JHawk
February 1984, Monday, Week 1
The bidding war between Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and the WWF over Rocky Johnson continues. The future of the WWF’s tag team division hangs in the balance so the idea right now is to do whatever it possibly takes to get the deal done without breaking the bank.
Of course, the WWF lost a lot of money in January as crowds in Philadelphia and New York are not increasing at all. Reports are saying that booker Jared Hawkins has put a lot of his own money into the company trying to keep it afloat but his willingness to continue to do so is dropping with each passing day. In fact, we received reports of a shouting match taking place in Vince McMahon’s office earlier today. Apparently Hawkins was in negotiations to bring The Moondogs in as a back up plan in the event Rocky Johnson leaves and McMahon used his hiring veto to block the move. One source said he heard Hawkins yelling “Then what the hell did you hire me for then” before stormed out of the office.
On top of that, each month the WWF takes a further prestige hit because as soon as it appears they’re gaining some ground, the financial reports come out for other companies promoting in their home areas and they’re almost always falling dead last.
February 1984, Tuesday, Week 1
In a major shock, All Japan Pro Wrestling closed its doors for good last night. The company had apparently been bleeding money for several months and finally got to the point where it couldn’t meet payroll and couldn’t find an investor to keep it afloat.
WWF Championship Wrestling taping (February, Tuesday, Week 1)
Prior to the taping, Howard Finkel announced the Ivan Koloff-Pat Patterson rematch for MSG later this month.
In an extremely short match, Andre The Giant and Tony Garea defeated Mr. Fuji and Rene Goulet in 4:21 when Garea pinned Fuji. Andre looked fantastic here.
Don Kent pinned Salvatore Bellomo in 2:38 with a Bulldog.
Brian Blair and Eddie Gilbert defeated Bobby Colt and Samu in 2:40 when Blair pinned Colt.
Finkel announced Steve Lombardi vs. Jose Luis Rivera for the Spectrum this month. I’m serious.
Sika pinned The Tonga Kid in 2:28 with a Samoan Drop.
Ivan Koloff defeated Steve Lombardi in 2:03 by submission. This was a well executed squash match.
The Great Wojo made his way to the ring for his match and ended up bumping into Koloff in the aisle. They began arguing until The Grand Wizard stepped in between them. Wojo turning babyface? It makes sense given his amateur credentials as I believe he tried out for the U.S. Olympic team but he’s literally been on TV a month as a heel, so it’s way too soon.
The Great Wojo defeated Lou Winston in 1:25 by submission with a Boston Crab.
Mr. Fuji and Tiger Chung Lee vs. Ivan Putski and Andre the Giant has been announced for next week.
Rough and Tumble defeated Israel Matia and Bob Bradley in 2:41 when S.D. Jones pinned Bradley.
Rene Goulet was Lord Alfred Hayes’ guest on Victory Corner, and he issued a challenge to Pat Patterson for the WWF Heavyweight Title.
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, Adrian Adonis, Afa and George Steele defeated Chief Jay Strongbow, Jimmy Snuka and Curt Hennig in 6:57 when Adonis pinned Hennig by pinfall with a bulldog. Hennig appeared to injure his neck on the move, but I’m relatively sure it’s an angle as Adonis kept stomping on Hennig’s head.
This was a pretty good show.
February 1984, Wednesday, Week 1
Bobby Colt kept the locker room upbeat last night by doing some spot-on impressions of some of his colleagues. However, many were talking about the tension of Vince McMahon and Jared Hawkins, as apparently Hawkins seemed on edge and most say that’s unlike him.
The show last night drew the usual sellout crowd of 1,300.
The deal with Curt Hennig being injured last night is an angle as his contract should be running out shortly and he’s not expected back.
“No Class” Bobby Bass has signed a one year non-exclusive deal.
As if things couldn’t get worse for Giant Baba after the closing of All Japan Pro Wrestling, he officially divorced wife Motoko Baba yesterday.
February 1984, Thursday, Week 1
Lou Winston’s contract expired so he’s history.
Jay York, Goldie Rogers and Bobby Fulton have all signed non-exclusive deals.
February 1984, Friday, Week 1
Newly announced for Madison Square Garden on Monday, Week 4 is Mr. Fuji, Tiger Chung Lee and The Great Wojo vs. Rough and Tumble and Ivan Putski, which I assume will further Wojo’s expected face turn.
February 1984, Saturday, Week 1
Al Madril and John Tolos have signed short term contracts. Tolos will be used as a road agent. Madril is actually expected to work near the top of the card, and while he’s a solid worker, that says something about the depth in the company as he wouldn’t be above opening status in a lot of promotions.
February 1984, Sunday, Week 1
The company is breathing a sign of relief as Johnson, as a sign of loyalty, has signed a new deal even though the proposed deal with Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling would have given him a guaranteed salary every month.
TV ratings held steady this weekend.
Billy Red Lyons and Steve Regal are gone, although I’d expect Lyons to return by the summer as a PR move in case the rumored expansion until Canada happens.
