JHawk
Three weeks into the run of the WWE Network, and now that things are working the way they are supposed to (well, for the most part), it becomes more and more awesome. Now add some of that Mid-South Wrestling footage already!
Cheap plug alert!
I don’t push my wrestling appearances all that much, but I will be refereeing a couple of places the next week and since I get paid more when people show up, I’m plugging them. I’m appearing later tonight (March 16) for Real Action Pro Wrestling at the St. Joseph the Provider Church in Campbell, OH. Doors open at 4pm with a special preshow with the regular show beginning at 5pm.
Next Saturday, March 22, I’ll also be refereeing for Mid Ohio Wrestling at the Tadmor Shrine in Akron, OH. Bell time is 7pm. Send me a message on Facebook for ticket info to both of these shows.
Now, onto the real reason you’re reading this tonight.
October 1983, Monday, Week 1
September overall was a much better month for the WWF. The WWF actually made a little bit of headway in the Great Lakes area, getting some press in some local newspapers for the Backlund-Slaughter feud and the Eddie Gilbert injury angle. The company also ran at a slight profit despite the disaster of a gate at the Spectrum on Saturday night. The addition of TV in the New England states is largely the reason for it, as the added revenue helped offset their production costs.
The year-long NWA World Tag Team Title reign of Sgt. Slaughter and Don Kernodle came to an end last night as they dropped the titles to Skip Young and Jack Brisco in Baltimore as part of the NWA’s 35th Anniversary Show.
Expect a few signings this week, but probably no major names.
The WWF will return to Madison Square Garden two weeks from tonight with the finals of the Intercontinental Title tournament. That match will take place inside a steel cage to ensure a clear cut winner.
October 1983, Tuesday, Week 1
The first match for this month’s show at Madison Square Garden has been signed, as Andre the Giant will take on Afa.
Championship Wrestling taping (October 1983, Tuesday, Week 1)
The WWF’s back at Agricultural Hall in Allentown, PA for their usual TV taping.
Howard Finkel announced that Adrian Adonis is off the show tonight with the flu and has forfeited his spot in the Intercontinental Title tournament as a result. He will be replaced by George Steele.
In an extremely short match, Jimmy Snuka pinned Tito Santana in 3:12 with a Superfly Splash to advance to the semifinals of the Intercontinental Title tournament. They shook hands after the match.
Sgt. Slaughter and Masked Superstar went to a double disqualification in 1:44. The Grand Wizard, who manages both men, was at ringside and did a fantastic job after the match in trying to get them to stop fighting each other. Slaughter got more cheers than boos. This moves Snuka directly into the finals of the Intercontinental Title tournament.
Salvatore Bellomo pinned Bob Bradley with a sunset flip in 2:46. The worst match they’ve had, made worse by the fact that it followed two legit main events.
Buddy Rogers’ Corner was next, and Rogers interviewed The Grand Wizard. Wizard told Rogers that it was unfortunate that Adrian Adonis fell ill, but that George Steele would go through the competition to win the Intercontinental Title.
George Steele defeated Swede Hanson in 5:10 by pinfall to advance to the semifinals.
In an extremely short match, Samu and The Wild Samoans defeated S.D. Jones, Tony Garea and Brian Blair in 4:53 when Afa pinned Blair with a Samoan Drop. Sika and Jones got zero reaction from the crowd but Afa looked pretty good out there.
Tony Atlas pinned Tiger Chung Lee in 3:02 with The Press Slam to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. Howard Finkel then announced Steele vs. Atlas for next week.
Rocky Johnson pinned Buddy Rose with the Johnson Shuffle in 3:49. Grand Wizard manages Rose so he has been on this show almost as much as Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson so far tonight.
In an extremely short match, Superstar Billy Graham defeated Nick DeCarlo in 3:18 by submission. I didn’t realize the Grand Wizard managed this many people.
Vince McMahon announced Bob Backlund vs. Masked Superstar for the WWF Heavyweight Title to take place at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Week 3, then introduced Superstar for an interview. Superstar said that what he did to Eddie Gilbert last week was nothing compared to what he will do to Backlund in order to get the title belt around his waist.
Pat Patterson interviewed Tony Atlas about his upcoming match next week with George Steele. When asked about the possibility of facing Jimmy Snuka in the finals, he said that while he and Snuka are friends, he’s willing to put that aside in order to get the belt.
Ivan Putski pinned Ivan Koloff in 4:21 with a Polish Hammer. They have great chemistry and it showed, but Putski’s timing was a bit off.
October 1983, Wednesday, Week 1
A scuffle nearly broke out backstage last night, as Ivan Putski and Iron Mike Sharpe got into an argument backstage. Sharpe is known for having an obsessive compulsive disorder with cleanliness, and Putski reportedly told Sharpe that he needed to shower for so long after a show because he’s full of crap. Putski apparently didn’t take the warnings of booker Jared Hawkins seriously.
The taping in Allentown last night drew the usual sellout of 1,300. Most liked the show but felt they didn’t do enough to push MSG or Philly.
October 1983, Thursday, Week 1
Vince McMahon Sr., who has been promoting wrestling since the 1950s and has been with the WWF since he originally formed it in 1963, has announced his retirement after next month. He has cited his age as the primary reason behind the decision. To McMahon’s credit, he sold the company to his son in June 1982 but remained with the company to make sure the transition was seamless. McMahon would seem to be a shoo-in for the Hall of Immortals when he retires next month.
Stu Hart, 68, also announced his plans to retirement next month, and he has sold Calgary Stampede Wrestling to his son, Ross Hart. No word as to whether Ross will hire a new booker or simply do all the booking himself.
It is rare for the WWF to sign legitimate rookies to its roster, but they signed two earlier this week. The Tonga Kid (Sam Fatu) has signed a two year deal. He is related to the Wild Samoans and was trained by Afa, although to be fair, most of the Samoans are related in one way or another. The other signee is Steve Lombardi, who signed a ten year per appearance deal. No word on if he’s any good, but apparently Pat Patterson really likes him.
October 1983, Friday, Week 1
Sika vs. Rocky Johnson has been added to this month’s card at Madison Square Garden.
October 1983, Saturday, Week 1
Jerry Valiant, who held the WWF Tag Team Title in 1979, will be returning to the company, having signed a four year deal. I don’t expect him to get a push, and it almost sounds like they’re looking to use him primarily as an agent.
Mike Graham will also be coming in under just a one month deal. He had been penciled in to work the MSG card but already has a commitment with the AWA that evening.
Weird booking in All Japan Pro Wrestling last night, as Mitsuharu Misawa and Dory Funk Jr. won the AJPW Tag Team Titles despite the fact that it was Funk’s last night with the company.
October 1983, Sunday, Week 1
TV ratings held steady this weekend.
