JHawk
Happy TNA Sacrifice Day, everybody. Yes, they have a pay-per-view tonight. Shocking, I know.
Let’s get on with it, shall we? Spoiler alert: Things become very interesting before the end of the week.
November 1983, Monday, Week 3
Charlie Fulton will take on The Tonga Kid on the Thanksgiving night show at the Philadelphia Spectrum.
November 1983, Tuesday, Week 3
Tony Garea has entered the final month of his contract but is expected to sign an extension
WWF Championship Wrestling taping (November 1983, Tuesday, Week 3)
In an extremely short match, Eddie Gilbert pinned Bob Bradley in 4:13 with a roll up. Gilbert seemed off his game but that’s to be expected since it’s his first match back since the injury angle. After the match, Pat Patterson interviewed Gilbert, who thanked the fans for their support in wishing him back to the ring and vowed that between him and Bob Backlund, The Masked Superstar would get what he deserved for taking Gilbert out of action.
In an extremely short match, Tiger Chung Lee defeated Frankie Williams in 2:43 by submission. Williams was off his game tonight, even by Frankie Williams standards.
Nick DeCarlo defeated Jose Estrada in 2:45 by submission.
Buddy Rogers’ Corner was next, and he interviewed The Grand Wizard. Wizard said that Jimmy Snuka had his chance at the Intercontinental Title and failed, and George Steele was now looking for new challengers.
WWF Intercontinental Champion George Steele defeated Steve Lombardi in 2:04 by pinfall. Somehow I expected something a little better than this when Wizard talked about “new challengers”.
In an extremely short match, Tito Santana defeated Bobby Colt in 3:12 by pinfall. Santana looked really good.
Sgt. Slaughter pinned S.D. Jones in 5:13 by reversing an inside cradle with a quick cradle of his own.
Samu pinned Salvatore Bellomo in 3:28 with a Flying Headbutt. Lou Albano was not at ringside. Pat Patterson attempted to interview Samu after the match, but Samu supposedly doesn’t understand English so he stared at Patterson and walked off.
In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, Jerry Valiant pinned Steve Regal in 8:03 with a handful of tights. After the match, Valiant grabbed the house mic and said that was just an example of the wrestling lessons he’ll be teaching all the young guys in the WWF.
That’s it? Show was fine but really felt unimportant.
November 1983, Wednesday, Week 3
Jose Estrada was in fine form before the show last night, keeping the rest of the locker room entertained with road stories, mostly about his time wrestling in Puerto Rico.
The show last night in Allentown drew the usual sell out of 1,300.
Strange booking for those in the building last night, as none of the matches for the Spectrum on Thanksgiving night were pushed at all in the arena. Several interviews were taped before the show and will be inserted into the Philadelphia area broadcasts, but considering this will be the last show to air before that card, I expected more of a hard sell for the event.
Then again, there might be a good reason for that. The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) has signed an exclusive contract with Southwest Championship Wrestling, so next week’s taping will actually be his last date with the company. I’d expect the Backlund-Superstar match to air on TV next week instead, but not sure how this will be addressed for those in Philadelphia who were counting on this main event.
It is being said that Rocky Johnson has been “wheeling and dealing” behind the scenes in the WWF, attempting to form some alliances he feels will help him get further up the card. Many in the locker room are unhappy with these tactics, especially since Johnson and Tony Atlas are getting ready to start a program with the Wild Samoans.
November 1983, Thursday, Week 3
Superstar Billy Graham has signed an exclusive deal with Southwest Championship Wrestling and will be done with the WWF next week. SCW has offered a few additional contracts as well, one of which would be devastating to the WWF if the deal is made.
The snag in TV negotiations has been overcome and Championship Wrestling will remain on the air in the Tri State area for at least another year.
Brian Blair has formed a tag team with Denny Brown in Championship Wrestling from Florida. They will be known as Club Enigma 2000. No, I have no idea who wwas involved in the first 1999 Club Enigma teams.
November 1983, Friday, Week 3
Still no word as to who will be replacing The Masked Superstar in Philadelphia next week. Superstar has cancelled a tour with All Japan in preparation for the move to Southwest Championship Wrestling.
November 1983, Saturday, Week 3
The WWF continues to get turned upside down by Southwest Championship Wrestling, as Tito Santana has now signed an exclusive contract with the organization. SCW is continuing to offer WWF talent contracts, and the company doesn’t have the finances to compete with most of the offers.
Among those receiving offers from SCW are Sgt. Slaughter and Tony Atlas. Slaughter was allegedly offered the maximum deal Vince McMahon would allow but has said he is likely to accept the SCW deal unless a better offer comes along.
If there is any bright side, Tony Garea has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the company long after his active career ends.
November 1983, Sunday, Week 3
TV ratings held steady again this weekend.
Local ads have already announced that Masked Superstar will not be in the building on Thursday in Philadelphia, but no mention of an opponent for Bob Backlund at this point, just that he will be defending the title at the show.
As expected when he officially left the WWF a couple of weeks ago, Vince McMahon Sr. has been named the latest member of the Hall of Immortals.
