Mid-South Wrestling – July 28th, 1983

July 28, 1983

Your hosts are Boyd Pierce and Buddy Nichols

This week we have Junkyard Dog vs. Mr. Olympia and Butch Reed defending the North American Heavyweight Title against Magnum TA.

Rip Rogers & Tony Zane vs. George Weingeroff & Tim Horner

Horner gets a solid reaction. Weingeroff takes Rogers over with a hip toss as Nichols tells us about Weingeroff overcoming his disability (legally blind). Weingeroff & Horner work over the arm of Rogers then do the same to Zane. Rogers manages to catch Weingeroff with a back elbow then takes control. Rogers misses an elbow drop off of the middle rope then Horner tags in and runs wild. The match breaks down with Weingeroff & Horner sending Rogers outside with a double atomic drop before Weingeroff puts Zane away with an abdominal stretch into a cradle (4:51).

Thoughts: This match decent enough when Zane was out of the ring. There is a reason he never got above enhancement talent level despite his size. He was terrible. Horner continues to impress.

Rick Davidson vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan

Duggan beats the crap out of Davidson, who rolls outside. Davidson returns only to get destroyed then put away with a spear (2:01).

Thoughts: Duggan completely annihilated Davidson in this match. Since there were two other big matches on the card they gave Duggan a squash to keep him on TV.

Mr. Olympia vs. Junkyard Dog

Watts has replaced Nichols because he wanted to be out there to see JYD. Watts brings up Reed calling JYD out for not being in shape as JYD tosses Olympia around. Olympia fights back and locks on a sleeper but JYD breaks it up. Olympia tries another sleeper that JYD breaks up then is hit coming off of the top rope. JYD hits a clothesline then uses a chinlock. JYD then knocks Olympia outside with a headbutt then drags him up onto the apron. Olympia snaps JYD’s neck off of the top rope and ends up hitting the referee. Olympia loads the boot and comes off the top but misses then JYD takes the object and lands an uppercut for the win (4:56) *1/2.

Thoughts: No Akbar out there with Olympia as he is on his way out of the territory. JYD gets a decisive win after getting screwed out of the North American Heavyweight Title.

North American Heavyweight Title Match: “Hacksaw” Butch Reed (c) vs. Magnum TA

Magnum takes Reed down with an arm drag as the crowd cheers. Watts mentions how Reed has not only pissed off JYD but also Duggan as well. Reed gets caught with a dropkick then Magnum goes to work on the arm. Magnum stays in control until Reed cheap shots him after a break against the ropes. Reed hammers away and even chokes out Magnum on the mat as Watts puts over Reed’s mean streak by saying its expected from a former pro linebacker. Reed takes Magnum down with a chinlock then puts his feet on the ropes for leverage. Reed comes off the top but Magnum catches him with a punch. Magnum runs wild and gets a two count with a leg drop. Magnum hits an atomic drop then catches him with a belly-to-belly suplex on the rebound for a nearfall as Watts screams how that is the first person he’s seen that kicked out of that move. Reed bails then returns and reverses a slam for two. Magnum fights back but misses an elbow drop then Reed drags him down and slams Magnum’s leg against the post a few times. Magnum ducks a swing and hits an atomic drop but Magnum cannot cover as his knee is hurt then Reed hits him with a flying shoulder tackle for the win (8:41) **1/2.

Thoughts: This was a solid match and they really tried to put over Magnum, who has been over since appearing here. One of the longest match on TV in months.

King Kong Bundy & Ted DiBiase vs. “Dr. Death” Steve Williams & Johnny Rich

Rich dropkicks DiBiase after a reversal sequence then hits a few arm drags. DiBiase takes a breather outside then returns as Watts talks about DiBiase & Bundy trashing Williams’ accomplishments, which pisses off Williams because he is prideful and loves Oklahoma. Williams tags in and pushes DiBiase around to the delight of the crowd. DiBiase bails then Bundy tags in and gets whacked in the face. Williams unloads on Bundy in the corner then tosses DiBiase outside. Williams and Rich then whip Bundy into the corner as Williams hits the Oklahoma Stampede for the win (4:40) *1/2. The teams then brawl for a couple of minutes as the ref sits there like an idiot counting and trying to break things up. The crowd wants to see Bundy get back in with Williams but that does not happen.

Thoughts: A good way to amp up the Williams/Bundy stuff that Watts has been pushing on TV for weeks regarding who had the better finishing move. Williams was a lot more over here than he had been at any point so I guess Watts’ commentary paid off.

Boris Zurkhov vs. Tony Torres

Nichols has now replaced Watts. Torres works the arm then hits a dropkick. Torres goes back to the arm but Zurkhov fights out then hammers away. Torres falls down after a leapfrog then Zurkhov slams him on the turnbuckle. Zurkhov hits a reverse neckbreaker then uses a knee drop off of the middle rope for the win (1:58).

Thoughts: A nothing match as Zurkhov remains at the bottom of the card since being an alternate for DiBiase as Tag Team Champion.

John Davidson vs. Art Crews

Crews reverses a hip toss in a messed up spot then hammers away. Man, these Davidson boys are just terrible wrestlers. Crews now works a side headlock on the mat as Pierce tells us that Tommy Rich vs. Kamala will happen next week. Davidson fights back but Crews gets his knees up on a splash. Crews gets a nearfall with a crossbody then Davidson completely fucks up a few more spots until Crews uses a reverse rollup for the win (2:37).

Thoughts: Crews is a solid worker but Davidson had a pathetic performance. Crews’ problem is that he lacks charisma and has a dated look. Its a look of an early 70’s babyface.

Bundy runs out to the desk and says he lost on a fast count. He also says that no one hits him with an avalanche and wants to face Williams.

Final Thoughts: The title match was good and the Bundy/Williams stuff is interesting as we had a decent show. The midcard is uninspiring as a whole though but the top programs are fine even if some of the wrestlers (Mr. Wrestling II, Zurkhov) have worn out their welcome