Pro Wrestling Moments

A short form audio documentary focussed on one of the more infamous days in the history of North American Professional wrestling - Saturday July 14th 1984.

We look back on the events leading up to the day, how the WWF got themselves on WTBS and the behind the scenes workings of the deal.  There is a review of the actual WWF show that debuted on that fateful Saturday, including a promo so bad it has to be heard to be truly believed.

Thereafter we cover the reaction at the time to the first show and what played out over the coming months prior to the first WrestleMania, including a short run on the station by Bill Watts’ Mid South Wrestling.

James Coleman (@MrJamesMargate) is back as we review this week a great episode of Mid South Wrestling, albeit featuring a confused Joel Watts at the start. An unprecedented three video packages are contained within, on the Pretty Young Things, Terry Taylor and the Fantastics. These varied in quality, and creepiness, but all are must see. In addition a new North American Championship belt is presented to Magnum TA & we have a grudge match between the Junkyard Dog & Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs Butch Reed & Buddy Landel. This was episode 254 on YouTube, and I share that very much as a recommendation. In addition we get James’ UFC 251 predictions if you fancy a wager this weekend and someone to blame if it all goes wrong. 

James Coleman (@MrJamesMargate) joins me as we review an absolutely wretched episode of Mid South Wrestling. This featured a confused Bill Watts at the start and then some match finishes so bad they have to be seen to be believed. This was episode 253 on YouTube, and I share that not as a recommendation. 

Reigning WrestleMania trivia champion Mark Dunderdale (@dopper6) & Stuart Roberts (@wakefieldcanary) are back this week to review the July 7th 1984 episode of Mid South Wrestling (252 on YouTube). This features the Fantastics, the Midnight Express up against the debuting Pretty Young Things, the unmasking of 'Mr Wrestling II' and a video package on Magnum TA that is so good you need to stop whatever you are doing right now and watch it.  

A tribute to Mr Wrestling II, plus Dan Phillips (@danpffc) & I review the June 30th 1984 episode of Mid South Wrestling (episode 251 on YouTube) featuring highlights of the Junk Yard Dog vs Butch Reed match from the Superdome, escalating tensions between Terry Taylor & Steve Williams plus much much more.  Thereafter we review the June 10th 1990 NWA Clash of the Champions 11 in a new this month in wrestling history feature. This has plenty of Mid South crossover with a battle of the Expresses for the US tag team titles & JYD challenging Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. We also get ‘Mean Mark’, months before his WWF debut as the Undertaker, vs Brian Pillman, the Steiners vs Doom, Arn Anderson vs Paul Orndorff, Sid vs Luger & a lot more. 

Rapid fire Q & A with Ricky, including entrance music, ring outfits, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Krusher Krushev, JYD & the WCW Six Man World tag team titles, the changing face of wrestling in 1984, Eric Bischoff, the move to Jim Crockett, who they would most like to work an extended program with now, working for the WWF, the WWE Hall of Fame, Working for All Japan & their recent tours with New Japan & much more.

Ricky is back & we chat more about the June 23rd 1984 episode of Mid South Wrestling plus :

- Working with Bill Watts

- A great story about Ernie Ladd

- Integrity in wrestling 

- Working with Terri Taylor & Dr Death Steve Williams 

- Wrestling hurt & a crazy story about how Nikolai Volkoff helped him one night in a match

- Memories of Buddy Landel 

- Dan Severn 

- The Midnight Express feud 

- Jim Cornette & the difference between crowds then & now

- Wendi Richter

- Pat Orton & a call to Bob Orton Jnr

- The Superdate at the Superdome & a later incarnation in the NWA

- Ricky’s VHS collection 

- Some thoughts on AEW & Much much more

We chat the June 23rd 1984 episode of Mid South Wrestling plus a lot lot more in part one of three with Ricky Morton.  This episode includes the following : 

- The move from Memphis to Mid South 

- Their video introductions & first feud

- The differences between drawing in the territory days & now

- Ricky’s YouTube show & his wrestling school

- The gruelling schedule in 1984

- Working on top with Ric Flair

- Influence of Dusty Rhodes 

- The art of selling

- One of Ricky’s favourite current British wrestlers

- NWA Power run & working with Nick Aldis

- Visit to WWE performance center 

- Problems with current WWE creative & much more!

The current Full Force Wrestling Women’s Champion & quite literally the first lady of the Mid South Moments podcast, all the way from Cardiff, Wales, Nadia Sapphire (@nadia_sapphire) joins us on this episode. We have a great chat about Nadia’s earliest memories & favourites watching wrestling growing up & fulfilling her childhood dream of turning Pro. Some career highlights, aspirations & a great peak behind the curtain at when things in ring don’t go quite as hoped. Later we review the June 16th 1984 episode of Mid South Wrestling featuring Hacksaw Jim Duggan (who Nadia has worked with), the Midnight Express, Terry Taylor & more.