JHawk
February 1984, Monday, Week 2
So much for that sigh of relief.
Less than 48 hours after verbally agreeing to remain with the WWF through 1988, Rocky Johnson, one half of the WWF Tag Team Champions, has had a change of heart and signed an exclusive deal with Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling. Since the announcement was made earlier today, we’ve heard mixed signals out of the WWF offices in Stamford, Connecticut. Several months of plans were made based on Johnson extending his deal and now everything has to be completely reworked, with a title change most likely coming at tomorrow night’s TV tapings in Allentown.
I have yet to receive word as to how Vince McMahon and booker Jared Hawkins are reacting to the news, but if either blames the other, things could get ugly in a hurry.
February 1984, Tuesday, Week 2
There is a closed door meeting taking place as we speak between Vince McMahon, booker Jared Hawkins, and several other WWF office members and staff. As of right now I have no other information about that meeting other than plans are being reworked, even as far as tonight’s TV taping is concerned, and we have gotten reports of raised voices as the meeting has progressed. I’d expect some personnel changes before the end of the week if this keeps up.
WWF Championship Wrestling taping (February 1984, Tuesday, Week 2)
I just got back from attending the WWF TV taping in Allentown tonight. Not sure exactly what’s going on, but most of the staff including Howard Finkel seemed to be completely on edge, and the show started 20 minutes late, which has never happened in the three years I’ve attended tapings here.
Ivan Koloff headed to the ring for his match, only to be followed into the ring by the Great Wojo. They got into an argument before the referee finally told Wojo it was time for him to go to the locker room. This led to an extremely short match where Koloff defeated Nick DeCarlo in 2:01 by pinfall with a Russian Sickle. After the match, Gene Okerlund interviewed Wojo, who said he was tired of people like Koloff coming into the country and badmouthing it while making American money before challenging him to a match for next week.
Rene Goulet pinned Steve Lombardi in 43 seconds.
Andre The Giant and Ivan Putski defeated Mr. Fuji & Tiger Chung Lee in 3:28 when Lee was counted out while fighting Putski. Andre never officially tagged into the match.
Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Swede Hanson in 2:08 by submission with a Bear Hug. This was horrible, although that might be because we’ve seen it too many times recently.
Howard Finkel announced The Great Wojo vs. Ivan Koloff for next week, so I’m expecting the face turn of Wojo will be complete.
Victory Corner was next. Lord Alfred Hayes interviewed Don Kent, who said there was a rumor that Rocky Johnson was going to take his ball and go home, and whether it was true or not, he wanted to be the guy who helped take the tag team championships away from him. Of course he has no partner that I’m aware of so I’m not sure how that will work.
In an extremely short match, Tony Garea defeated Israel Matia in 3:05 by pinfall.
Don Kent and Samu defeated The Tonga Kid and Frankie Williams in 2:39 when Samu defeated Kid by submission. Don Kent and Samu, next WWF Tag Team Champions? Yikes!
Salvatore Bellomo pinned Tiger Conway Jr. in 2:37 with a Pizza Splash.
Howard Finkel announced that because he didn’t legally tag in earlier, Andre the Giant demanded another match. As this was happening, Gorilla Monsoon headed to the broadcast booth to replace Vince McMahon.
Andre The Giant defeated Charlie Fulton and Jules Strongbow in a Handicap match in 2:41 when Andre pinned Strongbow with The Bodyslam. Fulton and Strongbow made Andre look like a million bucks here. After the match, Andre was interviewed by Okerlund. Andre said he was happy for Pat Patterson for becoming the new champion a few weeks ago and that for right now, he was happy to be the Giant and be there for his fans, but there was always the possibility that he would want a shot at the title somewhere down the line.
Vince McMahon replaced Monsoon in the booth. Weird.
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, The Wild Samoans defeated Rough and Tumble in 13:43 when Sika pinned Rocky Johnson with a Samoan Drop to win their fourth WWF World Tag Team title. Don Kent came to ringside to distract Johnson, who turned into the move. The goal appeared to be to bury Johnson here as he did little during the match and the Samoan Drop was literally the only move he took before the finish.
The main event carried the show but I would have liked to see more build for the Spectrum and Garden shows.
February 1984, Wednesday, Week 2
Tensions are getting out of control in the WWF locker room. In addition to the turmoil among the front office, last night prior to the taping Ivan Putski was telling everybody imaginable that road agent George Scott was having an intimate affair with longtime NWA promoter Jim Barnett. Scott became so incensed that he took a swing at Putski before other wrestlers came in to keep them separated. Jared Hawkins was clearly agitated and warned Putski that instigating rumors like that would not be tolerated, but Putski said something along the lines of “We’ll see who is here longer” and stormed off. One wrestler said Hawkins tossed his clipboard to the floor in disgust and stormed into his office, slamming the door behind him.
The locker room celebration for Pat Patterson’s title victory will air on TV this weekend.
Swede Hanson will be out of action for about two months as he suffered a broken metatarsal bone in his left foot during his match with Iron Mike Sharpe last night. A number of people within the company are blaming Sharpe for the injury but it appeared to come when Hanson’s foot got caught underneath him during a bodyslam attempt, which would make it seem to me to be due to Hanson being a horrible bumper rather than any neglect on Sharpe’s part.
Apparently the original plan was for Don Kent and Samu win a squash match as they did and to come out later to issue a challenge for (and win) the tag titles near the end of the show, but McMahon hated the Victory Corner segment and called an audible. The Andre handicap match was thrown out there for filler in the arena for Vince to relay the message but was so good it appears it will air anyway.
As usual, a sellout of 1,300 in Allentown for the taping last night.
February 1984, Thursday, Week 2
There are last minute negotiations on-going to give Tiger Conway Jr. an extension through the end of the month. The WWF wanted Brian Blair vs. Rene Goulet for the show at the Spectrum next weekend but Goulet is already booked on an AWA show, so Conway is the next choice. I’m not expecting a deal to be done but stranger things have happened.
February 1984, Friday, Week 2
No deal was made with Tiger Conway Jr., so he is gone and Brian Blair still does not have an opponent for Philadelphia.
February 1984, Saturday, Week 2
The company has announced Jules Strongbow vs. Brian Blair for next Saturday’s show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
February 1984, Sunday, Week 2
We received word that the WWF Intercontinental Championship changed hands last night at a house show in Boston, as Tony Garea defeated George Steele to win his first WWF singles title after a seemingly 50 year career. I have no idea what the specifics of this were, but I do know booker Jared Hawkins was not in the arena and I’m honestly not sure if he was even aware of the decision being made.
TV ratings continue to hold steady.
