Mid-South Wrestling – June 3rd, 1982

June 3, 1982

Your hosts are Boyd Pierce and Bill Watts

“Precious” Paul Ellering is doing more feats of strengths with the kids. This time he folds six-pack rings and license plates. I’m wondering if this will actually lead to something.

The Turk vs. Dick Murdoch

Watts puts over how Murdoch is leaving on an overseas tour next week as he hammers away on The Turk. Murdoch is on the mat now as Turk works the arm but he reverses and regains control. Watts says that next week Ernie Ladd will face the One Man Gang as Turk lands a forearm to the chest but ducks his head and gets kicked as Murdoch finishes him off with the brainbuster (2:57).

Thoughts: Nothing much to this as it was basically a sendoff for Murdoch before he went on his Japanese tour.

Randy Base vs. Ted DiBiase

Base reaches the ropes after DiBiase aggressively takes him to the mat. DiBiase out-wrestles his opponent then grounds him with a side headlock. Base fires away in the corner but DiBiase turns the table and beats the crap out of him as Watts tells us DiBiase is fed up with what has been going on the DiBiase hits a powerslam for the win (2:21).

Thoughts: DiBiase was more aggressive than usual here as he’s apparently sick of all the bullshit from Akbar’s Army.

Billy Starr vs. “Dr. Death” Steve Williams

Williams overpowers Starr as Watts puts over his amateur accomplishments. Starr breaks a bearhug with a shot to the eye but Williams fights back. Starr catches Williams with a throat thrust as Watts says Williams is used to having rules in amateur wrestling and unaware of rulebreakers in pro wrestling. Williams tosses Starr out from the corner then uses a few running tackles until putting him away with a powerslam (3:36).

Thoughts: They continue to slowly break in Williams as Watts also points out how while a great athlete he still needs to learn about professional wrestling.

Clips from last week’s match between Hangman Harris and Dick Murdoch that ended with Murdoch getting the win but Harris hung Murdoch over the ropes after the One Man Gang ran down for an attack.

Hangman Harris vs. Mike Hudspeth

Both guys trade strikes but Harris wins that battle as he sends Hudspeth down with a knee lift. Harris starts choking Hudspeth out on the top rope as Watts talks about Williams training at pro wrestling this Summer to get some much needed experience. Harris then uses a hangman’s hold as the ref calls the match (3:00).

Thoughts: The action wasn’t bad here as they are establishing Harris as a heel act.

North American Heavyweight Title Match: Bob Roop (c) vs. Junkyard Dog

These two go back-and-forth to start. Roop hits a corkscrew neckbreaker for two but JYD comes back with a Russian leg sweep. JYD then hits a powerslam and goes for the cover but the One Man Gang runs out with Skandor Akbar and pulls him off. The ref runs out as Gang tosses him down on the floor as Gang is now wrapping JYD’s against the post. Ernie Ladd runs out to hit Gang with a chair as Roop hits JYD with a shoulderbreaker. DiBiase runs out to check on JYD as Roop comes off the top with a knee drop then JYD goes after Roop as The Grappler & The Assassin pull Roop to safety as this match was ruled a DQ (2:44) *.

Thoughts: The action wasnt much but the theatrics afterwards was awesome. The chaos was a blast to watch and the fans were going nuts.

The Assassin & The Grappler vs. Coco Samoa & Jesse Barr

The Grappler & Assassin work over Barr to start. Coco tags and works the arm of the Assassin as Watts talks about how Roop did not care about the DQ as he still retains the title. The Grappler tags and hits Barr with a backbreaker for a two count as Watts tells us we have another standby match waiting if this finishes early enough. Barr is still in trouble then finally makes the tag but The Grappler cuts off Coco’s offense and hits a bulldog for the win (4:17) *.

Thoughts: After the madness from the last match the crowd was understandably down for this. The action was very dull too in this one-sided affair. The Grappler can work but The Assassin was completely dated at this point.

Jim Starr vs. Iron Mike Sharpe

Watts puts over Starr and how he owns a gym and has a lot of pride. He cheapshots Sharpe after a break as Watts talks about his kids and thanks the people at some air park as Sharpe is now working the arm. The announcers talk about next week’s show, specifically the main event of Ladd vs. Gang, as the wrestlers in the ring go back-and-forth. The announcers now thank the fans and matchmaker Grizzly Smith as the show wraps up (4:23).

Thoughts: There was nothing to this match as it was a background for the announcers to talk about everything else.

Final Thoughts: The JYD vs. Roop match was fun but everything else was on the dull side. There are still a lot of older wrestlers with dated looks but newer talent is coming in and the Akbar’s Army feud things are starting to feel fresher.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Sunday: WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event 7/29/89

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/30/89

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 8/5/89

Wednesday: EVOLVE 76 1/27/17

Thursday: Kayfabe Commentaries Timeline Series: 2007 Blue as told by Swoggle

Friday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 8/6/89

Sunday: Mid-South Wrestling 6/10/82