Classic Matches History Wrestlers Results Collectibles

Classic Matches

August 13, 1969: Hawaiian Championship Cage Match

Photos courtesy of George Beppu.

A sell out crowd of 5100 fans showed up tonight. In the opening match, Rocky Hunter drew with Masa Fujiwara. The Missing Link took two falls from Rocky Montero. In a tag team match, Kurt and Karl von Steiger, the brothers from Germany, took two out of three falls from Nick Bockwinkel and Dory Dixon. In another bout, Curtis "The Bull" Iaukea drew with Chief Billy White Wolf.

The main event featured Buddy Austin and Ripper Collins putting their Hawaiian tag team titles on the line against the team of Ed Francis and Pedro Morales. The match would take place with the ring surround by a steel cage, no time limit, no disqualification a battle to the finish.

Curtis Iaukea vs Billy White Wolf
Curtis Iaukea about to slam Chief Billy White Wolf's head into the mat.
Curtis Iaukea about to slam Chief Billy White Wolf's head into the mat.
Iaukea cranks up the pressure on his arm bar on White Wolf.
Iaukea cranks up the pressure on his arm bar on White Wolf.
August 13, 1969
White Wolf executes the Sunset Flip on Iaukea.
White Wolf executes the Sunset Flip on Iaukea.
White Wolf gets ready to body slam Curtis.
White Wolf gets ready to body slam Curtis.
Curtis gets even with a Big Splash off the turnbuckle.
Curtis gets even with a Big Splash off the turnbuckle.
Bockwinkel/Dixon vs von Steigers
The von Steigers take turns beating up on Bockwinkel.
The von Steigers take turns beating up on Bockwinkel.
Kurt von Steiger with a nerve hold on Dory Dixon.
Kurt von Steiger with a nerve hold on Dory Dixon.
Collins/Austin vs Francis/Morales
Ripper Collins dishes out more punishment on Ed Francis.
Ripper Collins dishes out more punishment on Ed Francis.

Towards the end of the match with all four men in the ring, referee Pete Peterson tried to maintain control of the match while Austin and Collins were giving Francis and Morales the beating of their lives.

Buddy Austin administers more pain on Ed Francis.
Buddy Austin administers more pain on Ed Francis.
Austin continues the onslaught on the ring's apron.
Austin continues the onslaught on the ring's apron.

In trying to maintain order, referee Peterson was knocked unconscious along with Morales. Austin and Collins then took the two tag team ropes in the ring tied them together and proceeded to lift Francis to the top of the cage and hung him at the top of the cage then started to work over an unconscious Morales.

Collins and Austin gang up on Francis.
Collins and Austin gang up on Francis.

While this was happening Lord Blears, who was at ring side, unlocked the pad lock at the cage entrance, went into the ring, and cut Francis down using a pocket knife. He subsequently pulled the unconscious Pete Peterson out of the ring. Referee Wally tsutsumi was immediately summoned to replace Peterson.

Ed Francis returns the favor to Ripper Collins.
Ed Francis returns the favor to Ripper Collins.
Francis applies the Sleeper Hold onto Ripper Collins.
Francis applies the Sleeper Hold onto Ripper Collins.
Referee Wally Tsutsumi presents the Tag Team belts to the winning team.
Referee Wally Tsutsumi presents the Tag Team belts to the winning team.

Once Francis was cut down he went nuts and won the third and deciding fall to give him and Morales the victory and become new Hawaiian tag team champions.

Ed Francis and Pedro Morales, the new Hawaiian Tag Team Champions.
Ed Francis and Pedro Morales, the new Hawaiian Tag Team Champions.
August 13, 1969
Classic Matches History Wrestlers Results Collectibles