JHawk
March 1983, Monday, Week 4
The Sunday afternoon experiment for Madison Square Garden was a disaster, as the show drew just 4,141 paid for one of the best shows I’ve seen there in years. Hopefully good word of mouth will help next time out. There is talk of skipping MSG next month hoping it will spike attendance in May, but thus far no official decision has been made.
It should come as no surprise, but Don Muraco and Bob Backlund received Match of the Night bonuses for yesterday’s show. Hawkins also complimented Salvatore Bellomo on how he’s improved over the past few weeks.
TV ratings held steady this weekend.
March 1983, Tuesday, Week 4
Andre the Giant will be working a yet to be determined date for WWC, another deal brokered by the NWA through NJPW. Now that the legal aspects have been decided that will give the WWF compensation for any deal that leads to Andre missing a show, I doubt you’ll see a lot of people complaining within the WWF.
Championship Wrestling taping (March 1983, Tuesday, Week 4)
In an extremely short match, Don Muraco defeated Jesse Hernandez in 2:04 by pinfall with a Tombstone Piledriver. Don Muraco makes defense number 5 of his WWF Intercontinental title by my count.
As Muraco leaves the ring, Rocky Johnson makes his way toward the ring. They stop in the aisle and stare each other down, but Muraco heads to the locker room without incident.
Rocky Johnson defeated Jose Estrada in 4:09 by pinfall with a quick cradle.
From my seat, I could hear Pat Patterson and Vince McMahon talking about the Wild Samoans, so I assume they’re showing highlights of the title change from last week here.
Ivan Koloff defeated Tito Santana in 2:01 by pinfall with a Russian Sickle.
S.D. Jones defeated Mac Rivera in 2:43 by pinfall.
Bob Backlund was the guest in Buddy Rogers’ Corner, and he talked about his victory over Don Muraco at Madison Square Garden. He put over Muraco as one of the toughest men he’s ever faced but that he’s looking forward to whoever his next challenger might be.
Joyce Grable and The Fabulous Moolah defeated Judy Martin and Liz Chase in 4:47 when Grable pinned Chase. No mention of Moolah being champion and no belt, but I was the only one paying attention so it doesn’t really matter.
Mr. Fuji defeated Barry Hart in 2:18 by pinfall with a Kamikaze Clothesline. Fuji’s character is starting to get old.
Tony Garea & Eddie Gilbert defeated George Steele and Johnny Rodz in 4:26 when Gilbert pinned Steele with a Hotshot. I’m shocked Steele took the fall here.
In an extremely short match, Salvatore Bellomo defeated Swede Hanson in 2:31 by pinfall with a Pizza Splash. They just won’t let this Bellomo push die, will they?
Vince McMahon interviewed Sgt. Slaughter, who said he’s back in the WWF for the sole purpose of becoming the WWF Champion.
Then came the main event, where Sgt. Slaughter defeated Pedro Morales in 4:05 by submission with a Cobra Clutch. Safe to say Morales’ days as a bonafide main eventer are done.
March 1983, Wednesday, Week 4
Last night’s taping in Allentown saw another sellout of 1,300.
Andre the Giant has been loaned out for a future date to Central States Wrestling.
Rumor has it that Georgia Championship Wrestling has made a contract offer to Big John Studd.
All-Star Wrestling taping (March 1983, Wednesday, Week 4)
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Rocky Johnson defeated George Steele in 6:01 by pinfall with a quick cradle. Could have been better but there isn’t a lot of chemistry between these two people. After the match, Pat Patterson interviewed Rocky Johnson who demanded another shot at the Intercontinental Championship.
Big John Studd defeated Tony Atlas and Curt Hennig in a Handicap match in 4:21 when Studd pinned Hennig. After the match, Studd was interviewed by Patterson, claiming that he is the true giant and will be the one to end the dominance of Andre the Giant. At least they were able to freshen Studd up a bit.
Jimmy Snuka defeated Israel Matia in 2:22 by pinfall with a Superfly Splash. Snuka looked really good here.
Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Salvatore Bellomo in 1:34 by pinfall with a Running Forearm Smash.
Buddy Rogers’ Corner was next, and he interviewed the newest member of the announce team, Lord Alfred Hayes. Hayes announced that the WWF would be starting up their own magazine this summer.
Mr. Fuji defeated S.D. Jones in 5:11 by pinfall with a Kamikaze Clothesline. Mr. Fuji is getting stale.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Tony Garea & Eddie Gilbert defeated Charlie Fulton and Tiger Conway Jr. in 5:44 when Garea pinned Conway. Garea looked really good here.
Vince McMahon announced that the next show at Madison Square Garden would be on April 1983, Monday, Week 4 and that the following matches would take place: The Wild Samoans vs. The Strongbows for the Tag Team Title, Don Muraco vs. Rocky Johnson for the Intercontinental Title, Andre the Giant vs. Big John Studd, and Bob Backlund vs. Ivan Koloff for the WWF Title.
Ivan Koloff defeated Barry Hart in 4:05 by pinfall with a Russian Sickle.
The show ended with Vince McMahon interviewing Ivan Koloff at ringside, who said he is going to end Backlund’s title reign at MSG on Monday, Week 4 next month.
March 1983, Thursday, Week 4
Tony Atlas and Brian Blair nearly came to blows last night, as Blair started a rumor in the locker room that Atlas only had a job because Vince McMahon needed one of “those people” to carry his bags from town to town. Booker Jared Hawkins gave Blair a stern warning that anything perceived as racism would not be tolerated, but Blair blew him off.
Attendance increased this week at the Hamburg Fieldhouse, as they drew 1,047 thanks to a solid walk up. Most thought the show was good.
As announced last night, there will, in fact, be a show at Madison Square Garden next month. There will actually be three shows in an 8-day period (5 in 10 days if you count TV), as April 1983, Saturday, Week 3 will feature a show at the Capital Centre in Landover, MD and Saturday, Week 4 will feature a show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
March 1983, Friday, Week 4
Georgia Championship Wrestling has made a contract offer to Don Muraco.
Andre the Giant made his appearance for Central States Wrestling last night, teaming with Bobby Duncum to defeat Roger Kirby and Terry Funk on the main show as well as defeating Funk in a match taped for Wrestling at the Chase.
March 1983, Saturday, Week 4
The WWF made a shocking announcement for the Spectrum next month, as Iron Mike Sharpe will be taking on Bob Backlund in what is being announced locally as a WWF Heavyweight Title match. This leads me to believe that Koloff might be winning the title because I can’t imagine Sharpe getting this shot at the Catholic Youth Center in Scranton, much less in the WWF’s number two arena.
March 1983, Sunday, Week 4
Andre the Giant worked his scheduled booking for the World Wrestling Council last night, teaming with Jack Brisco in a losing effort to David Von Erich and Black Gordman. Brisco took the fall.
Next week, it’s signing week for the WWF!
