Beast

Meltzer just posted on his board about how Nash beat Goldberg specifically to lose it to Hogan. Hogan was the reason that whole entire thing happened and Nash was given the book as a gift in turn. Please tell me we aren't going to start pretending Hogan was not a major factor in WCW's fall. Come on, seriously.

I think we're both being too black and white at the very least. Maybe he's not "THE" reason, but he played a large part in them falling apart starting in 1998.

I don't see how 94/95 is washed away by 96-98 when right afterwards the company died. It's all part of the same long-term story of Hogan's star power being beneficial, but his selfishness (or at least lack of awareness of how to benefit the company as a whole and not just himself) brings about negativity in the long run.

His WCW run is interesting because it's generally regarded that WCW was doing peak work creatively around the time he came in and he and his friends proceeded to run that aspect into the ground over the next year and a half. But then you get the nWo stuff which totally made him interesting again and led to one of the highest peak runs by any promotion ever. The question is: Do we look at Hogan as someone who should have known when to say enough is enough, but didn't, leading to him running WCW into the ground for good? OR Is Hogan himself a chaotic force of nature who wouldn't have been able to rein in his negative tendencies no matter what? Does WCW get those nWo years simply in exchange for burning up shortly thereafter?

Awesome, I am definitely going to check this out at various points. Thanks!

Tuesday September 6th1983 MACW Live from Memorial Auditorium in Greenville, South Carolina Joe Lightfoot & Billy Two Eagles defeated Rudy Diamond & Doug Vines in 9:05 when Eagles pinned Vines with a top-rope tomahawk chop. Buddy Roberts defeated Tony Zane in 9:10 with a DDT. Tonga Kid defeated Butcher Vachon in 7:21 with a top-rope flying crossbody press. Hector Guerrero defeated Chris Markoff by DQ in 11:51 when Markoff started choking Guerrero in desperation and wouldn't break at 5. Krusher Kruschev defeated Brad Rheingans in 6:04 after Rheingans knocked himself out running into a ringpost after Kruschev moved. NWA TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP Terry Gordy © defeated Nikolai Volkoff in 12:42 with a high angle back suplex. Dr. D Dave Schultz & Michael Hayes defeated The Iron Sheik & Scott Casey in 24:00 when Schultz pinned Casey with a piledriver. MAIN EVENT Ric Flair defeated Mad Dog Vachon in 17:51 with a small package off an attempted Vachon piledriver.

And the Russians won the tag titles at the end of July. Volkoff, Markoff, and Krushchev.

I don't know what you've already planned out schedule-wise, but having just been reminded of it for the first time in a few years, I'd love for the 10/27 - 11/2 episode to be about 1993 so we hear about the Arn/Sid scissor fight.

Monday September 5th 1983 MACW Live from the Civic Center in Asheville, North Carolina Joe Lightfoot & Billy Two Eagles defeated Bob Bradley & Tony Zane in 9:05 when Eagles pinned Zane with a top-rope tomahawk chop to the head. Scott Casey defeated Brad Rheingans in 13:20 with a schoolboy rollup while holding the tights. Hector Guerrero & Terry Taylor defeated The Vachons (Mad Dog & Butcher) in 10:11 when Guerrero pinned Butcher after a double dropkick. The Tonga Kid defeated The Iron Sheik by DQ in 9:01 when David Schultz interfered tripping Kid as he ran the ropes. Sheik was furious and grabbed the referee by the shirt, yelling about how Schultz had cost him the match on purpose. After throwing the referee down with The Iranian Drop, Sheik was removed from the building by ten police officers. NWA UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP "Dr. D" Dave Schultz © defeated Krusher Kruschev in 17:14 with a piledriver followed by a diving corkscrew elbow. MAIN EVENT - NON-TITLE MATCH Ric Flair & Terry Gordy defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions The Russians (Volkoff & Markoff) in 18:10 when Gordy pinned Markoff with a powerbomb while Flair had Volkoff trapped in the Figure-Four Leglock.

Sunday September 4th 1983 MACW Live from The Armory in Lynchburg, Virginia Chris Markoff defeated Chief Jay Strongbow in 6:22 with a bearhug. Hector Guerrero & Terry Taylor defeated Billy Two Eagles & Joe Lightfoot in 9:21 when Taylor pinned Lightfoot with a flying forearm. Krusher Kruschev defeated Buddy Roberts in 10:55 after sending him into an exposed turnbuckle and rolling him up while holding his tights. Brad Rheingans defeated Nikolai Volkoff in 14:51 when Kruschev tripped Rheingans. Kruschev and Volkoff hit Rheingans with Lenin's Tomb following the match. The Fabulous Freebirds (Gordy & Hayes) defeated The Vachons (Mad Dog & Butcher) in 14:30 when Hayes pinned Butcher with a DDT. MAIN EVENT - NWA UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP "Dr. D" Dave Schultz © defeated "Cowboy" Scott Casey in 22:13 with a piledriver followed by a diving corkscrew elbow.

I mean yeah, but I'm talking more in long-term planning for this project, not the promotion-world. Like I'm sitting on knowing who I'm grabbing and this whole process of going through a draft only to pass every months seems hard to keep track of for everyone.

First, KrisZ can you add a few months of early 1984 debuts so we can start thinking past December? Second, is there any interest in preemptive drafting? Like say TravJ knows he's gonna pick someone in November already (or February once the new debuts are posted). He can "draft" now saying he's getting so-and-so, so he's reserved his pick, but doesn't move to the end of the line until that month. Would help plan and speed things up since people wouldn't have to post PASS every month.

And Daniel Bryan's father-in-law. And maybe Cena's too at some point?

Saturday September 3rd 1983 MACW Live from the Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia Brad Rheingans defeated Tony Zane in 6:14 with a bridging cradle suplex. Joe Lightfoot & Billy Two Eagles defeated Steve Estes & Doug Vines in 8:23 when Eagles pinned Estes following a top rope chop to the head. Buddy Roberts defeated Butcher Vachon in 8:44 with a DDT. Nikolai Volkoff defeated Terry Taylor in 9:35 with a Russian Sickle to the back of Taylor's head. Hector Guerrero defeated Mad Dog Vachon by DQ in 7:42 when Vachon threw him over the top rope. NWA United States Champion David Schultz & The Tonga Kid defeated The Iron Sheik & Scott Casey in 15:32 when Schultz pinned Casey with a piledriver. MAIN EVENT Ric Flair defeated Terry Gordy in 18:05 by lifting his shoulder up out of a back suplex. Flair and Gordy shook hands after the match.

Now that's a Houston show. Would be appearing on NWA Classics any day now.

Just finished the new MACW TV so it's posted now. No major turning points, but I'm very proud of it as I think I'm finding my groove per se. About 1000 words shorter than my initial offering a month ago, more streamlined, and the promos have started to write themselves. In particular, Scott Casey is someone I had no plans for when I started and now he's basically the anchor of my mid card on TV. This has been the easiest show to write so far. http://prowrestlingonly.com/index.php?/topic/31835-macw-september-1983/&do=findComment&comment=5696555

Jim Crockett Promotions in compliance with the National Wrestling Alliance presents - Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling from the Civic Center in Roanoke, Virginia with your hosts Bob Caudle & David Crockett! Bob Caudle - Hello everyone, Bob Caudle here along with David Crockett for another big show from Jim Crockett Promotions and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling! David Crockett - That’s right Bob and boy oh boy do we have a show for you tonight. Bob Caudle - Big six-man action as our NWA World Tag Team Champions The Russians take on their top contenders, Hector Guerrero and Terry Taylor as well as the NWA United States Champion, David Schultz. David Crockett - There’s actually four Russians in the building today as Ivan Koloff returns to action in Mid-Atlantic. Last time he was here, he crossed paths with the Freebirds and we know that feud has only intensified. Bob Caudle - The Russians may have to bring along the entire USSR at the rate their racking up enemies here in Mid-Atlantic. We’re also going to hear from the newly whole Freebirds as Buddy Roberts is in action today. David Crockett - Plus Ric Flair is here and he is not happy about the surprise attack that cost him the NWA World Heavyweight Title last week. None other then Greg Valentine, his former partner was responsible and Flair will be on Rogers’ Corner today to vent some frustration there. Bob Caudle - But first we begin with two of Mid-Atlantic’s hottest rising stars as “Cowboy” Scott Casey takes on The Tonga Kid. David Crockett - Casey’s been on a huge winning streak the past month, beating none other than David Von Erich last week, and in pretty short order too. But Tonga Kid has a style unlike any other and this could be Casey’s hardest test yet. The Tonga Kid vs. Scott Casey (Casey’s more brutish style was effective early as he tore into Kid with punches and kicks, using his size advantage to control the ring, culminating with a big body slam. Mocking the Kid as he got to his feet, he nailed him in the head with a big kick, but Kid was unfazed and in turn nailed Casey with a savate kick which knocked him for a loop. Kid kept Casey off-balance with arm drags and a sweet dropkick right to the chin, using his speed and agility to take control. Reversing a back suplex with a backwards flip, Kid threw Casey into a turnbuckle and nailed him with an enziguri as he stumbled back out. Sensing victory, Kid leapt to the top rope and prepared to dive off with a flying crossbody press, but Casey knocked himself into referee Sonny Fargo who in turn fell into the ropes, causing them to shake and knocking Kid straight down to the mat, landing on his head. Fargo looked like he was going to disqualify Casey, but was apparently placated by Casey’s pleas that it was just an accident and that it was Fargo’s fault for getting in his way. As Kid slowly got up, Casey prepared for his bulldog, but changed his mind and instead picked him up for a picture-perfect shoulderbreaker, leading to a pin at 7:11.) David Crockett - Big victory for Scott Casey, but I don’t know Bob, should Sonny Fargo have disqualified him? Scott Casey - No, no, no, no, no!! It ain’t my fault Fargo got in my way. Hell, I was just going to catch that little Islander and hit my shoulder breaker anyway. I just keep provin’ time and time again that there ain’t nothin’ better than my homegrown American skills in that ring. You can send an Injun, an Islander, a Chinaman, a neg- (Tonga Kid appeared in front of Casey and threw a light, almost practice-like kick to Casey’s head, causing Casey to flinch and fall back over the announce booth to the ground) David Crockett - Oh wow, Scott Casey doing his best to avoid Tonga Kid’s educated feet. Need any help Cowboy? (Scott Casey throws a tantrum and heads to the back kicking the air and threatening crew members as Tonga Kid poses for the fans.) Bob Caudle - Casey may have won the battle, but it looks like the war has just begun David. Now let’s head to the ring as “Freebird” Buddy Roberts gets a chance to show his stuff against Ben Alexander. Buddy Roberts vs. Ben Alexander (A short squash as Roberts kept the advantage through some scrappy brawling moves and by until he hit his DDT for the impressive victory in 3:33.) Bob Caudle - Roberts hasn’t lost a step since he came back and it looks like his partners are going to join him out here for a word with us. (Hayes & Gordy come from the back as Roberts heads over to the booth) Michael Hayes - Good golly Miss Molly, old Brother Buddy Jack looked mighty impressive out there! The Freebirds are back baby and now that we’re at 100 percent, there ain’t no one around who can tell us what to do. David Crockett - That may be true, but those Russians still have the NWA World Tag Team Titles. Terry Gordy - Aw, damn you David Crockett! Those tag belts will come around again, we can wait. Hey, you’re talking to the NWA Television Champion so cut me some slack jack. Even if we don’t got those belts, it doesn’t mean we can use those Commies as target practice if we get bored. Buddy Roberts - I don’t care about no stinkin’ belt. Darsow, change your name one thousand times, I’m still coming for you. I’ll feel that pain in my shoulder until the end of my days and it would be only fair to make it an eye for an eye. Terry Gordy - And hey, Ivan Koloff is here today too, huh? Jim Crockett made a smart choice in not giving me a match with him today because that’d be a big hospital bill to pay, but I’m gonna get my hands on him sooner than later. Never should have showed your face here boy, it’s not like I was gonna follow you to Canada. Michael Hayes - So Buddy’s got Krusher and Bam Bam’s got Ivan, not sure what that means for me. I mean, I’m a perfectly fine specimen of manhood myself and I’m looking for some action. Bob Caudle - Well last Tuesday in Greenville the fans live saw you beat none other than “Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Michael Hayes - Don’t call it a fluke Bob Caudle! Both Bam Bam and I have taken that man to his limit before, but man I’m happy to have that notch on my belt. Seems he’s got his eyes set on Harley Race at this time, but wouldn’t it be something if Race found himself on Badstreet first? (The Freebirds strut to the back as the fans cheer.) David Crockett - Is Michael Hayes going to making a run at NWA World Champion Harley Race? Bob Caudle - I would think that Terry Gordy and David Schultz might have something to say about too, let alone Ric Flair. The World Title picture is getting pretty crowded here, and now let’s take a look at another contender, The Iron Sheik. The Iron Sheik vs. Rudy Diamond (Sheik toyed around with Diamond for a surprisingly long time, perhaps to show David Schultz just what he’s in for in the future battles. Lots of suplexes, plus an extended bearhug tired Diamond out to the point that Sheik may as well have been wrestling a broomstick. Finally Sheik picked him up and threw him down with the Iranian Drop, but instead of going for the academic pinfall, put him in the Camel Clutch causing Diamond to pass out from the pain at 4:56) Bob Caudle - Mighty impressive work by The Iron Sheik. The Iron Sheik - Bob Caudle, you make excellent excellent analysis. The Iron Sheik is most impressive wrestler and will make most impressive NWA Iranian Champion. David Crockett, you have same name as David Schultz, maybe I should show you what I am ready to do to him? David Crockett - No, that’s perfectly fine Sheik. The Iron Sheik - David Schultz knows there is nowhere he can hide, that belt will be mine and Iran will celebrate the defeat of another American joke. (The Iron Sheik spits on the ground and heads to the back as Volkoff, Markoff, and Kruschev come out.) Bob Caudle - And speaking of an international presence in Mid-Atlantic, here are our tag team champions, the Russians. Krusher Kruschev - Bob Caudle, David Crockett, I just wanted to warn you to prepare yourself because in just a moment you’ll find yourself in the same room as the most powerful wrestler in the world today, straight from Mother Russia, our favorite cousin, Ivan Koloff! (Volkoff, Markoff, and Kruschev sing the Russian National Anthem as Ivan Koloff walks out, chain hanging from his neck.) Ivan Koloff - Cousin Nikolai, Cousin Markoff, and new Cousin Kruschev, thank you for welcoming me back. It does my heart proud to see the success my brothers have been having here in Mid-Atlantic. But maybe you should follow me back to Canada. There is not any competition here in America that will challenge you all and make you stronger wrestlers. Nikolai Volkoff - Cousin Ivan, you make a good point, but there is still work to be done. Did you notice how not one of these disrespectful American fans stood as we sang the National Anthem? Secretary Andropov would not enjoy us leaving before the fight is done. (Ivan Koloff smiles and nods in agreement and gives Nikolai Volkoff a strong hug and pat on the back, then heads to the ring for his match as the other three head to the back) Ivan Koloff vs. Brad Rheingans (Before Koloff could fully step into the ring, Terry Gordy ran out and nailed him from behind with a big lariat. Koloff stumbled out of the ring and hit the arena floor and Gordy jumped out after him. He grabbed Koloff’s chain from around his neck and swung him straight into a ring post. As the other Russians ran back down to make the save, Gordy picked the chain up and swung it around in the air, keeping everyone back. Roberts and Hayes ran down and attacked the Russians from behind as everyone continued to brawl.) Bob Caudle - We’re out of control here with The Freebirds and The Russians, but the show isn’t over yet folks! Security is already out and as they calm everyone down, let’s head over to Rogers’ Corner with Buddy Rogers Buddy Rogers - Welcome one and all to Rogers Corner, the highlight of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling each and every week. Today I will be joined by a man who I’ve made no secret of disliking, but because I am a professional, I will nevertheless welcome Ric Flair to Rogers Corner. (Ric Flair walks out to cheers, holds his hand out to shake with Rogers, but pulls it back quick, embarrassing Rogers, and takes a seat) Ric Flair - Alright “Nature Boy”, what do you got for me? Why have I been invited on your wonderful show today? Buddy Rogers - I hope last week proved to you that you will never ever be NWA World Champion ever again. You will go down in history as a one-time fluke champion, who provided a hiccup in the long reign of Harley Race. You see Ric Flair, I have thrown down the Gauntlet. Ric Flair - Enlighten me Buddy, what is this Gauntlet? Buddy Rogers - It’s actually quite simple. You see, I have made quite a few friends in this business being that I am considered quite the legend. When I made it clear how unhappy I was with you bringing disgrace to my name, “Nature Boy”, I had guys throwing themselves at me to help take you down. Ric Flair - Like Terry Funk? I retired him Buddy Boy! And now Valentine? He’s going to be sent packing too! Buddy Rogers - Then I’ll bring in another guy. And another guy. And another guy. And so on. This Gauntlet doesn’t end Flair, and if you ever get a title shot at Race again, one of my guys will be there to cost you the belt again. So I hope you’re patient because I’m prepared to go on for years at this rate. Ric Flair - I don’t know why Jim Crockett gave you this talk show on Mid-Atlantic TV because you must have no idea what we do here if you think you’ve got my number. I am “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair (whoo!) and this is my house and you my friend are just passing through. They started calling me “Nature Boy” because I was talented enough to remind some important people of you Buddy Rogers, but now, man oh man I hope I’m not like you in twenty-five years because it just doesn’t sound very fun. Sounds like someone needs to invite you to Space Mountain so you can lighten up my friend. Buddy Rogers - How dare you talk to me that way! Ric Flair - How dare you Buddy Rogers! How dare you! You’re talking about the wheeling-dealing, kiss stealing, jet flying former and future Champion of the World, Nature Boy Ric Flair! And don’t you ever call me on here ever again just to toot your own horn. Line them up, I’ll knock them down! Greg Valentine, you’re leg may as well already be broken. I can wait to see who’s next! Whoooooooo! (Ric Flair leaves, letting his chair fall to ground as Rogers is shaking with rage.) Bob Caudle - Things are starting to boil between the two Nature Boys, but I can’t help, but think Flair is being a little overconfident here because if Rogers is willing to bring in Terry Funk and Greg Valentine, who knows who else may be coming to the Mid-Atlantic area. David Crockett - Very true Bob. Plus Funk left a mark on Flair’s neck, just as it looks like Valentine might on his leg. Flair will be lucky to be in one piece if he ever reaches the end of “The Gauntlet”. Bob Caudle - Before we get to our main event, I wanted to share our main events for this weekend’s shows. Tonight in Richmond, we’ll see Ric Flair take on Terry Gordy in a dream match for the ages. Both men are have a lot of respect for the other, but we did see Michael Hayes get an upset win on Flair in Greenville so who knows what will happen if Flair is taken out two times in a row. David Crockett - And tomorrow night in Lynchburg, the United States title will be on the line as David Schultz defends against Cowboy Scott Casey who is still undefeated on television here in Mid-Atlantic. Bob Caudle - Unfortunately for him David, that match will not be televised. Now, it’s time for the main event, with huge 6-man action between The Russians and Schultz, Guerrero, and Taylor. It looks like Koloff is out for the rest of the show so hopefully we’ll see some fair 3-on-3 action. The Russians (Volkoff, Markoff, & Kruschev vs. NWA United States Champion David Schultz, Hector Guerrero, & Terry Taylor (Very fast-paced match with lots of tagging in and out kept the heels from getting tired too quickly. The first third saw David Schultz all on a roll, using his brawling smash mouth style to keep all three heels off balance, and almost getting a quick three after hitting his diving corkscrew elbow from the 2nd rope onto Chris Markoff. Taylor and Guerrero took their turns being in control, hitting Volkoff with a double dropkick and with Hector almost picking up the win on Kruschev with a Taylor flying forearm knocking Krusher into a sunset flip by Hector, but Markoff broke it up. Things slowed down a bit as Hector was caught in the Russians’ corner leading to an extended face-in-peril segment with lots of clubberin’. Volkoff kept him in an overhead backbreaker for close to a minute and got a very close two count after Kruschev came off the top rope with a diving elbow while Hector was still in the hold, causing Hector to do an almost 360-flip while falling to the ground. Finally, Hector slid under Markoff’s legs after being sent into the ropes and was able to slingshot in with a flying clothesline. He made it to his corner and Schultz came in with a house of fire, culminating with a piledriver on Kruschev for another close pinfall that was broken up by the other Russians. It ended up breaking down into a 3-on-3 brawl in the ring until Schultz was pulled outside by The Iron Sheik who entered the ringside area. Markoff joined Sheik in a 2-on-1 attack until Taylor came off the second rope with a flying axehandle. All four men brawled to the back, leaving Guerrero in the ring at the mercy of Kruschev and Volkoff, leading him to be pinned by Kruschev following Lenin’s Tomb. (Taylor ran back in to check on Hector as Volkoff and Kruschev raised their hands triumphantly.) David Crockett - Hard loss for Guerrero’s team, but the numbers were just too much. They’ll still be getting their title shot, but who knows which two Russians will show up. Bob Caudle - Well our main event for next week will be The Iron Sheik taking on the leader of the Freebirds, Michael “PS” Hayes so there’s a good chance we’ll see David Schultz reaction to the Sheik costing his team their match today. Also in action will be Krusher Kruschev taking on The Tonga Kid. All this plus Ric Flair in action, next week on Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.

Yeah that cage match is electric. I wanted to give Smirnoff the benefit of the doubt, but yeah I shouldn't have been surprised. Having Valentine be the Super Russian is an excellent example of having a twist matter without debuting someone new. Good stuff. I'd think business is about to pick up.

Love the idea of making a new title into a negative for the heel. Good stuff.

I would be more shocked if the McMahon's did use it. Interesting information there.

Can't it be both? I'm sure it was the "official" term to describe black people in wrestling at that point in time *and* it was a racist term because most of the people who were responsible for setting the language of the business were racists. Also I don't think Dave is as much condoning the use of it as much as it's similar to how he's kind of thrown his hands up at drug use in the business. He seems to have the same "it is what it is" feeling towards both. Agreed with this. If anyone is so taken aback by Dave's view on it, please e-mail him for the radio show as I'd honestly love to hear him expand on his view.

Valentine is in Mid-Atlantic for a bit as himself in a different feud so Super Russian looks to be dead. Still can be a sympathizer though. Let me know if you want my Russians for a big show in the future and we can put a big old match together. As you will all see from my next TV to be posted tomorrow, Koloff is now officially allied with Volkoff's crew too.

Are we sure he's saying "It's OK"? I get the impression from years of audio shows and stories that he despises racism, but understands the climate in which wrestlers said these things. Doesn't change the fact that he's making excuses, but I don't find it that unfathomable that he would given his historical perspective.

A) We know that Meltzer adds so much more to wrestling journalism than his periodic faux-pas so let's cut out the "Ha ha that's why I ignore everything Meltzer says or writes". B ) It was a dumb comment, but I bet if you asked any of those wrestlers if they were racist for using the term, they'd say absolutely not. It's easy from an outside perspective to acknowledge how inappropriate that word is, but if a bunch of them had used it all the time with no clear consequences in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, etc.., then let's not throw too much of a hissy fit over Meltzer's eye blinders on this subject.

Friday September 2nd 1983 MACW Live from the Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia Bob Bradley & Rudy Diamond defeated Steve Estes & Doug Vines in 5:35 when Bradley pinned Vines with a victory roll. Butcher Vachon defeated Brad Rheingans in 7:23 with his Hangman's Hold. The Iron Sheik & Scott Casey defeated The Tonga Kid & Terry Taylor in 17:03 when Casey pinned Kid with a rollup while holding the tights. Hector Guerrero defeated Mad Dog Vachon by DQ in 11:14 when Vachon threw him over the top rope. MAIN EVENT The Fabulous Freebirds (Hayes, Gordy, & Roberts) defeated Chief Jay Strongbow, Billy Two Eagles, and Joe Lightfoot at 14:41 when Hayes pinned Lightfoot with a DDT.