Red White & Blue Bash (1980)

## Background

At Beach Brawl, Devin and Terry Van Winkle defeated The Blade Blasters to become the Tag Team Champions in an upset victory. During the bout, Terry suffered a head injury that would keep him on the injured list into August. The next week, when Devin and the third Van Winkle brother, Damon, appeared on Superstar Saturday to address Terry’s injury, they were attacked by the debuting trio The Ramblin’ Men (Sexy Rebel, Raunch Robbins, and Jordy Hoss). The trio would soon announce that they had secured themselves a match for the title at Red White & Blue Bash and that Terry would be forced to compete, despite his still-healing injury, or the Van Winkles would forfeit the title.

On the April 19 edition of Weekend Wrasslin’, Average Guy was set to appear for an interview to discuss Jet Set Strutter’s claim that he would never grant Guy another match for the World Championship. Before the interview could begin, however, Guy was attacked and injured by Mad Abner. Rumors began swirling that Strutter had paid off Abner to assault Guy. Guy later challenged Abner to a match at Monster Mayhem, a bout which Guy won. Abner then challenged Guy to a rematch at Beach Brawl, but with the ghoulish stipulation that the ropes be replaced with barbed wire. Abner, noted for his experience in such matches in Texas and Japan, defeated Guy in their rematch. Guy challenged Abner to one more bout to end their feud definitively, a death match at Red White & Blue Bash.

Although not involved in any particular feud, French heel Pierre the Enormous had a mystique building around him, as he had gone the entire year without suffering a single defeat, including a ten-man battle royal and a handicap match.

At the Weekend Wrasslin’ directly before Red White & Blue Bash, Television Champion Memphis Prince defeated He-Beast the Barbarian and Studmuffin to become the number one contender to Jet Set Strutter’s World Championship. Although he had faced Strutter for the title before, this was his first World Title match since himself becoming the TV Champion, and it was the first opportunity anybody in Wrestle World had received to become a double champion.

## Matches

In the night’s opening match, Tag Team Champions The Van Winkles (Devin and Terry) defended their title against The Ramblin’ Men, represented here by Sexy Rebel and Raunch Robbins. Despite still suffering the effects of a head injury, Devin locked on the Winkle Claw to secure himself and his brother a title retention, gaining a measure of revenge over The Ramblin’ Men for their attack on Devin and Damon in the process.

After that bout, an unadvertised three-way table match took place between the undefeated French giant Pierre the Enormous, wrestling baker Studmuffin, and journeyman favorite Thumper Moore. The unstoppable heel Pierre placed Studmuffin on the table and crashed his own body onto him, crushing Studmuffin under Pierre’s 520 pound frame and ending the match in the giant’s favor. Pierre’s winning streak extended to 8-0.

After that match, Exotic Rick appeared in-ring to cut a well-received heel promo.

The next match featured fan favorite Cimmeternian warrior Aurora defeating rival Countess to become the number one contender to Queen of Mean’s Ladies Championship.

In the next bout, Cruiserweight Champion Star Boy defended his title against boxer Max Power in a babyface-vs.-babyface match. Despite Power’s attempts to end the match early with a flurry of punches, Star Boy was able to hit his Flying Cross Chop and retain the title.

The next match was scheduled to be Average Guy vs. Mad Abner in a death match, the “rubber match” between the two to end their feud after each had gained a singles victory over the other. The match never officially started, however, as the two began fighting before even entering the ring. After a bloody brawl all over the Cattle Castle, Guy gained the upper hand and seemingly knocked out Abner.

In the night’s main event, Jet Set Strutter put his World Championship on the line against Television Champion Memphis Prince. If Prince could win the match, he would become Wrestle World’s first double champion.  After a lengthy back-and-forth during which Prince tried and failed to his his signature piledriver, Jet Set Strutter won the bout and retained his title via the Six-Figure Leglock. Prince’s title was not on the line during this match.