(BUSTER) CWF 1981-82

This starts with a promo by Barry Windham in his Blackjack Mulligan Jr. gimmick from Knoxville with Les Thatcher about coming back into the area going for a shot at The Spoiler. (11/18/81)

 

Cocoa Samoa & "Nitro" Eric Embry vs. The Spoiler & JJ Dillon (11/18/81)

 

Dillon is managing/wrestling here and he is in a small feud with Eric Embry who is getting the spunky babyface push here. Dillon is like a poor man's Heenan as he was a damn good bumper but not at Heenan's level. Embry works in peril here as they focus on his left arm before Cocoa comes in running wild on Dillon. Dillon blind tags in Spoiler who drops a knee on Cocoa as he had Dillon pinned for the win. Embry tries to escape the heels after the match but they catch up and tie him up in the ropes head first and Dillon tries to come off the top but Bugsy McGraw runs in and cleans house.

 

Next we get a promo by Embry about Killer Karl Kox getting destroyed by Iron Sheik and this is really good as Embry showed his potential here on the mic. (2/10/82)

 

"Hacksaw" Butch Reed vs. David Von Erich (2/10/82)

 

This is quite the matchup for damn sure. David is working heel here and was awesome in this role. Dory Funk Jr. who was David's mentor here shows up at ringside as Butch startles David early with high impact offense. David would eventually go on offense throwing some really nice punches before Reed fights back until David sends him to the floor. David tries to get back in the ring after pounding on Butch but Reed pulls his leg which forces David to drop and Butch re-enters to win by countout. Reed gets his ass kicked by Dory & David afterwards until Sweet Brown Sugar shows up and the heels end up leaving. Fun segment.

 

Don Diamond, "Hacksaw" Butch Reed, & Sweet Brown Sugar vs. Dory & Terry Funk, & David Von Erich (2/3/82)

 

This starts JIP and has some fun action. Terry is in his bumping glory here as Reed & Sugar really look good.

 

Iron Sheik vs. "Nitro" Eric Embry (2/3/82)

 

This springs from Embry revealing that Sheiky was from Iran the week before. Embry is fiery here but Sheiky is just too powerful for him as he just threw him around then put him out with the Camel Clutch.

 

Killer Karl Kox is out next and he has photos of Sheiky before he became a pro wrestler with the Iranian jacket on and photos of his days working as a bodyguard for the Iranian Shah's wife. Sheiky runs out and destroys Kox afterwards for ending his charade. This is great stuff and a definite extra. (2/3/82)

 

Mr. Wrestling II then comes out holding Kox's bloody shirt and it is just drenched demanding a match with Sheik to get revenge (2/3/82)

 

Dory & Terry Funk vs. Don Diamond & "Nitro" Eric Embry (2/10/82)

 

This breaks down quickly into a 4-way brawl with Embry really looking good here getting nearfalls on Dory but as he tried to get a Thesz Press on Terry he was dropped neck first and pinned by Dory. Fun 3 minute or so match.

 

Dillon is out next talking about the Killer Karl Kox situation the week before saying he brought it on himself. Then we get clips of Sheiky/Murdoch from Tampa on 2/9/82. (2/10/82)

 

$5,000 Challenge: Jack Brisco vs. "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer (11/18/81)

 

Jerry Brisco is on commentary here and we get some great matwork early with Jack dominating and Buzz countering. Buzz uses some short cuts trying to get a pin on Brisco but Jack isn't putting up with that as he gets free. Flair comes out as it's stated that the winner of this match will get a future title shot so he is scouting. Buzz catches Jack with a knee to the ribs and then he goes on offense working over Jack's left arm using various holds and grabbing hair. Buzz tried for his patented powerslam but Jack blocked him and fell on top to get the win. The faces jump in the ring afterwards to celebrate with Jack and this was a very good TV match. This deserves to go on the block.

 

Next we get a promo from The Sheepherders as they are entering the Southeastern area.

 

Then we get a promo from Dusty who is back in the area after coming back from New Japan and he has an argument with JJ Dillon. (12/16/81)

 

Next we get a personality profile with Robert Fuller & Jos LeDuc from Southeastern talking about the 2-ring triple chance battle royal.

 

Then we get clips of Kabuki pinning Brody clean from Fort Worth which was one of the last clean jobs Brody ever did in the US.

 

Next we get another promo with Dusty talking about wanting to win the Florida title from The Spoiler with clips of Spoiler winning the title from Charlie Cook on 11/27/81. (12/23/81)

 

Then we get dueling promos with LeDuc & Robert Fuller.

 

NWA International Heavyweight Title: Dory Funk Jr. © vs. "Nitro" Eric Embry (1/6/82)

 

David Von Erich is on commentary extoling the virtues of Dory who just batters Embry with forearms but Embry is pesky and comes back for more. Embry gets a nearfall on a sunset flip then locks on the Weaver Lock but Dory drops him in the corner. Embry still fights though dropping his strap and throws punches but hurts himself on a leapfrog landing knee first and Dory finishes him off with the spinning toehold. David then joins Dory in beating down Embry afterwards until Mike Graham runs them off.

 

Dory Funk Jr. & David Von Erich vs. Ciclon Negro & El Gran Apollo (2/23/82)

 

The faces look good early on making frequent tags and working over Dory then David and this is very competitive. Apollo would hit Ciclon with a flying forearm by mistake as he was holding Dory so Ciclon gets up and slaps Apollo in the face numerous times before he snapped on him punching him out of the ring. Dory then knees Apollo in the back sending him to the floor where he eats a piledriver on the concrete by Negro. Negro then throws him back in the ring and the heels bloody Apollo before pinning him.

 

Next we get promos from Ox Baker & Jos LeDuc from Southeastern.

 

Dory Funk Jr. & David Von Erich vs. Jack & Jerry Brisco (3/2/82)

 

This is JIP about 16:00 in the match according to Solie so all we get is the stretch run.

 

Ciclon Negro & "Avalanche" Buzz Tyler vs. "Nitro" Eric Embry & El Gran Apollo (3/2/82)

 

Tyler with blonde hair looking like a fat Pat Patterson is great. Apollo starts strong and wants Negro who doesn't come in until Apollo is weakened then gets out as soon as Apollo punches him. Embry throws some good dropkicks when he is in the ring but he gets isolated in the heels corner and they work him over. Embry gets the hot tag to Apollo which sends Negro running to tag in Tyler so Apollo brings back in Embry who hits two nice looking enzuigiris before he eats the Avalanche by Tyler to end the match.

 

Then we get clips of the Jumbo/Tommy Rich match from Charlotte for some reason.

 

Taped Fist Match: Ciclon Negro vs. "Nitro" Eric Embry (3/17/82)

 

Negro & Apollo are having a series of these matches coming up so this is show how these matches go. Negro is a former boxer so this is his gimmick. This match is based on punches and we get these in bunches as both men tee off on each other. Negro batters on Embry with his head as well forcing juice from his head before giving Embry a modified Pedigree as he dropped him face first from a piledriver position. Embry again is pesky and comes back giving Negro all he has and gets juice from him. Embry works over the cut with punches and gets a nearfall on him but Negro comes back with more punches putting Embry down for the 10 count. I dug this one a lot as it wasn't just punches but the ones that were thrown here were pretty damn good. This is a nomination.

 

Kendo Nagasaki vs. Mr. Wrestling II (3/17/82)

 

Kendo is getting a mega push here working his Kabuki ripoff gimmick and he basically squashes II early here getting juice from him. II makes a comeback hitting two Million-Dollar Kneelifts but Kendo kicks out and then on the 3rd one it hit referee Reggie Parks. II has Kendo pinned but there is no ref so Kendo catches him with the illegal martial arts sending II to the floor getting him counted out. Kendo then goes for the mask afterwards until Brian Blair runs out to make the save.

 

Elimination Match: Derek Draper (Ed Wiskowski), "Avalanche" Buzz Tyler, & JJ Dillon vs. Brian Blair, El Gran Apollo, & Bob Russell (3/17/82)

 

This is JIP but we get all the eliminations. There is some good action here with Blair looking as good as anyone.

 

Kerry Von Erich vs. Sweet Brown Sugar (3/17/82)

 

One of the very few if not the only time that Kerry worked heel in his career and it's funny watching him flex his muscles for heat. Kerry isn't a natural heel worker like his brother David and even Kevin so he does stuff like going to the floor when Sugar is really getting going to get his heat. TV time runs out before the finish of the match.

 

Next we get clips of Sugar beating Ray Stevens for the TV Title at Bayfront on 3/27/82.

 

Then we get clips of Briscos vs. Funks from the same night.

 

Next we get clips of Funks vs. Graham/Keirn also from the same night.

 

Then we get clips of Lawler vs. Kendo again from that same night.

 

Don Diamond vs. Ron Ritchie (1/6/82)

 

Total babyface match.

 

Jack & Jerry Brisco vs. Masa Fuchi & Atsushi Onita (1/6/82)

 

Interesting matchup here that Solie said could main even anywhere around the world. Briscoes win this in like 3 minutes.

 

The Funks are out next with Terry narrating over clips of them beating on the Briscos in Tampa on 1/5/82. Funk calling them jabronis was great so the Briscos come out wanting a piece of them so the Funks take over their coats and jewelry then brawls with them on the floor before taking it to the ring. Very fun brawl here and extra material.

 

Killer Karl Kox vs. Chan Chung (1/6/82)

 

Chung is Kendo Nagasaki under a mask. Both men clubber each other here until Bill Alfonso basically throws out the match.

 

Killer Karl Kox & David Sierra vs. Chan Chung & The Spoiler (1/13/82)

 

Sierra gets squashed early before tagging in Kox who pounds on both heels and even goes to his tights using an object on Chan which brings in Dillon who gets chased out by Kox. Kox then goes for the mask of the Spoiler as the time limit runs out.

 

Next we get clips of a Lawler brawl with Terry Funk at Bayfront on 1/16/82 and this is where Dillon takes Lawler's crown. Dillon would wear it for months before Lawler would get it back. Funk then cuts a fucking fantastic promo here pouring motor oil and dirt on his body as he wants to know how it feels to be a true Florida cracker. Funk doing this forced him to get his head shaved. Slam dunk extra. (1/20/82)

 

Then we get clips of a Kox/Jaggers match.

 

Don Diamond vs. Iron Mike Sharpe (1/20/82)

 

This is JIP and we have the babyfaces all coming out staring down Dillon as Diamond takes it to Sharpe. TV time runs out before the finish.

 

Next we get a Dusty/Murdoch match from New Japan.

 

Kendo Nagasaki vs. Chavo Guerrero (4/28/82)

 

Chavo starts out strong with some dropkicks and he has Kendo reeling but Dillon distracts Tommy Young so Kendo could use an illegal karate strike. Kendo then follows up by putting a nerve hold on Chavo forcing him to bleed heavily from the mouth. Mike Graham shows up and he sends Kendo to the floor where they brawl for a bit before Dillon pulls Kendo away.

 

"Hacksaw" Butch Reed vs. David Von Erich (4/28/82)

 

DVE comes into this with the Southern & Florida TV titles so he is getting pushed. Solie says that David is a millionaire which is hilarious. Butch dominates early on keeping David grounded with a side headlock constantly. DVE would eventually counter that with a backdrop suplex and he went on the offensive with aggression. TV time runs out before the finish.

 

Florida TV Title: David Von Erich © vs. Sweet Brown Sugar (5/12/82)

 

The next shows starts JIP with this and we get some good action here before the match goes to a draw.

 

Next we get a promo from Dusty & Butch and Butch is still green on promos but Dusty more than makes up for him. They want a piece of Flair and then all of a sudden Bill White shows up making a racist comment about Reed so Dusty attacks him dropping big elbows on him in the ring. Dusty then puts Wild Bill Snyder on top of him and counts out the pin with them celebrating Bill's first victory. This is a slam dunk extra. (5/12/82)

 

Barry Windham is out next still with black hair but no mustache and he wants a piece of Kendo Nagasaki. (5/12/82)

 

Brian Blair then comes out for a promo on Derek Draper who wants to wrestle against him & Buddy Colt in a handicap match. Colt then cuts a promo with him with clips showing the angle where Draper attacked Colt. (5/19/82)

 

Loser Leaves Town: Jimmy Garvin vs. Mr. Wrestling II (5/19/82)

 

Garvin isn't Gorgeous yet here. II brings Dillon in the ring which has Tommy Young distracted so Garvin comes off the top with a diving knee pinning II to send him packing. Short match.

 

Dusty is out next as he has been challenged to a bunkhouse match for $10,000.

 

Bunkhouse Match: "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes vs. Ben Hovey (5/19/82)

 

No idea on who this Hovey guy is but Dusty beats the shit out of him in and out of the ring. The other faces come out to watch Dusty's back as he destroys Hovey. Dory Jr. then comes out and confronts Dusty but then he leaves with Hovey. Definite extra.

 

Dory Funk Jr. & Kendo Nagasaki vs. "Hacksaw" Butch Reed & Sweet Brown Sugar (5/19/82)

 

Reed & Sugar look good early but a distraction by Dillon allows the heels to go on the offensive on Reed who tags in Sugar but he faces more of the same. Sugar takes some punishment but gets the hot tag to Reed who runs wild on Dory before bringing Dillon in the ring. The match totally breaks down here and Tommy Young loses control. Reed press slams everyone but Kendo catches him with a karate thrust and Dory falls on top of Butch to win.

 

Dory Funk Jr. & Kendo Nagasaki vs. Brian Blair & El Gran Apollo (5/26/82)

 

Some good back and forth action until Blair goes after Dillon on the floor which sets off a 4-way brawl seeing Tommy Young get bumped. Dillon comes in and Blair tries to strip Dillon but Kendo sprays mist in Blair's face.

 

Then we get Barbara Clary interviewing Dusty about his upcoming Kendo Stick match with Kendo Nagasaki. Good stuff. (5/26/82)