October 1983

This was fun. I was shocked on how much time they got in 22 minutes. Stanton is a guy I've never seen. I had to contact Dave Musgrave to get some background. Stanton was great working comedy with the midgets, or taking bumps from TA. He really impressed me. Pretty much they were able to mix in the wrestling and the comedy. Lone Eagle really stole the show here.

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race vs Iceman King Parsosn - WCCW 10/7/83 This was taped off Boston's Channel 25 (their Fox or soon to be Fox affiliate), guess I should have not scoffed at HHH saying he saw WCCW during his childhood. This match had three things going for it: working around Iceman's hard head, Harley's character work and a hot crowd. The crowd loved chanting Go Ice Go, counted vigorously for the countout teases and popped huge for the sleeper. Harley was actually pretty entertaining bitching about We Are Family playing for Iceman, David Manning as the ref and selling Iceman's hard head. David was an effective cheerleader for Ice and as we wi…

This was an enjoyable mix of the two Joint Promotion classic schemes: a respectful fight between 2 babyfaces or a rough heel (especially Break or Rocco) dominating the contest; it started as a clean and solid fight, then gaining heat along the way and turning into a snug bout when Rudge was getting frustrated about Singh's success. Singh didn't hold back either and they both got public warnings due to the lack of rules and sportsmanship, a huge contrast compared with the first 2 rounds. I really appreciated the pinfalls sequences, as some UK 80s finishes don't age that well, but it wasn't the case here ***1/2

WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund vs Masked Superstar - MSG 10/17/83 The angle coming in is that Masked Superstar injured Bob Backlund's protege, a young Eddie Gilbert, with his Swinging Neckbreaker on the concrete. This match is more of a continuation of that match than it is a match in its own right. They were getting ready to finally take the belt off Backlund after six years. They wanted to protect him as much as possible. So they had Superstar give him the Swinging Neckbreaker both in the ring and then out of the ring on the concrete. Backlund is counted out. He gets his heat back by running Superstar off, but then collapses in the ring holding the back of …

NWA United National Champion Ted DiBiase vs Genichiro Tenryu - AJPW 10/23/83 DiBiase comes in wearing a robe saying "Italian Stallion". I never once thought of DiBiase as an Italian American even though DiBiase is clearly an Italian last name. Just strikes me too much as a country boy. Jumbo vacated this championship in June 1983 as he graduated to the International Heavyweight Championship. DiBiase was awarded the title via forfeit because Jerry Lawler failed to appear for the match. The announcers namedrop Lawler at least twice during the match. This was DiBiase first title defense as champion. At the time, Tenryu had never won a major singles championship in Al…

It looks like Sawyer is selling a leg/hammy injury into the match. I am a jake guy. I might not like the match, but their is usually something Jake does that is fascinating or interesting. He's the epitome as bullet proof. I met him once and didn't really care for him as a person. Sawyer on the arm early. They do a real good job here of paying off the spots, and getting good responses from them. Love Jake using his height to gain leverage on Sawyer. Love Jake's little looks to the audience. Again we get a great payback to the leverage spot. Now Jake targets the hammy. Love Sawyer using the wrist control to set up the arm work. Jake suckers him in and we get him destroying…

This is the opener to the Last Battle of Atlanta. Lightfoot controlling the mat early on. I wouldn't have guessed Lightfoot woud be owning Thornton on the mat. A big knee to Lightfoot sets up the heat. Thorntorn's forarms are wicked. Lightfoot using the cravat to ward off Thornton. Thorntorn' s European forarms are just a difference maker. Thorton steals one with a roll up. This was a real solid opening match. They kept it on the mat. It was all about move counter move. A really good way to start the show. 2 1/2*

This is mask vs mask. Mr.Wrestling mask vs 2. Roop is wrestling for Mr. Wrestling. Chants of 2 fill the Omni. 2 feels vert tenacious. Big knee strike by 2. The Million Dollar knee lift from the top ruled. 2 after Roop's leg. Love 2 cinching a front facelock while Roop was setting for a back drop. A crutch to 2's stomach sets up the heat. Small comeback is thwarted by Roop. Roop goes for the mask. It fires 2 up. The crowd goes bonkers. Roop cuts the comeback off again with a huge knee. Flash roll up and 2 gets the win. Mr. Wrestling tries to escape. He's Jessie Barr. 3*

I liked the intensity of the lock up. Bruno jr using the arm drag to control Rose. A match with the sole purpose to get Bruno Jr. over.

Early nerve hold by Kabuki. Garvin really tries to escape and work it. Kabuki cuts off Ronnie. They're really trying to get the hold over. I always love the gimmick of the tiitle is up for the 1st 10 minutes of a 20 minute ma[tch. 1/4*

This was worth the wait for me. Buzz starts out going after the hand and in a great move Rich gets a glimpse of offense in using his leg. Buzz remains on the attack and Rich is bloodied three minutes in. He really is a bloody mess and only gets some offense in on a low blow. The cage gets introduced and the blood continues to pour as this match reaches that visceral level where you can feel the hatred of both men. Tremendous punches are shown by Rich. Buzz is presented as a great heel that is resourceful and able to capitalize even when overwhelmed. His piledrivers were tremendous and utilized to allow him to take advantage. Rich's head is a complete reddish hue halfway t…

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race vs Jumbo Tsuruta - AJPW 10/26/83 I have a lot of problems with Harley Race, but boredom is not usually one of them. This was a boring 30 minute draw. When he put on a front facelock in the middle of what I thought was the finish run I was thinking "Fuck they are going 60 and I just wanna go to bed." Harley just had no fire. Very few bumps, not much selling, just no character work. It was the opposite of his fun Iceman Parsons match which was just 20 days earlier. Jumbo brought enough that I would say the match was good. Even though Jumbo is a big star, he often a challenger for a major title against a foreigner. So he has a …