and the pre release info, I took this for nothing more than a slight reworking of Leviathan or Deep Star Six. Which it still is I suppose, but there was an element that no one mentioned, namely a certain old fellow often resting in his city...

UWF Fury Hour Rebook-Episode 3

10-15-1990 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Herb Abrams and Bruno Sammartino 

Cactus Jack VS Billy Jack Haynes
Winner: Haynes in 13. Brutal beatdown throughout but Haynes puts the madman down with a sleeper hold.

The Black Knight VS David Sammartino
Winner: Sammartino in 5. 'Ol Dave comes in like a house of fire before slapping a figure-four leglock on the masked knight.

Steve Williams VS Houdini
Winner: Williams in a total squash. Williams is angry, gets the mike and swears he will crush all comers in the ring. Houdini is a magician themed luchador. I was thinking black and white mask with spades over the eyes. He doesn't get his dinner jacket off before Williams just beats him senseless.

Col. DeBeers VS B. Brain Blair
Winner: Blair in 8. Good back and forth, but Blair wears the col. down with dropkicks before putting him in a Boston crab.

Universal Wrestling North American Heavyweight title match Tournament Quarterfinals 

Paul Orndorff VS Jay Strongbow, Jr.
Winner: Orndorff in 10. Solid match with good psychology. Orndorff with the piledriver.

Captain's Corner: Captain Lou interviews the newly signed superstar, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. and his plans for the UWF. 

Quarterfinals
Paul Orndorff 

Jay Strongbow, Jr. 

Ken Patera 

Ivan Koloff

Semifinals
Dan Spivey VS Steve Williams

Orndorff VS ??? 

UWF Fury Hour Rebook-Episode 2

10-08-1990 

Reseda Country Club
Announcers: Herb Abrams and Bruno Sammartino. 10-01 was a special preview of the upcoming season and announcing all the superstars one is going to see here on Fury Hour

Cactus Jack VS the Black Knight
Winner: Cactus Jack in 5. Slight change here, I would make the Black Knight more of a luchador (Solid black bodysuit, maybe with a knightly motif on the mask, but twin knight chess pieces on his boots). The Black Knight does his best, but one flying elbow and it's over.

Dan Spivey VS David Sammartino
Winner: Spivey in 10. Dave tries, and even gets a few hits in, but Spivey simply overpowers him and nails him with a Spinebuster for the win.

Paul Orndorff VS B. Brain Blair
Winner: Orndorff in 10. A respectful start with both men shaking hands. Good back and forth, but Blair overplays his hand and does the old 'I'll whip you into the ropes and then bend down to flip you over' bit with Orndorff turning that into a perfect set up for a piledriver.

Col. DeBeers VS "Spitball" Patterson
Winner: DeBeers in 5. Patterson's tights are now white with black and orange highlights (a la San Francisco Giants). DeBeers dominates the match from the start and ends it with a heart punch.

Universal Wrestling North American Heavyweight title match Tournament Quarterfinals 

"Dr. Death" Steve Williams VS Billy Jack Haynes
Winner: Williams in 15. This is just one hoss beating the tar out of a another hoss. Haynes tries with a bear hug with Williams counters with a bear hug of his own. Haynes breaks first with Williams turning the hug into a bodyslam/pin.

Captain's Corner: Dan Spivey talks about his victory last week and his intention to become the first UWF North American champ. 

Quarterfinals
Steve Williams 
Billy Jack Haynes

Paul Orndorff 

Jay Strongbow, Jr. 

Ken Patera 

Ivan Koloff

Semifinals
Dan Spivey VS Steve Williams 

UWF Fury Hour Rebook-Episode 1

I was made aware of the late Herb Abrams and his ill-fated Universal Wrestling Federation first through Mick Foley's autobiography Have a Nice Day then later through Wrestling With Wrgret's special episode on defunct promotions. I then saw the episode of Dark Side of the Ring devoted to it and I was struck by a few things.

 Herb, bless his heart, wanted to be the Vince McMahon of the West Coast but he had neither the talent nor the ability. He got lucky at first and the UWF hit the ground with both a TV show and a pretty decent roster. 

Yet the promotion ended in record low admission and shows no one watched. If I had Abrams' ear at the time, how would I have booked the show? Having seen a bunch of episodes, all this month we'll be taking a look at Fury Hour