OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1978 Wrestling Results from The Clawmaster's Archives
10/1/78 Asheville, NC @ Civic Center(Afternoon Show)
Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat
Blackjack Mulligan vs. Baron Von Raschke
Ken Patera vs. Dick Murdoch
Cyclone Negro & Swede Hanson vs. Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood
Rudy Kay vs. Abe Jacobs
Steve Muslin vs. Herb Gallant
10/1/78 Wilmington, NC @ Legion Stadium
Baron Von Raschke & Greg Valentine vs. Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat
Ric Flair vs. Blackjack Mulligan in a lumberjack match
Plus 4 other matches
10/2/78 Greenville, SC @ Memorial Auditorium
10/3/78 Raleigh, NC @ Dorton Arena
Baron Von Raschke & Greg Valentine beat Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat
Skip Young beat Jacques Goulet
Jerry Oates beat Mr. X #1 by DQ
Chris Tolos beat Abe Jacobs
Herb Gallant beat Frank Monte
10/3/78 Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium
Dick Murdoch & Blackjack Mulligan beat Ric Flair & Gene Anderson
Johnny Weaver beat Swede Hanson
Don Kernodle beat Steve Muslin
Ted Oates beat Rudy Kay
Charlie Fulton beat Ed Fury
PART EIGHT - THE FINALE! by David Chappell Mid-Atlantic Gateway
Before diving in to this final chapter, check out all the previous installments of the "Dream Team." Parts: 1234567)
PART EIGHT - THE FINALE
As the Thanksgiving holiday season of 1982 approached, Ric Flair reigned as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion and Greg Valentine was the United States Heavyweight Champion. Greg was a rulebreaker on the Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling roster, while Flair was also breaking the rules and was visiting the Mid-Atlantic area. On the Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling TV show that was taped at the WPCQ studios in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 24, 1982, Ric Flair put on an amateur wrestling exhibition for the fans, while Roddy Piper was commentating on the TV broadcast with Bob Caudle.
Flair lured Piper into the ring, claiming he would teach Roddy how to be an amateur wrestler! Piper had no problem climbing in the ring with Flair, and actually got the better of the World’s Champion in their amateur wrestling sparring. An embarrassed Nature Boy then suckered Roddy, and with the help of his old pal Valentine rubbed Piper’s face raw in the mat and on the concrete floor. “Cowboy” Bob Orton, Jr. came in to save Piper from further injuries, but significant damage to Piper’s face had been done.
On the Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling show that was taped on December 8, 1982 at the WPCQ television studios, Valentine and Flair teamed up against the youthful duo of Mike Davis and Keith Larson. After defeating those youngsters, Greg and Ric were still giddy over taking advantage of Piper two weeks earlier on TV. In one interview taped that day for the Florida market, Valentine told Caudle, “What you’re seein’ right here is the men that made the Mid-Atlantic area big-time, you understand? Way back in ’76-’77, when Flair and myself were the World Tag Team Champions…and now he’s got the singles World belt and I’ve got the United States belt…there’s no stoppin’ us now!”
In another TV interview on December 8th on Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Flair and Valentine were gloating over a photo of Piper’s face where the area around his left eye was rubbed raw. Valentine chuckled, “It all started when [Piper] tried to embarrass this man right here, the World Champion. He did everything illegal, everything dirty, to try and embarrass the World Champion. And what happened Bob Caudle; HE GOT EMBARRASESD…RODDY PIPER GOT EMBARRASED! Look at that picture…look at that picture!! He says he’s bad to the bone, well, you can see the bone right there, the cheek bone!! That’s a BAD lookin’ face! I think it’s beautiful, actually!”
Flair then chimed in, “You know, the only thing wrong with this is? It really made me hurt right here, cause a couple days ago we had Linda on our left and Mary on our right, but Betty Jo was the girl we were with that night! And you know what she told us? She said Piper looks better now than he did before! As a matter of fact, we’re gettin’ letters from cosmetic surgeons all over the country wantin’ to know our technique! Now Piper, you emaciated and frail hunk of nothin’ happenin’ EX-wrestling star…when I can take time outta MY schedule to come over here, instead of droppin’ four or five thousand at 2001, or goin’ up to Friday’s to watch Valentine assault the women, like he does and only he does, then you know we got somethin’ big goin’ on!”
On yet another TV interview on December 8th, this time on the World Wide Wrestling TV program with Valentine and Paul Jones, Ric continued to bash Piper, explaining to David Crockett, “All we did was show Roddy Piper, that he can run roughshod a lot of places in this country…Atlanta, wherever else he wants to be, but when he comes in here and opens his mouth and says somethin’ to embarrass one of us, he is gonna pay the price! Just like so many have in the past…Do you really think there’s been a waking day of my life that Roddy Piper could ride me amateur wrestling style…no way! [Valentine] saw it, and all he was doin’ was comin’ out the door to explain to Bob Caudle and myself, that he saw Piper holdin’ my sweatpants. And what happens? Piper turns around and hits Greg, and Valentine melted him right there on the floor…one punch!”
Bill Murdock recently wrote a wonderful piece remembering the late, great George Scott.
Scott was the booker for Jim Crockett Promotions from 1973 through 1981 and was responsible creatively for most of what wound up being a huge boom period for the company during that time.
Although we've only gotten to know each other in recent years, Bill and I grew up watching "Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling" on the same TV station each Saturday back in the day - WFBC (now WYFF) channel 4 out of Greenville, SC. Every Saturday at 1:00 PM.
I like Bill's writing very much. His book "Brisco" (Jack Brisco's autobiography that Bill helped Jack write, and recently re-published by Crowbar Press) is one of my favorite books.
I always seem to gravitate to sentimental, nostalgic writing about wrestling, especially Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, and his piece on Scott resonated with me.
An excerpt:
Countless heroes adorned our bedroom walls in posters and pictures in our youthful days filling us with admiration and fueling our young dreams and aspirations. My friends’ heroes came mostly from the football field, the basketball court, the boxing ring, or the baseball diamond. They came from the Green Bay Packers, the New York Jets, and the Miami Dolphins. They came from the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Los Angeles Lakers. And they came from the Atlanta Braves, the Oakland A’s, and the Cincinnati Reds. Mine came from the ring in the old Asheville City Auditorium. My first hero was George Scott. George Scott was a professional wrestler. George Scott was my friend.
The article also informs about George Scott's supportive role in the early days of Eblen Charities, an organization in Asheville, NC that assists families in western North Carolina in times of need. Bill serves as CEO of Eblen Charities.
Read "Remembering George Scott" by Bill Murdock.
(Edit: Sadly, this original article is no longer available.)
George Scott with Andre the Giant on the set of "Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, circa 1975
The "Gateway Boys" with George Scott at the 2004 Mid-Atlantic Wrestling
Legends Fanfest in Charlotte.
Tenryu and Mr. Fuji
Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions (1981)
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Fuji (Harry Fujiwara) this past weekend.
While remembered more today for his work in the WWE, both as an in ring competitor and manager, the Mid-Atlantic Gateway remembers Mr. Fuji fondly as a champion in the Mid-Atlantic territory, teaming with a young Genichiro Tenryu in 1981 to defeat Dewey Robertson and George Wells for the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship.
He was also in the territory in the early 1970s. Les Thatcher once wrote in one of the promotional magazines for Jim Crockett Promotions:
"His pet hold "the cobra" is the move to watch for. When he locks it on his man, you can start to put on your coat."
Our condolences go out to Mr. Fuji's friends, family, and colleagues.
Before diving in to Part 7, check out all the previous installments of the "Dream Team." Parts: 123456)
PART SEVEN
On the World Wide Wrestling television program that was taped on May 28, 1980 from the WRAL TV studios, Greg Valentine called Ric Flair out to the set and seemingly sincerely said to Ric, “I would like to say one thing. I know you’re the U.S. Champion, you’re a very good U.S. Champion…I wanna tell you that right now. I still have a lot of respect for you, Ric. I wanna say one thing, and I want all the people to hear this as well as you. I’ve made a mistake. I know it’s hard for you to believe that I’m sayin’ this, but I’ve made a mistake. I’ve done a lot of thinking; I’ve done a lot of thinking the last couple of weeks.”
Valentine continued, “Six months ago I came in from New York and I asked you to be my partner again [as we learned in Part 6], and I was very rude to you. Right here, I think it was in this same studio. But I would just like to say right now that it’s never been the same in the ring without you, it’s never been the same outside the ring without you. When we were together that two to three years, it was the most fantastic time in my professional wrestling career…I want you to know that. And I’m speaking from the bottom of my heart, I’m sincere, this is no joke. I wish you would take me or at least consider, or think about it, take me back as your partner. I’m not asking you to come on my side to be my partner; I’m asking you to take me back. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
This feature includes CLASSIC AUDIO from May of 1980
at the bottom of this post.
Announcer Rich Landrum was shocked, and said, “Ric…this is a surprise to me. I would NEVER expect this.” Ric incredulously responded, “I can’t believe what you’re saying. You realize the money we’ve thrown away by you not thinkin’ about this earlier? Remember what I told you? I said on this side of the fence you get to enjoy life; you get nice letters from people that believe in you. You get to enjoy life without people throwin’ stuff at you and callin’ you names. You get to hold your head up high. I told you this six months ago! I can’t believe you’ve come out here.”
Flair paused, and then continued, saying, “I tell ya, I think you’re a helluva man for standin’ out here and admitting it, if you’re sincere. And I really wish you were, because if you and I, if I could believe you were sincere, and you and I could get it together again brother, I got two guys, three guys in line that just couldn’t handle Valentine and Flair standin’ side by side again! But, I just find it hard to believe that you’d call me out here.”
Valentine quickly responded, “Let me say one more thing. Now, maybe a lot of the fans don’t know this…we had one heck of a wrestling match just about a week ago in Greensboro, North Carolina for your U.S. belt, your gold you call it. I just want to say, we went the time limit, it was a sixty minute time limit, it was the toughest match I’ve ever had in my professional wrestling career. I just wanted to let you know that you’re the most fantastic wrestler of all-time, I mean I’m sincere, I’m sincere, you’re one tough dude. Nobody could beat us together in that ring. And I still have all the respect and admiration, I always have for you Ric. I mean, we were the best of friends. I just want to seal it, and I want you to think about being my partner, and I just want to shake your hand, really. I mean, at least do that, at least think about it.”
An emotional Nature Boy said, “Aw man, you know you make my heart flutter when you talk to me like that, because if I could believe you brother…” Valentine interrupted, “I’m sincere; I am sincere.” Flair continued, “If you’re sincere, and you want to come over to my side of the tracks, you wanna lead that life that I’m leadin’ right now? Hey, I’m gonna give it some serious thought. If you can stand out here, Valentine I’ve never said you weren’t a man. And I’ve never said you weren’t a double-tough guy; I’ve told everybody that. I’ll always respect you. You’re on, and I’ll give it some thought.”
Anderson's Army
Ray Stevens, Jimmy Snuka, and The Iron Sheik
Ultimately, Flair gave Valentine the benefit of the doubt and the “Dream Team” reunited, and their first match back together was on June 8, 1980 in the Greensboro Coliseum. Ric and Greg were booked to battle the nefarious team of Jimmy Snuka and the Iron Sheik, managed by Gene Anderson. The tag team match started normally, but it turned out to be anything but a normal tag team bout!
When Flair attempted to tag Valentine in when Ric felt he needed a breather, Greg refused to tag. After that snub, Ric made another attempt to tag his “Dream Team” partner, and the nightmare for Flair began in earnest. Valentine jumped off the apron of the ring, and clearly had no intention of ever assisting Ric. Clearly, Valentine had suckered Flair! Without a tag team partner that would assist him, Ric was brutalized by Snuka and the Sheik before being pinned. If that was not bad enough, Valentine then joined the beat-down, grabbed the cane that Gene Anderson sported in his managerial capacity, and cracked Flair in the face with it. This vicious blow broke the Nature Boy’s nose, and led to a major feud between the “Dream Team” members that went on hot and heavy for the remainder of 1980, including multiple switches of the United States Heavyweight Championship. Valentine would even call himself the new “Nature Boy!”
After this major blowup between Flair and Valentine in 1980, it seemed impossible that the “Dream Team” would ever operate as a tag team again. But lo and behold, fast forward to the end of 1982 and early 1983, and Flair and Valentine would reunite one final time, for a memorable last hurrah!
Stay tuned for the final installment - - PART 8 of the "Dream Team!"
When I think back over my years as a wrestling fan (over 40 now) there have certainly been many great memories. As is obvious, some stand out more than others. I enjoy sharing some of these old stories with my friends here at the Gateway. I was so blessed to spend some time with Dick and David during the recent Fanfest in Charlotte and was so glad to be there to witness their Hall of Heroes induction, it was a great moment indeed. The introduction they got from Bob Caudle was simply awesome to say the least.
I recently came across a picture that reminded me of a special moment in my life as a wrestling fan. In 1974 I attended my very first wrestling match. It was in the historic County Hall located in Charleston, SC. It would become a normal part of my week as a youngster, as me and my dad would make that venture down to County Hall for the 8:15 bell time as many Friday nights as possible. I remember on one of those rides down we were passing a van and as I looked over, I could not believe it, it was Ric Flair. I could not believe that I had just actually witnessed him driving down the road like a regular person. I was thrilled and wanted my dad to drive slow so we could follow him to county hall. (What a silly kid, but I was like 5 or 6.)
There was always something about Ric that just drew me in as a fan, regardless of which “side of the fence” he was on that particular time. Well indeed the years went on and we all know the business changed many times over, but the one constant always seemed to be Ric Flair. He was still “the man.” He was still styling and profiling as only he could do. During 1998 when I was putting together the reunion show we did at County Hall, Ric did some local promos for us and was even coming to the show, but during that time his dad was ill and he was unable to make it. However, it was still pretty incredible that we had his endorsement for what we were doing.
Later the next year, Mike Mooneyham called me and asked if I was busy in the next couple of days. At the time I was still on the road as a deputy sheriff and so indeed I had a shift coming up. Mike asked if I could possibly get my shift covered or simply be out, naturally I asked him why. He would then tell me that if I could make arrangements, that I could go with him to Ric Flair’s 50th birthday party. I could not believe what I was hearing. Here I was, a lifetime fan, and now I had the chance to be at something so personal. I immediately said yes without actually knowing how I would do it. In fact, I didn’t even check, I just went, and called in sick. Looking back now some 17 years later, I normally would not take such a risk or be so spontaneous, but this was a literal once in a lifetime moment, so I went. We had a ball and although short, I got a few minutes to speak with Ric and share a few personal memories and a special personal story of how my oldest daughter, Morgan, was indeed named so because of his middle name also being, Morgan. He seemed truly moved that he meant that much to a fan.
The years have gone by and all of us have gotten older, yes even the Nature Boy, but the memories are still fresh and will never be forgotten. So Naitch, the last 40 some odd years as a wrestling fan have been great and from the passing moment on I-26, to all the great moments in the ring, to the birthday party and now hearing the old stories on the "Ric Flair Show" podcast, I simply say thank you. It's been great. Woooo!!!!
When most fans today think of James J. Dillon, they think Four Horsemen. "J. J.'s Early Days" is a short discussion with Dillon about his early career stint as a wrestler with Jim Crockett Promotions in the early 1970s, before the passing of patriarch Jim Crockett, Sr.
Topics discussed include his memories of Jim Sr., the old Crockett office on Morehead Street in Charlotte, his first match for JCP, thoughts and memories on guys that helped 'Jim Dillon' along the way, and what his time in the 'Charlotte territory' meant for his career moving forward.
Dillon had a hall-of-fame career (he's now in three different pro wrestling halls of fame) and was involved in many aspects of the business as a wrestler, manager, and in management behind the scenes for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling, and the WWE. He is now a "tag team partner" of the Crockett Foundation.
"Tag in; help out!"
Support the Crockett Foundation with your purchase of their classic "Four Horsemen" t-shirts, as well as caps and other goodies, all available on the Crockett Foundation online store.
The Crockett Foundations is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization.
The black t-shirt sports the official "Ric Flair Show" logo on 100% preshrunk heavyweight cotton tees and printed with DTG (Direct to Garment) printers.
The "Ric Flair Show" is part of the MLW Radio Network. A new show rolls out every Wednesday at 9 PM ET. This week's show features two amazing guests, former WWE world champion Kurt Angle and UFC's head honcho Dana White!
For more information on the show including how and where to download it, visit RicFlairShow.com.
The Mid-Atlantic Gateway is a proud sponsor of "This Week in History" on the Ric Flair Show!
