Mid-South Wrestling 06.19.1982

Taped from Shreveport, LA

Airdate: June 19, 1982 (taped 06/09)

Attendance: unknown

Hosted by Boyd Pierce & Bob Roop

Will Grappler find a way to either dethrone or assassinate JYD? What’s the latest between Roop and DiBiase? What’s up with Ladd? Who’s the marathon man? I hope you fed the dog before reading this, cuz I fear for your safety otherwise.

Opening montage.

In his opening remarks, Roop who’s decked out like an insurance salesman objects to DiBiase’s use of a glove.

Match 1: “Dr. Death” Steve Williams versus Mike Bond

Highlights:

Bond scored with a cross body block and got 2. When Williams gave him a cross corner whip, he s.l.o.w.l.y. backdropped Bond. He hip-tossed and steamrolled Bond with a three-point stance tackle. As he gave Bond another cross corner whip, Williams planted him with a powerslam. 1-2-3. Williams won at 2:49.

Rating: -*

Summary: Bond had his work cut out for him to make Williams look decent. I wouldn’t put the blame on him as Williams still has A LOT to learn at this point.

Roop runs down Orndorff noting that the latter has left the territory thanks to his efforts. We revisit the Roop-DiBiase match from the 3/17 episode where Gang interfered and injured DiBiase costing him the title.

At ringside, DiBiase cuts a promo while wearing a white glove on his right hand. He’s thankful for his title shot next week and cuts a promo on Roop. By no means whatsoever will DiBiase “cheat” by using the glove as a weapon.

Match 2: Ted DiBiase versus Billy Starr

Highlights:

Perhaps unintentionally, DiBiase dealt Starr a pair of quick arm drags making Williams’ efforts earlier look completely unpolished. He leapfrogged Starr and followed with a dropkick. As Starr took a powder on the concrete floor, DiBiase made him re-enter the ring the hard way. He slammed Starr and got 2. When he gave Starr a cross corner whip, DiBiase backdropped him. Williams should have been taking notes backstage. DiBiase dropkicked Starr a second time, demolished him with a powerslam, and pinned him at 1:59.

Rating: *

Summary: Solid showcase match for DiBiase whom the Shreveport faithful adores.

Match 3: Killer Khan (w/ General Skandor Akbar) versus King Cobra

Highlights:

Not only does a stationary fan cause Akbar’s keffiyeh blow all over the place but also it appears that Akbar used it as a napkin during a spaghetti dinner.

Khan split him in two with a backbreaker, but Cobra retaliated with a head butt. When Cobra leapfrogged him, he dropkicked Khan. Cobra attempted a flying headscissors, but Khan countered by guillotining him with the top rope. As he fed Cobra a side-Russian leg sweep, Khan mounted the second turnbuckle and launched a flying knee drop. 1-2-3. Khan won at 4:20.

Rating: *

Summary: Devastating showcase match for Akbar’s newest acquisition.

Match 4 for the Mid-South Louisiana title: Junkyard Dog (champion) versus the Grappler

Highlights:

JYD unfurled a cross body block and got 2. As he shoulder-blocked Grappler, JYD clotheslined him. He locked Grappler in an inside cradle and got another 2. When Grappler sought refuge on the concrete floor, JYD yanked him back onto the apron. Grappler clocked JYD with a double axe handle and got 2.

After Grappler broke JYD in half with a backbreaker, he got another 2. He suplexed JYD but couldn’t get 3. While he tried to tie JYD in the ropes, Grappler lost a battle of fisticuffs. JYD dismantled him with a side-Russian leg sweep but only got 1. During a belly-to-back suplex by JYD, Grappler’s legs sent referee Alfred Neely soaring between the ropes down to the concrete floor. Assassin approached ringside to check on his fellow masked warrior and substituted for him. SNEAKY!

Although he loaded the mask, Assassin got rudely inserted into the ring via snap mare. JYD evaded a punt and blasted Assassin in the head injuring his right hand. Escaping a slam attempt, JYD sent Assassin packing with a forearm smash to the back. Grappler re-entered the ring but succumbed to a powerslam.

With Neely still OUT COLD on the concrete floor, Gang interfered. Assassin tried to stop him, but Neely awakened and called for the bell. As a result, JYD won by DQ at 5:21.

Rating: **

Summary: Grappler’s being heavily protected with a ref bump and a DQ finish, but what transpires next?

Before Grappler and Gang can annihilate JYD, DiBiase storms the ring, grabs JYD’s chain, and sends the heels scurrying back to the locker room. He and JYD shake hands to end the segment.

Match 5: “Hangman” Harris versus Jesse Barr

Highlights:

Barr dropkicked Harris, and a mid-ring collision occurred. When Harris clotheslined him, Barr countered a rear chin lock with a face full of turnbuckle. Barr hip-tossed Harris and followed with a flying headscissors. As Harris missed a clothesline, Barr attempted a Thesz press. Harris, on the other hand, countered by guillotining him with the second rope. After he dealt Barr a swinging neckbreaker, Harris pinned him at 4:09.

Rating: **

Summary: Barr had a chance until Harris made him pay dearly.

Match 6: The “Big Cat” Ernie Ladd Jesse Barr versus Randy Base

Highlights:

According to referee Alfred Neely, Ladd refused to wrestle this match, so a weary Barr took his place.

Barr hip-tossed him, but Base thwarted a back drop attempt with a high knee. As Barr leveled him with a forearm smash, he slammed Base for 2. He hooked an inside cradle and got another 2. When he caught Base with a belly-to-belly suplex, Barr pinned him at 2:15.

Rating: *

Summary: Surprising showcase match for the young Barr.

Match 7: One Man Gang & Assassin (w/ General Skandor Akbar) versus Tony Torres & Mike Reed Junkyard Dog & the “Big Cat” Ernie Ladd

Highlights:

Torres and Hudspeth no-showed, so JYD and Ladd inserted themselves into the match much to Akbar’s chagrin. Now Ladd’s refusal in the prior match made sense. When Akbar and his team retreated to the locker room, Ladd and JYD shook hands to mend fences.

Rating: NONE

To end the episode, Roop wants to witness DiBiase’s unceremonious exit next week.

Conclusion: We’re a week closer to what appears to be quite the impactful title match as both DiBiase and Roop offer their arguments for winning it. Also, JYD survived an onslaught by the masked duo thanks in part to DiBiase’s heroics. Barr pulled double-duty by both doing his job and getting rewarded for it. In other matches, DiBiase and Khan won enhancement matches in entertaining fashion while Williams requires more seasoning

Next week, DiBiase gets his shot at the Mid-South North American title and must win to remain in Mid-South!

TV Rating: NONE

Stay tuned for MSW 06-26-82!

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