In this Mid-South Wrestling 4/10/82 review, Ernie Ladd’s mystery partner is revealed, Bob Roop squares off with Jesse Barr, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
- Show:Â Mid-South Wrestling
- Date:Â April 10, 1982
RINGSIDE: Boyd Pierce and Bill Watts hype the action and recap One Man Gang’s debut a month ago after Skandor Akbar stole The Samoans from Ernie Ladd. There are also replays of The Samoans winning the tag titles. Watts also teases the tag match next week with Ladd and a mystery partner against the champs.
One Man Gang (w/Skandor Akbar) vs. Mike Boyer
I appreciate Boyer’s fearlessness in the early going, as he tries a few offensive bursts to get Gang off his feet. Narrator: He did not. This is all Gang, and as usual, he uses the splash for the convincing win.
The Samoans (w/Skandor Akbar vs. Iron Mike Sharpe and Buddy Landell
Akbar demands to know Ladd’s partner before the match. Reeser Bowden no-sells it and tells him to take it up with matchmaker Grizzly Smith. Reeser and Boyd giving the heels the business is always fun. Boyd’s zest for Mid-South during this match is just the best. The man loves Mid-South Wrestling.
Sharpe and Landell control the champs for a good bit, then Sharpe runs wild on both Afa and Sika. But it’s Sika that hits a clothesline on Landell from the apron while the referee is occupied, and that allows Afa to score the pin for the victory.
IN THE RING: Reeser with Ladd. He won’t reveal his mystery partner, and that brings out Akbar. Ladd beats his ass until Afa and Sika attack from behind. Then it’s The Assassin running in to save Ladd. Reeser hops back in and Ladd and Assassin promise a beating for Akbar’s group.
Tully Blanchard vs. Coco Samoa
Watts is loving the development of Ladd picking Assassin as his partner. Tully’s selling has been tremendous in his Mid-South matches. It’s about more than just the moves, and Tully certainly understood that during his career. Watts really pushes Mid-South’s growing business during this match, and Boyd loves it.
This match really picks up when Samoa comes off the ropes into a sunset flip near fall. What an innovative move for the time period. But then Tully reverses into a standing suplex for the win. Very entertaining back and forth affair. (Recommended)
Wayne Ferris vs. The Junkyard Dog
It’s so funny watching the crowd dance to this generic Peacock music for JYD. For the unaware, the bleach blonde-haired Ferris is the future Honky Tonky Man in the WWF. Ferris hits an elbow off the top and thinks he has it won, but JYD hulks up and hits the Big Thump for the win. Short match but both men were excellent here.
Bob Roop vs. Jesse Barr
The fans are all over Roop before the match even starts. Their chant? “Paul is number one!” I’d say the Paul Orndorff face turn worked. Barr is impressive in this one as he showcases his technical wrestling prowess. A great sequence with Barr locking Roop in a pin attempt, with Roop just barely getting his shoulder up before multiple near falls.
Boy do the fans want them some Orndorff. Barr hits a German suplex, and we get another great sequence with Roop crawling to the ropes to prevent the pinfall. Roop regroups and hits the leg drop for the win. Yet another recommended match as it made Barr look great. (Recommended)
Ron Cheatham vs. Mr. Olympia
And now Watts hypes up the collegiate success of Steve Williams at Oklahoma and his goal to bring him to Mid-South. He will indeed do just that. Watts runs the gauntlet of collegiate wrestlers he’s impressed with, then reveals there will be women’s matches in two weeks. Cheatham goes for Olympia’s mask and that pisses him off, with Olympia locking in the sleeper for the victory.
BLAKE’S TAKE ON MID-SOUTH WRESTLING 4/10/82
Overall Rating: 9.0/10
Thoughts: Yeah, this is right up there with Roop’s double cross of Orndorff as one of the best episodes thus far in our Mid-South rewatch series. Everything had a purpose, whether it be the storylines or the moves in the matches. That’s what I love about this promotion. It doesn’t insult your intelligence. A great episode of wrestling television.
For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!
