JHawk
March 1984, Monday, Week 1
We haven’t reported on the turmoil in the WWF in a while, but in looking at the numbers this month, now more than ever we need to examine the WWF’s financials.
Despite much of the talent being used being less expensive, operating costs have gotten out of control. It is estimated that the WWF lost over $400,000 last month, largely due to insane costs of renting Madison Square Garden and the Philadelphia Spectrum and drawing virtually nothing for those shows. It’s no secret that booker Jared Hawkins has used a lot of his own money keeping the company afloat, but his morale has dropped to the point that he might not be willing to do that anymore.
Right now the WWF’s exposure in the United States is limited to three areas: the Great Lakes region, the Mid-Atlantic, and their home area, the Tri State area. In all of those areas, they are considered the worst promotion in the area, which is especially embarrassing as they were the only game in the Tri State area for decades.
We have received a report that in an effort to cut costs, the Spectrum Wrestling card on PRISM will not take place at the Spectrum, but exactly where that show will take place is up for discussion. They still want to use the PRISM exposure to try to build the promotion, but they need to desperately cut costs where they can.
The company is also going to cut back on their dates at Madison Square Garden, although I’d still expect them there from time to time as MSG is the mecca of wrestling.
The WWF has worked out another talent trade agreement with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Akira Maeda will be coming in for at least eight shows in the next few months, with David Sammartino, Adrian Adonis and Ivan Koloff working select dates for NJPW.
I wouldn’t expect any major signings but they will be looking for some short term and part time talent.
March 1984, Tuesday, Week 1
TV is no longer being taped in Allentown full time, effective immediately. This is simply part of their new budget, as they’re hoping putting the TV tapings on tour will help increase attendance and, by proxy, revenue.
WWF Championship Wrestling taping (March 1984, Tuesday, Week 1)
I just got back from the WWF’s TV taping at the Aleppo Shrine Auditorium in Wilmington, MA.
In a non-title match, WWF Intercontinental Champion Tony Garea defeated Charlie Fulton in 3:58 by pinfall. Fulton is in desperate need of a new character.
In an extremely short match, Ivan Koloff pinned Bobby Fulton in 1:52 with a Russian Sickle. The ending of this seemed rushed and Fulton took a long time getting to his feet.
Jimmy Snuka pinned Samu in 2:11 with a Superfly Splash. After the match, Lou Albano hit the ring to argue with Snuka and got headbutted out of the ring for his trouble. Snuka seems stale and really hasn’t been the same since the cage match with George Steele.
Gene Okerlund interviewed Iron Mike Sharpe, who said he was so confident he could beat Jose Luis Rivera tonight that he was going to warm up by competing in a tag team match before that happened.
In a non-title match, The Wild Samoans defeated Iron Mike Sharpe and Frankie Williams in 3:04 when Sika pinned Williams with a Samoan Drop. Sharpe never entered the ring. Some warm up.
Victory Corner was next, and Lord Alfred Hayes interviewed Garea and Brian Blair. Hayes tried to stir up trouble by saying Garea had lost the WWF Tag Team Title five times, but Blair said that meant he won it five times and he plans on helping Garea win number 6. Just a thought, but would you team with a singles champion who probably wouldn’t care about the tag titles?
Jay York defeated S.D. Jones in 3:11 by submission. Jones has gone from tag team champion to jobber to Jay York in less than two months.
The Great Wojo defeated Rene Goulet in 2:32 by submission with a Boston Crab. After the match, Wojo threw Goulet out of the ring and screamed for Ivan Koloff to come to the ring. He didn’t, of course.
Ivan Putski pinned Tiger Chung Lee in 3:16 with a Polish Hammer. After the match, Putski grabbed the microphone and yelled “Polish Power” for the sole purpose of annoying the 2,500 of us that aren’t Polish.
In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, Iron Mike Sharpe pinned Jose Luis Rivera in 7:40 with a Running Forearm Smash.
Hulk Hogan defeated Israel Matia in 3:11 by submission. Hogan looked really good here.
I would have personally liked to see a few more interview segments and the matches weren’t good, but I had fun.
March 1984, Wednesday, Week 1
Last night’s show in Wilmington, MA did an attendance of 2,614 last night, which is about 50 seats shy of a sell out.
Tony Garea vs. Iron Mike Sharpe has been announced for next week’s TV taping. I’d presume it’s non-title, but no announcement was made either way.
Bobby Fulton suffered a cracked tail bone in his match with Ivan Koloff last night, apparently landing wrong on a bodyslam. They went right to the finish at that point. Fulton plans on working through the injury but his contract is due to be up shortly so that might be his last WWF appearance.
Billy Joe Travis, Spike Huber and Peggy Lee Leather have all signed pay per appearance deals. Travis and Huber have a ton of potential, but the WWF rarely uses the women so you might see her three or four times tops.
March 1984, Thursday, Week 1
As expected, Bobby Fulton’s contract with the WWF has expired, so his last appearance will be breaking his tail bone on this week’s TV.
The WWF has signed Dr. Jerry Graham Jr. and Jim Lancaster to short term deals.
March 1984, Friday, Week 1
Invader #2 (Johnny Rivera) appears to be living up to his reputation, as inside sources say he is very carefully forming political alliances within the WWF. He is renowned among other workers as a master of backstage politics. Probably because he has taken notes from Invader #1 (Jose Gonzalez) who practically wrote the book on screwing co-workers over.
March 1984, Saturday, Week 1
Don Kent is in the final month of his WWF contract, and he is not expected to re-sign.
March 1984, Sunday, Week 1
Andre the Giant completed his last appearance with New Japan Pro Wrestling, losing to IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami in the main event last night in Yokohama.
TV ratings held steady again this week.
Expect Rene Goulet’s WWF appearances to be fewer and far between for the next few months, as he defeated Brad Rheignans to win the AWA Light Heavyweight Title last night in Minneapolis.
