Copyright 2019 Michael W. Rickard II
Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World.
It’s time for Round Two of The Greatest U.S. Champion of All Time Tournament, presented originally at Canadian Bulldog’s World. In case you’re just tuning in, this tournament includes the 21 greats who held Jim Crockett Promotions’ United States Heavyweight Championship, one of the most prestigious titles in the National Wrestling Alliance. The belt served as a steppingstone to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and became the focus of many top programs in JCP. The 21 different men who held the belt were either famous veterans or rising stars who eventually became legends.
Round One featured 18 grappling greats battling to advance to round two while three other competitors (Ric Flair, Blackjack Mulligan, and Chief Wahoo McDaniel) received byes for having held the U.S. title the most times. Keep in mind that the wrestlers working the matches are in the same physical condition they were when they held the U.S. Championship which means nearly every competitor is in their wrestling prime.
The second-round matches are being held at the iconic Greenville Memorial Auditorium, located of course in Greenville, South Carolina. The 7,500 seat multi-purpose arena was built in 1958 and lasted until September 20, 1997 when it was imploded to make room for the Bi-Lo Center (now known as the Bon Secours Wellness Arena). Bob Caudle and David Crockett will be calling the action for round two’s matches. Every match in the second round is one fall with a 45-minute time limit.
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine vs. Wahoo McDaniel
Match five took place, with Sgt. Slaughter defeating Nikita Koloff in a wild brawl that saw Slaughter’s allies Private Jim Nelson and Private Don Kernodle fight off the outside interference of Nikita’s uncle Ivan and American wrestler turned Soviet sympathizer Krusher Krushchev. Now, it’s time for Valentine and McDaniel to do battle again.
Tony Schiavone is backstage with Mid-Atlantic Wrestling great Sandy Scott, who now serves as an official for the promotion and the National Wrestling Alliance. Schiavone asks Scott why he decided to let the match take place after what happened last time. Scott tells Schiavone that he is recommending the NWA fine Greg Valentine and Ric Flair for their actions tonight, but that’s a problem for another day. The tournament to crown The Greatest U.S. Champion Of All Time wouldn’t be the same if Wahoo was not allowed to compete and while Valentine acted unprofessionally, the match will go on. However, in order to prevent things from getting out of control, he’s ordered this match be held under lumberjack rules. Furthermore, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair has been banned from the arena and if he shows up, he will be fined $25,000 and removed from the tournament. As if that’s not enough, “Buzzsaw” Johnny Weaver has been appointed special referee. Schiavone says it’s obvious Sandy Scott is taking things very seriously and sends the action to announcers Bob Caudle and Tony Schiavone.
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Click here for the tournament introduction
Click here for match one of round one
Click here for match two of round one.
Click here for match three of round one.
Click here for match four of round one.
Click here for match six of round one.
Click here for match seven of round one.
Click here for match eight of round one.
Click here for match nine of round one.
Round Two
Click here for match one of round two.
Click here for match two of round two.
Click here for match three of round two.
Click here for match four of round two.
Click here for match five of round two.