Wrestling with Theology

State Farm Center

Dark Horse Title Match: Barry Horowitz (c) vs 'Dangerous' Doug Gilbert

American Tag Team Titles Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (c) vs Too Cool

Cage Match: 'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs 'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin

IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals

Magnum T.A. (PWA) vs Kerry von Erich (MCW)

Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs 'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW)

The cause and need of this commandment is that God well knows that the world is evil, and that this life has much unhappiness. Therefore, He has set up this and the other commandments between the good people and the evil. Now, just as there are many attacks on all commandments, so the same happens also with this commandment. We must live among many people who do us harm, and we have a reason to be hostile to them. (183)

Victorious Deliverance

Reading: Daniel 3

Hymn: All Glory, Laud, and Honor

Psalm: All You Works of the Lord (LSB #931)

Victorious Fearlessness

Reading: Zephaniah 3

Hymn: Be Still My Soul

Psalm: 85

Victorious Repentance

Reading: Jonah 3

Hymn: O Love, How Deep

Psalm: Jonah 2:2-9

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Drawn from the Four Gospels

V. Calvary

Victorious Redeemer

Reading: Job 19

Hymn: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Psalm: 16

Victorious Resurrection

Reading: Ezekiel 37

Hymn: Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted

Psalm: 51:8-15

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Drawn from the Four Gospels

IV. The Praetorium

Victorious Song

Reading: Deuteronomy 31

Hymn: We Sing the Praise of Him Who Dies

Psalm: Song from Deuteronomy (LSB #926)

Victorious Heart

Reading: Ezekiel 36

Hymn: Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle

Psalm: 96

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Drawn from the Four Gospels

III. The Palace of the High Priest

Victorious Word

Reading: Isaiah 55

Hymn: Thy Word

Psalm: 42

Illinois State Fairgrounds

'Gentleman' Chris Adams & Brooklyn Brawler vs 'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin & Davey Boy Smith

Gilbert Brothers vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko & Rick 'The Model' Martel

$10,000 Battle Royal

IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinals

Kerry von Erich (MCW) vs 'Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit (Stampede)

Magnum T.A. (PWA) vs Curt Hennig (BTW)

Sting (BTW) vs 'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW)

Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs 'Macho Man' Randy Savage (BTW)

Victorious Passage

Reading: Exodus 14

Hymn: Jesus, Refuge of the Weary

Psalm: Song of Moses and Israel (LSB #925)

The Pasion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Drawn from the Four Gospels

II. Gethsemane

Victorious Sacrifice

Reading: Genesis 22

Hymn: The Lamb

Psalm: 10:1-10

Victorious Flood

Reading: Genesis 6-9

Hymn: My Song Is Love Unknown

Psalm: 29

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Drawn from the Four Gospels

I. The Lord's Supper

Victorious Creation

Reading: Genesis 1-3

Hymn: All Mankind Fell in Adam's Fall

Psalm: 33:1-11

"Here again the sad plight arises that no one sees or hears this truth. All live on as though God gave us children for our pleasure or amusement and servants so that we could use them like a cow or an ass, only for work. Or they live as though we were only to gratify our lewd behavior with our subjects, ignoring them, as though we have no concern for what they learn or how they live" (170).

United Center

Ultimo Dragon vs Italian Stallion

'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs Faarooq

'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs Bradshaw

Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Iron Mike Sharpe

IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament

Chris Candido (PNW) vs 'Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit (Stampede)

Magnum T.A. (PWA) vs 'Heart Break Kid' Shawn Michaels (MCW)

Cactus Jack (MLW) vs Curt Hennig (BTW)

Sting (BTW) vs 'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW)

"Yet there is need that this truth about spiritual fatherhood also be taught to the people. For those who want to be Christians are obliged in God’s sight to think them worthy of double honor who minister to their souls. They are obligated to deal well with them and provide for them. For that reason, God is willing to bless you enough and will not let you run out" (161).

Renaissance Coliseum

Johnny B. Badd vs Brooklyn Brawler

'Dangerous' Doug Gilbert vs Rick 'The Model' Martel

American Tag Team Titles Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (c) vs Too Cool

'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko

Illinois Heavyweight Title vs PWA Contract: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Tracey Smothers

IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament

'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW) vs Raven (MCW)

Kerry von Erich (MCW) vs Terry Funk (IWGP)

Jerry 'The King' Lawler (PWA) vs 'Macho Man' Randy Savage (BTW)

Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff (IWGP)

"The same should also be said about obedience to civil government. This (as we have said) is all included in the place of fatherhood and extends farthest of all relations. Here “father” is not one person from a single family, but it means the many people the father has as tenants, citizens, or subjects. Through them, as through our parents, God gives to us food, house and home, protection, and security. They bear such name and title with all honor as their highest dignity that it is our duty to honor them and to value them greatly as the dearest treasure and the most precious jewel upon earth" (150).

State Farm Center

Dark Horse Title Match: Barry Horowitz (c) vs Beefstew Lou Marconi

Dynamite's Gauntlet: Scott Taylor

'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs Danny Davis

'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs Marc Mero

Gilbert Brothers vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko & Mystery Partner

American Heavyweight Title Match: Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (c) vs Kendall

Windham

IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament

'Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit (Stampede) vs Triple H (BTW)

D. Lo Brown (Stampede) vs Magnum T.A. (PWA)

Curt Hennig (BTW) vs Jeff Jarrett (HCW)

'Wildfire' Tommy Rich (MCW) vs A.J. Styles (MLW)

"Where do so many rogues come from that must daily be hanged, beheaded, and broken upon the wheel? Don’t they come from disobedience to parents, because they will not submit to discipline in kindness? By God’s punishment, they cause us to behold their misfortune and grief. For it seldom happens that such perverse people die a natural or timely death.

But the godly and obedient have this blessing: they live long in pleasant quietness and see their children’s children (as said above) to the third and fourth generation" (137).

Tacoma Dome

Pro Wrestling America vs Pacific Northwest Wrestling

James Storm (PWA) vs Ultimo Dragon (PNW)

'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs 'Gentleman' Chris Adams

Grappler (PNW) vs Tracey Smothers (PWA)

Gino Hernandez (PNW) vs Kendall Windham (PWA)

Sawyer Brothers (PNW) vs Too Cool (PWA)

Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Iron Mike Sharpe

IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament

Brad Armstrong (MLW) vs Raven (MCW)

Kerry von Erich (MCW) vs Lance Storm (Stampede)

'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff (IWGP) vs 'Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase (HCW)

Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs Jax Dane

"I would be very glad—I say it again—if people would open their eyes and ears and take this to heart, lest someday we should again be led astray from God’s pure Word to the devil’s lying vanities. If people would take this to heart, all would be well. For parents would have more joy, love, friendship, and unity in their houses. The children could captivate their parents’ hearts" (121).

United Center

James Storm vs 'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin

Bradshaw vs Davey Boy Smith

Brian Christopher vs 'Dirty' Dick Slater

Dynamite's Gauntlet: Beefstew Lou Marconi

Goldust vs Magnum T.A.

'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko

IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament

Sting (BTW) vs Ivan Koloff (IWGP)

Cactus Jack (MLW) vs Bubba Ray Dudley (MCW)

Chris Candido (PNW) vs 'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol (PWA)

Jerry 'The King' Lawler (PWA) vs Jax Dane (PNW)

"Behold, in this way we would have had a godly child properly taught, reared in true blessedness, and kept at home in obedience to his parents and in their service. People would have had blessing and joy by seeing this. However, God’s commandment was not permitted to be commended with such care and diligence. It had to be neglected and trampled under foot, so that a child could not take it to heart. Meanwhile, the child would gape like a panting wolf at the things we set up, without once ‹consulting or› giving reverence to God" (114).

Renaissance Coliseum

Battle Royal for the Dark Horse Title

Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Iron Mike Sharpe

American Tag Team Titles Unification Match: Gorgeous Gentlemen (American) vs 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (Illinois)

IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament

'Heart Break Kid' Shawn Michaels (MCW) vs Christian (MLW)

'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW) vs Dustin Rhodes (IWGP)

'Macho Man' Randy Savage (BTW) vs Rocky Maivia (Stampede)

'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko (PWA) vs 'Maniac' Matt Borne (PNW)

"To the position of fatherhood and motherhood God has given special distinction above all positions that are beneath it: He does not simply command us to love our parents, but to honor them. Regarding our brothers, sisters, and neighbors in general, He commands nothing more than that we love them. In this way He separates and distinguishes father and mother from all other persons upon earth and places them at His side" (105).

State Farm Center

St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Illinois Tag Team Titles Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (c) vs Black Bart & Brooklyn Brawler

Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Rick 'The Model' Martel

Heartbreakers Rumble

American Tag Team Titles Match: Gorgeous Gentlemen (c) vs Acolytes

American Heavyweight Title Match: 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert (c) vs Kendall Windham

"Let me tell you this, even though you know God’s Word perfectly and are already a master in all things: you are daily in the devil’s kingdom. He ceases neither day nor night to sneak up on you and to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against these three commandments and all the commandments. Therefore, you must always have God’s Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle and the Word does not make a sound, the devil breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware" (100).

Illinois State Fairgrounds

Johnny B. Badd vs Brooklyn Brawler

Marc Mero vs Beefstew Lou Marconi

Tracey Smothers vs 'Dangerous' Doug Gilbert

Rick 'The Model' Martel vs Barry Horowitz

'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs Brian Christopher

Non-Title Match: Iceman King Parsons vs Iron Mike Sharpe

Non-Title Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion vs Nightmares

United States Qualifying Match: Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine vs James Storm

United States Qualifying Match: Jerry 'The King' Lawler vs Bradshaw

United States Qualifying Match: 'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol vs Davey Boy Smith

Goldust vs 'Gentleman' Chris Adams

United States Qualifying Match: 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko vs Magnum T.A.

$10,000 Battle Royal

"God's Word is the true 'holy thing' above all holy things. Yes, it is the only one we Christians know and have" (91).

United Center

Dark Horse Title Four Corners Elimination Match: Marc Mero (c) vs Johnny B. Badd vs Brooklyn Brawler vs Beefstew Lou Marconi

Bradshaw vs Black Bart

James Storm vs Barry Horowitz

Faarooq vs Davey Boy Smith

Nightmares vs Too Cool

Magnum T.A. vs Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine

Jerry 'The King' Lawler vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko

"This is the simple meaning of the commandment: People must have holidays. Therefore, such observances should be devoted to hearing God's Word so that the special function of this day of rest should be the ministry of the Word for the young and the mass of poor people. Yet the resting should not be strictly understood to forbid any work that comes up, which cannot be avoided" (86).

Renaissance Coliseum

Lethal Lottery Tournament

$20,000 Battle Royal of the match winners

"It is also useful that we form the habit of daily commending ourselves to God, with soul and body, wife, children, servants, and all that we have, against every need that may arise" (73).

https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/cc_260119.mp3

State Farm Center

Beefstew Lou Marconi vs Brooklyn Brawler

Dark Horse Title Match: Marc Mero (c) vs Johnny B. Badd

Jimmy Golden vs Iron Mike Sharpe

Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Kendall Windham

Dynamite Gauntlet - 'Dirty' Dick Slater

Jerry 'The King' Lawler vs Black Bart

Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine vs Davey Boy Smith

Tracey Smothers vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko

Terry Funk vs Rick 'The Model' Martel

Too Cool vs Gilbert Brothers

American Tag Team Titles Match: Gorgeous Gentlemen (c) vs Acolytes

"We are not to swear in support of evil, that is, to support falsehood, or to swear when there is no need or use. But we should swear for the support of good and the advantage of our neighbor. For such swearing is truly a good work, by which God is praised, truth and right are established, falsehood is refuted, peace is made among men, obedience is rendered, and quarrels are settled. For in this way God Himself intervenes and separates right and wrong, good and evil" (66).

https://wrestlingwiththeoogy.org/media/podcast/cc_260112.mp3

Little Caesars Arena

Detroit, MI

Pro Wrestling America vs Motor City Wrestling

Thrillbilly Silas Mason (MCW) vs Davey Boy Smith (PWA)

Don Muraco (MCW) vs Bradshaw (PWA)

Raven & Sabu (MCW) vs Nightmares (PWA)

Kendall Windham & Tracey Smothers vs Gilbert Brothers

'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol vs Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine

Barry Windham (MCW) vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko

'Dirty' Dutch Mantell & 'Wildfire' Tommy Rich (MCW) vs Gorgeous Gentlemen (PWA)

MCW Heavyweight Title Match: Scott Steiner (c) vs Buff Bagwell

https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/pwa_260107.mp3

How do we misuse God's holy name? Unfortunately, it is far too often and frequent. Luther looks at misuse both in the secular realm and the spiritual realm. "All misuse of the divine name happens first in worldly business and in matters that concern money, possession, and honor" (53). "But the greatest abuse occurs in spiritual matters. These have to do with the conscience, when false preachers rise up and offer their lying vanities as God's Word" (54).

"On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Twelve drummers drumming

Eleven pipers piping

Ten lords a-leaping

Nine ladies dancing

Eight maids a-milking

Seven swans a-swimming

Six geese a-laying

Five golden rings

Four calling birds

Three french hens

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Eleven pipers piping

Ten lords a-leaping

Nine ladies dancing

Eight maids a-milking

Seven swans a-swimming

Six geese a-laying

Five golden rings

Four calling birds

Three french hens

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Ten lords a-leaping

Nine ladies dancing

Eight maids a-milking

Seven swans a-swimming

Six geese a-laying

Five golden rings

Four calling birds

Three french hens

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Nine ladies dancing

Eight maids a-milking

Seven swans a-swimming

Six geese a-laying

Five golden rings

Four calling birds

Three french hens

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Eight maids a-milking

Seven swans a-swimming

Six geese a-laying

Five golden rings

Four calling birds

Three french hens

Two turtle doves, and

A partridge in a pear tree."