Mid-South Wrestling March 6, 1982

by

Taped from Shreveport, LA

Airdate: March 6, 1982 (taped 03/03)

Attendance: unknown

Hosted by Boyd Pierce & “Cowboy” Bill Watts

What’s happening with Murdoch? Can JYD tame Grappler? What are Ladd’s plans for Akbar’s proteges? Will Md-South march into another month of excitement?

Opening montage.

Prior to the opening match, Pierce and Watts discuss the Dusty Rhodes situation from last week. Watts states that Rhodes was fined $2500 and stands by the “rules and regulations.”

We revisit last week when Roop baited Rhodes from the broadcast table which is a big “no-no” in Mid-South. As Roop and Orndorff double-teamed Rhodes, Roop even demolished Bill Ash who was a mere bystander.

Following a commercial break, Watts describes that sometimes things happen, and wrestlers aren’t available. In this case, JYD’s daughter was ill, so he couldn’t wrestle.

Match 1 for the Mid-South tag team titles (no-DQ): The Wild Samoans (champions w/ General Skandor Akbar) versus the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch

Highlights:

  • This match occurred on 2/23 in Baton Rouge, LA and was joined in progress.
  • Wait a minute! According to Watts, JYD was scheduled to team with Murdoch? If I was him, I’d devise a family illness to get out of that match too.
  • Rhodes made the HOT TAG to Murdoch who dealt Afa a back elbow.
  • When Murdoch landed an elbow drop, Rhodes halted Sika from making the save.
  • Suddenly, Orndorff approached ringside and yanked Rhodes from the ring.
  • Murdoch suplexed Afa from the apron back into the ring, but referee Jack Howe was preoccupied with Rhodes and Orndorff.
  • Meanwhile, One Man Gang, named here for the first time, launched a splash from the top turnbuckle onto Murdoch. SNEAKY!
  • Afa made the pin, and the Samoans retained at 3:39 shown.

Rating: NONE

Summary: Too short to rate as it was merely a plot by Akbar to knock Murdoch out of action.

After the match, the heels exit as Rhodes and Howe check on the befallen Murdoch. They carry Murdoch back to the locker room.

We return to the studio as Watts lists off Akbar’s casualties–Ladd, Mike George, and Murdoch.

At ringside, ring announcer Reisor Bowden interviews Ladd who stands with crutches. Ladd describes the surgery he received due to the actions of One Man Gang. He’s going to find soldiers to fight with him in his war against Akbar.

We revisit last week when Olympia helped JYD against the Samoans although it cost JYD and Blair the victory.

Match 2 (non-title): Mid-South Louisiana champion Junkyard Dog versus the Grappler

Highlights:

  • Grappler hooked a full nelson, but JYD powered out of it.
  • As Grappler reapplied it, JYD escaped and hooked one of his own.
  • Grappler escaped, but JYD headbutted him while on all fours.
  • When he slammed JYD, Grappler got 2.
  • JYD countered a back drop attempt with a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
  • After Grappler rebounded with a knee to the midsection, he landed a double axe handle for 2.
  • JYD headbutted Grappler so hard that he got tied up in the ropes.
  • While JYD charged, referee Alfred Neely admonished him for it.
  • With Neely distracted, Grappler loaded his right boot. Nefarious!
  • JYD charged again, but Grappler booted him in the midsection.
  • Scoring with another pair of double axe handles, Grappler got 2.
  • Neely questioned Grappler about the boot before checking if JYD could continue.
  • Wisely, Grappler unloaded the boot.
  • JYD headbutted Grappler again and followed with a side-Russian leg sweep.
  • Successfully removing the boot, JYD tried to show it to Neely.
  • Grappler exited the ring and grabbed a cane.
  • Backdropping Grappler, JYD stole the cane and blasted him with it.
  • Will Neely disqualify him for it?
  • 1-2-3.
  • JYD won at 5:40.

Rating: ***

Summary: Exciting match as JYD foiled Grappler’s plan to knock him out with his favorite weapon.

Prior to the next match, Kox interrupts Bowden and is ready to administer his own brand of justice. Orton shoves him, so Kox tries to destroy him with his garden trowel.

Match 3: Bob Orton versus “Killer” Karl Kox

Highlights:

  • Kox gave Orton a cross corner whip, removed his Marine jacket, and slammed him.
  • When he reversed a cross corner whip, Kox ate a pair of elbow smashes.
  • Kox nailed him so hard that Orton sailed over the top rope to the concrete floor.
  • As Kox reversed another cross corner whip, Orton floated over, charged, but came up empty.
  • Kox obliterated Orton with a brainbuster and pinned him at 1:46.

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Kox whom I cannot believe is a babyface.

Match 4: “Iron” Mike Sharpe versus Don Serrano

Highlights:

  • Serrano hooked a full nelson, but Sharpe powered out of it immediately.
  • As Serrano applied a waist lock, Sharpe broke out of it too.
  • Serrano trapped him in a front face lock, so Sharpe hoisted him over the top rope to the apron.
  • When Sharpe slammed him, he secured a Canadian backbreaker upon Serrano.
  • Due to Serrano’s submission, Sharpe won at 3:02.

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for Sharpe. Is he truly Canada’s greatest athlete?

Match 5: Jesse Barr versus Jesse Tanner

Highlights:

  • For those unaware, Jesse Barr was the older brother of Art Barr. Later in his career, he would portray Jimmy Jack Funk and cost the Rockers their first opportunity with the WWF.
  • Barr slammed Tanner and got 2.
  • When Tanner rebounded with a knee lift, he hip-tossed Barr for 2.
  • Barr hooked a German suplex with a bridge and pinned Tanner at 3:37.

Rating: *

Summary: Lots of mat work before the well-executed finishing maneuver.

Conclusion: Despite another injury in Mid-South at the behest of Akbar, the highlight of this episode was JYD’s clever method of defeating Grappler. Also, Kox, Sharpe, and Barr won with relative ease.

Next week, Olympia squares off against Roop while Sharp battles Orton.

TV Rating: NONE

Stay tuned for MSW 03-13-82!

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