Mid-South Wrestling 85: Universal Cowboy?

Cheers from the live audience combined with the sight of
the commentary team of Boyd Pierce and “Cowboy” Bill Watts welcome us to
another edition of Mid-South Wrestling TV! 

Boyd Pierce: Hello everybody, I’m your host Boyd Pierce,
and as always I’m happy to have the company and insight of “Cowboy” Bill Watts!
Now Bill, the big show that I know all of Arkansas is abuzz about is just
around the corner now! 

Bill Watts: It’s come around quick hasn’t it Boyd?


Fans, the Mid-South Wrestling January Supercard is THIS coming Friday, and the K.L.
Johnson Complex in Arkansas is the place to be. It’s a night loaded with top
tier wrestling action!

We’ll be seeing The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express defending the
Mid-South Tag Team Championships against Chavo and Hector Guerrero.

Also in tag action, we’ll see the Devastation Inc. duo of “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel and
“The Ugandan Savage” Kamala as they square off with Mid-South Television
Champion Terry Taylor and the returning Iceman King Parsons.

We’ll also have
“Gentleman” Chris Adams vs. Kevin Von Erich as they bring their heated rivalry
from Dallas, Texas to Mid-South Wrestling.

Also officially added to the bill
during the week following their verbal confrontation on our last episode, another big time bout, Brad Armstrong will defend the
Mid-South North American Championship against Steve “Dr. Death” Williams!

 
 
Boyd Pierce: Boy oh boy, those are some big matches right

there. And that’s before we even mention the main event! Ted Dibiase vs.
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in a No time limit LIGHTS OUT match!

 
Bill Watts: Long time wrestling fans who know the story

of my career know full well of my history with LIGHTS OUT matches. I know from
my own experiences how dangerous of a match it can be and I don’t throw it out there lightly as a promoter.

That said, some situations require a high stakes
resolution and I foresee that this situation with Ted Dibiase and Jim Duggan is
only going to keep on heating up to dangerous levels. So I believe that taking
this thing to the highest level with a stipulation that’ll allow both men to
get all of that rage out of their systems is the best solution.

It’s going to
get violent, and perhaps it’ll be uncomfortable to watch for many folks out
there, but you best believe that whether they care to admit it or not, both
Dibiase and Duggan will have a newfound respect for one another when all is
said and done. At least, that’s what I hope.

Boyd Pierce: We’ll have more talk about the January
Supercard throughout the hour, but we’ve got something special to kick off the
action here today on television, isn’t that right Bill?

Bill Watts: Well let me level with you Boyd, here in
Mid-South Wrestling, we don’t inflate our egos and hide from the negatives out
there like some wrestling promotions I could name. While most of our
correspondence with our wonderful fan base here at Mid-South Wrestling is
positive, we do receive the odd complaint in our mailbag during the week. We’ve
had some fans send in letters asking us, where has “Hacksaw” Butch Reed been?
It’s an understandable question; the big man from Missouri became real popular
last year when he stood up against Skandar Akbar and Devastation Inc. Due to
being united by shared enemies, he also teamed alongside a fellow “Hacksaw”
…Jim Duggan. That’s a team that would’ve been unthinkable once upon a time. 

Well, I’ve got good news folks, having recovered from an
orbital socket injury that has kept him out of action so far in 1985; Butch
Reed is ready to RETURN to the wrestling ring! In fact, we got some footage
sent in just yesterday from a gym out in Tulsa, and while its entertaining,
with a little music and break-dancing thrown in, don’t lose sight of the serious
message this footage sends out. Butch Reed has been putting in the hours and
paying the price in that gym, he’s looking to be in the best shape that I’ve
ever seen him in. Let’s roll the footage! 

Bill Watts: I’m looking forward to seeing what “Hacksaw”
Butch Reed does upon his upcoming return to the ring, just as I’m sure so many
of you are after viewing that little video there.  Butch built up some great momentum in 1984 and
he’s got the people on side with him like never before. The man is a Grade: A
athlete in every sense of the word, he’s a 2x Mid-South North American Champion
as well as a Tag Champion. You best believe he’ll be out for more gold here in
1985. I predict a big year for him! 

Boyd Pierce: We’ll be back after a short commercial time
out with our first bout of the day; “Sheik” Hercules Hernandez is coming up
next!

Segment Rating: D

“Sheik” Hercules Hernandez vs. Shawn Michaels

This was the first time seeing “Sheik” Hercules Hernandez
in action since his failure to take the Mid-South North American Championship
from Brad Armstrong two weeks prior. It was notable that Hercules was absent
the usual presence of his manager Skandor Akbar, which the commentary team had
no explanation for. 

Unfortunately for the up and coming young prospect Shawn Michaels, his more experienced opponent
seemed to be in more of a foul mood than usual, with amped up levels of
aggression. At times, the aggression of Hercules could’ve been his undoing, as
he was faster in his attacks and less calculated. Shawn Michaels showed
experience greater than his years when he succeeded in taking Hercules by
surprise with a sunset flip out of nowhere, this scored a solid count of 2 for
the youngster out of San Antonio. 

Hercules may not have been his best today, but he was
still more than capable of dealing with his opposition. Following a vicious
back rake, Shawn Michaels found himself hoisted up for a wicked Backbreaker
Rack Drop. Following this, Shawn had no hope of kicking out as the match
winning three count was scored by “Sheik” Hercules Hernandez. Match time was 4
minutes 17 seconds. 

Match Rating: D+ (This match got the crowd hotter)

Following the victory, “Sheik” Hercules Hernandez left
the ring and approached the commentary table. Upon a very intimidating request,
Boyd Pierce was quick to hand Hercules a microphone.

Hercules Hernandez: Whether it’s the fans at home
watching on television and talking bad about me, or one of my very own
stablemates referring to me as a “weak link” out here on the show last week.
I’m not going to stand on by and take it! Whoever I have to go through to make
it happen, I’m going to make 1985 the year of Hercules Hernandez! 

After looking out with a menacing gaze towards the
ringside fans, “Sheik” Hercules Hernandez turned his attention to “Cowboy” Bill
Watts.

Hercules Hernandez: What do you think Bill Watts? I
notice my name isn’t in any of those matches announced for the big show in
Arkansas on Friday night. I guess the fix really is in for me huh? Are you
really going to write me off after one setback? What do I have to do to get the
music video treatment like Butch Reed got at the top of the hour, huh? Butch
Reed may not be able to see it out of that bad eye of his, but I sure can see
it….Butch Reed is the past. The present and the future belong to Hercules
Hernandez! 

Before “Cowboy” Bill Watts could respond to the comments
made by Hercules, a massive cheer broke out from the ringside fans. It soon
became clear that the cheers were in response to the shocking arrival of
non-other than “Hacksaw” Butch Reed. The cheers continued as Butch Reed took a
microphone from Bill Watts and stepped up to Hercules.

Butch Reed: Hey boy, I just heard my name flying outta
your mouth! Well lucky for you, when Bill Watts said I was back, that meant I’m
back and ready to go RIGHT NOW! I guess I didn’t put enough of a whooping on
you in 1984. You think I belong in the past? Well how about you try and put me
there boy? I’m going to enjoy making you fail! 

As “Hacksaw” Butch Reed and “Sheik” Hercules Hernandez

got into an intense nose-to-nose stare down, “Cowboy” Bill Watts got up from
the commentary table and asked Butch Reed to pass the microphone back to him.

 
Bill Watts: Alright, Butch, you’re back and raring to go,

and our fans certainly want to see you back in that ring. As for you Hercules,
you're right, you don’t have a match currently set for the big show on Friday. So
how about we wrap this situation up right now with a solution that pleases
everybody?  As soon as we go off the air
today, my first order of business will be getting the paperwork in place to
make this official. We’ll be seeing another match this Friday Night at the
January Supercard in Arkansas. It’ll be “Hacksaw” Butch Reed vs. “Sheik”
Hercules Hernandez!

As the fans cheered the announcement of a new match for
the January Supercard, “Hacksaw” Butch Reed and “Sheik” Hercules Hernandez both
looked to be more than happy with the announcement also. Neither man showed any
back down or lack of confidence as they maintained their intense stare down
with one another as the show went to the next commercial break. 

Segment Rating: C+ 

As we returned from commercial, “I Love Rock 'n Roll” by
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts provided the soundtrack to a promotional music
video for The Rock "N" Roll Express. The video (a repeat of the same video that
aired in the 1^st episode of the year) showed clips of Ricky Morton
and Robert Gibson hanging out at night spots, putting money into a Jukebox and
enjoying the attention of a flock of adoring women out on the dance floor.
Clips of the duos matches were interspersed in between these scenes, paying
specific attention to their recent December 1984 Mid-South Tag Team title
victory. After showing how the duo defeated Ted Dibiase and Hercules Hernandez,
the video ended with a shot of Morton and Gibson raising their newly won
championships high. At the conclusion of the video, the show cut back to the commentary
team of Boyd Pierce and “Cowboy” Bill Watts

Bill Watts: You know Boyd, that video has really created
a buzz around the area. The Rock “N” Roll Express has one of the most devoted
fan followings I’ve ever witnessed in all of my years involved in the sport. We
got so much correspondence from the fans about that video after it aired a
number of weeks back, we had to give in to demand and show it again! 

Boyd Pierce: Ha, that doesn’t surprise me Bill! So many
of the matches set for Friday night in Arkansas are rightfully being discussed
by the wrestling fans out there, but the letters we’ve been receiving here in
the past few weeks suggest that the Mid-South Tag Team Championship match with
the Rock “N” Roll Express vs. The Guerrero Brothers is one of the hottest
talking points. 

Bill Watts: I’ll tell you in all honesty Boyd, a team as
popular as Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson don’t come around all that often.
These young men have captured lightning in the bottle, they connect with the
audience of the 80s and they have the wrestling skill to back up the hype. The
Rock “N” Roll Express are a team in high demand, not just with wrestling
promotions here in the United States, but throughout the World. We should feel
proud to have them here in Mid-South Wrestling and wearing the Mid-South Tag
Team Championships around their waists.  

Boyd Pierce: Oh without question! But let’s not overlook
the Guerrero Brothers. Chavo and Hector are as skilled a team as they come, and
they feel like they’ve had to jump through hoops to get this Championship
match, so they’ll be coming into the match high tempered wouldn’t you agree
Bill?

Bill Watts: It’s a real shame that circumstances played
the hand they did with regards to the Guerrero Brothers. Things got a little
messy there for a while with threats of legal action from the brothers, but
let’s not dwell on the past and instead focus on the here and now. The
Guerreros have the opportunity they wanted this coming Friday. We’ll be seeing
two of the best tag teams on the planet facing off for the richest prize in tag
team wrestling here in the Mid-South. May the best team win!

Segment Rating: D

“Nature Boy” Buddy Landel (w/ Skandor Akbar) vs. Mike
Bond

Still clearly motivated by the anger of dropping the
Mid-South Television Championship to Terry Taylor at the outset of the year,
“Nature Boy” Buddy Landel put on a flawless wrestling clinic at the expense of
Mike Bond. In a match that was as much of a one man show as they come, Buddy
Landel secured the victory by submission via a Figure-Four Leglock. The match
time was 3 minutes 23 seconds. 

Match Rating: D-

Following the bout, the victorious “Nature Boy” Buddy
Landel and his manager Skandor Akbar approached the commentary table. Skandor
Akbar took a microphone from Boyd Pierce in order to share some thoughts.

Skandor Akbar: Did you see that fine wrestling showcase?
THAT’S what “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel is all about, and that’s the quality of
wrestling talent that only the riches of Devastation Inc. can secure! I say
right now with full confidence, not only will the union of Buddy Landel and the
mighty Kamala defeat Terry Taylor and Iceman King Parsons this coming Friday in
Arkansas, but it’ll only be a matter of time before the Mid-South Television
Championship is BACK around the waist it should’ve never left. It’ll be back around
the waist of Buddy Landel and in the possession of Devastation Inc. 

Skandor Akbar then handed over the microphone to a
smiling Buddy Landel


Buddy Landel: That’s right General! This Friday night out

in Arkansas, Kamala and I will finish the job we started on Iceman King
Parsons; he’ll be ICED MAN King Parsons by the time we’re done with him. As for
Terry Taylor, we’ll put a hurting on him, but we’ll be sure to leave just a
little intact, because I don’t want Terry to have any excuse not to defend that
Television Championship against me in the very near future. I’m going to
reclaim the Championship that I never should’ve lost. You people out there in
TV land better believe that the future of the Nature Boy is looking real
bright, because it’s paved in Gold! 

"Nature Boy" Buddy Landel and Skandor Akbar then walked back to the
ringside area, getting set to watch another member of Devastation Inc. wrestle.
The fans then began to boo as “The Ugandan Savage” Kamala was led out to the
ring by his handler Friday. 

Segment Rating: D- 

2-on-1 Handicap match

Kamala (w/ Skandor Akbar, Buddy Landel & Friday) vs.
George South & Rocky King

Like a train come off the rails and flying down a

hillside, Kamala was a force of nature that not even two men could hope to
contain. George South and Rocky King gave it their best effort, but Kamala
seemed able to shake off their best shots with ease. Kamala seemed to enter a
trance like state; the giant from Uganda was only focused on one thing, delivering
pain with unfiltered aggression. 

Kamala slammed George South down onto Rocky King, before
running the ropes twice and dropping a GIANT Splash down onto both men. It
looked as if Kamala was going to continue his attack, but Friday shouted some instruction
to him from outside of the ring that led him to understand that his work was
already done. Kamala pinned Rocky King to secure the victory. The match time
was 2 minutes 29 seconds. 

Clearly loving the display of dominance he’d just
witnessed out of the man he’ll be teaming with on Friday Night, “Nature Boy”
Buddy Landel shouted a message into the camera “Iceman King Parsons and Terry
Taylor….THAT’S what you both have to look forward to this Friday Night! HA,
HA!”  

Match Rating: D+ (This match got the crowd hotter)

In a music video set to “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent, we
see a montage of match clips showing Kevin Von Erich in action. The footage
used is mostly taken from WCCW matches, with some clips of Kevin’s prior
appearances in Mid-South Wrestling also blended in. The popular member of the
Von Erich wrestling dynasty is ready to do battle with his rival “Gentleman”
Chris Adams. That’ll be this Friday night in Arkansas at the January Supercard!

Segment Rating: D

Steve “Dr. Death” Williams & Ted Dibiase (w/ Skandor
Akbar) vs. Pvt. Terry Daniels & Tim Horner

For Pvt. Terry Daniels and Tim Horner, this bout was only

their second time competing together as a team. The fan favourites exhibited
some more examples of the promising teamwork that saw them pick up a win on
television two weeks prior. Sadly for Daniels and Horner, the standard of the
competition they faced in this encounter was operating on a much higher level. 

Steve “Dr. Death” Williams and Ted Dibiase were both on
their A+ game in this encounter, with neither member of Devastation Inc.
wanting to show any sign of weakness approaching their big bouts at the January
Supercard.

The ending of the bout came when Ted Dibiase perfectly
intercepted an incoming attack from Tim Horner with a high knee lift. Dibiase
then pushed Horner down to the canvas, before striking him in the face with a
falling fist drop, hit with expert precision. Pvt. Terry Daniels was cut off
from making the save for his teammate by Steve Williams, allowing Ted Dibiase
to pick up the match winning three count. Match time was 4 minutes 50 seconds. 

Match Rating: C-

After returning from a short commercial break, a music
video promoting Ted Dibiase was played. Set to the instrumental of “Miss You”
by The Rolling Stones, shots were shown of Ted Dibiase arriving via limousine
to one of the most expensive tailor shops in Oklahoma. We saw footage of
Dibiase being fitted for a custom fit tuxedo with tails. The video then
transitioned to night time scenes, as Dibiase arrived at one of the finest high
society evening establishments in Oklahoma. Dibiase wasn’t alone, arriving
alongside Skandor Akbar. The next scene showed Skandor Akbar handing a
briefcase to the manager of the establishment, followed by a scene of the
establishment’s security ordering all the waiting patrons to step aside to make
way for Ted Dibiase as he cut the line. Next, wearing his new custom fit tuxedo
with tails, we were shown footage of Ted Dibiase in a private V.I.P area, enjoying
some champagne while in the company of some equally well dressed high society
women. 

Segment Rating: D

After the conclusion of the video, we returned to live
footage, showing a smiling Ted Dibiase stood at the commentary table beside
Boyd Pierce and “Cowboy” Bill Watts.

Bill Watts: Alright Ted, we knew you had a video
prepared, paid for and sent in by Devastation Inc. I should add. Earlier today
before we came on air, I promised I’d have it played on television if you and
Dr. Death won your tag match. So there you go, I kept my word. But now I’ll ask
you, what was the purpose of such a video? You’ve got a LIGHTS OUT match with
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan just around the corner. I don’t see how a custom tuxedo
fitting or indulging in the city nightlife is fixing to help you? Mark my words, from someone who’s bled and paid the price in a LIGHTS OUT match, you better be
taking this bout coming up on Friday in Arkansas seriously!

 
 
Ted Dibiase: Because you’re oh sooooo concerned about my well being aren’t you Watts?

Cut feeding me that line, because I’m not taking

the bait!

I know full well that you’d like nothing more than to see YOUR chosen
one, the so called 1984 Mid-South Athlete of the Year “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan lay
a real beat down upon me this Friday in Arkansas. You made this thing a No Time
Limit LIGHTS OUT Match for that reason alone. Just admit it Watts, You want to
try and stack the odds against me and Devastation Inc., but all you’ve gone and
done is legalise all of the things you’ve been threatening to fine the General
over!  If I’m to be overly generous, Duggan
and I may be on 50/50 ground as far as physicality goes, but when it comes to
intellect, it’s one hundred to zero in MY favour. This Friday Night, I’ll outfight
AND outsmart Jim Duggan!

As far as what the custom tuxedo fitting is all about,

let me enlighten you. When you took leave of your senses and made Jim Duggan
the 1984 Mid-South Athlete of the Year, you presented him with some Lucian
Picard gold and sapphire cufflinks. In response I heard Jim Duggan promise that
he’d make an effort to dress better here on television. Well, here we are,
almost one full month into the year of 1985, and I’ve yet to see Jim Duggan
follow up on his promise.

These fans were promised CLASS, and NEXT WEEK here on
television, they’ll get a presentation of class, but it won’t be from that
unwashed pretender Jim Duggan, it’ll be from ME! In celebration of my victory
over Duggan this coming Friday, I’ll come out here on television next week
dressed to the nines! I’ll be the personification of class from head to toe as
I come out here wearing my new custom made tuxedo with tails. Trust me Watts,
after the fans get a load of me in the high designer attire that they couldn’t
afford in their wildest dreams, they’ll forget all about Jim Duggan. The attention
will be back on me, where it should’ve remained all along!

Bill Watts: Well, we shall see how that works out for
you. Personally, I wouldn’t be concerning myself with some shallow celebration
next week, you may not even make it that far. I suggest you focus on surviving
this Friday night with your head still on your shoulders, because “Hacksaw” Jim
Duggan won’t be holding anything back! Fans, we’ll be back with our main event
after a quick commercial time out, don’t change that dial! 

Segment Rating: C- 

“Superstar” Bill Dundee & Terry Taylor vs. Dale
Veasey & Rip Oliver

The opening minute of this main event attraction saw an
unfortunate turn of events as “Superstar” Bill Dundee took a bad fall off the
ring apron after battling Dale Veasey in an exchange of punches through the
ropes, only to be unsuspectingly tripped from behind by Rip Oliver.

Fighting through severe pain that he couldn’t fully mask,

“Superstar” Bill Dundee bravely regained his footing and rolled back into the
ring. Despite his best efforts to fight back against Dale Veasey, it soon
became apparent that Dundee was struggling to keep standing, never mind wrestle
a match. Through a combination of veteran instinct and luck, Bill Dundee
managed to duck and roll under a clothesline attempt from Dale Veasey. The
crowd erupted into cheers as Bill Dundee succeeded in making the tag to the
Mid-South Television Champion Terry Taylor.

Terry Taylor was in fine form ahead of his big match at

the January Supercard on Friday Night, showing no hesitation in a contest that
unofficially became a handicap match due to the physical condition of his injured
teammate. 

Despite some shaky moments that gave fans of Terry Taylor

a reason to panic, the popular Television Champion managed to keep on the
offensive for the most part, using his speed and agility to keep Dale Veasey
and Rip Oliver on their toes. 

Chants of “GO Terry GO” fuelled Terry Taylor on in the

closing stages of the contest as he exchanged moves with Dale Veasey. The
ending came when Dale Veasey attempted to hip toss Taylor following a whip off
the ring ropes. Taylor countered the hip toss by using Veasey’s momentum
against him to hoist him up off his feet for an arm wrench slam. Taylor made
sure he fell down onto Veasey as he dropped him to the canvas, hooking his legs
tightly for the match winning count of three. The match time was 6 minutes 10
seconds. 

Match Rating: D 

Following the bout, Terry Taylor expressed a mixture of
happiness and concern. The happiness was over the victory, while the concern
was for the well being of “Superstar” Bill Dundee, who was now being checked
over by a ringside doctor.

As Terry Taylor motioned to leave the ring, he was

distracted by the unwelcome presence of “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel, who walked
out to ringside slow clapping, mockingly congratulating Taylor on his victory.

“Keep MY Television Championship warm for me pretty boy”
shouted out Buddy Landel  “This Friday
Night, that pretty face will be leaving you when me and Kamala are done working
it over…and sooner or later, that Championship will be leaving you too, it’s
coming back to ME!” 

Clearly tired of hearing the words of Buddy Landel, the
popular Terry Taylor placed the Mid-South Television Championship down on the
ring canvas, he then invited Buddy Landel to step up into the ring and fight
him there and then. 

In response, Buddy Landel motioned towards the ring,
before stopping in his tracks to begin laughing. The reason for his laughter
soon behind apparent, when Terry Taylor was struck from behind by “The Ugandan
Savage” Kamala, who had stormed out to ringside through the crowd, alongside his
handler Friday, who seemed to be encouraging the actions of Kamala rather than
controlling him.

“Just rough him up a little, I don’t want him hurt too
badly…yet” Buddy Landel shouted out, as Kamala began to beat down on Terry Taylor in a
flurry of violence. 

Meanwhile, the mastermind of Devastation Inc. Skandor
Akbar walked out to ringside, with an envelope in hand. Akbar walked over to
the commentary table and smirked as he threw the envelope down in front of
“Cowboy” Bill Watts. “I think you’ll find that the enclosed amount should more
than cover this situation” shouted out Akbar, in a move that was a clear act of
defiance against the authority of the Mid-South Wrestling Owner. 

Clearly irate with what he was seeing, “Cowboy” Bill
Watts stood up at the commentary table as he shouted out “This is pure
pandemonium, and an absolute disgrace. I promise you fans, this act won’t stand
unpunished!” 

“Nature Boy” Buddy Landel jumped into the ring, looking
to join Kamala in the attack of Terry Taylor. Thankfully for Terry, help came
in the form of the returning ICEMAN KING PARSONS. The fans let out a roar as
the Iceman rushed out to ringside holding a steel chair, much in the same
manner Terry Taylor had done for him two weeks prior.

“You wanna dance? Let’s dance right now!” yelled out
Iceman King Parsons as he entered the ring and spun the steel chair around,
causing Buddy Landel and eventually Kamala to cease the attack on Terry Taylor.
While Iceman King Parsons surely cannot be at 100% health following the attack
he endured two weeks earlier, he showed no signs of injury in his appearance
here. Terry was more fortunate today than the Iceman had been 2 weeks before, being saved from
the attack orchestrated by Devastation Inc. before it truly turned into
something ugly.

 



The show closed with a 2-on-2 stare down as Terry Taylor
and Iceman King Parsons stood their ground in the ring, locking eyes with
“Nature Boy” Buddy Landel and Kamala, who both watched on from the outside in the company of Skandor Akbar and Friday.

What will happen when these two teams do battle this coming Friday night at the January
Supercard? Be there in Arkansas to find out!

Segment Rating: C-