Mid-South Wrestling – May 6th, 1982

May 6, 1982

Your hosts are Boyd Pierce & Ted DiBiase

DiBiase first tells us how he is recovered then Pierce fills him in on what has been happening with Skandor Akbar’s men as we see clips of Jim Duggan’s debut against Dick Murdoch.

Larry Higgens vs. Dick Murdoch

DiBiase talks about Murdoch being his friend and how Akbar is on his mind Murdock works the arm of Higgens. Murdock switches to a front facelock then shortly after that gets the win with an elbow drop (2:27).

Thoughts: Quick win for Murdoch as his focus remains on Akbar.

Bob Roop vs. Buddy Landel

Roop works the arm as DiBiase talks about Roop and how its more about regaining the North American Heavyweight Title, its about getting revenge. Roop puts Landel in a front facelock then gets two with a running knee smash. Landel hits a back elbow smash then Roop retreats to the corner and lures in Landel as he rakes his eyes. Landel gets two with a sunset flip to begin his comeback but Roop runs him into the rope and finishes him off with a high knee (4:41) *1/2.

Thoughts: Most of the match was on the mat and nothing special. However, the story here was on commentary as DiBiase vows for revenge against Roop more than anything else, even the North American Title.

Kelly Wayne vs. Mr. Olympia

Olympia outworks Wayne on the mat then hits a pair of armdrags as Wayne bails. Back inside, Wayne cheap shots Olympia but Olympia fights back with a dropkick and a press slam before getting the win with the sleeper (2:57).

Thoughts: Olympia is still the Mississippi Heavyweight Champion but hasnt really done anything lately and the fans are not really behind him much.

The Assassin & One Man Gang w/ Skandor Akbar vs. Ernie Ladd & Iron Mike Sharpe

They brawl as soon as the bell rings with the faces clearing the ring. Ladd then knocks Gang outside as Sharpe works over the Assassin. Ladd tags and hits a big boot then uses a lifting choke. Gang tags in as the Assassin attacks Ladd from behind. Ladd is now going at it with Gang. The Assassin tags back in but gets worked over in the corner as DiBiase is happy. Gang knees Sharpe from the apron then the match breaks down as the heels are using illegal double-teams. DiBiase says he cannot take it anymore so he runs in and cleans house for the DQ (5:04) 1/2*.

Thoughts: The crowd was hot at times, especially for DiBiase’s run-in, but man was the work here awful. Ladd and the Assassin were very slow and old while Gang was still new to the business and Sharpe was bland at best.

We return with Bob Roop sitting out with Pierce as he talk about never interfering in other matches and recommends DiBiase get fined $5,000. Pierce tells Roop he was not invited and that he is the host so if he wants to stay, he will focus on the match in the ring and not talk about himself.

Louisiana Heavyweight Title: Bob Sweetan vs. Junkyard Dog (c)

JYD reverses a hip toss then gets two with a slam as Sweetan rolls outside. Sweetan cheap shots JYD after a test-of-strength then hammers away. JYD fights back and sends Sweetan down with a headbutt. Sweetan rakes the eyes and lands some more shots before applying a front facelock. JYD escapes and they trade punches until JYD knocks Sweetan through the ropes. Sweetan attacks JYD from the apron then heads up top but JYD takes him off with a powerslam and gets the win (3:35) **.

Thoughts: Good action here, believe it or not. Sweetan had a reputation for working stiff and being a bully but had good chemistry with JYD in this match. JYD worked hard here.

Ron Cheatham vs. Rick Ferrera

Cheatham escapes from a headlock and hits a dropkick. Ferrara comes back with a suplex then Roop talks about Mid-South TV and how the standby matches are better than main events of other wrestling promotions. Ferrara works a headscissors while Roop goes back to talking about DiBiase and how he should be fined while Pierce warns him to talk about the match. Both guys go back-and-forth until Ferrara gets the win with a small package (3:18). After the match, Pierce tells Roop he has to leave and that he is going back to try and find DiBiase.

Thoughts: The match itself was completely forgettable but they used the time to put over the promotion and the Roop/DiBiase feud. Mid-South was getting into more homes at this point so putting over the action and stressing how they constantly have title matches on TV was smart.

DiBiase comes back out and says that he interfered because after being out for six weeks due to injury, he could not sit back and watch someone else get crippled. He then talks about being ready to face whatever disciplinary action he might face for running in during the match.

The Grappler & Jim Duggan vs. Coco Samoa & Jesse Barr

Barr and Grappler start off on the mat while Pierce puts over Duggan’s football career. Duggan tags in and slams Barr before tagging right out. Samoa tags in and lands some shots on the Grappler then the match breaks down and they brawl as the show is out of time (2:51).

Thoughts: Not much to this other than how they put over Duggan’s football career on commentary.

Final Thoughts: The action was forgettable for the most part but the top feuds are going strong anyway. The weekly TV product is compelling at the moment and its a fun show to watch.