JHawk
Welcome to another edition of Through the Booking Glass.
I want to address one piece of feedback that I have received, and that’s the fact that things really haven’t gotten crazy yet. As I stated in week 1, I am trying to keep things as close as possible to what really happened in the WWF in 1983, but using Adam Ryland’s fantastic Total Extreme Warfare as my base. So the differences so far are things like guys working other shows when I have TV or something. Well, I have written a few weeks ahead (I may start posting two a week to get caught up) and things will start getting much more interesting in mid-April, so stay tuned.
Now let’s go on.
March 1983, Monday, Week 3
Good news to start what is likely going to be the biggest week in the WWF’s immediate future. Ratings for Championship Wrestling were up this past weekend, while ratings for All-Star Wrestling held steady.
Four shows will take place overall this week, as not only will both TV tapings take place, but big shows are scheduled for Madison Square Garden and the Spectrum this week as well. Philly is on Saturday night while MSG is on Sunday afternoon. Overall the WWF is doing six shows in a nine day stretch including TV.
March 1983, Tuesday, Week 3
Allentown is already sold out for tonight’s Championship Wrestling taping as the Samoans will meet the Strongbows for the WWF Tag Team Titles. Most are expecting a title change. The match will air on both syndicated shows this weekend.
Expect more hype for MSG than for Philly on TV, only because with MSG being on Sunday they can get the last minute hype on all affiliates whereas not every station airs All-Star Wrestling on Saturdays.
Championship Wrestling taping (March 1983, Tuesday, Week 3)
Agricultural Hall in Allentown was rocking tonight for this week’s edition of Championship Wrestling.
Salvatore Bellomo defeated Israel Matia in 2:40 by pinfall with a Pizza Splash. OK, so they didn’t start off rocking.
Big John Studd defeated Barry Hart in 1:41 by submission with a Reverse Bearhug. After the match, Pat Patterson interviewed Studd, who claimed there’s no way Andre the Giant will ever be able to slam him.
Jimmy Snuka defeated Tiger Conway Jr. in 1:36 by pinfall with a Superfly Splash.
Swede Hanson pinned Jesse Hernandez in 4:07 with a Reverse Neckbreaker.
Bob Backlund was the guest in Buddy Rogers’ Corner, and he vowed to retain against Don Muraco at MSG on Sunday.
Iron Mike Sharpe defeated S.D. Jones in 3:11 by pinfall with a Running Forearm Smash.
The Wild Samoans defeated The Strongbows in 5:51 to win the WWF Tag Team Title. Both Samoans were in the ring and clotheslined Jules, then Sika took Jules down with a Samoan drop for the pin. The new champions celebrated in the ring for several minutes afterwards.
In an extremely short match, Ray Stevens defeated Tony Atlas in 1:44 by pinfall with a Bombs Away.
In another extremely short match, Pedro Morales defeated George Steele in 2:52 by pinfall with a fast roll up.
Pat Patterson interviewed Don Muraco, who said he was going to make Rocky Johnson wish he had never gone after the Intercontinental Title.
Superstar Billy Graham had an interview hyping his upcoming singles match with Jules Strongbow. He then went into the ring for his match with Tony Garea, which he won by submission in 7:04. These two have very little chemistry and still had the best match of the show.
This will end up a historic show based on the title change, but highly disappointing all told.
March 1983, Wednesday, Week 3
Expect Pat Patterson to miss a few weeks in April, as he’s been having some minor health issues in recent weeks. I hear they’re just going to use people on the active roster as guest commentators rather than attempt to bring somebody in.
In addition to the title change, the Snuka-Conway and Sharpe-Jones matches, as well as the Buddy Rogers’ Corner segment, will all air on both shows. The title change and Rogers’ Corner I get. Not sure why the rest.
All Star Wrestling taping (March 1983, Wednesday, Week 3)
Mr. Fuji defeated Salvatore Bellomo in 3:49 by pinfall with a Kamikaze Clothesline. The best Bellomo match ever and all because of Fuji.
Ray Stevens defeated Bob Bradley in 2:50 by pinfall with a Bombs Away. This was worse than Fuji-Bellomo, mostly because Stevens seemed like he didn’t want to be there.
Tony Garea defeated Charlie Fulton in 4:51 by pinfall. Garea didn’t look good here. It’s like people are phoning it in because of the dead crowd.
Rocky Johnson pinned Frankie Williams in 3:42 with a Johnson Shuffle. Williams looked off as always but Johnson looked great.
In an extremely short match, Big John Studd defeated Swede Hanson in 2:48 by submission with a Reverse Bearhug. Studd needs something to freshen himself up, because as soon as the bodyslam challenge was dropped, he’s gotten staler than two week old bread.
Rocky Johnson was interviewed by Pat Patterson. Johnson said that despite what happened “in our last meeting”, he will step up and become the new Intercontinental Champion. Either this interview doesn’t air in the Sunday markets or Muraco’s keeping the belt Saturday night.
Vince McMahon interviewed Don Muraco at ringside, who cut a killer promo about how he will survive his match with Bob Backlund at MSG on Sunday and become the new WWF Champion.
Pat Patterson interviews The Iron Sheik and Freddie Blassie. Sheik is making his first appearance in at least three years and says he doesn’t know this Brian Blair jabroni he is about to take on, but he plans to make Blair humble.
Patterson then interviewed Blair, who said he is not going to allow anybody to step into our country and dictate how he’s going to treat our wrestlers. I guess he’s looking for cheap “USA” chants there.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, The Iron Sheik defeated Brian Blair in 6:03 by submission with a Boston Crab.
Good show tonight.
March 1983, Thursday, Week 3
Attendance was down to 917 in Hamburg for the tapings last night.
Reports from last night were that The Iron Sheik and Freddie Blassie did not work well together, and that Sheik thinks he would do better without Blassie as his manager. Sheik’s a great wrestler but he needs somebody to do the talking for him, and Blassie’s great, so I’m not sure how you’d do things differently.
March 1983, Friday, Week 3
Georgia Championship Wrestling has offered a contract to Superstar Billy Graham.
Rene Goulet is expected to form a tag team with Mike Stone in Maple Leaf Wrestling.
March 1983, Saturday, Week 3
Here’s a preview for tonight’s show at the Spectrum.
The Wild Samoans and Big John Studd vs. Andre the Giant, Jimmy Snuka and Bob Backlund: Unless Backlund’s taking the pin to get up a new title program, the faces should win. Neither Samoan would be a viable challenger and the feud with Studd’s run its course. I’d expect Andre to pin Studd here.
Don Muraco vs. Rocky Johnson for the Intercontinental Title: I was originally thinking Johnson here but given they had him do a promo for All-Star Wrestling regarding wanting to win the title and that hasn’t aired everywhere, so I could be wrong. They may be editing that promo off the show in those markets too, so it’s hard to say. I’d still lean to Johnson winning here given the screwy finish on TV a few weeks ago.
Salvatore Bellomo vs. Superstar Billy Graham: Graham wins as the concession stands have lines backing up to the lobby doors.
Tony Garea vs. Johnny Rodz: I’d normally go with Garea here but every so often they like to pretend they want to push Rodz, so this is a pick’em.
Four other matches are expected.
In other news, Andre the Giant worked his one date with the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico last night, doing a job for David Von Erich. If Andre wasn’t such a huge draw, I’d assume they were trying to hurt Andre’s drawing ability in the WWF.
Live coverage from the Philadelphia Spectrum (March 1983, Saturday, Week 3)
Gorilla Monsoon and Howard Finkel are on commentary.
Andre the Giant is not in the building, as apparently New Japan booked him for tonight and claims their contract allows them first right to book him, even though Andre booked this date a month in advance. Chief Jay Strongbow will be taking his place in the main event. They also announced the main event will now be an elimination match with Swede Hanson as the special referee. At least they’re trying to make good.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, S.D. Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna in 7:38 by pinfall. Scicluna was absolutely exhausted by the end.
Johnny Rodz (sub. for Jose Estrada, who had a family emergency) pinned Tony Atlas in 9:07 with a Piledriver. Atlas seemed like he was phoning it in tonight, although if I would have been jobbing to Rodz, I’d have been phoning it in too.
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Pedro Morales and Ivan Putski defeated Mr. Fuji & Tiger Chung Lee in 7:41 when Putski pinned Lee with a Polish Hammer. Morales seemed a step off but the match was good.
Ray Stevens drew with Jules Strongbow in 8:19 following a double count out. Both guys used heel tactics here, so the double countout actually makes sense.
Tony Garea pinned Johnny Rodz in 9:57 with a roll up. Hopefully nobody else no-showed as I don’t think I could sit through three Rodz matches in one night.
Intermission in the arena.
Howard Finkel conducted backstage interviews with Don Muraco and Rocky Johnson regarding their Intercontinental Title match that will be first after intermission.
Finkel then interviewed Lou Albano and Freddie Blassie, who claimed Andre wasn’t in the building because he was afraid of the Samoans and Studd.
Salvatore Bellomo defeated Superstar Billy Graham in 6:51 by count out. Bellomo’s matches are getting better, I’ll say that much.
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Don Muraco retained the Intercontinental Champion, beating Rocky Johnson in 14:18 by disqualification when Muraco ducked a dropkick and Johnson caught referee Joey Marella by mistake. After the match, an angry Johnson grabbed the belt away from Muraco and hit him with it. Great babyface move there.
In a match that had some good action and a good crowd, Chief Jay Strongbow, Jimmy Snuka and Bob Backlund defeated Big John Studd and The Wild Samoans in an Elimination match in 12:50; Chief Jay Strongbow was eliminated first, then Sika, then Jimmy Snuka, then Big John Studd, and finally Afa, so Backlund is the last man remaining.
This show would have been better served with the Intercontinental Title match going on last but was pretty good overall.
March 1983, Sunday, Week 3
Ray Stevens has taken another protégé, this time Eddie Gilbert. Gilbert has a tremendous upside and learning from a vet like Stevens can be nothing but good for him.
The show at the Spectrum drew 4,493 paid, which is absolutely horrible, and the Andre debacle isn’t going to make things easier next month.
Match of the night bonus went to Rocky Johnson and Don Muraco.
Here’s the story on Andre the Giant’s no-show as well as the legal situation between the WWF and New Japan. Andre is under contract to both companies, and the WWF and NJPW have a working agreement. The problem is that the NWA has a right to broker talent between the other NWA territories, which has led to Andre working with World Class, All Japan, WWC, and just about every other NWA-affiliated group over the last three months. Unfortunately, this led to New Japan losing out on some of their contracted dates with Andre as well. New Japan arranged a deal with the WWF to allow him to work the weekend dates of the current tour. No idea about the monetary figure. The NWA was also forced to pay the WWF an undisclosed sum as a result, as some of the dates they brokered led to Andre missing some WWF dates, including a recent TV taping. Andre wound up wrestling The Dynamite Kid last night, and despite it being a complete clash of styles, I’m being told it was among the best matches of the year.
Preview for this afternoon’s show.
Bob Backlund vs. Don Muraco for the WWF Title: Billed locally as a Texas Death Match, which in WWF-terms is just a no DQ match and not the traditional Texas Death Match. The only way Muraco loses is if they do a tournament for the IC Title and I doubt that’s the direction they’re going.
The Wild Samoans and Big John Studd vs. Jimmy Snuka, Rocky Johnson and ???: I assume Chief Jay Strongbow is the replacement again, and would not be shocked if the elimination stipulation is added as well. Without Andre this could go either way.
Superstar Billy Graham vs. Jules Strongbow: Given that Graham dropped a fall to Salvatore Bellomo, albeit by countout, he has to go over here.
Five more matches are expected.
Live coverage from Madison Square Garden (March 1983, Sunday, Week 3)
Gorilla Monsoon is doing commentary solo tonight, although Vince McMahon is in the building for interviews.
In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, Mac Rivera defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna in 9:28 by pinfall with a Piledriver. Way too long for a Scicluna match.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Tony Garea defeated Johnny Rodz in 10:12 by submission.
In an extremely short match, S.D. Jones pinned Jose Estrada in 3:35.
In an extremely short match, Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated Mr. Fuji & Tiger Chung Lee in 2:37 when Santana defeated Fuji by submission with a Figure-Four Leglock. Putski was really off his game tonight.
Intermission time. Seriously, that was the final match of the first half of the show.
Big John Studd, Afa and Sika had an interview with Vince McMahon hyping their upcoming six person tag team match with Chief Jay Strongbow, Jimmy Snuka and Rocky Johnson.
Bob Backlund had an interview with McMahon hyping his upcoming singles match with Don Muraco.
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Superstar Billy Graham pinned Jules Strongbow in 9:47. This was much better than it had any right to be.
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Ray Stevens went to a double countout with Salvatore Bellomo in 8:59. Stevens was actually the one bringing this down, so somehow they’ve turned Bellomo into someone who is no longer completely worthless.
Vince McMahon interviewed Don Muraco backstage. He said it’s not often Backlund is beat and the Crossface Chickenwing is unsuccessful but that’s what happened last month and he’ll never give up.
WWF Champion Bob Backlund pinned Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco with a German suplex in 19:51 with a German suplex to retain his title in the “Texas Death Match”. Muraco’s title was not on the line. Aside from a few minutes on the floor late the no DQ stip didn’t really come into play. The match was fantastic though, easily the best of the year for the WWF so far.
In a bout that had a good crowd and good action, Chief Jay Strongbow, Rocky Johnson and Jimmy Snuka defeated Big John Studd and The Wild Samoans in an Elimination match in 9:39; Sika was eliminated first, then Chief Jay Strongbow, then Big John Studd, then Jimmy Snuka, and finally Afa. No way was it going to follow Backlund and Muraco, but still serviceable for a finale.
I’m shocked at how good this was.
Next week, the fallout from these two shows as well as announcements for next month’s big shows.
