Mid-South Wrestling – December 22nd, 1983

Just a quick programming note: The 3/21 and 3/28 editions of WWF “Superstars of Wrestling” that are on YouTube do not have any sound so I ordered them from a tape trader and I’ll be posting more Mid-South recaps until they come in the mail.

December 22, 1983

Bill Watts is your host as Boyd Pierce is on vacation. This is presented as a previously taped show due to the fact its during the holiday season.

This week, we will see Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs. Krusher Darsow and Iceman King Parsons & Lanny Poffo vs. Jim Neidhart & Butch Reed

We are shown another training video with Mr. Wrestling II & Magnum TA. Mr. Wrestling is teaching Magnum some exercising techniques as Jim Ross narrates. Mr. Wrestling II was not acting like a dick here.

Mr. Wrestling II vs. Larry Higgens

Magnum TA is on commentary with Jim Ross while we see Boyd Pierce doing the ring introductions. Mr. Wrestling toys with Higgens before taking him down and working over the leg. Magnum touts the experience of his coach as Higgens reaches the ropes. Mr. Wrestling goes back to the leg as Magnum says he’s trying to wear down his opponent. Ross puts over the “ring strategy” of Mr. Wrestling as Higgens fights off Mr. Wrestling then uses a cheap shot in the ropes. Higgens lands a some strikes but Mr. Wrestling fights back and really starts to destroy the leg then hits a power knee lift for the win (3:51).

Thoughts: A long squash match that saw Magnum put over his coach on commentary. Mr. Wrestling still bores me to tears in the ring though with his Superman babyface act.

Krusher Darsow w/ Nikolai Volkoff vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Jerry Lawler is on commentary. Duggan immediately goes after Darsow. Duggan takes control then Darsow bails and regroups with Volkoff. Darsow uses a neck snap then heads in to beat on Duggan as Ross talks about Darsow being a traitor. Darsow works a chinlock for a bit but runs into a clothesline. Duggan gets a nearfall with a knee drop then Duggan knocks Darsow into the ref by accident and hits the spear but Volkoff runs in and kicks Duggan in the head then covers his own head while making the cover and the ref counts to three (3:07) 3/4*. After the match, Magnum TA comes out and tells the ref what happened then referee Pee Wee Anderson comes out to tell the other ref what happened and we learn the decision is reversed. All four men brawl as Ross calls this a “pier six” brawl. Butch Reed runs out to take Magnum outside but Magnum runs him into the post. Jim Neidhart is out now then we see Mr. Wrestling II, Lanny Poffo, and Iceman King Parsons as the Russians bail along with Reed & Neidhart.

Thoughts: The match itself was fun for about the first 30 seconds but the brawl that took place afterwards was awesome. We also saw Reed & Neidhart help out the Russians during this brawl as they could now be an alliance going forward since the Russians are outnumbered.

Koko Ware & Mike Jackson vs. Midnight Express w/ Jim Cornette

Cornette makes fun of Pierce’s suit before introducing his team. Jackson and Eaton end in a stalemate after some mat work as Cornette is on commentary putting over his team and telling us why they are great. Jackson uses a headscissors takeover but Eaton picks him off of the top rope and hits a teardrop suplex. Koko is in and puts Condrey in a full nelson but Condrey escapes. Eaton is in and dodges an attack in the corner as the Midnights cut off the ring and use frequent tags. Koko finally tags out as Jackson briefly runs wild but the Midnights beat him down. Cornette talks about molding his team into the greatest in wrestling as Koko tags and runs wild on Condrey but gets cut off then the Midnights hit the Midnight Massacre for the win (4:58) **.

Thoughts: A great squash match win for the Midnights as their chemistry in the ring is just off the charts. Cornette was great on commentary too and a breath of fresh air compared to the more traditional managers of the era.

Bill Watts talks about the young stars heading into Mid-South in 1984 and this leads to a video package on Terry Taylor. Watts says Taylor will be here live in two weeks and thinks the ladies will like to see him. The first time Mid—South was pushing someone as a ladies man on TV, which was expected since Jerry Jarrett told Watts he needed them to help out his struggling territory. Most of the footage was from 1982 Memphis as we saw Taylor toss around Bobby Eaton and Koko Ware, who had much different looks than they did on this show. We also saw some of Taylor’s team with Jacques Rougeau too and Rougeau had a story in his shoot interview about what happened when they teamed together. A girl that Taylor used to see was at the hotel but angry at him and blew him off. The girl then went to Jacques room and they talked for a half-hour but Jacques did not want to do anything with her and piss off his partner so she left but the next morning, Jacques opened the door and Taylor started punching him in the face.

Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart & “Hacksaw” Butch Reed vs. Iceman King Parsons & “Leaping” Lanny Poffo

Lawler is back on commentary. The announcers put over Poffo & Parsons as threats to win the titles. Poffo grounds Reed with a waistlock until Reed reaches the ropes. Reed now hammers away then tags Neidhart but Poffo hits a Thesz Press for a two count. Parsons is now in with Neidhart and takes him over with a hip toss then hits a dropkick. Reed distracts Parsons to allow Neidhart the chance for an attack. We cut to Watts, who tells us we are going to commercial and the cameras will keep rolling. The action returns with Neidhart and Parsons now battling over a test-of-strength as Ross talks about Poffo not following his family’s evil tradition. Neidhart wins that battle then tags out as Reed works a front facelock on the mat as Lawler talks about that move zapping the strength out of you. Parsons blocks a suplex and hits one of his own as both men are down. Parsons makes the tag then the match breaks down. Poffo checks on Parsons, who is out on the floor then Neidhart cheap shots Poffo with a kick to the head. Reed heads out and rams Parsons into the post then Neidhart beats on Poffo. Parsons is staggering around and busted open as a referee carries him to the back. Poffo dropkicks Reed off of the apron then almost puts Neidhart away with a sunset flip. Reed tags in but Poffo floats over and uses a reverse rollup for two then uses a front facelock of his own. Poffo hits a somesault senton for two and goes back to the front facelock but eats boot on a charge. Neidhart and Reed beat down Poffo then the fans start cheering as Parsons comes back with his head bandaged and he starts cleaning house but the ref rings the bell for the DQ (11:19) **1/2.

Thoughts: This was a solid tag match and it made Poffo look stronger than ever but the crowd did not seem to buy his chances of winning. Parsons coming back with his head bandaged got over though and this was the longest main event in quite some time for Mid-South.

Watts says it was a great tag team match and it proved that Poffo had a lot of heart and that Parsons will not get scared.

Next week, we will see a steel cage tag match as its Mr. Wrestling II & Magnum TA vs. Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart in a titles vs. mask match. We will also find out more on the TV Title Tournament.

Final Thoughts: I thought this was a decent show. The main event was the best actual match in weeks and they’ve heated up the top two feuds and continue to build up the Midnight Express. Watts also mentioned that younger talent will be coming in the beginning of the new year and we also have the TV Title Tournament coming up as things are starting to get more exciting.