I’ve decided to add Mid-South to the list of promotions I am reviewing. I’ve studied up as much as I could but am still really a novice when it comes to all things Mid-South so if you do happen to have knowledge of the product, please feel free to share.
December 3, 1981
Your hosts are Boyd Pierce and Bob Roop
Tonight’s matches include Bob Orton (c) vs. Jimmy Garvin for the Mississippi Heavyweight Championship, Junkyard Dog vs. Terry Orndorff, with Orndorff leaving the territory if he loses, and Ted DiBiase vs. Ed Wiskowski
We take a look at last week when Roop faced off against Buddy Landell. He won in about three minutes as Roop refers to himself in the third person and said it was another fantastic victory.
Paul Orndorff vs. Tony Charles
Pierce lets us know that Charles is known as the “wrestler with a thousand holds.” The match starts off on the mat as Roop lets us know that Orndorff is offering $10,000 for someone to take out DiBiase, who just beat him for the North American Title several weeks prior. Pierce then alerts us that we can send in a postcard with our “Dream Match” that will take place on the January 6th show as both men continue to go back-and-forth until Orndorff runs Charles out of the ring. Charles comes back in and hits a dropkick but misses a charge and spills out to the floor. Orndorff follows and roughs him up then suplexes him back inside from the apron and gets the win (4:44).
Thoughts: Charles was a solid worker but had no look whatsoever. Orndorff looked good here as well and on commentary, Roop was pushing an alliance with Orndorff.
Ed Wiskowski vs. Ted DiBiase
DiBiase is a babyface here. Also, for those unaware, Wiskowski would later go on to become Col. DeBeers. Here, he is the “Polish Prince” billed from New York. Roop lets us know that the only reason he is not up there slapping DiBiase around is because he agreed to stay at the table as the guest commentator. Wiskowski gains the advantage to start after booting DiBiase during an Irish whip sequence. DiBiase mounts a brief comeback but that ends with a knee to the gut as Wiskowski works a headlock as Roop is running DiBiase down on commentary. DiBiase escapes and works the arm. Wiskowski cheap-shots DiBiase off of a break in the corner then roughs him up for a bit. Small package gets two. DiBiase fights back and catches him with a back elbow smash. DiBiase hits a powerslam but Wiskowski blocks a figure-four leg lock attempt and shoves DiBiase into the corner. Wiskowski then hits a crossbody from the middle rope but DiBiase rolls through and gets the win (5:49) *1/2.
Thoughts: Alright for a TV match. Roop was all over DiBiase, who beat him at the Superdome Extravaganza just one week ago.
Mid-South Mississippi Heavyweight Championship Match: Bob Orton Jr. (c) vs. Jimmy Garvin
Orton is the heel here. Garvin is wearing plain blue trunks here as he was an ordinary babyface. Roop once again said that Paul Orndorff has found a way to escape from DiBiase’s figure-four. Orton shoves Garvin off of a break then Garvin fires back until Orton stalls. They trade holds for a minute until Garvin grounds Orton after a jumping side headlock takeover. They continue to go back-and-forth until Otron blocks a jumping side headlock takeover with a back suplex. Orton drops a forearm from the top then hits a piledriver for the win (5:17) **.
Thoughts: The match was fine. Orton was great in the ring at this point. The Mississippi Heavyweight Championship did not have the greatest lineage though.
Terry Orndorff vs. Junkyard Dog
Terry was in fact the real-life younger brother of Paul Orndorff. He was a lot smaller than Paul. The story here is that Terry was the partner of JYD but turned on him. That led to the two having a match with the loser wearing a yellow mask for 60 days. JYD won and Terry wore the mask and decided to “load” it and ended up winning matches and decided to keep it after the 60 days ended. The stipulation is that if Terry loses, he has to leave the territory. Terry does in fact put on the mask here. JYD comes out to “Another One Bites the Dust.” Match starts with Terry stalling then cheap-shots JYD as the ref was between them. Terry hits a slam but misses an elbow as JYD takes control. Terry is tied up against the ropes as his brother Paul runs out to help out. Paul gets dragged inside and JYD slams him. Terry loads up his mask then JYD knocks himself out with a headbutt. Terry lands a few shots then tries a piledriver that JYD breaks up. Mike George is outside and brawls with Paul as the referee disqualifies JYD for tossing Terry over the top rope (2:42).
Thoughts: This was all to set up the post-match stuff, which came off as a solid brawl.
Iron Sheik w/ General Skandor Akbar vs. King Cobra
Sheik attacks Cobra before the bell. He beats on him for a minute until Cobra hits a slam following a leapfrog. Sheik shakes off a flying headscissors but Cobra comes back with a pair of dropkicks. Sheik ducks outside for a breather as the crowd chants “USA.” Cobra attempts to slam Sheik from the apron but his boots are caught on the ropes. Cobra gets a nearfall with a sunset flip but Sheik comes back with an eye rake then a kick to the face. Sheik then hits a back suplex and drops an elbow for the win (3:41).
Thoughts: Cobra was an athletic guy but this match was not that great. Sheik was rather tame here and Akbar did nothing to enhance his character either. Sheik would be gone before the year ended as he went to Florida.
The Monk & Jerry Novak vs. Brian Blair & Frank Monte
Roop is still talking about how the figure-four will be extinct as Paul Orndorff and himself have figured out how to counter the hold. Match starts with Monte and Blair working over the Monk. Novak is in and works a criss-cross that ends with Blair hitting a shoulder tackle. Pierce lets us know that the “midget girls” will be here next week and we will see Paul Orndorff vs. Ted DiBiase. Back to the match as Blair & Monte remain in control as the bell rings, signaling curfew as the show ends (4:50).
Thoughts: For those unaware, a lot of territory shows would close out the program with a match that was still going on as the show ended. This was about as boring of a match you could ask for here. Novak also wrestled as the Russian Invader later on in Mid-South. Monte was also a 20-year vet at this point. The Monk kinda looks like Erick Rowan.
Final Thoughts: I’m just jumping into this territory for the most part. I thought this show was just okay but hopefully as I see more of the feuds I can get into it more. I am still intrigued after watching this show though to want to keep watching.
Sunday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 6/26/88
Monday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/2/88
Tuesday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 7/3/88
Wednesday: RoH Supercard of Honor X, Night Two 4/2/16
Thursday: Shoot Interview TBD
Friday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 7/9/88
Saturday: RoH Main Event Spectacles 11/1/03
Also, feel free to Follow me on Twitter