Mid-South Wrestling – May 19, 1983

May 19, 1983

Your hosts are Boyd Pierce and Bill Watts

This week we will see Junkyard Dog & Butch Reed vs. Super Destroyer & Tony Zane, Jim Duggan vs. Butcher Vachon and more!

We are shown the highlights from the Fabulous Freebirds vs. David & Kerry Von Erich from the 4/16 Superdome show. Buddy Roberts & Terry Gordy wrestled for the Freebirds here. Watts narrates the action then puts over wrestling in Atlanta and Dallas. The Von Erichs got the win with a double atomic drop. What we saw was fine. Watts then tells us that the Von Erichs might be in line for a Mid South Tag Team Title shot.

Highlights from the King Kong Bundy vs. Tim Horner match at the Superdome are shown. Watts also narrates as he talks about all of the wrestling magazines and publications put over the event and how it gave fans their money’s worth. Bundy won with the Atlantic City Avalanche as Watts put over Horner’s resilience.

Kendo Nagasaki w/ Skandor Akbar vs. Tim Horner

Nagasaki beats on Horner to start. Horner escapes from a front facelock and works the arm for a bit. Nagasaki catches Horner with a thrust kick but Horner escapes from a front facelock on the mat and uses a hammerlock. They mess up a reverse rollup spot then Horner goes back to the arm. Nagasaki hits a thrust kick then beats on Horner against the ropes. Horner gets skied on a back drop as Nagasaki lands more chops and kicks. Nagasaki chokes out Horner with his foot as Watts says Mid-South has the toughest athletes in the world. Horner starts to fight back but Nagasaki reverses an Irish whip. Nagasaki ducks his head but Horner catches him with a small package for the upset win as the crowd goes nuts (4:41) *3/4.

Thoughts: Horner had been getting good reactions considering his position on the card so giving him a surprise win was a good move if you ask me. And its not like Nagasaki was gaining any traction as a heel so he could easily afford the loss.

Johnny Rich vs. Tony Torres

Watts puts over Johnny as being the brother of Tommy Rich. Watts brings up the upset we just saw as Rich takes control of the match. Watts starts talking about high school wrestling as Rich grounds Torres and works a few different holds. Watts now talks about meeting Pierce while wrestling in Texas as Rich hits a slam then drops a knee. Watts mentions how both guys are sticking to the rules as Rich charges and catches Torres with a small package for the win (4:40).

Thoughts: A long, boring match to showcase Rich, who quite frankly was not that impressive at all here in Mid-South.

Super Destroyer & Tony Zane vs. Junkyard Dog & Butch Reed

Reed catches Destroyer with a slam then works the arm as Watts mentions that he played football for the Kansas City Chiefs. Zane tags in and gets worked over as JYD & Reed use quick tags to maintain control and they dominate with ease until Destroyer trips up JYD from the apron. Destroyer cheats behind the ref’s back so Reed runs in and accidentally hits JYD with an elbow drop. Destroyer sets up Reed for a superplex but JYD makes the save then hits Zane with a powerslam for the win as Reed comes off the top with a shoulder tackle to take out Destroyer (5:26).

Thoughts: Yet another match that went on for far too long. Destroyer’s Mid-South run was a dud and Zane was never any good to begin with. They are trying to give Reed the rub by teaming with his idol JYD.

Ted DiBiase w/ Skandor Akbar vs. Ron Ellis

DiBiase grounds Ellis with a waistlock then knees him in the back a few times. DiBiase hits a couple of fist drops as Watts mentions a list of guys who want to face him in the ring. DiBiase then catches Ellis in a powerslam for the win (2:10).

Thoughts: Just a quick match to put over DiBiase as Watts highlighted just how many people he has pissed off.

Butcher Vachon w/ Skandor Akbar vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Duggan runs Akbar out then fights of a sneak attack from Vachon. Duggan hits a pair of slams as Vachon bails to regroup with Akbar. Back inside, Vachon rolls away from a knee drop and lands a few kicks. Duggan fights back and hits Vachon with the spear but he collided with the referee. Akbar runs in and Duggan knocks him down. DiBiase runs in for the attack and tries to hit Duggan with a chair but misses and Vachon gets decked. DiBiase bails then Duggan covers Vachon for the win (2:27).

Thoughts: Good segment to continue the Duggan vs. Akbar’s Army feud. Vachon was just brought in for a bit role in this program.

Mr. Olympia w/ Skandor Akbar vs. Jerry Caldwell

Olympia takes advantage of Caldwell on the mat as Watts says Mil Mascaras, Gran Markus, and Tito Santana will be here soon. Olympia ducks his head and gets kicked then Caldwell misses the most pathetic attempt at an elbow drop I’ve seen. Olympia catches Caldwell with a dropkick before putting him away with a sleeper (3:17).

Thoughts: An easy win for Olympia as Watts used this time to talk about the people who will be coming into Mid-South over the next few weeks.

Final Thoughts: They touched upon the Freebirds/Von Erich feud and furthered the Duggan/Akbar stuff here as well as the Horner upset win but it really wasn’t a must-see show and the action was subpar. Still, the Duggan face turn has worked out brilliantly for a promotion that needed another top babyface star in a bad way and it will hopefully lead to more exciting programming down the road.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 12/30/90

Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 1/5/91

Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 1/6/91

Wednesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 1/12/91

Thursday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 1/13/91

Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 1/19/91

Saturday: Mid-South Wrestling 5/26/83