In this Mid-South Wrestling 5/8/82 review, One Man Gang and The Assassin square off with Ernie Ladd and Mike Sharp, Bob Roop faces Buddy Landell, and much more.
Let’s jump in.
- Show: Mid-South Wrestling
- Date: May 8, 1982
RINGSIDE: Boyd Pierce and Ted DiBiase hype the card. Boyd wants to know how DiBiase’s leg is after Bob Roop went after it in last week’s match. DiBiase says he’s fine.
VIDEO: We get a replay of the finish of Jim Duggan vs. Dick Murdock, which saw Murdoch chase Skandor Akbar with a shovel before hitting Duggan with it for the win.
Larry Higgens vs. Dick Murdock
Murdock takes the action to the mat, but Higgens gets a few shots in once they’re back on their feet. Murdock with the back body drop, and he hits the elbow drop for the easy win. Captain Redneck does it again.
Bob Roop vs. Buddy Landell
This is a non-title match, so the North American title isn’t on the line. DiBiase reiterates that he wants the title back, but he also wants revenge on Roop. DiBiase puts over Landell’s talent as Roop goes to the ground game. Landell counters and hits a few knees to the back. An elbow to the midsection sends Roop into the corner, but he regroups and starts taunting DiBiase. Boyd isn’t happy with that. Landell with the sunset flip pin for two, then he hits a flurry of offense for another two count. Roop counters a roll-up attempt and Landell hits his throat on the top rope. Roop then hits the high knee to score the victory.
Ken Wayne vs. Mr. Olympia
Reminder that Olympia is your current Mississippi Heavyweight Champion. It’s no secret that Olympia has been one of my favorites in Mid-South. He’s had some very good matches. Olympia showcases his speed and agility as he sends Wayne retreating to the outside. Wayne complains that he’s getting his hair pulled, but that does nothing but piss off Olympia. Huge press slam and back-to-back elbow drops, and then Olympia locks on the sleeper for the win.
One Man Gang and The Assassin (w/Skandor Akbar) vs. Ernie Ladd and Iron Mike Sharp
This is a HOSS FIGHT. The babyfaces go right at the heels to send them reeling. They haul off again inside the ring, and Sharp puts Assassin in a bearhug as Ladd knocks Gang over the top rope to the outside. Another bearhug from Sharp, and he makes the tag to Ladd, who hits the big boot. Ladd picks up Assassin and throws him into the corner to tag Gang. Assassin takes a cheap shot at Ladd with the referee occupied with Sharp, but Ladd isn’t selling it. He’s a man on a mission.
Ladd wallops Gang in the midsection to send him down, then he throws him into Sharp’s knee. They beat up on Assassin, but more shenanigans from the heels with Gang hitting a knee to the back of Sharp. The referee is occupied with Ladd as Assassin locks on the crab on Sharp, and Gang hits an elbow drop for good measure. DiBiase is getting pissed, and he says he’s not gonna stand for this. DiBiase hits the ring to a HUGE ovation from the crowd and we’ve got a BROUHAHA on our hands as the referee calls for the DQ.
IN THE RING: DiBiase and Ladd stare down each other.
RINGSIDE: Roop has joined Boyd on commentary, and he mocks DiBiase’s run-in. He also says he’s gonna call the Mid-South president to request that he fines DiBiase. Boyd isn’t taking Roop’s shit and gives him a stern talking to.
Bob Sweetan vs. (c) Junk Yard Dog – Louisiana Heavyweight Title
Boyd is still going off on Roop. You’ve gotta love it. Early slam from JYD and that sends Sweetan to the outside. Sweetan goes for a pin for JYD press slams him from the mat. Roop points out that Sweetan should’ve have let up with his offense, and JYD mounts a comeback. However, Sweetan pokes JYD in the eyes, and that sends him backward into the referee. Sweeten goes up top, but JYD power slams him to retain the title.
Ron Cheatham vs. Rick Ferrara
Roop puts over Ferrara’s skill with power moves and counters. Short suplex from Ferrara and he takes the action to the mat. Roop says Mid-South’s standby matches are better than main events from other promotions. Boyd mentions it doesn’t make sense to have title matches late in the card since they’d only have 10-minute time limits. These are the wrestling psychology tidbits that I enjoy from this era. Meanwhile, Boyd is pissed at Roop again for bringing up DiBiase. Of course Roop just keeps taking little jabs. Ferrara uses the small package for the victory. After the match, Boyd tells Roop to hit the bricks so he can bring back DiBiase. Hilarious.
RINGSIDE: DiBiase knows he broke the rules interfering in the match. He wasn’t gonna sit by and watch the heels try to do the same to Ladd and Sharp that they did to him. DiBiase is gonna be the aggressor and he leaves commentary.
The Grappler and Hacksaw Duggan vs. Coco Samoa and Jesse Barr
DOOGAN is back. Boyd brings up Duggan’s stellar football career, then he pivots to advocating for DiBiase’s actions. He also announces that Paul Orndorff returns next week and so will the Samoan Warriors. Duggan showcases his strength against Barr and tags in Grappler. Barr manages to make the hot tag to Coco, and he goes for a pin but Duggan breaks it up. All four men in the ring, and the referee lets them fight until it’s ruled a time-limit draw.
BLAKE’S TAKE ON MID-SOUTH WRESTLING 5/8/82
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
Thoughts: Not the most noteworthy edition of Mid-South, but the back and forth with DiBiase and Roop on commentary was good storyline development. And a Mr. Olympia match is always a plus. A solid show but far from a must-see episode.
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