JHawk
Sorry about missing this last week. No excuses, I just forgot. I’d love to say it won’t happen again but I’d probably be lying. This one will be short and sweet.
January 1984, Monday, Week 2
Sources in Japan indicate Hulk Hogan is looking fatigued, likely due to the added travel with the deal set up between New Japan and the WWF. Hogan was successful in a match against Shiro Koshinaka then got into a postmatch altercation with Riki Choshu, but he appeared sluggish in comparison to some recent efforts. Choshu went on to defeat Andre the Giant later in the evening in what is being described as the best match on the card.
January 1984, Tuesday, Week 2
Israel Matia signed his deal with Central States Wrestling but is not expected to miss any time.
Bob Bradley signed a contract extension that will keep him in the WWF in some form until 1987.
WWF Championship Wrestling taping (January 1984, Tuesday, Week 2)
Hi guys. I thought I would send you a report from my first ever WWF taping, Championship Wrestling making its debut at the Allepo Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, MA.
The show opens with Gene Okerlund interviewing Hulk Hogan and Pat Patterson. Hogan puts Patterson over as a great champion. I guess that was an impressive title loss in his only defense.
Hulk Hogan and Pat Patterson defeated Mr. Fuji and Tiger Chung Lee when Hogan pinned Lee with a Big Leg Drop in 4:12. I remember Hogan being more of a brawler, but he’s apparently learned some things from Patterson because he used some actual wrestling holds in this one. However, their timing a team was all over the place.
Sika pinned Nick DeCarlo with a headbutt in 4:27.
Jimmy Snuka pinned Rene Goulet with the Superfly Splash in 2:55. Despite the short nature of the match, Goulet actually got a lot of offense in.
Victory Corner with Lord Alfred Hayes was next, and he interviewed newcomer Don Kent who put himself over as a bad ass.
Samu pinned Invader #2 with a headbutt in 4:36. After the match, Okerlund conducted an interview with the Samoans, where they vowed to regain the WWF Tag Team Titles and pushed their various matches in Philadelphia and New York later this month.
In an extremely short match, WWF Intercontinental Champion George Steele (w/The Grand Wizard) defeated S.D. Jones in 4:49 by pinfall. After the match, Okerlund interviewed the Wizard regarding the challenge of The Tonga Kid, scheduled for MSG later this month.
Jose Luis Rivera pinned Tony Garea with a piledriver in 3:27.
I’m disheartened by the lack of a true main event but this was a fun show.
January 1984, Wednesday, Week 2
Attendance for the Championship Wrestling taping last night was 2,524, about 125 short of a sellout. Feedback in the building was excellent for the most part.
January 1984, Thursday, Week 2
Steve Regal has officially signed his extension with the AWA.
January 1984, Friday, Week 2
Tiger Conway Jr. is in the final month of his deal and is not expected to re-sign.
Championship Wrestling from Florida has offered both Bill Anderson and Jerry Valiant contracts. While the deals themselves would not be exclusive, I am hearing there may be a clause preventing them from competing in the WWF should they make the deal. The WWF has issued counter offers that would offer an additional six months to a year on their current deals as well as a substantial raise to try to keep them on board.
Rocky Johnson defeated Mr. Fuji in the main event of a Pacific Northwest Wrestling show in Portland, OR last night.
January 1984, Saturday, Week 2
George Steele will defend the Intercontinental Title against Salvatore Bellomo next Saturday in Philadelphia.
The WWF also announced that Andre the Giant will be taking a booking for the AWA next Saturday and will put Chief Jay Strongbow in his place. That match is now scheduled to be two out of three falls.
January 1984, Sunday, Week 2
TV ratings held steady this weekend.
