Mid-South Wrestling – August 25th, 1983

August 25, 1983

Your hosts are Boyd Pierce and Jim Ross

This week we will see Steve Williams & Magnum TA vs. Ted DiBiase & King Kong Bundy, Butch Reed, Jim Duggan, Kamala, and Krusher Darsow

Boris Zurkhov vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Duggan is clutching his ribs, which are taped up, as he sells the effects of Kamala splashing him twice last week. Duggan shoves Zurkhov then hammers away. Duggan knocks Zurkhov outside a few times but Zurkhov comes back with a bearhug. Duggan eventually escapes but Zurkhov kicks his ribs. Duggan fires away as the tape across the ribs is loose but runs into a knee in the corner. Zurkhov goes back to the bearhug as Duggan gets out of that but misses a knee drop. Zurkhov hits a slam then drops the knee for only a one count then Duggan fights back and runs wild before hitting a spear for the win (3:20) *1/2.

Thoughts: I liked how Duggan sold last week’s attack. It also showed his resilience in still competing this week and easily disposing of a “name” opponent.This match was brief but followed a simple formula even if it was not all that action-packed.

Randy Barber vs. Kamala w/ Skandor Akbar & Friday

Kamala immediately attacks Barber then chokes him out on the mat. Kamala stays on the attack then hits a pair of splashes for the win (1:26).

Thoughts: Your basic Kamala squash to keep him strong.

Clips from last week’s Jim Duggan vs. Butch Reed match.

“Hacksaw” Butch Reed vs. Joshua Stroud

Reed shoves down Stroud after a lockup. Reed now tries to ground Stroud but they end in a stalemate. Stroud surprises Reed with an arm drag but Reed knocks him down then hammers away. Reed stomps the back of Stroud’s neck before choking him out against the ropes. Reed uses a front facelock to ground Stroud as the announcers talk about Reed’s change of personality and how he only wants money and fame. Stroud ducks a clothesline then hits a dropkick that looked awful but Reed fights back and hits a press slam for the win (4:12).

Thoughts: On commentary they put over Reed strong as a heel. They gave Stroud some shine but he is just not any good in the ring.

Ted DiBiase & King Kong Bundy vs. “Dr. Death” Steve Williams & Magnum TA

Before the match we see two referees check DiBiase to see if he had something to load his glove but before that he waived down Akbar. DiBiase bailed then gave something to Akbar before returning where he was once again patted down. DiBiase hammers away on Magnum to start. Magnum comes back with a crossbody for a nearfall as DiBiase is pissed. Bundy tags but Magnum uses his speed to elude him then tags out as Williams and Bundy go at each other. DiBiase tags and hammers away on Williams but is soon overpowered then bails to avoid a charge. Bundy is back in and they go back-and-forth until Bundy boots Williams in the gut. DiBiase & Bundy cut off the ring as Bundy hits a splash for a nearfall. Bundy misses a double knee drop then Williams crawls over and makes the tag. Magnum runs wild on DiBiase then applies a sleeper. Bundy runs interference then attacks Magnum from behind. DiBiase has Akbar toss him the object and uses it to hit Magnum then tosses it back but Duggan ran out and intercepted it then chases Akbar around to distract the ref so he can hit DiBiase then Magnum drapes his arm over DiBiase and gets the win as Duggan prevented Bundy from interfering. (6:06) **1/2.

Thoughts: Fun match with a wild ending. Duggan still wants to rid DiBiase from Mid-South and gave him some comeuppance this week. The Williams/Bundy feud will continue but they seem to be going for a match between DiBiase and Duggan.

The Missing Link vs. Mike Jackson

Jackson uses his speed to his advantage and Link is pissed. Jackson hits a crossbody then a pair of dropkicks but misses a third as Link runs outside pissed off. Link returns to rough up Jackson then chokes him out. Jackson gets a nearfall with a reverse rollup then runs wild until missing a top rope move then Link headbutts Jackson in the kidney from the middle rope and drops another headbutt for the win (3:10) **.

Thoughts: Link’s character work was slightly better this week. Jackson was great in the ring though. With his size and overall work he was never going to get a push but he really was a good worker.

Krusher Darsow vs. Tim Horner

Horner hits a pair of dropkicks to no effect then gets run over by Darsow. Ross tells us that Darsow went into isolation for three years in the woods of Minnesota as Darsow uses a backbreaker submission for the win (1:15).

Thoughts: They are explaining Darsow’s character on commentary as that of someone who isolated himself in the woods that relied on hunting and fishing to survive but he is wrestling as just a generic big man.

Rip Rogers & Doug Vines & Mike McGhee vs. George Weingeroff & Art Crews & Johnny Rich

Weingeroff and Vines start things off with Weingeroff taking control. Vines is worked over by all three of his opponents as Ross says all six men involved bring something unique to Mid-South. McGhee now gets worked over and nearly put away with a dropkick courtesy of Rich. Crews now works the arm of Rogers then does the same to McGhee. Ross puts over the live experience of wrestling and how its great family entertainment before saying that next week we will see Buzz Sawyer and the Road Warriors live and in action. Weingeroff now runs wild on Vines then McGhee tags in again and is hit with a knee smash by Crews then after a double back drop we see Rich use a cradle for the win (6:12) **.

Thoughts: The end was sloppy and the match was one-sided but the action was at a fast pace thus easy to watch. However, most of these guys have been floundering at the bottom of the card for months.

Final Thoughts: They set up for a Duggan/DiBiase match but the rest of the show was not particularly exciting. The action was better overall than it has been the past few weeks at least but as a week-to-week TV product this promotion has been lacking as of late.