Mid-South Wrestling – December 1st, 1983

December 1, 1983

Your hosts are Boyd Pierce and Bill Watts

This week, we have “Dr. Death” Steve Williams vs. Nikolai Volkoff, Mr. Wrestling II vs. Missing Link, and the Midnight Express and Hacksaw Jim Duggan are also in action.

Doug Vines vs. Krusher Darsow

Darsow tosses Vines as Watts once again tells us that Darsow as only been beaten by JYD and Nikolai Volkoff. Vines bounces off of Darsow a few times before getting scooped up with a slam as Watts talks about Darsow’s infatuation with Russia’s power-lifting and wrestling. Darsow now works an armbar before tossing Vines across the ring. Watts now tells us that the Russians gave Ken Patera vodka in order to cost him his Olympic medal as Darsow uses a backbreaker submission for the win (2:23).

Thoughts: The story here was Watts warning Darsow to be careful about dealing with the Russians.

Nikolai Volkoff vs. “Dr. Death” Steve Williams

Volkoff attacks Williams right after the bell as Darsow is once again at ringside to watch Volkoff. Williams fights back as Watts puts over his heart and drive. Williams drops Volkoff in the corner then works the leg but Volkoff regains control. Volkoff yanks Williams down by the hair as he works a chinlock. Williams is about to power out but Volkoff sends him back down with a hair pull. Darsow is pacing near the ring then Williams puts on a hammerlock. Volkoff decks Williams with a forearm smash and fires away as Watts is still talking about Williams’ heart and desire. Williams hits a knee smash but Volkoff powers out after a one count. Williams lands some shots then hits a shoulder tackle but Volkoff moves away from a second attempt and the ref gets decked. Volkoff tosses Williams outside and Darsow helps him out then attacks Williams and puts him in the backbreaker submission. The crowd chants for JYD as Watts acts surprised that the guy infatuated with Volkoff is now helping him out. Williams is rolled back inside as the ref is now up. Volkoff hits a big boot then uses his overhead backbreaker for the win (5:50) *1/2. After the match, Darsow congratulates Volkoff.

Thoughts: The match wasn’t great or anything but the purpose was to officially turn Darsow, which was not a surprise if you had watched the show last week. Volkoff is in line for a huge push. According to Darsow, Watts puts him together with Volkoff to teach him to learn how to work as a heel. Darsow’s turn did not get as much heat as you’d think.

Joshua Stroud & “Leaping” Lanny Poffo vs. Midnight Express w/ Jim Cornette

Cornette once again introduces his team. Poffo and Eaton mix it up to start. Poffo takes the MX over with a headscissors/headlock takeover combo then the MX regroup briefly on the outside. Condrey works over Stroud as Watts goes off on Russia then puts over the MX for having quickness and great teamwork. The MX continue to cut off the ring then put Stroud away as Condrey held him up as Eaton comes off the middle rope with an elbow drop (2:54).

Thoughts: Another showcase for the MX as they have looked great their first two weeks in the company.

Magnum TA vs. Frank LaVert

Poffo is on commentary since he was Magnum’s partner last week. Magnum grounds LaVert as Poffo talks about receiving fan mail regarding the allegations Mr. Wrestling II made about him. Mr. Wrestling is shown sitting at ringside while Poffo says he thinks if Magnum was his partner then he could become a tag champion. Poffo talks about his brother, Randy Savage, and how he is here on his own and been all around the world to create a new reputation but Mr. Wrestling II is ruining everything. Magnum hits a pair of dropkicks then the camera misses the finish by showing Mr. Wrestling at ringside but Magnum scored the pin (2:29).

Thoughts: Poffo tells us that Mr. Wrestling II is more or less preventing him from teaming with Magnum. They also showed Mr. Wrestling pissed when LaVert landed a few shots on Magnum.

Mr. Wrestling II vs. Missing Link

Mr. Wrestling takes control to start. Watts notes how Skandor Akbar has been absent and talks about Kamala feuding with the Von Erich family. Mr. Wrestling works the arm and prevents Link from going after his knee. Mr. Wrestling takes Link outside with a knee lift as Link almost hits his head against the post out of frustration. Link re-enters then takes control and targets the back and kidney area but Mr. Wrestling fights back. Link catches Mr. Wrestling with an elbow then heads up top but misses a flying headbutt then Mr. Wrestling hits the power knee lift for the win (6:56) *1/4.

Thoughts: Long, boring match dominated by Mr. Wrestling II. This was about it for Link in Mid-South as he would go to World Class.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Tom Lentz

Lents roughs up Duggan in the corner but drops his head and gets kicked in the face. Duggan uses a hip toss then Watts says Jim Ross will interview Duggan after the match. Duggan beats on Lentz then puts him away with a spear (2:07).

Thoughts: Lentz built himself up last week but was easily put away by Duggan here. Lentz did not impress in the ring, either.

Ross comes into the ring and asks Duggan about the JYD vs. Volkoff match. Duggan says he picks JYD to win then calls out Darsow for stooping so low as to turn on his country by aligning with Volkoff. Duggan says he stands proud as an America and calls Darsow a man without a country and puts a target on his back. Duggan will be main part of this USA vs. Russia feud.

Now, Ross is shown interviewing Darsow and asks him about what happened. Darsow said he helped out JYD and in return JYD did not do a thing. Darsow then said he was in secret training with Volkoff and felt it was his time to help when Williams cheated. He also accuses Mid-South of giving Williams special treatment. Darsow’s promo was not good at all. His tone did not fit the material.

Tonga & “King” Carl Fergie vs. Mike Jackson & Rick Rood

Watts tells us that next week we will see Iceman King Parsons and Jerry Lawler. Fergie beats on Rood after escaping from a side headlock. Rood hits a dropkick after an Irish whip sequence then Jackson tags in and uses a headlock. Rood and Tonga are in the ring with Rood working a hammerlock on the mat. Jackson tags back in but Tonga & Fergie beat him down. Fergie hits a fist drop from the middle rope that gets two. Tonga gets a nearfall with a double chop then Rude tags into the match. The match breaks down as time runs out (4:48) *1/2.

Thoughts: The action was fine but no one cared as these are the lower midcarders tossed together to fill out the end of the show.

Final Thoughts: The main angle was the Darsow turn as the company is making JYD vs. Volkoff the new big match. However, Volkoff is not getting enough heat to draw with JYD. The showcasing of the Midnight Express is good since the Tag Division is lacking and the Mr. Wrestling II/Magnum TA feud continues as Mid-South’s TV is speeding up storylines with Dundee as the booker.