JHawk
Since this will be my last column before the holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa to all of you who celebrate it. A belated Happy Chanukah to those of you who celebrated it. If I missed any holidays that happen this time of year, happy holidays.
And happy July 1983 to the World Wrestling Federation as told in these columns. Let’s get to it.
July, Monday, Week 1
Pedro Morales’ contract with the WWF has expired so he is history.
The WWF finished last in every region of the country outside of the Tri-State this month, although that was caused by lack of visibility with the new TV deal more than anything else.
The company is still bleeding money, but rumors abound of financial backers being courted to help increase capital. Booker Jared Hawkins has also made some money off of some investments and has offered to use some of his dividend money to fund the company as well.
Championship Wrestling from Florida have worked out a trade where Dusty Rhodes will work the WWF show at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Week 4 while Andre the Giant will work a CWF show at a date to be named later. Rhodes will be the only wrestler not currently on the roster appearing in the month of July, as the WWF wants to get their finances in order before signing new wrestlers.
July, Tuesday, Week 1
Jules Strongbow has signed a non-exclusive contract extension with Pacific Northwest Wrestling. I’m sure a bunch of people within the company wish it were exclusive so they didn’t have to pretend they want to use him.
Championship Wrestling taping (July 1983, Tuesday, Week 1)
Still taping in the Hamburg Fieldhouse although I hear that may be changing shortly.
Curt Hennig defeated George Steele in 37 seconds by disqualification when Steele ripped apart the turnbuckle and rubbed the stuffing in Hennig’s eyes. Steele continued to beat Hennig down after the match. The Grand Wizard made his way to the ring applauding. Wizard and Steele then made their way to the interview area, where Wizard told McMahon he was Steele’s new manager and he was going to lead him to a victory for Backlund’s WWF Heavyweight Title.
In an extremely short match, Tiger Chung Lee pinned Swede Hanson in 4:21 with a Tombstone Piledriver. Hanson was off his game tonight.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, Jimmy Snuka and Invader # 2 defeated Bob Bradley and Jules Strongbow in 10:52 when Jules Strongbow was disqualified when Afa and Sika ran in and attacked Invader # 2. After the match, the Samoans continued to attack Invader 2 until Snuka made the save. Snuka looked fantastic here.
Mac Rivera entered the ring and grabbed the house mic from Howard Finkel, saying in broken English that Ivan Putski didn’t have a chance of beating him tonight. Putski then came to the ring and completely ignored this, just saying “Polish Power” for a cheap pop.
In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, Ivan Putski defeated Mac Rivera in 10:29 by pinfall with a Polish Hammer. Surprisingly good considering Rivera’s never been treated like a threat.
Buddy Rogers’ Corner was next, and Magnificent Muraco cut a promo on Jimmy Snuka saying he needed to spend less time helping out some foreigner who is too ashamed to show his face and focus on him if he wanted to become the Intercontinental Champion.
In an extremely short match, Rocky Johnson defeated Butcher Vachon in 2:33 by submission to a Boston crab.
Prior to the main event, Howard Finkel announced a special non-TV event to take place on Saturday here at the Fieldhouse. Finkel didn’t announce any matches but I’m a sucker for wrestling so I’ll probably show up anyway.
In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, Samu and The Wild Samoans defeated Tony Garea, S.D. Jones and Nick DeCarlo in 6:19 when Afa defeated Nick DeCarlo by pinfall with a Headbutt. Afa looked good but DeCarlo looked anything but. Garea is starting to come off as a stale character.
The WWF needs these shows to be a lot better if they’re going to stay in business.
July 1983, Wednesday, Week 1
Another sellout crowd of 2,200 at the Hamburg Fieldhouse last night. As noted, they will be doing a special show on Saturday in the same building with a portion of the proceeds going to a local orphanage.
Iron Mike Sharpe vs. Tony Garea has been added to next Saturday’s show at the Spectrum.
July 1983, Thursday, Week 1
Regardless of what happens at the Spectrum next weekend, Snuka and Muraco will have a rematch at the Capital Centre in Landover, MD the following week.
July 1983, Friday, Week 1
Andre the Giant will team with Dusty Rhodes and Ivan Putski to take on all three Samoans at the MSG card on Saturday, Week 4.
July 1983, Saturday, Week 1
Rocky Johnson vs. Mr. Fuji has been added to the Capital Centre show in two weeks.
Tonight is the special show at the Hamburg Fieldhouse with a portion of the proceeds going to a local orphanage. Apparently the WWF wants to improve its image as well as give some people some extra work. Good idea. No matches are announced for the show and rumor is they’re just going to draw matches out of a hat based on who is willing to work for free and shows up. Bad idea, although most wrestlers will work for expenses only if it means they’re helping out kids.
WWF charity show report (July 1983, Saturday, Week 1)
In a bout that had great heat and good action, Jimmy Snuka defeated George Steele by disqualification in 7:53 when Lou Albano ran in and attacked Snuka. After the match, Snuka cleared Albano from the ring and began screaming for Don Muraco, who didn’t appear.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, Don Kernodle pinned Invader # 2 in 10:43 with a Piledriver.
Rocky Johnson pinned Iron Mike Sharpe in 4:39 with a Johnson Shuffle.
Brian Blair enters the ring and cuts a quick promo about his opponent tonight, Tiger Chung Lee.
Brian Blair defeated Tiger Chung Lee in 2:18 by count out. Lee seemed to have no interest in being here tonight.
Tiger Conway Jr. and Superstar Billy Graham defeated Ivan Putski & Tito Santana in 4:13 by disqualification. After the match, all four men brawled at ringside until agents and security broke them up.
In an extremely short match, The Fabulous Moolah defeated Leilani Kai in 4:54 by count out to retain the WWF Women’s Title. The fans didn’t care about the women at all.
Sika pinned David Sammartino in 3:35 with a Samoan Drop.
In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, Israel Matia defeated Frankie Williams in 3:46 by submission.
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, Sgt. Slaughter defeated Tony Atlas in an Alley Fight match in 9:40 by pinfall.
After the match, Sgt. Slaughter grabbed the house mic and called out Bob Backlund. Backlund came out and the two argued until they finally came to blows. Backlund knocked Slaughter out of the ring with an atomic drop, and the majority of the wrestlers on the card came out and got between them before the fight could continue.
In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, Jimmy Snuka won a battle royal in 10:25. The other members of the ‘final four’ were George Steele, Tito Santana and Tiger Chung Lee, with George Steele being the final elimination. Tito Santana got the most eliminations over the course of the match.
Samu pinned Nick DeCarlo in 1:24 by pinfall with a Flying Headbutt.
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Masked Superstar in 8:51 by disqualification when Jules Strongbow ran in and attacked the Chief. Jules continued the attack for several minutes before leaving the Chief battered inside the ring.
In a bout that featured great action and great heat from the audience, Adrian Adonis drew with Bob Backlund in 11:48 when the referee lost control and stopped the match, so Backlund retained the WWF Heavyweight Title.
Not as good a show as it probably looks on paper.
July 1983, Sunday, Week 1
As expected, a packed house of 2,200 at the Hamburg Fieldhouse last night.
There was another incident backstage last night between Leilani Kai and The Fabulous Moolah backstage last night. Not sure of exactly what happened, but apparently Kai was attempting to goad Moolah into a fight, and when Moolah wouldn’t take the bait, Kai said something along the lines of “It’s a good thing I don’t beat up senior citizens.” Kai was reprimanded for the incident but nobody thinks she took it seriously. It was enough for a change in plans last night though, as the match was signed solely to get the belt off Moolah before she retires next month but the finish was changed as a result of the incident.
TV ratings held steady this week.
Pat Patterson is asking for ring time, so expect him to have some sort of in-ring role during the autumn months.
No best match bonuses were given out last night because the show was done for charity.
