JHawk
March 1983, Monday, Week 2
TV ratings dropped again this week, proving that there is really no correlation between the quality of the show and the rating it receives. It also proves that TV ratings don’t mean as much as some people think.
March 1983, Tuesday, Week 2
Another round of TV tapings begins tonight in Allentown. Magnificent Muraco is expected to defend the IC Title tonight but no idea against who.
Championship Wrestling taping (March 1983, Tuesday, Week 2)
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Don Muraco defeated S.D. Jones in 5:45 by pinfall with a Tombstone Piledriver to retain the Intercontinental Title. This was very good because Muraco and Jones have great chemistry together, plus Muraco looked especially good here.
Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Salvatore Bellomo in 2:03 by pinfall with a Running Forearm Smash. After the match, Pat Patterson interviewed Sharpe at ringside about his forearm brace, which Sharpe claims is because of an arm injury he suffered in Dallas over Christmas weekend and hasn’t been able to fully heal.
Pedro Morales defeated Mac Rivera in 2:33 by pinfall with a roll up.
Ivan Koloff defeated Tony Atlas in 2:37 by pinfall with a Russian Sickle.
Buddy Rogers’ Corner was next. Rogers announced a rematch between Muraco and Rocky Johnson for Philadelphia next weekend, then brought out Johnson, who claimed that after last week’s match he is the rightful champion and will take what is his in Philadelphia. Johnson immediately went to the ring for his match and pinned Charlie Fulton with a dropkick in 3:10.
Vince McMahon interviewed Freddie Blassie as Big John Studd headed to the ring. Blassie claimed that since not even Andre the Giant could slam Studd two weeks ago that there were clearly no more worthy challengers, so they were suspending Studd’s bodyslam challenge indefinitely. Studd then defeated Bob Bradley by submission to a reverse bearhug in 1:33. Studd’s character has gotten stale, and without the bodyslam challenge, he’s dead in the water.
Tony Garea & Eddie Gilbert defeated Jose Estrada and Swede Hanson in 4:20 when Tony Garea pinned Estrada. Hanson and Estrada exchanged looks at a couple of points during the match.
Mr. Fuji defeated Curt Hennig in 3:12 by pinfall with a Kamikaze Clothesline.
Vince McMahon announced that next week on TV, we’ll see the Strongbows defend the WWF Tag Team Titles against The Wild Samoans. This brought out Lou Albano, who cut an extensive promo vowing that his team was taking the gold next week.
George Steele defeated Tito Santana in 1:37 by submission to a flying hammerlock. Santana actually dominated most of this but missed a charge into the corner and they went right to the finish. Afterwards, Steele refused to let go of the hold. Doctors checked on Santana’s arm as he headed to the locker room.
March 1983, Wednesday, Week 2
The mood backstage was fun and relaxed as Howard Finkel kept everybody entertained before the show by telling road stories.
Last night was another sellout of 1,300 at the Allentown Agricultural Hall.
Mil Mascaras is officially gone.
Buddy Rose signed his extension with Pacific Northwest Wrestling, but it has no effect on his current status with the WWF.
Iron Mike Sharpe and S.D. Jones have both asked for time off to allow some nagging injuries to heal. Not sure if they will actually be given any.
All-Star Wrestling taping (March 1983, Wednesday, Week 2)
Big John Studd defeated Jimmy Snuka in 2:54 by submission with a Reverse Bearhug. After the match, Pat Patterson interviewed Studd, who said he was going to end Backlund’s career in Philadelphia next week when they meet on opposite sides of a six man tag team match.
Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Barry Hart in 1:12 by pinfall with a Running Forearm Smash.
Swede Hanson defeated Bob Bradley in 3:31 by pinfall. Hanson is teasing a full-fledged face turn as he’s still booked like a heel most of the time.
Ivan Koloff defeated Curt Hennig in 4:08 by pinfall with a Russian Sickle. This was better than their match last week.
Buddy Rogers conducts an interview with The Strongbows, who discuss next week’s title defense with The Wild Samoans. Jules Strongbow tells Jay to let him control the match because “these belts mean a lot to me and we can’t have you having a heart attack out there.” Ouch. Jay looks at him like he’s crazy.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Rocky Johnson defeated Tiger Conway Jr. in 6:59 by pinfall with a Johnson Shuffle. After the match, Patterson interviewed Johnson about his rematch with Muraco in Philly next weekend.
Vince McMahon conducted a brief interview with newcomer Bill Anderson. As he headed to the ring, McMahon then interviewed Rene Goulet, making his return after a nearly three year absence.
Rene Goulet defeated Bill Anderson in 2:09 by pinfall. This was there.
Judy Martin pinned Joyce Grable at 13:56 when Grable missed a dropkick off the middle rope and Martin covered her for the win. Way too long and these fans simply don’t care about the ladies. The match itself was fine though.
Not a good show. They really need to do more to push MSG and Philly because there is no buzz for either show at all.
March 1983, Thursday, Week 2
The All-Star Wrestling taping in Hamburg last night drew a paid crowd of 1,003.
Despite the report we got last night, most people felt that last night’s show was pretty good.
Rene Goulet is complaining of fatigue. Needless to say that since that’s the first time he’s been used and worked barely two minutes, his complaining is not sitting well with management.
March 1983, Friday, Week 2
Alexis Smirnoff has officially left the WWF, but that’s not a big loss since nobody knew he was still there anyway.
Frankie Williams has a month remaining on his contract but he is expected to sign an extension. He’s not a top guy by any means, but everybody loves him and he makes for easy fodder for the midcard guys needing a push.
The WWF announced Superstar Billy Graham vs. Jules Strongbow for next Sunday’s show at Madison Square Garden.
March 1983, Saturday, Week 2
Andre the Giant worked his one show for All Japan Pro Wrestling last night, losing a match against Pacific Wrestling Federation World Champion Harley Race. Andre was said to be the star of the show.
Tony Garea will face Johnny Rodz at the Spectrum next Saturday.
March 1983, Sunday, Week 3
Frankie Williams signed a two year extension with the WWF. It’s a low cost signing, which makes it low risk, but it’s not going to have any long term benefits
Next week, the Samoans get their long awaited shot at tag team championship gold.
