JHawk
June 1983, Monday, Week 3
Tony Atlas has signed a pay per appearance deal with Southeast Championship Wrestling. He is not expected to miss any WWF bookings.
June 1983, Tuesday, Week 3
Referee Joey Marella signed a contract extension that will keep him in the WWF through June 1993. You know his father, Gorilla Monsoon, was a catalyst in getting that deal done.
Championship Wrestling taping (June 1983, Tuesday, Week 3)
The WWF returned to the Hamburg Fieldhouse in Hamburg, PA tonight to tape this weekend’s Championship Wrestling, the first time since the cancellation of All-Star Wrestling that there has been a show in this building.
In an extremely short match, Israel Matia defeated Swede Hanson in 3:15 by submission. Yes, this happened, and no, I don’t know why.
Vince McMahon announces that in addition to Philly, the July MSG show will also feature George Steele vs. Bob Backlund for the WWF Heavyweight Title. George Steele is then interviewed backstage by Vince McMahon to hype the match against Bob Backlund.
In an extremely short match, George Steele defeated Tatsumi Fujinami in 1:42 by submission. These two have amazing chemistry but I’m shocked they’d waste a Fujinami appearance on a two minute TV job.
Samu and The Wild Samoans defeated Frankie Williams and Tony Garea & Eddie Gilbert in 4:54 when Samu pinned Williams with a Flying Headbutt.
Don Muraco was the guest on Buddy Rogers’ Corner. Muraco is upset at how disrespected he has been, since nobody was talking about his accomplishments. As Muraco was talking, Jimmy Snuka came to the ring for his scheduled match against Don Kernodle. An irate Muraco then went to the ring and yelled at Snuka, eventually spitting in his face. An irate Snuka then dove over the top ropes onto Muraco. The two men brawled, with Snuka ripping Muraco’s suit, before Muraco eventually grabbed the house mic and hit Snuka over the head with it, busting him open. The two continued to brawl until five or six wrestlers finally got them separated and back through separate entrances to the locker room. This was an absolutely incredible segment.
Ring announcer Howard Finkel told us a replacement opponent would be found for Don Kernodle and that match would take place later on.
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, Tito Santana defeated Ivan Koloff in 7:27 by pinfall.
Iron Mike Sharpe pinned Salvatore Bellomo in 2:26 with a Running Forearm Smash.
Pat Patterson conducts an interview with Lou Albano and The Wild Samoans, who discuss an upcoming series of matches with The Masked Invaders. No actual dates for these matches were mentioned.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Don Kernodle defeated Invader #1 in 9:45 by pinfall with a Piledriver.
The show ended with an interview with Sgt. Slaughter, who vowed that when he gets another shot at Bob Backlund’s title, he will get the belt around his waist.
June 1983, Wednesday, Week 3
A combination of absence making the heart grow fonder and the fact that they got an A show helped the crowd last night, as the show at the Hamburg Fieldhouse drew a sellout crowd of 2,200. Expect more shows from the Fieldhouse and fewer at Agricultural Hall, as rental prices are similar but Hamburg can fit more people for TV.
June 1983, Thursday, Week 3
The WWF has announced locally that the first match between Don Muraco and Jimmy Snuka for the Intercontinental Title will take place next month at the Philadelphia Spectrum. The announcement will be inserted into the already taped TV show for this weekend as well. Based on initial feedback to their angle at the taping, this could be the hottest feud of the summer if they can keep the momentum going.
June 1983, Friday, Week 3
Championship Wrestling from Florida has offered Bob Backlund a contract. It is not expected to affect Backlund’s WWF bookings should he accept the offer.
Speaking of CWF, Rick Rude has a ton of heat with CWF owner Eddie Graham, as he went onto a local radio show earlier this week and blasted the company for attitude problems of some of their talent as well as some money he is owed. It seems odd that CWF would try to sign the WWF Champion when they can’t pay Rick Rude. In a brief statement, Graham said he believes Rude was paid everything owed but he will check the books and if he does owe Rude money, Rude will have it before the next taping.
Jules Strongbow is now teaming with Tom Prichard in Portland under the team name The Last Stand.
June 1983, Saturday, Week 3
Add S.D. Jones vs. Sgt. Slaughter to the Spectrum card next month.
June 1983, Sunday, Week 3
TV ratings remained identical compared to last week.
Sam Muchnick, 77, has officially left the business. Muchnick was the president of the NWA for close to 25 years and has only been around on a limited basis since he stepped down as promoter of the St. Louis territory on January 1, 1982.
