Mid-South Wrestling – December 8th, 1983

December 8th, 1983

Your hosts are Boyd Pierce and Bill Watts

We go back to last week when Krusher Darsow turned heel after attacking “Dr. Death” Steve Williams and aligning with Nikolai Volkoff after being infatuated with the latter. We’re also shown the interview conducted by Jim Ross where Darsow explained his actions as he said the Junkyard Dog never helped him once despite the fact he saved him from Skandor Akbar’s men. They are really trying to get over the Russians as the top heels or I should say that Watts is going as far as humanly possible to get them over.

Krusher Darsow vs. Mike Jackson

Darsow now has a shaveed head and wearing red trunks. It makes him look more intimidating. Darsow beats on Jackson as we see Volkoff watching from ringside. Watts talks about Darsow learning Russian techniques in power-lifting and wrestling as Darsow slams Jackson around. Darsow catches Jackson in a bearhug but Jackson breaks out with a bell clap then fires away. Darsow catches a crossbody and dumps Jackson before using the backbreaker submission for the win (2:16). After the match, Volkoff congratulates Darsow then gives him a Russian flag as a gift. The two hug before leaving together.

Thoughts: The presentation of the Russian flag did not get much heat and while Darsow now looks more threatening his wrestling is still not very good.

Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart & “Hacksaw” Butch Reed vs. Randy Barber & Koko Ware

Its spelled “Coco” on the screen for Ware. Neidhart and Ware start things off. Ware hits a dropkick as Watts goes on about Darsow accepting the Russian flag and how that he’s turned his back on his country. Neidhart slams Ware off the top then Reed tags in and hits a back drop. Ware escapes and tags out but Reed drops Barber with a knee to the gut. The champs cut off the ring and dominate Barber until Neidhart puts him away with a Samoan Drop (2:17).

Thoughts: Ware looked good in his time in the ring but this was all about getting the champs over.

Mr. Wrestling interviews Magnum TA. He’s proud of Magnum’s workouts but is upset about the fact he wanted to team with Lanny Poffo since the whole Poffo family is rotten. We are then shown a promo video of Randy Savage as Jim Ross narrates how Savage does not care about his fellow wrestlers and would rather carry on the reckless tradition of the Poffo family. Magnum says Poffo changed his ways but Mr. Wrestling tells him to stay away as that video was an example of the Poffo family being rotten, Lanny included. We cut to the desk with Watts saying that Lanny has not shown any of these tendencies here in Mid-South. I was really sick of the Mr. Wrestling II superman babyface stuff but he was awesome here in giving Magnum advice. He towed the line of being a dick and giving tough love as good as anyone could have with this interview.

Jeff Sword vs. “Leaping” Lanny Poffo

Poffo works the arm to start as Watts talks about the Poffo family and Lanny branching out on his own and has not even talked to his family in over a year. Poffo stays in control as Watts puts him over then believes Mr. Wrestling will be the first to admit he is wrong. Sword hits a slam and lands a few shots but Poffo fights back then uses a somersault senton/standing moonsault combo for the win (2:33).

Thoughts: I still find it amusing they are giving Lanny this storyline with Dundee as booker as it just seems like a way for Dundee to shit on the Poffo’s but I guess it does fit into the Mr. Wrestling II/Magnum stuff as well.

We are now shown a video package of Magnum TA’s training with Mr. Wrestling. They go over film footage with Mr. Wrestling telling Magnum you do not become champion by being Mr. Nice Guy. Mr. Wrestling wants to make Magnum the best wrestler ever but needs his cooperation.

Tom Lentz vs. Magnum TA

Mr. Wrestling II is shown sitting at ringside taking notes like he’s Dave Meltzer at a PWG show. Magnum works over Lentz on the mat as Watts talks up Butch Reed being the measuring stick of Mid-South before giving his friends shout outs. Lentz powers out of a wrist lock but Magnum fights back and unloads on Lentz as Watts says Mr. Wrestling has taught Magnum that firepower. Magnum then uses a leapfrog before hitting the belly-to-belly for the win (3:05).

Thoughts: It seems like they are gearing up for another Reed vs. Magnum match in the future the way Watts was talking on commentary.

Ross is in the ring with another Darsow interview. Ross talks about Darsow turning his back on his friends, family, and country and if he knows what he is doing. Darsow said his country has not done a thing for him as he was still starving in Mid-South. Darsow said JYD treated him like a “piece of nothing” as the crowd stands up and chants as JYD heads to the ring. Darsow tells JYD he did not do a thing and never got him a main event match. JYD said he started from nothing and that you have to fight your way to the top. JYD then said sometimes you need to be woken up and his dad did that for him so JYD slaps Darsow across the face. Volkoff now hits the ring and JYD attacks as Watts says JYD has gone “ghetto style” as Darsow waits a minute before taking JYD off of his new friend. Volkoff & Darsow beat on JYD as Watts screams about the Russians attacking JYD. A few enhancement talents come out and get tossed but Jim Duggan & Magnum run out as Volkoff & Darsow bail. The crowd was hot for JYD coming out and it looks like a tag match will take place in the future. The most over segment on TV involving Volkoff to date.

Back from break, Watts says we witnessed “Russian ideology” and that the Americans must unite to go up against the common cause. Good lord.

Next, we get a video package on Steve Williams and his life at Oklahoma University mixed in with wrestling clips. Williams says nothing gets him madder than what Volkoff says about the United States because Williams is all American. This fit with the times but man would this make the crowd boo Williams if it aired today.

Doug Vines vs. Iceman King Parsons

The announcers put over Parsons for being exciting as Watts says JYD lost 51 straight matches when he first arrived to Mid-South then traveled the world to get experience and came back better while complaining about Darsow wanting handouts. Parsons chops Vines down as Watts warns us about the Russians then Parsons uses the hip attack for the win (1:52).

Thoughts: This match was a backdrop for Watts to paint Darsow as a whiner looking for handouts.

John King & George Weingeroff vs. Midnight Express w/ Jim Cornette

Cornette does a fantastic introduction of his team. Weingeroff takes Eaton down with an arm drag then a fireman’s carry. King tags in but Eaton backs him into the corner. The Midnights beat on King then quickly put him away with a back suplex/flying elbow smash combo (0:58).

Thoughts: An easy win for the Midnight Express as this is their third straight win on TV as the team is being slowly built up for something.

Next week, we will see Mr. Wrestling II vs. Jim Neidhart, Jerry Lawler, and Rick Rood & Lanny Poffo.

Final Thoughts: The show focused heavily on the Russians/JYD and Mr. Wrestling/Magnum storylines. While the former is coming across really forced the latter is quite intriguing. Mr. Wrestling II has been awesome as you are struggling to get a read on whether or not he is turning or just toughening up Magnum, who does come across as being a touch naive. Anyway, despite the action being all squash matches the angles are at least focused. Now, they need to bring in fresher talent to fill out the rest of the card.