Taped from Shreveport, LA
Airdate: June 26, 1982 (taped 06/23)
Attendance: unknown
Hosted by Boyd Pierce & “Cowboy” Bill Watts
Can DiBiase capture the North American title? How is JYD involved? How is Vince McMahon involved? What’s up with Andre? Who’s the weird-looking guy? This is quite an historical episode, so grab your favorite snack and enjoy!
Opening montage.
THIS JUST IN: Holy rearrange the furniture, Batman! Bob Roop has LOST the North American title! Who beat him, you ask? None other than JYD!
Remember all that discussion about vacating state titles for the North American title? Well, it applies here as JYD must vacate the Louisiana title since he became North American champion.
Didn’t Roop have a title defense against DiBiase this week? Well, bookerman Grizzly Smith’s not baiting and switching. In lieu of Roop, JYD must defend the title this week against DiBiase. If you recall, should DiBiase lose or not capture the title, he will be GONE.
In addition, Watts declares an upcoming TOURNAMENT on 7/6 to determine a new Louisiana champion.
Backstage, the NEW North American champion JYD is proud to defend his new title anywhere, anytime.
Next, DiBiase’s surprised about who his upcoming opponent is but will give it his best shot.
Backstage, JYD cuts another promo, welcomes DiBiase’s challenge, but isn’t worried because “DiBiase is a fair man.”
Elsewhere backstage, Bob Roop feels “ripped off.” At least he’s not wearing that loud jacket from last week. Nevertheless, he wants to challenge JYD next week to regain HIS title.
Match 1: “Dr. Death” Steve Williams versus Jeff Sword
Highlights:
Fresh off enhancement duty in Mid-Atlantic, Sword must carry this STUDENT from a college who beat #1 TEXAS in 2026. That’s quite a mighty task, wouldn’t you say? Williams took Sword down with a three-point stance tackle, gave him a cross corner whip, and backdropped him. When he tackled Sword again, Williams gave him another cross corner whip and followed with an Oklahoma Stampede. 1-2-3. Williams won at 3:04.
Rating: DUD
Summary: Vast improvement over last week’s plodding effort. This guy might become somebody after all.
Match 2 (non-title): WWWF International tag team champions Super Destroyer & Big John Studd versus David Price & Ernie Kirkland
Highlights:
For those unaware, Super Destroyer was portrayed by none other than Scott “Hog” Irwin. Destroyer hip-tossed Kirkland and fed him a big boot. As Studd tagged in, he steamrolled Kirkland and followed with a hip toss. He slammed and hip-tossed Kirkland once more before Price made the worst decision of his life by tagging in. When Studd slammed him, he sandwiched Price in the corner. Destroyer tagged in and sandwiched Price in the opposite corner.
After he hoisted Price atop the top turnbuckle, Destroyer joined and unleashed a superplex. Studd tagged in and trapped Price in a Canadian backbreaker. While Price submitted before his life insurance policy could expire, Studd & Destroyer won at 2:22.
Rating: *
Summary: Not sure if or when we’ll see these guys again, but Destroyer’s got a fantastic maneuver in his arsenal and should be a multiple tag team titleholder going forward.
Match 3 for the Mid-South North American title (no-DQ): Junkyard Dog (champion) versus Ted DiBiase
Highlights:
Roop joined the broadcast table for this match. When DiBiase hooked an O’Connor roll, he got 2. JYD responded with an inside cradle for 2. As JYD attempted to slam him, DiBiase disrupted JYD’s balance, and both were caught on the ropes. JYD immediately dealt DiBiase a side-Russian leg sweep and got 2.
After DiBiase connected with a powerslam, he got both 2 and kicked out across the ring. DiBiase attempted a figure-four leg lock, but JYD kicked him over the top rope down to the concrete floor. While JYD checked on his friend outside the ring, he assisted DiBiase back into the ring. DiBiase uncharacteristically loaded his white glove and BLASTED JYD.
WE HAVE A HEEL TURN!
1-2-3. DiBiase won at 5:20. WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
Rating: ***
Summary: Can you believe it? Family man and longtime friend DiBiase turns his back on JYD to steal the title. Who’da thunk it?
After the match, JYD remained OUT COLD in the ring. Call the paramedics!
From Madison Square Garden, Vince McMahon, Jr. interviews Andre the Giant who has recovered from a broken leg suffering at the hands of Khan. We visit an episode of Championship Wrestling when Vince interviews Andre who’s wearing a cast and using crutches. According to Andre, his cast will be removed tomorrow.
Andre believes his recovery time is just a few weeks; however, “Classy” Freddie Blassie interrupts and calls Andre “washed up.” Offended, Andre WHACKS Blassie with his crutch. On the other hand, Khan appears and demolishes both Andre and Vince with a crutch. How dastardly! Both Vince and Pat Patterson check on the fallen giant afterward. This feud MUST continue!
We return to MSG, and Andre cuts an angry promo on both Khan and Blassie.
Match 4: Killer Khan (w/ General Skandor Akbar) versus Joe Stark
Highlights:
Hey! We found Zoey Stark’s long-lost uncle…back from the cult!
Khan hip-tossed Stark before feeding him a double thrust. As he unloaded a thrust kick, Khan slammed Stark. He mounted the second turnbuckle and launched a flying knee drop. 1-2-3. Khan won at 1:49.
Rating: ½*
Summary: Ruthless showcase match for Khan as Stark continues to be quite lost.
Match 5: Colonel Buck Robley versus Billy Starr
Highlights:
For those unaware, Robley spent time in All-Japan as well as Houston before returning to Mid-South. Starr gave Robley a cross corner whip but ate knee on his follow-through. When Robley dealt him a swinging neckbreaker, he got 2. He slammed Starr, landed a knee drop, and got another 2. As he scored with a back elbow, Robley couldn’t get 3. He rang Starr’s bell and trapped him in a sleeper. Due to Starr’s submission, Robley won at 3:46.
Rating: DUD
Summary: Boring showcase match for Robley who resembles someone we all know and hate.
Prior to the next match, Assassin grabs the microphone and challenges Ladd and Jones to find another partner for a six-man match.
Match 6: One Man Gang, Grappler, & Assassin (w/ General Skandor Akbar) versus Ernie Ladd, Tom Jones, & Colonel Buck Robley
Highlights:
Don’t you find one of Ladd’s partners to be rather unusual?
Seriously, for those who followed my WCCW reflections, Jones was otherwise known as Mr. Ebony. Chaos erupted as all six wrestlers brawled as Jones conducted a meeting of the minds to end the show.
Rating: NONE
Summary: Hot time filler to excite both the Shreveport faithful and the folks at home.
Conclusion: Great storyline having DiBiase so determined to regain the North American title that he’d do ANYTHING to do so. Other than Roop, who knew it would happen this way?
Methinks the talent exchange between the WWWF and Mid-South involved airing the Andre angle. Nonetheless, the Khan-Andre feud looks solid.
If there’s anything that’s an eyesore on this episode, it’s Robley. His offense stinks. His appearance stinks. Let’s hope his appearances will be kept to a minimum. Regardless, check this show out as it’s to your financial benefit.
Next week, Mr. Olympia defends the Mississippi title against Grappler. Plus, Ladd squares off against Khan while JYD faces Roop! Wow! This show is stacked.
TV Rating: NONE
Stay tuned for MSW 07-03-82!
Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).