Taped from Shreveport, LA
Airdate: June 12, 1982 (taped 06/09)
Attendance: unknown
Hosted by Boyd Pierce & “Cowboy” Bill Watts
Who will win the battle of the Goliaths? What’s the deal with DiBiase? How’s JYD doing? Who’s the reptile? Make yourself comfortable, remove your coat, because it’s June!
Opening montage.
Match 1: “Iron” Mike Sharpe versus Randy Base
Highlights:
Sharpe nailed Base in the midsection and dropkicked him twice. In case you’re curious where Erik Watts learned how to dropkick, it must have been this match, ‘cuz Sharpe didn’t jump very high nor should he for such a large wrestler. Sharpe locked a Canadian backbreaker on Base and won at 3:31.
Rating: -**
Summary: Abysmal showcase match for Sharpe.
In a backstage promo, DiBiase feels genuinely ripped off about the way he lost the North American title. Someone call the cops! Adamantly, he demands a North American title shot with a no-DQ clause in the next couple of weeks. Should he not receive this title shot, he promises to leave Mid-South. Also, if he receives the title shot but loses, he will exit the territory “for good.” Bold words!
Match 2: Ted DiBiase versus Mike Bond
Highlights:
DiBiase hip-tossed Bond and followed with a slam for 2. As he backdropped Bond, DiBiase hip-tossed him out of the corner. He dropkicked Bond twice and polished him off with a powerslam. 1-2-3. DiBiase won at 1:36.
Rating: DUD
Summary: Quite the rapid showcase match for DiBiase.
In a backstage promo, Roop offers his rebuttal to DiBiase, grants him a match, but promises to send DiBiase packing.
Match 3 (non-title): Mid-South North American champion Bob Roop versus Mike Reed
Highlights:
Roop hip-tossed and slammed Reed. When he flattened Reed with a high knee, Roop landed a leg drop, brother. 1-2-3. Roop won at 2:43.
Rating: DUD
Summary: Showcase match for Roop. Methinks we’d rather have him wrestle than talk.
We revisit last week when Gang cost JYD the North American title but faced the wrath of Ladd shortly thereafter. After Roop continues to demolish the injured JYD, DiBiase runs in to halt any further damage. JYD unleashes his fury upon Roop until Assassin and Grappler rescue the North American champion.
Backstage, Watts interviews JYD who’s “knockin’” on Roop’s door. He also believes that DiBiase has “boxed” himself in with the North American title situation. As Watts brings up the possible vacating of the state titles should someone win the North American championship, JYD would feel proud to defend the North American title should he capture it while thanking the Louisiana fans.
Match 4 (non-title): Mid-South Louisiana champion Junkyard Dog versus Billy Starr
Highlights:
JYD blocked a hip toss attempt and dealt Starr one of his own. As JYD slammed Starr, Watts noted JYD’s appearance dates. On 7/17, he’ll be in the Superdome and the next day in Oklahoma City. That’s 700 miles one-way! Starr botched a backdrop attempt but fell victim to JYD’s powerslam. 1-2-3. JYD won at 2:30.
Rating: DUD
Summary: Showcase match for the extremely popular Dog.
Match 5: The “Big Cat” Ernie Ladd versus One Man Gang (w/ General Skandor Akbar)
Highlights:
Gang reversed a cross-corner whip and backdropped Ladd. When Gang missed an elbow drop, he and Ladd traded blows against the ropes. Suddenly, Killer Khan stormed the ring and attacked Ladd even sending him reeling over the top rope to the concrete floor. Referee Alfred Neely called for the bell, and Ladd won by DQ at 1:59.
Rating: *
Summary: I had a feeling there wouldn’t be a clean finish to this match since that belonged on the house show tour; however, the Khan interference was rather shocking.
After the match, Mike Reed tries to carve a slice of whoop-ass into Khan but gets demolished instantaneously. More enhancement talent infiltrates the ring, but both Khan and Gang dispose of them like they worked in New Jersey Waste Management. Great introduction for Khan!
Match 6: “Hangman” Harris versus Tony Torres
Highlights:
Harris slammed Torres and unleashed a high knee. As he clotheslined Torres, Harris fed him a swinging neckbreaker. He guillotined Torres with the top rope and applied a painful standing hangman’s neckbreaker. When referee Rick Ferrara called for the bell, Harris won by submission at 4:03.
Rating: *
Summary: Just a dadgum showcase match for Harris.
Match 7: The Assassin & the Grappler versus Jesse Barr & King Cobra
Highlights:
Well, I always knew Barr drank, but I didn’t know he partook in malt liquor.
Seriously, for those unaware, Cobra was portrayed by Jimmy Kimble. No, he’s not related to Dr. Richard Kimble. Grappler attempted an atomic drop, but Barr blocked it and unfurled one of his own. When Cobra tagged in, he ate a back elbow from Grappler. Assassin tagged in, but Cobra launched him across the ring. As Cobra unloaded a flying headscissors to Assassin, Barr tagged in but ate a knee to the midsection.
Grappler tagged in and walloped Barr with a forearm smash. After Grappler landed an elbow drop, the match got brutally clipped. That’s a fifteen-yard penalty! Nevertheless, tags were exchanged on both sides, and Cobra landed a knee drop for 2.
While Cobra no-sold a pair of head butts, he foisted one of his own onto Assassin. Barr tagged in and hip-tossed Assassin. Getting the tag, Grappler unceremoniously got snapmared into the ring. All four wrestlers were in the ring, and Barr hip-tossed Grappler. During a monkey flip by Barr, Grappler tagged out. Assassin headbutted the BEJEEZUS out of Barr and pinned him at 3:58.
Rating: **
Summary: Decent little tag match with solid psychology and nefariousness by the heels.
To end the show, Ladd comes to the broadcast table and wants a piece of Khan by any means necessary. Ernie Ladd in the Nation of Domination? You make the call!
Conclusion: Nobody thought the Goliaths’ match would last long, but Khan’s involvement gives Akbar a pair of giants to rule the territory. Meanwhile, DiBiase’s desperate to regain the North American title, and Roop’s ready to drive him outta town.
This is a fun episode with strong interview segments and the Khan surprise, so get your ducks in a row and check it out!
Next week, JYD defends the Louisiana title against the Grappler!
TV Rating: NONE
Stay tuned for MSW 06-19-82!
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