JHawk
October 1983, Monday, Week 4
The poor crowd in Philadelphia has the company scrambling in an attempt to increase the crowd for the Thanksgiving Day show. Word is they’ll start making announcements either late this week or early next week as to the lineup. I’m expecting Bob Backlund against the Masked Superstar for the title, but it didn’t draw well in New York and with the Backlund-Slaughter match being underwhelming, I’m not sure Backlund vs. anybody will pop the crowd.
October 1983, Tuesday, Week 4
The Fabulous Moolah recently turned down an offer from New Japan Pro Wrestling. Apparently they wanted to bring her in as the legend who puts over new talent, but Moolah being Moolah, she felt she was too good for it. Honestly, I’m not sure Moolah could work the style at her age without breaking a hip.
WWF Championship Wrestling taping (October 1983, Tuesday, Week 4)
The Soul Patrol defeated Samu and Bob Bradley in 3:22 when Tony Atlas pinned Bradley with The Press Slam. Lou Albano berated Bradley for dropping the fall after the match. Rocky Johnson looked good here and has been on a roll lately. After the match, Pat Patterson interviewed Atlas and Johnson, who said they have the Samoans and the tag team titles in their sights.
Sgt. Slaughter defeated Tony Garea in 2:49 by submission with a Cobra Clutch. I assume that’s Slaughter’s revenge for the Texas Death match in Philly last month.
Eddie Gilbert, wearing a neckbrace, was introduced to the crowd.
Tito Santana defeated Charlie Fulton in 4:39 by pinfall with a Flying Forearm. Santana looked great. After the match, Patterson interviewed Santana, who discussed the possibility of challenging George Steele for the Intercontinental Championship. He then said some words in Spanish for all the Mexicans watching on TV.
In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, The Tonga Kid pinned Israel Matia in 2:52 with a Piledriver. In addition to the match being horrendous due to the horrible chemistry between the two, nobody cared because they don’t know Tonga well and Matia is seen as the jobber to the jobbers at this stage.
Buddy Rogers’ Corner was next, and his guest for the second week in a row was The Masked Superstar. Superstar focused his attention on Eddie Gilbert, saying Gilbert better make sure he is fully healed before he returns to the ring because Superstar’s goal will be to reinjure it.
In an extremely short match, Masked Superstar defeated David Sammartino in 1:03 by pinfall. Superstar came out of this looking really good.
Tiger Chung Lee came out for his match, but before it started he showed his strength with a martial arts demonstration at ringside.
Tiger Chung Lee defeated S.D. Jones in 2:04 by submission. Is there a clause in their contracts that says they have to wrestle every week?
Invader # 2 and Ivan Putski defeated Don Kernodle and Tiger Conway Jr. in 2:31 when Invader pinned Conway by pinfall with a Heart Punch. Conway’s timing was off on the finish, as it looked like he sold the heart punch early.
In a rematch from Philly, Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Swede Hanson in 3:25 by pinfall with a Running Forearm Smash. Much better than Philly because it was shorter. They made a big deal about referee Dick Kroll searching the forearm pad, but Sharpe clearly loaded it with an object that Lou Albano handed him right before the finish.
This was a very good show, the best in almost two months.
October 1983, Wednesday, Week 4
Inside sources say Gordon Solie and Terry Funk have been at odds lately, to the point their friendship has all but disappeared. Funk apparently feels like Solie was attempting to bury him on commentary recently. Knowing Gordon the way I do, I’m sure it was a misunderstanding, but Funk was visibly upset.
Allentown drew the usual crowd of 1,300 last night.
October 1983, Thursday, Week 4
We would like to wish Chief Jay Strongbow a happy 55th birthday. Say what you will about Strongbow, but to be as successful as he is at his age is remarkable.
October 1983, Friday, Week 4
The WWF officially announced the main event for the Thanksgiving Day show at the Spectrum, as Masked Superstar will get his rematch against Bob Backlund for the WWF Heavyweight Championship.
October 1983, Saturday, Week 4
Following up from their angle a couple of weeks ago, Ivan Koloff will face Pat Patterson at the Spectrum on Thanksgiving Day.
October 1983, Sunday, Week 4
Rocky Johnson has signed a pay per appearance deal with Pacific Northwest Wrestling, but it is not expected to hurt any of his WWF bookings.
TV ratings held steady this weekend.
I’ve heard nothing new about Adrian Adonis’ contract offer with World Class Championship Wrestling, so I’m assuming he has turned the offer down unless I hear otherwise.
