Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Wahoo McDaniel Appears for Georgia Championship Wrestling (1977)

PART SIX
by Dick Bourne and Mark Eastridge
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

For the third straight Monday night show in a row at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta, GA, Mid-Atlantic Wrestling regulars appeared on the card as part of a de facto Mid-Atlantic/Georgia talent exchange during the year 1977.

As we've discussed in 5 earlier installments in this series, full time wrestlers from both groups made appearances in each other's territories for one night special events. Augusta Georgia was "ground zero" for Georgia Championship Wrestling in this exchange.

On two different nights in the previous months, Georgia fan favorite Thunderbolt Patterson had travelled to the Mid-Atlantic area to team with Wahoo McDaniel. He had most recently joined the Chief on 4/30/77 in Hampton, VA to take on the NWA World Tag Team champions from Ric Flair and Greg Valentine. (See Part 2 of the series for more on Thunderbolt's many appearance for Jim Crockett Promotions in the spring of 1977.)

The two failed to take the belts in Hampton, but formed a very impressive combination that the fans really got behind. Two weeks later, on Monday 5/16 in Augusta, GA, Wahoo returned the favor to T-bolt and came to Georgia, as this popular combination received another chance at the World Tag Team titles, except this time from a different team.

A packed Bell Auditorium crowd saw Wahoo McDaniel come in for one night only to team with Thunderbolt to challenge the new World Tag Team champions Gene and Ole Anderson.


The Anderson Brothers had defeated Flair and Valentine for the titles a week and a day earlier, taking the titles on 5/8 in Charlotte, NC. (See Part 4 and Part 5 of this series for more on that historic night.) You will note that the article above from the Augusta newspaper mentions that the Andersons had regained the titles in Charlotte. What wasn't mentioned was that Wahoo McDaniel was the special referee in that match where the title changed hands. Even though Wahoo had found himself a strange ally to the Andersons in their battles with Flair in Valentine in the Mid-Atlantic area, he would set that aside to team with Thunderbolt to attempt to wrest the titles from the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.

Wahoo and T-bolt won the match by disqualification but, as we all know well, the titles can't change hands on DQ. The Anderson brothers retained the titles.

Much of the undercard on this show would be recently familiar to Mid-Atlantic fans, too.  Roberto Soto, Bill Howard, Abe Jacobs, Charlie Fulton, and Don Kernodle loaded the Bell Auditorium card, and all had  been Mid-Atlantic regulars over recent years.



Originally published October 19, 2015 on the Mid-Atlantic Gateway

 


Previous installments in the Mid-Atlantic/Georgia Talent Exchange Feature:

Part One: Paul Jones and the Hollywood Blondes in Augusta
Part Two: Thunderbolt Patterson tours the Mid-Atlantic area
Part Three: The Mid-Atlantic Challengers in Augusta 5/9
Part Four: Georgia Fans Find Out About World Tag Title Change - Before It Happens
Part Five: Paul Jones Surprises Charlotte During Mid-Atlantic/Georgia Talent Exchange




And one more thing - - - we've spotted another blooper! In that April 30 Hampton, VA card up top, it appears there might be an inter-gender match scheduled - - Johnny Eagle facing MRS. X!

And thanks to Charlie G. who points out Cowboy Frankie LAN and Steve KOVADS on the same clipping. Those might be considered more typos than bloopers, but I sure missed them first pass through.

See more Bloopers!

Monday, September 28, 2020

Crown Jewel Update

Our new book Crown Jewel will be out soon, and we hope you'll check it out. It will be available exclusively* on Amazon.com and via links in the Mid-Atlantic Gateway Book Store.

The book tells the story of both the famous NWA title belt in use from 1959-1973 as well as the grand title history during that time. The six champions who wore the belt were Pat O'Connor, Buddy Rogers, Lou Thesz (during his final reign as NWA champion), Gene Kiniski, Dory Funk, Jr., and Harley Race. You can throw Jack Brisco in there, too, if you count his one-week with that belt while the domed globe belt got new leather. 

But there is also the story of the near two-year period that the NWA was without a belt at all, following Lou Thesz's unhappy departure from the Alliance in 1957. His hand-picked successor Dick Hutton had no title belt at all for his entire reign.

The entire story, plus a treasure trove of documents, program covers, newspaper articles, and event posters. It's all there.

Crown Jewel will be on sale in early October. Follow us on twitter for notification of the on-sale date.


*If you can't or don't want to purchase on Amazon, you can contact us via the email address on the Contact Page of this website, and we'll get a book to you.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Mid-Atlantic TV Report: January 29, 1983

Mid-Atlantic Wrestling on
the WWE Network

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
TV Summaries & Reviews
by David Taub
Mid-Atlantic Gateway Contributor

This is a review of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling as it appeared on the WWE Network. Results are included for the week (Monday-Sunday of the given week) as available. Please email with any corrections, typos, results, other details at 1davidtaub@gmail.com. Follow @TaubGVWire

For links to all available summaries as well as links to the Mid-Atlantic Championship Podcast, visit our TV Summary Index.

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
Original broadcast: 01/29/83
(taped 01/26/83 at WPCQ-TV studios in Charlotte)
WWE Network Direct Link to this show Mid-Atlantic 01/29/83
WWE Network feed.   [How to watch this show on the WWE Network.]

[CLIP] Valiant vs. LeDuc
We open with a clip of Jimmy Valiant vs. Jos LeDuc from the Charlotte Coliseum. My notes show the last Charlotte Coliseum show with Valiant vs. Leduc was Sept. 1982, where LeDuc won the TV title. Anyway, LeDuc tries to use the brass knux. Valiant gets it away from him and uses it on LeDuc to pin him, although it didn’t look like referee Sonny Fargo fully counted to three. Don’t have an exact date on this one (or even if this was the Charlotte Coliseum).

[Break]

Match 1
Dizzy Hogan & Sweet Brown Sugar d. Ken Timbs & Ricky Harris

Caudle plugs the matches urging the hour, including Ric Flair. Stu Schwartz is the referee for the hour. Caudle repeats Valiant’s statement that there was no more House of Humperdink, and only One Man Gang remained. Dizzy pins Timbs following a powerslam.

[Break]

Match 2
Non-Title: Greg Valentine [U.S. Champion] d. Mike Davis

Dick Slater joins Caudle, and praises Valentine. Caudle reminds what a Dick Slater friendship means. Slater doesn’t take kind to the assertion. Valentine tosses Davis out of the ring, and Slater tossed him back in. Slater also gets offended when Caudle calls Valentine’s finisher a “bionic” elbow. After the pin, Slater mentions he will now handle the financial affairs of the One Man Gang.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Dizzy Hogan
This is in lieu of local promos. Humble promo by the future Brutus Beefcake. He looks forward to one day getting a shot at the world tag team title. Hogan talks about being in the gym every day. He even wants a shot at Ric Flair one day.

[Break]

-Body slam challenge
Dick Slater introduces the challenge with Caudle. No word on Sir Oliver Humperdink’s whereabouts. Vinnie Valentino is up first, and has no chance getting One Man Gang up. King Parsons is next. He and Valentino try a double slam. No chance. Jimmy Valiant comes out and grabs the $5,000 out of Slater’s hand. Slater goes nuts. Valiant celebrates with Dizzy Hogan and Sweet Brown Sugar. Slater and Gang beat up Valentino in the ring.

[Break]

[TAPE] Comments from Dusty Rhodes (Florida TV)
Rhodes sends in comments from Florida. Rhodes says he’s feuded with the Funk family before. He says he can take the $100,000 from Dory Funk, Jr.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Dory Funk, Jr.; Greg Valentine; Dick Slater & One Man Gang
Funk responds to Rhodes. He says he came to Mid-Atlantic, not Florida. He runs down Rhodes.
Valentine talks about a new wrestler coming in called The Champ. He takes credit for running out Bob Orton, Jr. and Wahoo McDaniel. Slater laments about getting robbed. OMG hollers in the background.

[Break]

Caudle talks about the Piper-Slater fight from last week. He says the NWA is considering fines. We go to a tape from what happened.
[TAPE] Piper/Slater brawl from last week. Caudle then plays video from the second pull-apart later in the show.

Match 3
Dick Slater d. Ben Benfield

All Slater. At one point, Slater tosses Benfield out. Valentine comes to ringside and tosses Benfield back in. Valentine joins Caudle on the mic, running down Piper. Slater uses a JYD-like headbutt. He then uses the Ali-shuffle and knocks Benfield out of the ring again. Valentine tosses him back in. Piledriver, but Slater gets up after a one count. Slater jumps on the back of Benfield’s neck. Side saulto suplex. Then a Boston Crab for the submission. Valentine says he knows why Benfield’s tights are yellow.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Sweet Brown Sugar & Dizzy Hogan
This is in lieu of local promos. Sugar likes teaming with Hogan.  Dizzy adds a comment or two.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Roddy Piper
Piper is sporting a bandaid on his forehead. He trashes Slater and Valentine. He doesn’t care if the NWA fines him. Another Piper rant.

[CLIP] of Ric Flair vs. Pat Rose from WCW
Caudle throws to taped footage of Ric Flair vs. Pat Rose from World Championship Wrestling. Flair wins with the Figure Four. Caudle then throws to the next tape.

[TAPE] Comments from Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle
Kernodle holds his tattered coat. He says Slaughter is missing his hat. Slaughter blames Youngblood & Steamboat. We then go to replay from the 12/04/82 episode, Slaughter & Kernodle vs. Ken Hall & Gary Black. 

[TAPE] Comments from Rick Steamboat & Jay Youngblood
Caudle throws to another tape. Steamboat says Johnny Weaver is helping them with the sleeper hold. Someone is helping them with the Cobra Clutch. Steamboat mocks Slaughter’s missing hat. He also says there is a conspiracy against Slaughter & Kernodle.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Sweet Brown Sugar & Jerry Brisco
Sugar says he has unfinished business with Dory Funk, Jr. He calls him Squiggy (a Lavern & Shirley reference). He runs down Dick Slater and One Man Gang. Brisco chimes in that the best talent in Mid-Atlantic. He calls Slater the “Tampa Tubby.” The Network Overdub drowns out the rest of the interview, as Valiant joins the party. He still has Slater’s money. Piper is out hugging and high-fiving Valiant. Jimmy then spreads the wealth, stuffing money in his friends’ pockets. This is going on a while. This overdub thing just isn’t working. Valiant and Piper party in the crowd. Brisco continues to rant, about Slater, I think. Everyone gets in the ring, and they invite the fans with them. It’s a party! Kind of wild, especially with the overdub continuing. Valiant drags in floor manager Laura Newman and hugs her. They are really killing time here. Valiant puts on Piper’s coat, and all finally leave.

“We end in chaos! So long for now”

************************************************** 


**************************************************

Results for the week, 1/24/83-1/30/83
(source: Clawmaster’s Archive via Sports and Wrestling blog posted by David Baker; “Wrestling” newsletter by Joe Shedlock

Mon., 1/24/83 Fayetteville, NC; Cumberland County Civic Center
Masa Fuchi beat Vinnie Valentino
King Parsons beat Ricky Harris
Johnny Weaver beat Paul Jones
Gene Anderson & Red Dog Lane beat Tommy Gilbert & Sweet Brown Sugar
Jack Brisco beat Dory Funk, Jr.
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle

Mon., 1/24/83 Greenville, SC; Memorial Auditorium
Mike Davis beat Ken Timbs
Dizzy Hogan beat Porkchop Cash
Tiny Tom beat Little Tokyo
Mike Rotundo beat Pvt. Nelson(sub for Jos LeDuc)
Jimmy Valiant beat One Man Gang by DQ
Roddy Piper & Jack Brisco beat Greg Valentine & Dick Slater

Tue., 1/25/83 Columbia, SC; Township Auditorium
King Parsons beat Jim Dalton
Gene Anderson & Pvt. Nelson beat Mike Davis & Tommy Gilbert
Jack Brisco beat Red Dog Lane
Jimmy Valiant beat One Man Gang
Roddy Piper, Jerry Brisco & Johnny Weaver beat Greg Valentine, Dory Funk, Jr. & Dick Slater
[Note: this car is also listed as taking place 1/25/83 in Raleigh]

Wed., 1/26/83 Charlotte, NC; WCPQ-TV studio
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
Dizzy Hogan & Sweet Brown Sugar beat Ricky Harris & Ken Timbs
Greg Valentine beat Mike Davis
Dick Slater beat Ben Benfield
World Wide Wrestling
Jerry Brisco beat Frank Monte
Dick Slater & Greg Valentine beat Mike Davis & King Parsons
Dory Funk, Jr. beat Vinnie Valentino
One Man Gang beat Ben Benfield
Dizzy Hogan, Sweet Brown Sugar & Jimmy Valiant beat Ricky Harris, Ken Timbs & Ben Alexander
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Frank Monte & Jim Dalton

Wed., 1/26/83 Sumter, SC; Exhibition Center
Tiny Tom beat Little Tokyo
Porkchop Cash beat Masa Fuchi
Tommy Gilbert beat Red Dog Lane
Mike Rotundo beat Paul Jones
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle

Thu., 1/27/83 Harrisonburg, VA; High School
Roddy Piper vs. Greg Valentine
Bob Orton, Jr. vs. Dick Slater
Johnny Weaver, Jerry Brisco & Abdullah The Butcher vs. Paul Jones, Jos LeDuc & Oliver Humperdink

Fri., 1/28/83 Charleston, SC; County Hall
Tiny Tom beat Little Tokyo
Ken Timbs beat King Parsons
Pvt. Nelson beat Mike Davis
Sweet Brown Sugar beat Red Dog Lane
One Man Gang beat Jimmy Valiant by DQ
Jack Brisco beat Dory Funk, Jr.
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle

Sat., 1/29/83 Asheville, NC; Civic Center
Don Kernodle & Sgt. Slaughter beat Gary Black & Ken Hall
Dick Slater beat Pat Rose
Greg Valentine beat Mike Davis
Dizzy Hogan & Sweet Brown Sugar beat Ricky Harris & Ken Timbs

Sun., 1/30/83 Charlotte, NC; Charlotte Coliseum
Mike Rotundo won an 18-man battle royal
Dick Slater beat Jerry Brisco by DQ
Jimmy Valiant beat One Man Gang
Roddy Piper & Dusty Rhodes beat Paul Jones & Red Dog Lane
Dory Funk, Jr. beat Jack Brisco to win NWA Mid Atlantic Title
Greg Valentine beat The Champ
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood double DQ Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle

Sun., 1/30/83 Savannah, GA; Civic Center
Abe Jacobs beat Bill White
Red Dog Lane beat Mike Davis
Porkchop Cash beat Ricky Harris by DQ
Abdullah The Butcher, Jack Brisco & Mike Rotundo beat Paul Jones, Red Dog Lane & Gene Anderson
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle


Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Crockett Cup '85 Continues - Round Two Rolls On

MIKE RICKARD'S FANTASY WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
ROUND TWO

Catching up? Here is the background info:
Tournament Announcement
Seedings and First Round Pairings

BRACKETS
Updated brackets going into tonight's matches.
[Links to previous matches at the bottom of this post.]



THIS WEEK'S MATCHES: #23 AND #24
(Second Round Matches #7 and #8):

-
Rick Rude/Jesse Barr (w/ Pringle) vs. Kevin and Mike Von Erich
-
Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura vs. the British Bulldogs

The 1985 Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament is underway. Wait, did you just say 1985? It’s time to take a look at one of wrestling’s biggest events from the mid-80s and see what it might have been like with a few historical alterations. What if Jim Crockett Promotions hosted its tag team tournament the Crockett Cup in 1985 and included teams from promotions outside the National Wrestling Alliance (“NWA”) including the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the American Wrestling Association (AWA), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), All Japan Pro Wrestling, and more? In this case, you’d have 48 of the greatest tag teams in the world battling in a winner take all tournament for $1,000,000 and the prestigious Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Trophy. 

The first round saw 16 teams competing to advance to round two with eight teams making it in. Now, these eight teams will battle the 16 top-seeded tag teams that received a first-round bye. As we saw in round one, some wrestlers are willing to bend or break the rules in order to get closer to the $1,000,000 prize so expect the unexpected as round two begins.

Second Round Rules
Here are the rules for the round two of our tournament. A pool of referees from the NWA, AWA, and WWF have been appointed for the tournament and randomly selected for each match. The second-round matches have a forty-five-minute time limit and are sanctioned under NWA rules (throwing an opponent over the top rope is an automatic disqualification). The matches are one fall with a win obtained by a pinfall, submission, count-out, or disqualification. 

The second-round matches are being held over two nights. The first eight matches will take place took place at the Richmond Coliseum on Saturday April 13. Bob Caudle and David Crockett are calling the matches tonight. The remaining eight matches in round one take place at the Asheville Civic Center on Sunday April 14. Last time around, Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express (“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey) defeated Jimmy Hart’s Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) while “The High Flyers” triumphed over the PYT Express (Norvell Austin and Koko Ware). As round two continues, bear in mind that these titanic teams are battling for more than just bragging rights—they’re competing for the prestigious Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Trophy and a cool one million dollars.

The next two matches in round two feature Rick Rude and Jesse Barr battling Kevin and Mike Von Erich while Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura take on the British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and the Dynamite Kid). 

Gordon Solie is backstage with Kevin and Mike Von Erich and Mike’s head has a huge bandage on it. Gordon asks Mike how he’s doing after the post-match attack on him by Tully Blanchard and Abdullah the Butcher during their first-round match. Mike says he had to get stitched up, but he’s ready for action. A few bumps on his head never stopped him before and it’s not going to stop him and Kev from their shot at a million dollars and the prestigious Crockett Cup trophy. Gordon says that’s the fighting spirit the Von Erichs are known for and he then asks Kevin about their opponents. Kevin says Rick Rude and Jesse Barr are two tough competitors, but they’re ready for the challenge. Rude and Barr may have got a first-round bye, but they’re going to have a short stay in this tournament. 

Rick Rude and Jesse Barr (with Percy Pringle III)
vs. Kevin and Mike Von Erich

Bob Caudle and David Crockett are joined by World Class Championship Wrestling Marc Lowrance. Bob and David welcome him to the broadcast booth and Bob notes Marc has called many matches involving the Von Erichs, including Kerry Von Erich’s historic win over “Nature Boy” Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Marc thanks Bob and David for inviting him to sit in on this match and he says the tournament has been exciting from the first match. David Crockett asks Marc what he knows about the extent of Mike Von Erich’s injuries and Marc explains Mike was cut open pretty bad by the Butcher and Blanchard, but he’s had a few days to heal and he hasn’t heard about any problems working the match. Even if he was hurt, he’d be here to support his brother. All-Japan Pro Wrestling referee Joe Higuchi (aka Kanji Higuchi) is officiating tonight’s match. Higuchi does the pre-match preliminaries and the match gets underway with Kevin Von Erich locking up with Rick Rude. Kevin goes for a collar-and-elbow tie-up, but Rude backs up, posing for the fans. Bob Caudle says that Rude is full of himself but this isn’t a bodybuilding contest. David remarks that maybe Rude can always find work if a wrestling promotion ever starts a bodybuilding federation, even though that’ll never happen. Rude turns his back to Kevin and poses for the fans as they boo him and gets a big surprise when Von Erich rolls him up for a surprise pin, 1-2…Rude manages to kick out. Kevin dropkicks the arrogant athlete then whips him into a neutral corner where Rude crashes hard. Von Erich climbs on the second rope and unloads with punches as the fans count to ten. Rude staggers out of the corner and Kevin follows up with an atomic drop. Sadly, social media is still decades away so there won’t be any gifs of this beautiful atomic drop as Rude walks awkwardly, selling the agony inflicted on him. 

Kevin tags in Mike who applies a side headlock on Rude, but Rude has the wherewithal to whip Mike into the ropes, escaping the hold only to get shoulder-blocked by Von Erich when he comes off the ropes. Mike lifts Rude up and slams him down to the mat. Marc Lowrance tells Bob and David that the Von Erichs know how to keep the heat on their opponents. Rude rolls over to his corner and tags in Jesse Barr. David Crockett says he’s surprised Mike didn’t try and prevent the tag. Marc says Mike likely wants to send a message that the Von Erichs are ready for anyone. David says you don’t underestimate Jesse Barr, something Barr demonstrated at Starrcade ’83 when he defeated Mike Graham. Bob goes to say something when Marc tells David, “Wasn’t that Starrcade ’84?” Collar-and-elbow tie-up as Jesse gets the initial advantage, applying a top wristlock. Bob reminds the fans that Jesse Barr is an accomplished amateur wrestler and knows how to bend the rules as needed. Mike looks to be powering his way out of the ring when Jesse grabs Mike’s hair, yanking him down to the mat and applying an arm bar. Kevin Von Erich and a number of fans yell at the referee that Barr had a handful of hair, but Higuchi didn’t see anything. Mike gets up and Jesse still has the arm bar on and pressures Mike into a neutral corner. Mr. Higuchi starts a five-count and tells Barr to break the hold which he does, but the future Jimmy Jack Fun then unloads with a series of forearm smashes to Mike. Jesse backs up then invites Mike to a test of strength, and the two men lock up. Jesse gets the advantage and Mike drops to his knees. Marc Lowrance says Mike may be more hurt than he let on. David Crockett says Abdullah the Butcher and Tully Blanchard did a number on Mike so it wouldn’t surprise him. Mike fights back and starts to get to his feet, but Barr steps on the bottom rope for added leverage, bringing Von Erich back down to his knees. Kevin Von Erich runs in and goes after Barr, but the referee orders him back to his corner. Percy Pringle III gets on the mat apron and tells Higuchi to make sure Kevin doesn’t try anything funny. Meanwhile, Rick Rude runs in and stomps Mike in the head. Rude and Barr whip Mike into the ropes and the two deliver a double clothesline. Rude slaps his own hand like he’s making the tag and drops a fist on Von Erich’s back as the referee turns around. The fans are booing the heels as Rude hits an over-the-knee backbreaker on Mike. Rude whips Mike into the heels corner and Barr restrains Mike’s arms while Rude gets on the second rope and unloads on Mike’s head with punches. Kevin comes in again, but doesn’t get far as Mr. Higuchi escorts him back to his corner. Meanwhile, Rude lifts up Mike and hits a piledriver, driving Mike’s head hard into the mat. Arrogant cover by Rude and it costs him as Mike kicks out at the last moment. Rude yells at Higuchi who holds up two fingers. The fans are cheering the Von Erichs on as Rude unloads with punches to Mike’s forehead. Rude rips off the bandage and it’s clear Von Erich is busted open again. Rude whips Von Erich into the ropes and hits a clothesline, but so does Mike and both men go down! Marc Lowrance says Rude is finding out there’s no quit in the Von Erichs. Both Mike and Rick are slow to get up, but Rude crawls over to his corner and tags in Barr. Mike is dragging himself to his corner when Barr grabs his leg, but Mike kicks him with the other leg, knocking Barr back. Mike somehow dives and makes the tag and Kevin runs in, unloading with punches on Barr. Kevin whips Barr into the ropes and hits a dropkick, knocking him down. Chop to Barr as Kevin follows up with a slam. Kevin bounces off the ropes and drops an elbow on Barr. Barr gets up only for Kevin to kick him in the gut, knocking him into the ropes, where Barr rebounds right into the Von Erich Claw! Marc Lowrance says there’s no escape from this one as Kevin locks in the hold. Rick Rude quickly runs in and knees Kevin in the back, breaking the hold. David Crockett tells Marc it looks like Barr just escaped. Mike staggers in and goes after Rude as the referee tries to get things under control. Percy Pringle III gets on the mat apron and he’s shouting something. Mr. Higuchi goes towards Pringle and as he does, Rude reaches into his tights. Marc says it looks like a pair of brass knuckles. Rude swings at Mike who ducks out of the way, spins Rude around and lands a big atomic drop. Rude’s unexpected chiropractic adjustment is followed by a dropkick by Mike that send Rude through the ropes. Mike goes out after Percy Pringle and slugs him, knocking him off the mat apron before returning to his corner. Back in the ring, Kevin whips Jesse into the ropes and dropkicks him again. Kevin climbs to the top rope and hits a beautiful flying bodypress as the referee dives down to make the count. Cover on Jesse for the 1-2-3.  

Winners: Mike and Kevin Von Erich. 

Bob Caudle says it’s an impressive performance by the Von Erich Brothers and they’re on their way to round three. 

Tony Schiavone is backstage with WWF announcer Gorilla Monsoon and the British Bulldogs. Schiavone welcomes the three representatives from the WWF and congratulates Davey Boy and Dynamite on their impressive first-round win. Gorilla says the Bulldogs are one of the greatest tag teams he’s seen and they have a continuity matched by only a handful of teams. Davey Boy and Dynamite thank Tony and Gorilla and say they have nothing but respect for their next opponents. They’ve been to Japan many times and they know that Fujinami and Kimura are two of the best. Tony asks Gorilla if he’s heard anything about the rumors that Fujinami and Kimura are suffering from the flu. Gorilla says he’s heard the rumors, but if they’re true, they’re not letting anyone know. Gorilla says teams are going to crawl to the ring on their hands and knees if they have to as long as the million bucks are on the line.


Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura
vs. the British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and the Dynamite Kid)

WWF referee Dick Woehrle is officiating tonight’s match. Bob Caudle reminds the fans that each match’s referee has been selected randomly from a pool of referees from many of the promotions who have sent competitors. The two teams shake hands before the bout and the Dynamite Kid starts off against Kengo Kimura as the two begin with a collar and elbow tie-up. Kimura gets Dynamite up against the ropes and gives him a clean break. The two lock up again and this time Kimura applies a side headlock, but Dynamite slips out, whipping Kimura into the ropes. Kimura bounces off the ropes as Dynamite leapfrogs over him and catches the Japanese star off the ropes with a dropkick. Bob Caudle observes the crowd is behind the British Bulldogs. David Crockett adds that the fans are giving the Japanese team a polite reception, but the Bulldogs really impressed the fans with their round one performance against Genichiro Tenryu and Jumbo Tsuruta. Kengo gets up and the Dynamite Kid goes after him, only to catch an arm drag takedown that Kimura turns into an armbar. Kimura takes the Dynamite Kid over to Tatsumi Fujinami and makes the tag. Fujinami chops Dynamite in the chest then delivers a snapmare before applying a chinlock. Bob Caudle remarks that the Japanese star is putting the pressure on and using leverage to tire the dynamic star out, well-aware of Dynamite’s energy and speed. Dynamite moves around the ring, trying to wiggle his way out as Fujinami continues the hold, but Dynamite is able to get his leg on the rope, forcing a break. Fujinami releases Dynamite but quickly whips him into the ropes, hitting a dropkick. Tatsumi then slams Dynamite to the mat before whipping him into the ropes again, locking him in an Octopus Hold in the center of the ring. David Crockett says the Japanese team are showing why they received a first-round bye—they have an incredible combination of experience and technical skill. Bob says that’s exactly right and that the Bulldogs are going to have to dig deep if they want to win this one. Bob says it looks like Tatsumi is trying to position himself so he can choke Dynamite out. When Fujinami goes to do this, Dynamite begins to power out, and somehow manages to escape, hip tossing Fujinami to the mat. Dynamite falls on his back as Tatsumi goes for a rear chinlock but Dynamite spins out applying a Fireman’s Carry takedown. Dynamite hits a forearm smash on Fujinami’s head then slams him to the mat. David Crockett says he can’t believe Dynamite’s recuperative powers. How does he do it? Diving headbutt on Fujinami and Dynamite covers him for about a two count. Dynamite hip tosses Fujinami towards the Bulldogs’ corner and tags in Davey Boy Smith. Smith picks up Fujinami for a scoop slam and drives him down hard onto the mat. Smith lifts Fujinami again and delivers a vertical suplex, holding him up in the air for about 10 seconds. David Crockett says “Shades of Ric Flair, what a great-looking suplex!” Cover on Fujinami, but the Japanese superstar kicks out at two. Side suplex by Davey Boy as he tags in Dynamite. Davey Boy lifts Dynamite up and presses him down onto Fujinami. Cover by Dynamite as Davey Boy runs over to intercept Kimura. 1-2- Fujinami has his foot on the bottom rope but referee Dick Woehrle didn’t see it and he makes the three-count.  Fujinami argues with the referee but Woehrle shrugs his shoulders. 

Winners: The British Bulldogs

David Crockett says the Bulldogs caught quite the break in this match and Bob adds that the referee’s decision is final. 

Join us next time as round two of the tournament continues with Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen taking on Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Ted Dibiase as well as The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) battling Jerry “The King” Lawler and “Superstar” Bill Dundee. Things are headed to the Asheville Civic Center, but you can be certain the action won’t slow down as the quest for tag team immortality and some serious cash continues!

********************************************************

PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS FANTASY SERIES
Tournament Announcement
Seedings and First Round Pairings Announced  

SECOND ROUND
Second Round: Matches 1 & 2 (Tournament 17 & 18)

     Mulligan/McDaniel vs. The Russians
    Rock & Roll Express vs. Maharishi/Nagasaki
Second Round: Matches 3 & 4 (Tournament 19 & 20)
    Brown/Jannetty vs. Inoki & Sakaguchi
    Ole & Arn Anderson vs. Windham/Rotunda)
Second Round: Matches 5 & 6 (Tournament 21 & 22)

    Midnight Express vs. Hart Foundation
    PYT Express vs. High Flyers
Second Round: Matches 7 & 8 (Tournament 23 & 24) 
    Rude/Barr (with Percy Pringle III) vs. Kevin and Mike Von Erich
    Fujinami/Kimura vs. British Bulldogs


FIRST ROUND

First Round: Matches 1 & 2
    Hennig/Blackwell vs. Mulligan/McDaniel
    Tyler/Whatley vs. Maharishi/Nagasaki
First Round: Matches 3 & 4
    Windham/Rotunda vs. Bockwinkel/Saito
    Rougeaus vs. Inoki/Sakaguchi
First Round: Matches 5 &6
    Barbarian/Graham vs. Hart Foundation (Hart/Neidhart)
    High Flyers (Brunzell/Gagne) vs. Savage/Poffo
First Round: Matches 7 & 8:
    The Von Erich vs. Blanchard/Abdullah the Butcher
    Tenryu/Tsuruta vs. The British Bulldogs
First Round: Matches 9 & 10:
    Graham/Blair vs. DiBiase/Williams
    Valiant/McGraw vs. Lawler/Dundee
First Round: Matches 11 & 12:
    Piper/Orton vs. Patterson/Fernandez
    Rock & Roll RPMs vs. Youngblood Brothers
First Round: Matches 13 and 14:
    Dynamic Duo (Gino & Chris) vs. American Starship
    Sawyer Bros. vs. Steamboat/Snuka
First Round: Matches 15 and 16
    Batten Twins vs. Fabulous Ones
    Weaver/Houston vs. Sheepherders

Sunday, September 20, 2020

The Tony Schiavone Bobblehead

by Dick Bourne
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

Tony & Bug take their place in the Mid-Atlantic Gateway Museum, safely ensconced
between the United States Championship belt and Blackjack Mulligan's famous cowboy hat.

Back in August of 2017, the Gwinnett Braves baseball team honored Tony Schiavone and his dog Bug with their very own bobblehead doll, given away to the first 2,500 fans that attended the Gwinnett Braves baseball game at Coolray Field on August 26. It was part of a "National Dog Day" at the park where fans could bring their pets to the game as well.

Schiavone was at that time the play-by-play radio voice of the Gwinnett Braves, the triple-A club of the Atlanta Braves, and a bit of a celebrity in the Atlanta area not only because of his association with G-Braves baseball, but also for his long history as the voice of World Championship Wrestling on WTBS and TNT in the 1980s and 1990s.

Tony was also a producer for the University of Georgia Bulldogs radio network at that time, and a barista at Starbucks! He currently is the star of one of the most popular pro-wrestling podcasts in the country (along with co-host Conrad Thompson) and, along with Jim Ross, is currently part of the top broadcast team for AEW Wrestling each Wednesday on the TNT Network. A true renaissance man if there ever was one!

Like us, Tony was a big fan of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling growing up and so we've given his baseball bobblehead its special spot in the Mid-Atlantic Gateway Museum, even though he's not wearing that sweet navy blazer with the "JCP Sports" emblem on it.

A Tony Schiavone bobblehead. Who would have thunk it?

Coolest. Bobblehead. Ever.

Edited and expanded from an original post on the Mid-Atlantic Gateway in September of 2017.


Image from Jared Wallis/YouTube https://youtu.be/LZZILH-fZOI

http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/2017/03/tony-schiavone-interview-complete.html
Check out Tony's huge interview about his days as a fan of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling.


http://horsemen.midatlanticgateway.com

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Mooneyham Reviews upcoming "Crown Jewel"

Read Mike Mooneyham's review of our upcoming book on the NWA World Heavyweight Championship 1959-1973. 

Dick Bourne’s new wrestling book is a ‘Crown Jewel’
by Mike Mooneyham
Charleston Post & Courier

Crown Jewel will be released in early October. 

Stay tuned!

"This volume, like Bourne’s previous editions, is a must for longtime NWA fans and those who appreciate the history of the business."
 - Mike Mooneyham, Charleston Post & Courier


Friday, September 18, 2020

Mid-Atlantic TV Report: January 22, 1983

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
on the WWE Network

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
TV Summaries & Reviews
by David Taub
Mid-Atlantic Gateway Contributor

This is a review of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling as it appeared on the WWE Network. Results are included for the week (Monday-Sunday of the given week) as available. Please email with any corrections, typos, results, other details at 1davidtaub@gmail.com. Follow @TaubGVWire

For links to all available summaries as well as links to the Mid-Atlantic Championship Podcast, visit our TV Summary Index.


Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
Original broadcast: 01/22/83
(taped 01/19/83 at WPCQ-TV studios in Charlotte)
WWE Network Direct Link to this show Mid-Atlantic 01/22/83
WWE Network feed.   [How to watch this show on the WWE Network.]


Match 1
Sweet Brown Sugar & Mike Davis d. Ken Timbs & Masa Fuchi

Match is joined in progress. Tommy Young is the referee for the hour. Sugar pins Fuchi following a flying body press.

Bob Caudle introduces the what’s coming on the show. We have a “slam dunk” contest in the hour. Next, is Dick Slater.

Match 2
Dick Slater d. Vinnie Valentino

Caudle says we have four tag team matches coming up. And the slam “dunk” contest. Jimmy Valiant will attempt to slam One Man Gang. So will Dizzy Hogan. Slater wins with the Boston Crab.

[Break]

Match 3
Rick Steamboat & Jay Youngblood d. Jim Dalton & Frank Monte

Steamboat pins Dalton after Youngblood slingshotted him in following a blind tag. Not the smoothest finisher, but nifty nonetheless.

[Break]

-Bodyslam challenge
Bob Caudle is on the ring apron talking to Sir Oliver Humperdink. Anyone, man, woman child, alien, who can slam One Man Gang wins $5,000.
Dizzy Hogan is up first. He gets him off his feet, but that’s it. Jimmy Valiant comes in. No music this time. Valiant gets him 1/3 of the way up. Valiant wants his music. Ah! The Network overdub plays, so no ore commentary. Valiant gets OMG up, but Humperdink pushes on Gang’s back falling on Valiant. OMG follows with a big splash. Valiant is convulsing, as Dizzy Hogan checks on him.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Mike Rotundo
This is in lieu of local promos. Rotundo wants Ric Flair. “That may shock a lot of people.” Caudle tells Rotundo he his worthy, because he never quit against Leroy Brown.

[Break]

Match 4
NWA TV championship: Mike Rotundo [ch.] d. Bill White

Caudle thinks Valiant would have slammed Gang, if not for Humperdink. Roddy Piper joins in on commentary. Says he won’t be on the ring. Asked why, he never gives a clear reason. He just doesn’t feel like it. Caudle brings up the incident a few weeks ago when Flair and Valentine roughed him up. Piper downplays that as well. Rotundo wins with an airplane spin.

-Taped comments from Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle
This is in lieu of local promos. Slaughter wants Steamboat & Youngblood. They’re willing to do it on TV even. There is a new word: Pain. And they spell it S-L-A-U-G-H-T-E-R and K-E-R-N-O-D-L-E.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Dory Funk, Jr., Greg Valentine
Caudle wants to know why Funk is here, when he has a ranch in Texas. Funk wants Flair. And, Flair is on the East Coast, so he will be too. He says Brisco has been his archrival. He wants the Mid-Atlantic championship. He says he doesn’t care if Greg Valentine is his sometimes partner. He wants the U.S. title too. Funk is wearing a holiday sweater and horrible combover for the record.
Valentine, in a sportscoat and fancy shirt, talks about the Mid-Atlantic talent. At the end, he insults Piper.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Roddy Piper
Piper apologizes for missing recent matches. He was in another country where they don’t take as good of their fighters as other states. Dick Slater butts in. Slater says Piper ahs no guts. Pipe rslugs Slater, who no sells. Slater slugs Piper who no sells. Another round each. No selling. Slater jumps in the ring. Piper takes off his shirt and follows. And, the brawl is on. Referee Tommy Young tries to break it up. The wrestlers in the ring just stand there. Young asks for help and finally, the other wrestlers try to break them up.
Piper is carried away from the ring. Slater rejoins Caudle and calls Piper a dog. David Crockett makes a cameo in the background.

The match awaiting in the ring was Johnny Weaver & Tommy Gilbert vs. Jim Nelson & Red Dog Lane.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Dick Slater
Slater is still upset. They are going to get nasty. He’s tired of Piper. But, he’s a man of his word. Piper comes back out, and the brawl renews. Another pull-apart brawl. This episode has a real Memphis eel to it.

[Break]

Match 5
Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco d. Ben Alexander & Ricky Harris

I guess the prior tag match was cancelled. Caudle recaps the Slater-Piper brawl. Jerry forces Harris to submit to the Figure Four.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Rick Steamboat, Jay Youngblood, Jerry Brisco
Steamboat says Jerry and Johnny Weaver has helped them. Piper comes out. He rants and raves about Slater. When Slater doesn’t come out, Piper leaves. Youngblood feels Slater has bitten off more than he can chew. Steamboat says someone is training them how to put the Cobra Clutch on, but he won’t reveal who. Brisco likes Steamboat & Youngblood’s chances. He also has a warning for Slater. Steamboat says there is a lot of red tape in their contracts with Slaughter & Kernodle. Mind games, they say.

“So long for now!”

 ******************************************

Results for the week, 1/17/83-1/23/83
(source: Clawmaster’s Archive via Sports and Wrestling blog posted by David Baker; “Wrestling” newsletter by Joe Shedlock)

Mon., 1/17/83 Iva, NC
Ricky Steamboat beat Greg Valentine
Jerry Brisco beat Sgt. Slaughter by DQ
Johnny Weaver & Tommy Gilbert beat Red Dog Lane & Gene Anderson
King Parsons beat Bill White
Ricky Harris beat Frank Monte

Mon., 1/17/83 Lumberton, NC; Recreation Center
Jack Brisco vs. Dory Funk, Jr.
Jimmy Valiant & Paul Jones vs. Sweet Brown Sugar & One Man Gang
Jerry Brisco vs. Pvt. Nelson
Plus other matches

Tue., 1/18/83 Columbia, SC;Township Auditorium
Vinnie Valentino beat Frank Monte
Bill White beat Mike Davis
Sweet Brown Sugar beat Paul Jones
Jimmy Valiant beat One Man Gang
Dick Slater beat Bob Orton, Jr.
Jack Brisco beat Dory Funk, Jr.
Tiny Tom beat Little Tokyo
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle by DQ

Wed., 1/19/83 Charlotte, NC; WPCQ-TV studio
World Wide Wrestling:
Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle beat King Parsons & Mark Fleming
Jerry Brisco beat Red Dog Lane
Dory Funk, Jr. beat Dizzy Hogan
One Man Gang beat Vinnie Valentino
Jack Brisco beat Ken Timbs
Greg Valentine & Dick Slater beat Mike Davis & Tommy Gilbert

Thu., 1/20/83 Norfolk, VA; Norfolk Scope
Tiny Tom beat Little Tokyo
Tommy Gilbert beat Red Dog Lane
Jack Brisco beat Paul Jones
Dick Slater beat Jerry Brisco
Johnny Weaver, Jimmy Valiant & Sweet Brown Sugar beat Greg Valentine, Dory Funk, Jr. & Oliver Humperdink
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle

Fri., 1/21/83 Richmond, VA; Richmond Coliseum
King Parsons & Porkchop Cash beat Masa Fuchi & Ken Timbs
Mike Rotundo beat Dizzy Hogan
Tiny Tom beat Little Tokyo
Roddy Piper no contest with Dick Slater
Jimmy Valiant beat Oliver Humperdink by countout
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle

Fri., 1/21/83 Charleston, SC; County Hall
Mike David & Vinnie Valentino beat Jim Dalton & Bill White
Tommy Gilbert beat Ricky Harris
Gene Anderson & Red Dog Lane beat Johnny Weaver & Mike Davis
Paul Jones beat Tommy Gilbert
Dory Funk, Jr. beat Sweet Brown Sugar

Sat., 1/22/82 Roanoke, VA; Roanoke Civic Center
Tiny Tom vs. Little Tokyo
$100,000 challenge match: Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Abdullah the Butcher
Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle vs. Jay Youngblood & Rick Steamboat
U.S. Heavyweight title: Greg Valentine vs. Roddy Piper

Sun., 1/23/83 Greensboro, NC; Greensboro Coliseum
One Man Gang beat Jimmy Valiant
Tiny Tom beat Little Tokyo
Jack Brisco, Sweet Sugar Brown & Mike Rotundo beat Dory Funk, Jr., Paul Jones & Red Dog Lane
Roddy Piper & Jerry Brisco beat Greg Valentine & Dick Slater
Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle beat Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood

Sun., 1/23/83 Toronto, Ontario; Maple Leaf Gardens (Maple Leaf Wrestling)
Billy Red Lyons beat Jerry Bryant(13:52)
Johnny Weaver beat Tim Gerrard(10:21)
The Destroyer & Bobby Bass beat Rudy & Terry Kay(22:46)
Leo Burke draw Tony Parisi(20:00)
Big John Studd beat Tony Garea(15:02)
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle by DQ
Jimmy Snuka beat Ray Stevens(8:56)

Monday, September 14, 2020

Crockett Cup '85 2nd Round Continues: Matches 5 and 6

MIKE RICKARD'S FANTASY WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
ROUND TWO

Catching up? Here is the background info:
Tournament Announcement
Seedings and First Round Pairings

BRACKETS
Updated brackets going into tonight's matches.
[Links to previous matches at the bottom of this post.]



THIS WEEK'S MATCHES: #21 AND #22
(Second Round Matches #5 and #6):

- The Midnight Express with Jim Cornette vs. the Hart Foundation with Jimmy Hart.
- The PYT Express (Austin/Ware) vs. “The High Flyers” (Brunzell/Gagne).
 

The 1985 Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament is underway. Wait, did you just say 1985? It’s time to take a look at one of wrestling’s biggest events from the mid-80s and see what it might have been like with a few historical alterations. What if Jim Crockett Promotions hosted its tag team tournament the Crockett Cup in 1985 and included teams from promotions outside the National Wrestling Alliance (“NWA”) including the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the American Wrestling Association (AWA), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), All Japan Pro Wrestling, and more? In this case, you’d have 48 of the greatest tag teams in the world battling in a winner take all tournament for $1,000,000 and the prestigious Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Trophy. 

The first round saw 16 teams competing to advance to round two with eight teams making it in. Now, these eight teams will battle the 16 top-seeded tag teams that received a first-round bye. As we saw in round one, some wrestlers are willing to bend or break the rules in order to get closer to the $1,000,000 prize so expect the unexpected as round two begins.

Second Round Rules: Here are the rules for the round two of our tournament. A pool of referees from the NWA, AWA, and WWF have been appointed for the tournament and randomly selected for each match. The second-round matches have a forty-five-minute time limit and are sanctioned under NWA rules (throwing an opponent over the top rope is an automatic disqualification). The matches are one fall with a win obtained by a pinfall, submission, count-out, or disqualification. 

The second-round matches are being held over two nights. The first eight matches will take place took place at the Richmond Civic Center on Saturday April 13. Bob Caudle and David Crockett are calling the matches tonight. The remaining eight matches in round one take place at the Asheville Civic Center on Sunday April 14. Last time around, Arn and Ole Anderson defeated the U.S. Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda) while Antonio Inoki and Seiji overcame Central States Wrestling’s Marty Jannetty and “Bulldog” Bob Brown. As round two continues, bear in mind that these titanic teams are battling for more than just bragging rights—they’re competing for the prestigious Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Trophy and a cool one million dollars.

The next two matches in round two Jim Cornette’s Midnight Express (“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey) taking on Jimmy Hart’s Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) and the PYT Express (Norvell Austin and Koko Ware) taking on “The High Flyers” (“Jumping” Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne).

Backstage, Tony Schiavone is interviewing Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express. Cornette smiles as he looks at Schiavone and says “Hey Tony, I'm glad to see you back, especially after seeing your front.” Cornette says the Midnight Express should have received a first, second, and third-round bye because they’re the best team in this tournament. They’re not here for the money, but they won’t mind taking Mama Crockett’s million-dollar check. They’re here to prove there’s only one name that matters in tag team wrestling—the Midnight Express. Cornette says he knows Jimmy Hart from their days back in Memphis and that “The Mouth of the South” has his hands full trying to guide the Hart Foundation. Cornette says “The Hart Foundation are so dumb they couldn't make Kool-Aid because they couldn't figure out how to get 2 quarts of water into those little paper packets." Cornette promises a quick win for the Midnights and tells Tony to find some of that Goody’s Headache Powder Dusty Rhodes likes to hawk because Schivaone’s giving him a headache, just like he probably does to Mrs. Schiavone.
      
The Midnight Express (“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey) with Jim Cornette vs. the Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart) with Jimmy Hart.
The Hart Foundation are taking off their ring jackets when the Midnight’s Pearl Harbor them, with Dennis Condrey going after Jim Neidhart and Bobby Eaton taking on Bret Hart. The Midnights go to whip the Hart Foundation into each other, but the Harts reverse the move as Condrey and Eaton smash into each other. Bret Hart dropkicks Condrey through the ropes as Neidhart hits a double axe-handle to Eaton’s back. Jimmy Hart cackles through his megaphone while Jim Cornette waves his tennis racket. Bob Caudle says Cornette doesn’t look too happy. Neidhart drapes Eaton’s throat on the top rope and drives his forearm into the back of “Beautiful” Bobby’s neck, laughing as he chokes him. Referee Tommy Young starts counting as Neidhart yanks the top rope back and Eaton falls onto his back. 

Tag to Bret who comes in and bounces off the ropes, dropping a knee onto Eaton’s head. Hart spreads Eaton’s legs and hits legdrop in the lower mid-section. David Crockett says that looks awfully painful. Bret lifts Bobby up and Eaton rakes the eyes, firing off a big right hand that rocks Hart. Hart fires back with a right of his own. Knee to the gut by Eaton followed by another rake of the eyes. Eaton grabs a disoriented Hart and slams his head into “Loverboy” Dennis’s knee. Tag to Dennis who kicks Hart in the gut, then applies a side headlock. Dennis puts on the pressure but Hart starts to escape—that is until Condrey grabs his hair and yanks him down to the mat, continuing to apply the side headlock. Hart complains that Condrey yanked the hair but Dennis isn’t having it. Bob Caudle says Tommy Young is going to need some Excedrin after officiating this match. Bret shows his incredible technical skills by rolling into Condrey and suddenly, Condrey is writhing in pain as Hart has applied a wristlock. Condrey quickly grabs the ropes with his other hand, forcing a break of the hold as opposed to his wrist. Hart breaks the hold but gives Condrey a knee to the gut for his trouble followed by a snapmare, and going for a chinlock on “Loverboy” Dennis. However, Condrey shows he’s no slouch at the mat game either as he spins out of the move and applies an arm bar. Condrey whips Hart into the ropes and Bobby Eaton knees Hart in the back as he hits the ropes. Hart crumbles to the mat as Dennis picks him up for an underhook suplex, driving him down hard. Tag to Eaton who climbs the top rope and drops a knee across Hart’s head. Cover on Hart, but “The Hitman” kicks out at two. Eaton yells at Tommy Young, complaining about the slow count. Hart seizes the moment and rolls Eaton up, but Eaton kicks out at two. Eaton isn’t happy with Hart’s tactics and stomps him in the head. Tag to Dennis who picks up Hart and delivers a big backbreaker. Cover on Hart but “The Hitman” kicks out again. Condrey whips Hart towards the Midnight’s corner and the Midnight Express double-team Hart, unloading with punches. Bob Caudle says the Midnights have cut the ring in half and the Hart Foundation are in trouble. David Crockett says the Hart Foundation are a fairly new team while the Midnights have been around longer. Jim Neidhart sees enough and enters the ring, but Jim Cornette stooges him out, and referee Tommy Young moves to get Neidhart back in his corner. Meanwhile, Bobby Eaton chokes Hart with the tag rope while Condrey goes towards Neidhart, antagonizing him further. Jimmy Hart is screaming bloody murder into the megaphone as Jim Cornette waves his tennis racket at Jimmy Hart. 

Fifteen minutes into the match and Bret Hart looks to be one shade short of blue by the time Tommy Young finally turns around. Dennis tags in Eaton who whips Hart into the ropes and hits an elbow to Hart’s chest. Bobby picks Hart up for a suplex, but incredibly, Hart blocks it, locking his leg around Eaton’s. Bobby tries again and Hart blocks it again. This time, Hart reverses the suplex, as Eaton goes crashing down into the mat. Both men are down in the center of the ring. David Crockett says he doesn’t know where Hart found the energy for that. Bob Caudle agrees and says Hart has to find a way to make the tag. 

Both wrestlers begin crawling towards their respective corners as time seems to stand still. Neither grappler seems to have much gas left, but Eaton is moving just a little faster. Eaton makes the tag and Dennis runs in as Hart tries to dive towards Neidhart. However, Condrey grabs Hart’s leg at the last second and pulls him into the center of the ring. David Crockett says the Hart Foundation needs a miracle.
Right now, Bret isn’t getting it as “Loverboy” Condrey goes to dish out some more punishment, placing Hart in an abdominal stretch. Condrey applies the hold near the ropes while Jim Cornette fans him with the tennis racket. Condrey and Cornette share a good laugh, but don’t see Jim “The Anvil” come in and it costs Condrey as Neidhart slugs him with a big right. Neidhart whips Condrey into the ropes and clotheslines him, knocking him down. Tommy Young grabs Neidhart and orders him back to his corner, escorting him there. 

The ring announcer notes 20 minutes have elapsed, with 25 remaining. Meanwhile, Bret Hart is trying to crawl to his corner again, but “Beautiful” Bobby runs in and pulls Hart towards the heel corner while Tommy Young’s back is turned and he’s dealing with Neidhart. Eaton decides to improve his time management skills so he chokes Hart with the tag rope while Young is still arguing with Neidhart. Jimmy Hart is screaming into his megaphone, telling Young to turn around, but a belligerent Neidhart isn’t making things any easier for “The Hitman.” 

Dennis Condrey staggers over to the Midnight’s corner and tags in Bobby. Eaton bodyslams Hart then hits a legdrop on Bret. Cover on “The Hitman,” but Tommy Young is still jawing with Neidhart. Cornette gets on the mat apron and shouts at Young, who finally turns around and makes the count, but Hart kicks out at the last moment. Eaton whips Hart into the neutral corner and charges, but somehow Hart gets his knees up and Eaton crashes hard. David Crockett is befuddled as Hart climbs to the second rope and hits an elbow smash on Eaton, with Crockett shouting “How did he do that?” Bob tells David it looks like Hart has used up all his energy. Neither Hart or Eaton are moving. After a few seconds, Hart starts crawling towards his corner, then Eaton gets on his knees and begins crawling. Dennis Condrey runs in without making a tag and goes to grab Bret, but Tommy Young intercepts him and orders him back to his corner. In the meantime, Bret weakly makes the tag as Neidhart runs in. Regrettably for the Hart Foundation, Young hasn’t seen the tag and he orders Neidhart back in his corner. The fans are booing and starting to chant “Hitman!” “Hitman!” David Crockett says the Hart Foundation aren’t fan favorites, but the fans apparently hate them less than the Midnights.

Eaton grabs Hart and pulls him back to the center of the ring. Eaton drops an elbow on Hart, but Hart rolls out of the way. Eaton bounces off the ropes and drops a knee, but Hart gets out of the way again. Finally, “Beautiful” Bobby goes for a bodyslam, but Hart rolls him up for a small package, 1, 2, Dennis Condrey breaks up the pin with a stomp to Hart’s head. Jim Neidhart runs in and slugs Condrey, throwing him between the ropes and out of the ring. Neidhart then hits a backbreaker on Eaton before returning to his corner. 

25 minutes have elapsed and both Eaton and Hart are down on the mat again. Eaton crawls to the Midnight’s corner while Hart crawls towards his corner. Eaton makes it to the Midnight’s corner, but Condrey is just getting off the floor outside the ring, and Eaton looks confused. Bret finally makes it to the Hart Foundation corner and tags in “The Anvil” and this time, Tommy Young sees the tag.
Neidhart is fired up and wastes no time going after Eaton. Kick to the gut followed by an Irish whip. Big shoulder tackle knocks Eaton down. Neidhart bodyslams Eaton then hits a dropkick on him as David Crockett notes “The Anvil” is remarkably agile despite his nickname. Eaton gets up weakly and Neidhart clotheslines him. Cover as Dennis Condrey wastes no time coming in to make the save. Despite the beating he’s taken, Bret Hart staggers into the match to join the fray. David Crockett tells Bob he’s amazed at Bret’s fortitude, and he’s come a long way from when he saw him in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling as a preliminary wrestler. Bob tells David he doesn’t know how to break this to him, but that wasn’t the same Bret Hart who’s in the ring now. David Crockett quickly moves on and praises the in-ring action as all four men are slugging it out. Bret is fighting “Loverboy” Dennis while Neidhart slugs it out with Eaton. Jim Cornette gets up on the mat apron and shouts at Tommy Young while Jimmy Hart paces around the ring then jumps up on the mat apron with his handy megaphone. Hart throws the megaphone to Bret Hart who goes to catch it, but takes his attention off Condrey, who clotheslines him from behind and catches the megaphone. Condrey bashes Neidhart in the back of the head with the megaphone then throws it out of the ring. Bobby Eaton climbs to the top rope and Dennis Condrey throws him off the top rope onto Neidhart as Bob Caudle says “That Rocket Launcher has got to be it for Neidhart.” Cover by Eaton as Condrey grabs Tommy Young and tells him to make the count. Jimmy Hart looks like he’s going to enter the ring, but Jim Cornette menaces him with the tennis racket and “The Mouth of the Hart’s” self-preservation instincts get the best of him. 1-2-3 and the Midnight Express have won a hard-fought (albeit it tainted) victory after nearly 30 minutes.

Winners: The Midnight Express

Bob Caudle says the Harts put in a solid effort, but experience won the day on this occasion. David Crockett says if the Hart Foundation gets some more experience, they could go far.

Memphis wrestling legend Lance Russell is backstage with the P.Y.T. Express and asks them about their opponents tonight. The famed announcer says the P.Y.T.’s received a first-round bye, but will that hurt their chances? Norvell asks Russell what kind of fool question that is. They’ve had time to rest and scout their opponents. They’re not the AWA Southern Tag Team Champions because of their looks—although he says they are handsome devils. Koko tells Lance the High-Flyers are going to get grounded faster than a People’s Express jet in a snowstorm.

The PYT Express (Norvell Austin and Koko Ware) vs. “The High Flyers” (“Jumping” Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne).
World Class Championship Wrestling Rick Hazard is officiating this match. Greg Gagne starts off against Norvell Austin and Gagne offers to shake Norvell’s hand, only for the heel to slap him in the face. Norvell starts to laugh until Gagne punches him, knocking him down to the mat. David Crockett says he never understands why wrestlers try to get under their opponents’ skin like that. Bob Caudle replies that sometimes wrestlers think they can anger their opponent and force them to make mistakes. David says Austin looks like the one who made the mistake and Bob agrees. Norvell gets to his feet and charges Greg only to get hip-tossed for his trouble. Norvell charges again and gets hip-tossed a second time. Koko runs in and Greg dropkicks him, knocking him back into the heel corner. Gagne whips Austin into the ropes and lands a big back body-drop. Gagne is on fire and slaps a side headlock on Austin, dragging him over towards Brunzell. Tag to “Jumping” Jim who takes Austin and puts him in a headlock. Austin slips out and whips Brunzell into the ropes, going for a possible shoulder-block, but Brunzell leap-frogs over and comes back off the ropes with a cross body-block. Cover on Austin for about a two. Austin gets up and Brunzell is waiting, catching him with a big bodyslam. Austin complains to the referee that Brunzell grabbed his pants. Referee Rick Hazzard tells Austin everything looked fair and square.

Five minutes into the match. Brunzell locks up with Norvell in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Norvell gets the upper hand and moves Brunzell into the corner where he unloads with a big forearm rather than giving him a clean break. Hazzard admonishes Austin who seems to ignore him, instead kicking Brunzell in the gut. The referee starts a five count and orders Norvell out of the corner. Austin whips Brunzell into the opposite corner and runs at him, hitting an elbow to the chest. Bodyslam by Norvell on the former Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion followed by an elbow drop. Cover on Brunzell but he kicks out at two. Norvell picks up Brunzell and head butts him as Brunzell falls back down to the mat. Bob Caudle says it looks like the P.Y.T. Express are starting to gain momentum and they’ve managed to ground “The High Flyers.” Brunzell’s troubles continue as Austin throws him through the ropes towards the heel corner. Norvell doesn’t go out of the ring and is talking to the referee, keeping the referee distracted from Koko Ware, who takes Brunzell and rams his head into a ring post. Greg Gagne races over towards his tag partner, but the damage has been done. Koko gets up to his corner as Brunzell is slow to get up. David Crockett says “he’s busted wide open!” and blood is dripping from Brunzell’s forehead. Brunzell tries to get into the ring, but Austin stomps him in the head. Referee Rick Hazzard tries to get Austin to back off and as he does, Koko steps off the mat apron and goes after Brunzell, ramming his head into the mat apron. Koko then throws Brunzell into the ring where Austin drops an elbow and covers him. 1, 2,…Brunzell gets his leg on the rope.

It’s ten minutes into the match, and David Crockett says Brunzell looks like he’s been in a war. Tag to Koko as the P.Y.T. hit a double forearm smash on Brunzell’s back, knocking him down to the mat. Koko goes for a suplex, and for a moment, it looks like Brunzell will block the move. Koko headbutts Brunzell then lifts him up for a suplex. David Crockett says Koko is known for his devastating brainbuster, but he didn’t use it. That may have been a mistake. Koko covers Jim, but Gagne comes in for the save, stomping the once and future “Birdman” in the head. Koko doesn’t’ like this and starts to scuffle with Gagne, coming up short in the fisticuffs department and landing flat on his back. Elsewhere in the ring, Norvell Austin sees a chance to punish Brunzell while the referee is attending to Gagne and Ware. Austin bounces off the ropes and drops a big elbow. The only problem is that no one is home. Norvell lands hard and goes for another one, only for Brunzell to roll out of the way again. “Jumping” Jim shows off his remarkable agility as he rolls over to his corner, tagging in Gagne. Gagne comes in and continues slugging at Koko. Gagne whips him into the ropes and hits a back body-drop followed by a bodyslam. Dropkick by Gagne as David Crockett says things have quickly turned around for Gagne and Brunzell. Bob Caudle says you’re looking at a team that held the AWA World Tag Team Championship two times with their second reign going over two years. 

15 minutes into the match and Gagne whips Ware into the ropes, applying the famed Gagne sleeperhold. Gagne has the hold on in the center of the ring and there’s nowhere for Koko to go as he quickly sinks to one knee. Norvell Austin runs in, but Brunzell intercepts him, landing a dropkick that sends him over the top rope. Whether or not this would have been a disqualification is a moot point as the referee is checking on Koko. Brunzell goes out of the ring and slams Austin on the floor. Back in the ring, it’s nighty-night for Koko as he drifts off into dreamland, courtesy of Gagne’s sleeper. 

Winners: “The High Flyers” (Greg Gagne and “Jumping” Jim Brunzell)

The High Flyers celebrate while Austin gets back into the ring and seems to be motioning to the referee that he got knocked over the top rope. Rick Hazzard shrugs his shoulders as Norvell starts to shout at him. Hazzard wisely rolls out of the ring, avoiding any unwanted violence. 

 

Join us next time as round two of the tournament continues with Rick Rude and Jesse Barr battling Kevin and Mike Von Erich while Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura take on the British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and the Dynamite Kid).  Stay tuned wrestling fans as the quest for tag team immortality and some serious cash continues!

********************************************************

PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS FANTASY SERIES
Tournament Announcement
Seedings and First Round Pairings Announced  

SECOND ROUND
Second Round: Matches 1 & 2 (Tournament 17 & 18)

     Mulligan/McDaniel vs. The Russians
    Rock & Roll Express vs. Maharishi/Nagasaki
Second Round: Matches 3 & 4 (Tournament 19 & 20)
    Brown/Jannetty vs. Inoki & Sakaguchi
    Ole & Arn Anderson vs. Windham/Rotunda)
Second Round: Matches 5 & 6 (Tournament 21 & 22)

    Midnight Express vs. Hart Foundation
    PYT Express vs. High Flyers


FIRST ROUND

First Round: Matches 1 & 2
    Hennig/Blackwell vs. Mulligan/McDaniel
    Tyler/Whatley vs. Maharishi/Nagasaki
First Round: Matches 3 & 4
    Windham/Rotunda vs. Bockwinkel/Saito
    Rougeaus vs. Inoki/Sakaguchi
First Round: Matches 5 &6
    Barbarian/Graham vs. Hart Foundation (Hart/Neidhart)
    High Flyers (Brunzell/Gagne) vs. Savage/Poffo
First Round: Matches 7 & 8:
    The Von Erich vs. Blanchard/Abdullah the Butcher
    Tenryu/Tsuruta vs. The British Bulldogs
First Round: Matches 9 & 10:
    Graham/Blair vs. DiBiase/Williams
    Valiant/McGraw vs. Lawler/Dundee
First Round: Matches 11 & 12:
    Piper/Orton vs. Patterson/Fernandez
    Rock & Roll RPMs vs. Youngblood Brothers
First Round: Matches 13 and 14:
    Dynamic Duo (Gino & Chris) vs. American Starship
    Sawyer Bros. vs. Steamboat/Snuka
First Round: Matches 15 and 16
    Batten Twins vs. Fabulous Ones
    Weaver/Houston vs. Sheepherders

http://bookstore.midatlanticgateway.com

Saturday, September 12, 2020

The Very First U.S. Title Switch in the Greensboro Coliseum

by Dick Bourne
Mid-Atlantic Gateway

It's often said that the night Johnny Valentine beat Harley Race for the United States Heavyweight Championship in 1975 was the first time the U.S. title changed hands in Greensboro. But that would be wrong. It actually happened in 1962 when Hans Schmidt defeated then U.S. champ Pat O'Connor for the honors in front of 5,800 fans in the Greensboro Coliseum. O'Connor regained the title in the same building about 5 weeks later.

Anyone could be forgiven for not knowing about two such events 13 years apart. I never knew about that title change until I began research for my book on Jim Crockett Promotions' United States Championship. I was not even a year old when the 1962 matches happened. But additional research by Carroll Hall and Mark Eastridge shed light on this historic switch during an earlier era.

Carroll Hall recently posted both newspaper clippings from those two cards on his All Star Championship Wrestling blog. You can take a close look at those here:

The First U.S. Title Switch in the Greensboro Coliseum
Post by Carroll Hall
All Star Championship Wrestling

As an additional reference point about this time in history, O'Connor had been awarded the United States championship by the National Wrestling Alliance after Buddy Rogers had defeated him for NWA world heavyweight championship. It was during a brief time when the NWA board actually recognized a U.S. title in that era.

It's fun to take a look at who else was on that card:
  • Long time area veteran George Becker teamed with national sensation Argentina Rocca. 
  • Even in 1962 Johnny Weaver was already battling Rip Hawk. 
  • Abe Jacobs was a perennial star in the area over two decades.
  • Women wrestlers were prominent on the cards, as Johnny Weaver's wife Penny Banner was on the July card wrestling Ann LaVerne. She would become one of the biggest names in women's wrestling. The August card featured a women's tag match with four African-American women wrestlers, a rare such booking in wrestling during the era of segregation.  They were Babs Wingo, Fuzzy Robinson (replacing Marva Scott), Ethel Johnson, and Virginia Franklin. 
  • Ringside seats were only $2.50 in 1962!



A blooper alert - - We noticed in the results clipping for the August 16th card where O'Connor regained the U.S. title, Johnny Weaver beat Luis Tillett on the undercard with a dreaded SWEEPER hold!

 

Originally posted on the Mid-Atlantic Gateway on September 25, 2015.
 

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Mid-Atlantic TV Report: January 15, 1983

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
on the WWE Network

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
TV Summaries & Reviews
by David Taub
Mid-Atlantic Gateway Contributor

This is a review of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling as it appeared on the WWE Network. Results are included for the week (Monday-Sunday of the given week) as available. Please email with any corrections, typos, results, other details at 1davidtaub@gmail.com. Follow @TaubGVWire

For links to all available summaries as well as links to the Mid-Atlantic Championship Podcast, visit our TV Summary Index.


Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
Original broadcast: 01/15/83
(taped 01/12/83 at WPCQ-TV studios in Charlotte)
WWE Network Direct Link to this show Mid-Atlantic 01/15/83
WWE Network feed.   [How to watch this show on the WWE Network.]

Match 1
Johnny Weaver d. Ken Timbs
The match is in progress as the show starts. Stu Schwartz is the referee for the hour. Weaver wins with a roll-up.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Mike RotundoRotundo has the TV title belt with him. Just as he starts talking, Dick Slater shows up. Rotundo is upset over Slater’s actions last week. Slater comes out to apologize. He said he just got lost in the head. Rotundo isn’t quite buying the apology.

Caudle pitches to a music video of Jimmy valiant, featuring Mid-Atlantic arena footage and Memphis action.

[Break]

Match 2
Dick Slater d. Mike Davis

Slater is wrestling soft, ie not aggressive. Greg Valentine joins Caudle on commentary and is dumbfounded by Slater’s reversal in attitude. Valentine is worried, because he signed to be a tag partner with Slater. Davis takes advantage and gets some near falls. Slater ducks a move, and Davis tumbles outside. Slater helps Davis in the ring. Then, boom. Slater finds his aggressiveness. He is unpredictable, you see. Valentine is relieved. Slater gets the pin after a back suplex.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle
Kernodle is holding his tattered coat, the one he was tricked into tearing last week by Rick Steamboat. Slaughter is upset, noting he bought that coat for $300 from “Barnett’s Apparel,” the largest clothing provider in Atlanta. Nice touch, with the shoutout to Jim Barnett. More ranting by Sarge and Kernodle against Steamboat & Youngblood. When Caudle brings up that Sarge tore up Youngblood & Steamboat’s property, he says their stuff is garbage.

Match 3
Non-Title: Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernodle [World Tag ch.] d. Tommy Gilbert & Vinnie Valentino

The heel champions dominate. Sarge pins Valentino after the “Atomic Bomb” double-team move. 

[Break]

-One Man Gang bodyslam challenge
Sir Oliver Humperdink tells Bob Caudle he will give $5,000 to anyone who can slam Gang. Wasn’t John Studd doing the same thing at the same time in WWF? King Parsons tries twice, and nothing. Pvt. Nelson tries. He hurt his back. Dizzy Hogan tries. The blonde future barber tries, but to no avail. Then, the network edit music brings out Jimmy Valiant. Gang takes a powder. Whatever he said to Caudle is drowned out.

[Break]

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Dory Funk, Jr.; Greg Valentine & Dick Slater
In my opinion, Dory’s combover is ridiculous. Funk says his $100,000 is extended to 30 minutes. He wants Jack Brisco. Valentine & Slater are out. Caudle says Slater fooled him. Slater says people don’t know when he is serious, and when he is joking. He asks Valentine if he fooled him. The Hammer says he knew. Slater says he’s world championship material. “What a bunch of fools,” Slater says.

Caudle introduces the next match via magic blue screen. Valiant gets in the shot, and since he is wearing a blue doo rag, the action literally pours in on his head.

[Break]

Match 4
Jimmy Valiant & Mike Rotundo & Bob Orton, Jr. d. Pvt. Nelson & Bill White & Ricky Harris

Nelson is still selling his back from the body slam challenge. Orton totally whiffs on a dropkick, but White sells it anyway. The babyface team is jelling well. Rotundo pins Harris after the airplane spin. 

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Mike Rotundo & Bob Orton, Jr.
This is in lieu of local promos. Orton talks about Slater. He said he hasn’t fooled anyone. If he was going to stick the tail on the donkey, he would stick it in the middle of Slater’s forehead.

[Break] 

Match 5
Jerry Brisco & Sweet Brown Sugar d. Dory Funk, Jr. & Dick Slater

The match starts in progress. Caudle mentions the four men started before the bell got started. Red Dog Lane is selling his knee on the outside. Caudle mentions Brisco placed the Figure Four on him. Caudle also confuses Sugar with King Parsons. In the ring, Brisco attempts the Figure Four on Funk, but he flips Brisco off. Outside, Slater is checking on Lane. Funk tosses Brisco out, and he bumps into Slater. An upset Slater gets in the ring, and takes the place of Lane. Nice aerial work by Sugar. Slater way oversells a Sugar dropkick, and makes a nasty facial expression when squaring off with Sugar. By the way, no follow up on the Funk-Sugar feud with Ernie Shavers. Brisco rolls up Funk, but the referee is busy putting Sugar out of the ring. Slater takes advantage of the distraction and rolls Funk on top of Brisco. As the referee puts Slater out, Sugar rolls Brisco back on top, and gets the pin. After the match, Lane hobbles around for a brief 3-on-1 on Brisco. Sugar makes the save.

-Taped comments from Jay Youngblood & Rick Steamboat
We jump to the interview from the World Wide Wrestling set. Youngblood reminds Kernodle they tricked him into ripping his own coat. Rick still calls his partner “Jason.” Steamboat says that is revenge for getting his $7 shirt ripped. Next, are the belts.

-Int. w/Bob Caudle: Bob Orton, Jr.
Orton talks about Slater not fooling anybody. He says he has no brains. They go back a long ways, and Slater knows Orton is the better man. He also wants Valentine.

“So long for now!”

*************************************************

Results for the week, 1/10/83-1/16/83
(source: Clawmaster’s Archive via Sports and Wrestling blog posted by David Baker; “Wrestling” newsletter by Joe Shedlock)

Mon., 1/10/83 Greenville, SC; Memorial Auditorium
Abe Jacobs beat Ben Alexander
Dizzy Hogan beat Porkchop Cash
Mike Rotundo beat Paul Jones
Jack Brisco beat Dory Funk, Jr.
Jerry Brisco beat Greg Valentine
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle

Tue., 1/11/83 Columbia, SC;Township Auditorium
Vinnie Valentino beat Jim Dalton
Johnny Weaver beat Masa Fuchi
Tommy Gilbert beat Bill White
Bob Orton, Jr., Jack Brisco & Jerry Brisco beat Gene Anderson, Pvt. Nelson & Red Dog Lane
Greg Valentine beat Roddy Piper
Jimmy Valiant beat One Man Gang by DQ

Tue., 1/11/83 Raleigh, NC; Raleigh Civic Center
Mike Davis beat Frank Monte
Sweet Brown Sugar beat Dizzy Hogan
Ricky Harris & Ken Timbs beat Porkchop Cash & King Parsons
Mike Rotundo beat Paul Jones
$100,000 challenge: Abdullah the Butcher beat Dory Funk, Jr. by DQ
World tag team title: Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle by countout

Wed., 1/12/83 Charlotte, NC; WPCQ-TV studio
Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling:
Dick Slater beat Mike Davis
Johnny Weaver beat Ken Timbs
Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle beat Tommy Gilbert & Vinnie Valentino
Mike Rotundo, Jimmy Valiant & Bob Orton, Jr. beat Pvt. Nelson, Ricky Harris & Bill White
Jerry Brisco & Sweet Brown Sugar beat Dory Funk, Jr. & Dick Slater
World Wide Wrestling
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Red Dog Lane & Ken Timbs
Dory Funk, Jr., Dick Slater & Greg Valentine beat King Parsons, Tommy Gilbert & Vinnie Valentino
Mike Rotundo beat Ricky Harris
Bob Orton, Jr. beat Bill White
Johnny Weaver & Sweet Brown Sugar beat Jim Dalton & Masa Fuchi

Thu., 1/13/83 York, SC; York High School
Jack Brisco vs. Greg Valentine
Jimmy Valiant, Bob Orton, Jr. & Jay Youngblood vs. Jos LeDuc, Paul Jones & One Man Gang
Sweet Brown Sugar vs. Dick Slater
Mike Rotundo vs. Red Dog Lane
Tommy Gilbert vs. Pvt. Nelson

Fri., 1/14/83 Charleston, SC ;County Hall
Dizzy Hogan draw Ricky Harris
Sweet Brown Sugar beat Pvt. Nelson
One Man Gang beat Tommy Gilbert
Dory Funk, Jr. beat Mike Rotundo
Roddy Piper beat Greg Valentine

Sat., 1/15/83 Kinston, NC
Ricky Harris beat Vinnie Valentino
Porkchop Cash & King Parsons beat Masa Fuchi & Jim Dalton
Mike Rotundo beat Pvt. Nelson
Mike Rotundo beat Paul Jones by DQ
Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle beat Porkchop Cash & King Parsons

Sat., 1/15/83 Spartanburg, SC; Memorial Auditorium
Jack Brisco, Jerry Brisco & Bob Orton, Jr. beat Greg Valentine, Dick Slater & One Man Gang
Dory Funk, Jr. draw Sweet Brown Sugar
Johnny Weaver & Mike Davis beat Gene Anderson & Bill White
Dizzy Hogan beat Ken Timbs
Red Dog Lane pinned Tommy Gilbert

Sun., 1/16/83 Asheville, NC; Civic Center
Tiny Tom beat Little Tokyo
Mark Fleming beat Ken Timbs
Tommy Gilbert beat Red Dog Lane
Johnny Weaver beat Gene Anderson
Jack Brisco beat Paul Jones
Greg Valentine & Dick Slater beat Bob Orton, Jr. & Jerry Brisco
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood beat Sgt. Slaughter & Pvt. Kernodle by countout

Sun., 1/16/83 Hampton, VA; Hampton Coliseum
Sweet Brown Sugar beat Dizzy Hogan
Jimmy Valiant beat One Man Gang
Dory Funk, Jr. beat Jack Brisco
Greg Valentine beat Bob Orton, Jr.