Mid-South Wrestling April 24, 1982

by

Taped from Shreveport, LA

Airdate: April 24, 1982 (taped 04/14)

Attendance: unknown

Hosted by Boyd Pierce & Jim Ross

How will JYD, Olympia, and Murdoch fare against the Samoans and Gang? Can Coco and Landel upset Blanchard and Roop? Will the women’s match register on the Richter scale?

Opening montage.

Match 1: “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff versus Larry Higgins

Highlights:

  • Orndorff quickly caught Higgins with an inside cradle and got 2.
  • When he dealt Higgins an elbow smash, Orndorff mounted the second turnbuckle and launched a flying knee drop.
  • He dropkicked and stymied Higgins with a knee lift.
  • As Orndorff struggled to slam the hefty Higgins, he landed a knee drop for 2.
  • He successfully powerslammed and pinned Higgins at 2:40.

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Orndorff while Higgins needs more seasoning as enhancement talent.

Match 2: “Iron” Mike Sharpe versus Ron Cheatham

Highlights:

  • Sharpe hoisted Cheatham atop the top turnbuckle to counter a front face lock.
  • As he dropkicked Cheatham, Sharpe applied a leg scissors.
  • Sharpe hooked a bear hug, and Cheatham submitted.
  • Consequently, Sharpe won at 3:06.

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Sharpe.

Match 3: Wendi Richter versus Velvet McIntyre

Highlights:

  • Richter sought refuge on the concrete floor to escape a leg grapevine.
  • When Richter returned to the apron, McIntyre brought her back in the hard way.
  • Richter rammed McIntyre face-first into the mat and applied a surfboard.
  • As referee Alfred Neely instructed her to release the hold, Richter kicked McIntyre straight into him.
  • The three tumbled together like they’re in a Marilyn Chambers feature causing parents in the crowd to shield their children’s eyes.
  • Nevertheless, upon slamming McIntyre, Richter dealt her a series of hair mares.
  • McIntyre landed on her feet on the third try and scored with a dropkick.
  • After she hip-tossed Richter, McIntyre missed a second dropkick.
  • Richter attempted a back drop, but McIntyre leapfrogged her.
  • While she hooked a sunset flip, McIntyre pinned Richter at 4:06.

Rating: **

Summary: Solid women’s match for 1982 with a comedy spot inserted for entertainment purposes. With McIntyre playing the babyface role, her triumph captivated the Shreveport faithful.

Match 4: Bob Roop & Tully Blanchard versus Coco Samoa & Buddy Landel

Highlights:

  • Tags were exchanged on both sides, and Coco leapfrogged Roop before delivering a monkey flip.
  • As Roop sent him down to the concrete floor, Coco returned to the apron, launched an amazing springboard sunset flip, but couldn’t get a count due to being too close to the ropes.
  • Tags were exchanged on both sides again, and Landel hip-tossed Roop.
  • When Landel slammed both Blanchard and Roop, the Shreveport faithful rejoiced.
  • Coco tagged in, but the heels dominated him in their corner. How dastardly!
  • After Blanchard tagged in, he dealt Coco an elbow smash followed by a knee drop for 2.
  • Roop tagged in and hooked an inside cradle for 2.
  • While Blanchard tagged in, he reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
  • Hot tag Landel.
  • He attempted an atomic drop, but Blanchard not only blocked it but also tagged out.
  • Flattening Landel with a high knee, Roop landed a leg drop.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Roop and Blanchard won at 6:06.

Rating: ***

Summary: Since Mid-South fans recognized both Coco and Landel as enhancement talent, the decision was never in doubt; however, the path to it was incredibly fun as Roop and Blanchard made them strong babyfaces in the eyes of the Shreveport faithful.

We revisit last week when Assassin turned heel on Ernie Ladd by joining Akbar’s army. Afterward, Sharpe became Ladd’s partner, yet Assassin eliminated him before joining the Samoans to demolish Ladd. Orndorff arrived, and he along with Ladd cleared the ring.

Match 5: The Assassin (w/o General Skandor Akbar) versus Terry Gibbs

Highlights:

  • Gibbs hip-tossed him, but Assassin bored the BEJEEZUS out of the Shreveport faithful.
  • When he hip-tossed Assassin again, Gibbs ate a knee to the midsection.
  • Assassin dropkicked him and followed with a head butt.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Assassin won at 4:51.

Rating: DUD

Summary: B-O-R-I-N-G showcase match for Assassin.

We revisit last week when Murdoch usurped the Marine character from Killer Karl Kox and battled Roop. As Akbar intervened, Murdoch got the upper hand on Roop. He retrieved his trenching tool and clobbered Akbar knocking him OUT COLD. Getting chased by Murdoch, Roop scampered back to the locker room.

Match 6: One Man Gang & the Wild Samoans (w/ General Skandor Akbar) versus Junkyard Dog, Mr. Olympia, & “Captain Redneck” Dick Murdoch

Highlights:

  • JYD blasted Gang, and after a flurry, he sent Gang reeling over the top rope to the concrete floor.
  • As chaos erupted, Gang missed a splash.
  • JYD headbutted Gang while the other four wrestlers brawled at ringside.
  • When Murdoch retrieved his helmet and trenching tool, he annihilated all three heels with it.
  • The heels fled the ring as WE’RE OUTTA TIME!

Rating: NONE

Summary: Just something to send the Shreveport faithful home happy.

Conclusion: Exciting main event aside, both the women’s and the Roop/Blanchard/Coco/Landel matches are worthwhile. Unfortunately, this week’s episode can’t touch last week’s effort, so I’ll leave the option to watch up to you.

Next week, Roop versus DiBiase plus Murdoch versus a newcomer!

TV Rating: NONE

Stay tuned for MSW 05-01-82!

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