JHawk
December 1983, Monday, Week 1
Despite the number of recent defections from the company, the WWF is slowly but surely starting to grow. The only areas where they are having trouble in comparison to other groups are the Great Lakes (of three companies that get any sort of coverage in that area they are ranked second out of three) and Mid-Atlantic areas (where they rank four out of four and Mid-Atlantic is Crockett territory so they’re not moving up anytime soon). They gain coverage in the Maritimes area of Canada this week which should help them as well.
Financially they lost a total of about $47,000, but assuming they can keep the crowds steady they should be able to stay afloat as many of their high priced talents have moved to Southwest Championship Wresting (or will be shortly) which will cut back a lot of their overhead. Bob Backlund is officially done, Sgt. Slaughter and Tony Atlas make their last appearances at this week’s TV, and even Don Kernodle announced today that he’ll be joining Slaughter in SCW. Also, Don Muraco is in the last month of his deal and since he’s out at least until at least September, they are going to let his contract lapse and look into signing him next year when he’s healthy, so that’s another huge deal they won’t be paying on.
Where does the WWF go from here? I hear they are going to be making an aggressive effort to sign new talent this month. Who they bring in could mean the difference as 1983 ends and 1984 begins.
In other news, Mac Rivera will drop the “Mac” and be known moving forward as Jose Luis Rivera. Not sure he’s going to be used any differently although I’d expect a few wins just to try to get him over.
December 1983, Tuesday, Week 1
Buddy Rose is officially done as his commitments with Southwest Championship Wrestling begin tonight.
Referee Dick Kroll is also done since his contract has expired.
Championship Wrestling from Florida promoter Eddie Graham has declared war on the WWF. Vince McMahon told Graham that he would no longer work with him for talent exchanges in the future, and Graham became furious. As soon as McMahon got off the phone with Graham, he offered David Schultz a spot on the WWF roster, which set Graham off even further as Schultz has an exclusive contract with CWF.
Attempts to sign Dick Murdoch and Hulk Hogan have fallen through, as neither feels the WWF is big enough for them right now. We just said they were growing yesterday. We didn’t say how much.
WWF Championship Wrestling taping (December 1983, Tuesday, Week 1)
Ivan Putski and Invader # 2 defeated Bob Bradley and Rene Goulet in 2:47 when Putski pinned Bradley with a Polish Hammer. They should just keep Invader out of action until the shoulder heals, as he’s done nothing the last few weeks, here included.
Jimmy Snuka pinned Tiger Chung Lee with the Superfly Splash in 2:04.
Samu (w/Lou Albano) pinned Curt Hennig with a flying headbutt in 4:02.
Sgt. Slaughter was the guest on Buddy Rogers’ Corner. Slaughter acknowledged that he was moving out west this weekend to do his own form of training in the Southwest, but he wanted to make an example of Andre the Giant before he leaves. That’s our main event tonight, apparently.
Mr. Fuji (w/Lou Albano) pinned The Tonga Kid with a Kamikaze Clothesline in 2:47.
In a no disqualification match that had a good crowd and good action, WWF Tag Team Champions The Wild Samoans defeated The Soul Patrol in 8:26 when Afa pinned Tony Atlas with a Samoan Drop after Lou Albano interfered, breaking a wooden chair over Atlas’ head. After the match, Pat Patterson interviewed the champions, with Albano saying Atlas’ career may be over after that beating. They’re seriously writing Atlas out after just one chair shot? At least it’s an explanation.
Jose Luis Rivera pinned Tony Garea with a piledriver in 6:08.
Vince McMahon interviewed Pat Patterson, congratulating him on winning the WWF Heavyweight Title. Patterson’s first defense will take place in a little over two weeks at Madison Square Garden. Patterson claimed he would be a fighting champion and will take on anybody the WWF sees fit.
Jules Strongbow pinned Eddie Gilbert in 5:22 with a fast roll up. I forgot Jules even still worked here. It’s been what, four months?
Pat Patterson interviewed Andre the Giant, who vowed to send Sgt. Slaughter out of the area on a sad note.
Andre The Giant pinned Sgt. Slaughter in 2:53 with The Bodyslam. This was great while it lasted but was clearly cut short for time.
Very good show, this company has been clicking on all cylinders the last few weeks.
December 1983, Wednesday, Week 1
The Grand Wizard was in fine form last week, keeping the locker room at ease by telling road stories, particularly his time working in Detroit for The Sheik.
The WWF has filmed a hype video for Jose Luis Rivera that will air before his match on TV this weekend.
Last night’s taping at Agricultural Hall in Allentown, PA drew the usual sellout of 1,300.
David Schultz sent word that he will not leave Championship Wrestling from Florida and therefore will not be coming in. The plan was for Schultz to get the title shot against Pat Patterson at Madison Square Garden.
Chris Carter, a rookie out of Detroit, is being brought in as an enhancement talent.
December 1983, Thursday, Week 1
Tony Atlas is officially done.
Barry Hart and Penny Mitchell have both hit the final month of their deals. Hart hasn’t been used and Mitchell has only been used as an agent since retiring, so neither is expected to be brought back.
Kurt Von Hess is being brought in on a short term deal. He’ll be a TV jobber for a month or so and then be on his way.
December 1983, Friday, Week 1
Sgt. Slaughter is officially gone.
Invader #2 (Johnny Rivera) has signed a six month extension.
Greg Wojokowski has signed a six month deal and will be working here as The Great Wojo. He will be finishing up with Dick the Bruiser’s World Wrestling Association next week and should be working here shortly thereafter.
December 1983, Saturday, Week 1
The WWF announced that with Tony Atlas leaving, Rocky Johnson and S.D. Jones will be forming a full time tag team, competing under the name Rough and Tumble.
Velvet McIntyre has signed a deal, presumably for a series of matches against Judy Martin for the WWF Women’s Title. Yes, that title still exists.
Also coming in is announcer “Mean” Gene Okerlund, who is expected to take over on Championship Wrestling after the first of the year.
December 1983, Sunday, Week 1
TV ratings held steady in the New England and Tri State stations. The first show in Canada did an audience of less than 50,000 homes, but the company said as long as they can convert some of those fans into paying customers when they move into Canada (which they plan to next Summer) then they’ll be OK.
