Very excited. Dr Death and Ted Dibiase like a mofo. I've got more of the best of sets on the review pile too.@rspwfaq For discussion on The Blog: WWE has apparently acquired the Mid-South tape library. I don't know Mid-South...good move? Excited?
— Calvin Fleck (@cfredneck) October 23, 2012
I really haven't watched much Mid South but read nothing but good things. It has to be better than 80s AWA but how's it compare to the NWA and WCCW? Anyone with knowledge would be appreciated for a comment!
ReplyDeleteShawn Michaels also did some work in Mid-South when he was paying his dues. The only match I've seen of his from that time period was a squash by Billy Jack Haynes, but even then, it was clear the kid could work. Hoping that if a DVD gets made, we see another early Michaels match or two.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started watching in 85 (I was just a wee lad) Mid-South and Crockett were my favorite territories. (I also like Continental but it wasn't exactly quality at the time, it just struck me as fun). The heyday of Mid-South started with the JYD run (which was a little before my time) and carried on into the change to the UWF. The Freebirds, Eddie Gilbert, Devastation Inc. were all big heels. Dr. Death, DiBiase, Hacksaw Duggan, Terry Taylor were the top babyfaces. You had rookies like Sting and Steiner, solid guys like John Tatum, Missy Hyatt was ON FIRE at the time, Jake Roberts had a good run there. The TV was exciting and fast-paced, the angles were intense and it was basically grown man's wrestling. I can't say enough about how good it was.
ReplyDeleteAll of this x1,000. Mid-south was the shit and even more "real" than Crocket was, especially for a 9-year old with kayfabe alive and well.
ReplyDeleteI want to see a full doc on this territory until its transition to the UWF and eventual merger with Crocket.
At this time and place they need to tread real lightly with this. JR said he'd like to see sets or some availibilty of whole shows or years maybe on the Network. If we fans get a constant reminder of a good run episodic wrestling show, Vince may have to kill D-Bry live on RAW for ratings.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they will just start running these on Monday nights...the ratings would definitely be better.
ReplyDeleteMid South was just incredible. JR at his absolute APEX...he made Gus Johnson seem like he was on ritalin. Awesome angles, tons of drama and great wrestling.
ReplyDeleteThat's the match on the Heartbreak and Triumph DVD, right? Where the ring announcer calls him "Sean Mickles"?
ReplyDeleteHmm, interesting. I wonder if WWE will expand farther into this so-called "professional wrestling." I personally would like to see some of it included in Raw.
ReplyDeleteMid-South is the greatest promotion in the history of North American wrestling. Seriously. Great booking and fantastic matches.
ReplyDelete'80s AWA is underrated, particularly up through 1986. But no, it was not as good as Mid-South.
ReplyDeleteWatts ruled his promotion with an iron hand--as did Fritz, but Watts had a clear and decisive vision as to how wrestling should be booked, worked, and presented, and had almost everyone in the territory on the same page about it, from his bookers to the referees to the announcers. JCP never really had that kind of quality control--Dusty had big ideas but was not always keen on the details. A lot of even the most absurd-on-its-surface angles in Wattsland made sense down to every last detail. Watts also more or less demanded that his boys as well as his "guest stars" work hard and work well. It was a grueling road schedule and workratey promotion--Jim Cornette described it as "wrestling boot camp"--but it made for a great quality of product.
WCCW was less consistent than Mid-South and was always a babyface-dominated promotion--the Von Erichs went over constantly (though not all the time) and it always came across like they had the promotion and the officials in their back pocket. Mid-South was all about strong, badass heels--some of whom were actually pushed as tougher than the babyfaces in a real novel concept. WCCW had at times some absolutely masterful booking (especially in '82 under Gary Hart and the dark times of '89 under Embry) but also some real low points (1987), plus it never had a particularly deep roster. Mid-South was more consistent at least up until the Crockett buyout and had great wrestling up and down the card.
Never did this but Threadjack:
ReplyDeleteAccording to 411: Takers hip is real bad due to Mania 28, and he might be out for Mania 29. Its possible he has a light duty match. Thoughts?
I'm thinking put Kane and Taker in a tag squash to pop the crowd. Don't think we'll be seeing many more Mania Planchas from Taker :(
Also this frees up Brock or Rock from rumorded matches with him, what will they be up to for Mania?
Hmm never watched it, budidnt watch AWA or WCCW and I sure loved those DVD's. Sure hope we get a 3 disc on mid south
ReplyDeleteNever seen any Mid South so I'm looking forward to it popping up on Classics.
ReplyDeleteI think its "Sean Michael". Also on 'My Journey' DVD(must own for any fan.) They have a Mid South match where One Man Gang squashes him
ReplyDeleteWouldn't hold my breath for a DVD.. but i would sign up for Classics On Demand for those who haven't yet.. they'll probably post 2 eps per month..
ReplyDeletea quick note.. the WWE:COD channel has gotten awesome lately.. really enjoying the WWWF eps chronicling Graham's '77 title reign.. and TNT has finally hit the Muraco era..
HHH comes back for one more match against the combined Heyman dream team of Lesnar and Punk. HHH needs a partner......*GONG*
ReplyDeleteWatched a Gary Hart shoot recently and for a guy who handled the book during some hot periods he seems to be a little out of touch with certain things. For instance he talks about how stupid it was of Sting to change his look and gimmick to Crow Sting when he was so over in his other persona (I don't see how anyone could argue that.)
ReplyDeleteBest channel going.
ReplyDeleteHe had a hip replacement? When did that happen? I don't know, could be an intentional leak to make his return a surprise. Could one match almost a year ago have done that much damage?
ReplyDeleteGood point. Really, Sting went wrong by not evolving from the Crow character after the Wolfpac angle. He lost to Bret Hart and took time off, and the next time I saw him he was back in the rafters in his black and white. It was the first time he went backwards as a character.
ReplyDeleteYep...I started watching around 1983 and loved it. I personally think that the Dibiase-Flair-Murdoch episode was one of the best face-turns I recall seeing. It had super coherent booking (e.g. Magnum TA-Mr Wrestling II break-up), guys who were hitting their stride (Dibiase, Steve Williams, Duggan, JYD, Roberts) before they were hurt or out-of-shape, great tag team action (MX, RnR, Fantastics, Freebirds). A lot of the stuff is out on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteAbout damn time too. They need an excuse to keep the DVD stuff going anyway. I wonder which defunct promotion they will aim next if there are any left.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who had no first run exposure to Mid-South I am so anxious to see some of it. I know I've become such a massive fan of World Class thanks to WWE's library.
ReplyDelete