JHawk
I appreciate the great feedback I’ve gotten for these columns over the last two months. Somehow I actually had a little extra time this week and made a pretty good dent in not only this but in future columns, so I’m looking at possibly doing two of these next week. It depends on how quickly I can get week 3 done since that features both the MSG and Spectrum shows.
March 1983, Monday, Week 1
Since it’s the first day of the new month, let’s review how the WWF, as a whole, did last month.
The company, as a whole, bled money last month, reportedly losing over 200,000 dollars over a 28-day period. The losses appeared to be much worse until merchandise sales came in, and T-shirts are becoming more and more prevalent at the arenas and programs are always hot sellers.
Company popularity is dropping in the Tri-State area, but has risen in most of the United States. This raises the question: Should the WWF consider running in other areas (they are drawing fantastic ratings in California now that the Mike LeBell promotion has folded) or stick to the Tri-State area where they have a solid reputation and can stay in their primary buildings for relatively cheap? I would personally run a spot show or two in California to see how they do and make a decision from there.
Despite the rises in popularity around most of the country, in regions airing more than one company’s show in syndication, the WWF finished last or next to last in every single one. So while they are gaining popularity and putting on fantastic shows, they are still a long way away from being at the top of the business.
Now onto the news.
This week is signing week for the month for the WWF, and a number of contract offers have gone out. In addition, several members of the roster have been offered contracts with other companies as well.
Judy Martin was offered a contract extension with All Japan Women, reportedly a two year deal. Given that women’s wrestling is much more respected in Japan, she’d be a fool not to take it.
Also given an offer was Andre the Giant, his from Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling. No idea if he’ll take the offer or not, but it’s no secret that he’d like to work less for the WWF which is why the NWA has been loaning him out as much as they have.
Ratings for Championship Wrestling were up this weekend.
Contract offers were made to Blackjack Mulligan and Black Gordman, who both claimed the WWF is beneath them and thus will not be coming in. Mulligan is the NWA Bahamas Champion for Championship Wrestling from Florida, so he is likely already working more than he’d like anyway. Gordman has no job and may simply be ready to retire.
March 1983, Tuesday, Week 1
Because the Rogers Corner segment was taped in Allentown next week, a lot of fans are under the impression that the Rocky Johnson-Don Muraco Intercontinental Title match is being taped tonight. It is being taped in Hamburg tomorrow, but will air on both shows.
Championship Wrestling taping (March 1983, Tuesday, Week 1)
Here are the spoilers for this weekend’s edition of Championship Wrestling.
In an extremely short match, Ivan Koloff defeated Mil Mascaras in 2:09 by pinfall with a Russian Sickle. I’m shocked Mascaras agreed to lose here.
In a non-title match, The Strongbows defeated Johnny Rodz and Bob Bradley in 4:04 when Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Bradley by submission. After the match, Pat Patterson interviewed the Strongbows regarding the upcoming challenge of the Samoans. Still no date announced for this.
Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Barry Hart in 2:57 by pinfall with a Running Forearm Smash.
Ivan Koloff was the guest in Buddy Rogers’ Corner, hyping himself as among the best ever and saying it was only a matter of time before he holds gold again.
S.D. Jones defeated Tiger Conway Jr. in 2:46 by pinfall with a headbutt.
Mr. Fuji defeated Curt Hennig in 3:46 by pinfall with a Kamikaze Clothesline.
Tony Garea & Eddie Gilbert defeated Swede Hanson and Mac Rivera in 1:50 when Garea pinned Rivera with a flying bodypress.
Salvatore Bellomo defeated Israel Matia in 4:24 by pinfall with a roll up. Why why why why why?
Vince McMahon interviewed Bob Backlund, who vowed to retain his title at Madison Square Garden when he meets Don Muraco in a No DQ Match. This interview was by far the best thing on this show up to this point.
In a bout that featured great action and average heat, Masked Superstar drew with Pedro Morales in 12:27 following a double count out. Both men brawled to the back after the match. This was the best match of the show and even this was highly disappointing.
This might have been the worst taping they’ve done all year.
March 1983, Wednesday, Week 1
Last night’s taping in Allentown had the usual sellout of 1,300.
Freddie Blassie and Dick Kroll have bonded backstage, as they share a fondness for motorbikes. I swear I’m not making that up.
Road agent Butcher Vachon has recommended a change to Jules Strongbow’s character, claiming Strongbow is stale as a character. I’m not sure how to freshen him up short of not using him, but that’s my opinion. I’ve heard a rumor that they may turn him heel, but outside of a job to Jay Strongbow, if they split up I’m not sure what the point would be.
Mil Mascaras will be leaving the WWF next week, as he signed an exclusive contract extension with CMLL. It wasn’t like Mascaras was being used much anyway, and when he was he was losing short matches to put the heels over. Plus he’s in his 40s and there is talk of going into a younger roster moving forward.
Three new men are on their way in, but nobody of note. Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez out of California are coming in for enhancement work, and Hernandez only for a month. Anderson’s deal is apparently pay per appearance for seven years, so if he can somehow catch on and move up the card, he’ll end up being a cheap long term pickup. The only other signing was Samula Anoa’i, Afa’s son and Sika’s nephew, who is being brought in as an undercard worker and most likely as folly to take the pin in six man tag matches.
All-Star Wrestling taping (March 1983, Wednesday, Week 1)
Barry Hart defeated Johnny Rodz and Jose Estrada in a Handicap match in 2:45 when Hart defeated Estrada by pinfall with a three quarter nelson into a cradle. This was labeled in the program as Andre the Giant teaming with Hart but they announced Andre’s flight was delayed and he couldn’t make it. This needed Andre as this was awful.
In an extremely short match, Iron Mike Sharpe defeated S.D. Jones in 2:06 by pinfall with a Running Forearm Smash. Jones was off his game tonight.
Mr. Fuji defeated David Sammartino in 3:54 by pinfall with a Kamikaze Clothesline. David’s timing was off here.
Buddy Rogers’ Corner was next, and he was with Swede Hanson who cut a generic self-hype promo.
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Tony Garea & Eddie Gilbert defeated Charlie Fulton and Mac Rivera in 9:23 when Gilbert pinned Rivera with a running kneelift. Garea stood out here but the match was pretty good.
In the Intercontinental Title main event, Rocky Johnson defeated The Magnificent Muraco in 3:45, but by DQ, so Muraco retains the title. Weird finish here, as Johnson had Muraco locked in the abdominal stretch and referee Danny Davis called for the bell, then Albano entered the ring, but Davis ruled that Albano’s interference caused the DQ. Either Muraco submitted and wasn’t supposed to or Albano has the worst timing on the planet.
Ivan Koloff pinned Curt Hennig in 3:50 with a Russian Sickle.
Vince McMahon interviewed Lou Albano. He asked about the ending to the Intercontinental Title match, but Albano turned his attention to the Samoans and demanded they receive a title match against the Strongbows. McMahon once again asked about the IC Title, but Albano just screamed “he’s still the champ” and stormed off.
McMahon then interviewed Bob Backlund, who discussed his match in two weeks with Muraco.
In an extremely short match, Jimmy Snuka defeated Masked Superstar in 3:25 by pinfall with a Superfly Splash. Best match of the night but needed much more time.
Not a bad show at all.
March 1983, Thursday, Week 1
Ray Stevens has taken David Sammartino under his wing as his protégé. I’m not sure why David isn’t using Bruno Sammartino as a mentor since, you know, it’s his father and the longest reigning WWF Champion ever, but in this business, a lot of the time no sense makes sense.
The card in Hamburg, PA last night drew 1,071 last night thanks to a walk up of about 100. Hard to believe Johnson-Muraco drew that little with that much hype.
Barry Hart failed a test for hard drugs and received notification of the failed test before the taping last night. He was fined 25% of his purse for last night, which might explain the win in the handicap match since even in a worked sport, you usually earn more for wins than losses and they want to set an example.
March 1983, Friday, Week 1
Judy Martin has signed her extension with All Japan Women. This shouldn’t affect her limited WWF bookings.
March 1983, Saturday, Week 1
Buddy Rose is expected to sign a contract extension with Pacific Northwest Wrestling this week. I doubt this affects his WWF bookings but he should be in for a nice raise since he’s carrying that territory right now.
A wrestling war appears to be imminent between the World Wrestling Council and the American Wrestling Association. WWC owner Victor Jovica made some comments about how AWA owner Verne Gagne is behind the times, which led Gagne to say if WWC wrestlers were any good at all, maybe a few would work in Minneapolis. I can see a promotional war escalating between these two as both are stubborn and set in their ways.
March 1983, Sunday, Week 1
The WWF completed a major signing this week, as Sgt. Slaughter has agreed to a two year deal and will be starting here before the end of the month. Attempts to negotiate an exclusive deal fell through as Slaughter is loyal to Jim Crockett, but Slaughter will work here on all available dates and is expected to get a run on top in the summer.
Next week, we’ll have the fall out from the Intercontinental Title match, plus we’ll find out when the Samoans will be going for the tag team championships.
