Mid-South Wrestling – August 11th, 1983

August 11, 1983

Your hosts are Boyd Pierce and Bill Watts

We are shown Watts interviewing Butch Reed. He asks him about being a champion as Reed says he is a champion with class and made the North American Heavyweight Title mean something. He puts over his style then addresses Jim Duggan and said he showed him who is the true “Hacksaw.” We are shown a few minutes of Reed vs. Duggan from New Orleans as Reed narrates.

Back from break we are shown footage from the 7/16 Superdome show where Reed defeated JYD in a 2/3 falls match. Reed wants us to show the tape to address those thinking he unfairly won the title. Watts says this footage is edited as Reed talks about JYD lacking drive and endurance as to why he lost. This is the match where Buzz Sawyer helped out Reed, who won in controversial matter. However, Reed said he won fairly and will defend the belt anytime, anywhere and whoever sees him better address him as “sir.” Reed came off like a star here. He wasn’t the smoothest on the mic but had great presence, exuded confidence, and looked the part.

Skandor Akbar introduces us to the Kamala vs. Tommy Rich match from the Superdome as he wants us to see how they beat Rich while narrating the footage. Akbar interfered and Tommy was bloodied by Kamala as Akbar wants all the talent from Atlanta to come to the Superdome to meet Kamala. Duggan ran in to make the save as Akbar calls him a “hippie” and we see Rich pick up the win. Akbar now calls out Duggan and says Duggan can have him alone for five minutes as long as he can beat Butch Reed. Akbar noted that he hired Reed for this. This is obviously going to lead to a big angle. And note how Mid-South was using stars in Georgia in matches for their big shows with those guys going over but in matches that led to angles on television.

Watts is now with Mr. Wrestling II, who is wearing his mask with a shirt and tie. He’s dressed like Michael Douglas’ character in “Falling Down” but instead of glasses he’s wearing a mask. Mr. Wrestling talks about traveling the country then we see a clip of him wrestling Will Bild Irwin in the Superdome. Mr. Wrestling talks about the competition in Mid-South being the best then narrates the action. Watts added that a main-eventer in Mid-South means you’re the toughest in the world as Mr. Wrestling won with the power knee lift then says Irwin could not cut it here. Irwin went back to Georgia as this segment was designed to put over Mr. Wrestling as a world class main event talent. A few years ago I never understood the hate Dave Meltzer had for watching Mr. Wrestling II during this time period but I get it now. He’s overpushed to an insane level.

King Kong Bundy & Boris Zurkhov vs. Tim Horner & Bill Rathke

Horner puts Zurkhov in a headlock as Watts talks about Akbar hiring Reed to face Duggan. Rathke tags and gets destroyed by Bundy and hits the Atlantic City Avalanche for the five count and the win (2:01).

Thoughts: They are letting Bundy look good after Williams got the best of him last week. He destroyed Rathke in quick fashion as he a rematch against Williams is looming.

The Missing Link vs. Ken Johnson

Link attacks Johnson before the bell and rams him into the corner. Link then hits a powerslam and an atomic drop before hammering away on the kidney. Link cuts off a comeback then attacks the kidney again before using a clutch for the win (1:38).

Thoughts: Still just his second week but Link is not getting any heel heat at all. His style is also dated.

Larry Hare & Bill Rose vs. “Dr. Death” Steve Williams & Johnny Rich

Johnny works over Hare to start as Watts alerts us that Grizzly Smith is trying to sign Reed vs. Duggan for next week’s show. Rose tags in as Rich hits a dropkick and a slam before tagging out. Williams is in and beats on Rose as Watts craps all over Hare & Rose for not hitting the gym. Hare is in but Williams roughs him up then uses the Oklahoma Stampede for the win (3:14).

Thoughts: Watts puts over Williams on commentary and talked about his mean streak. Williams did wrestle an aggressive style here and did things like tie up his opponent in the ropes and hit him which was usually a heel tactic.

Final Thoughts: It was a mostly a clip show but they did set up some angles and a big match for next week with Duggan vs. Reed. Williams is getting pushed hard and they are establishing Reed as a top heel act. The top of the card is good but again, the rest is poor.