A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Mediocre
D – Avoid
Release Date: 16th September 2013
Available From: www.wwedvd.co.uk
Price:
DVD £ 19.99
Blu-ray £ 22.99
(Prices from www.wwedvd.co.uk: high street prices will vary)
Format Reviewed:
DVD (3 Discs)
(Also Available on Blu-ray (2
Discs)
What It’s About:
Documenting
the legends of the hugely popular Mid-South Wrestling, this release from WWE
boasts matches and angles from the early to late 1980’s showcasing some of
wrestling’s most unforgettably talents before they became the household names
we know and love them for today.
Strengths:
The
beginning of the release begins with the talking heads such as Ted Dibiase, Jim
Ross and Michael Hayes explaining Mid-South Wrestling’s beginnings in the
industry. Whilst the beginning is predictably short and not nearly long enough
to cover all of the basis of the company – the talking heads do a good job with
what time they are allocated. Thankfully, in the short time, they manage to
mention Leroy McGurk and the purchase of the company by Bill Watts, though the
clips of Bill Watts talking about Mid-South – which were lazily recorded at the
same time they did ‘The Rise and Fall of WCW’ so long ago – mainly feature him
doing his ‘pity me’ routine. Along with the story there is some wonderful early
footage of well known wrestlers, including Jim Neidhart who I had to look twice
at to realise it was him.
Ted
Dibiase’s segment is accompanied by video footage of him at a very young stage
in his career and testaments of how good he was from his peers and fellow
wrestlers. Though the segment barely features and interview with Dibiase
himself – he’s present elsewhere on the release – Michael Hayes is spot on when
he says that Dibiase was one of the greatest ring technicians. The footage
makes Dibiase look so different from his Million Dollar Man days. As mentioned,
Dibiase is present right across the whole release and many of his matches
feature. Showing how good Dibiase is only begs the question of where is his
three disc biography release?
Ted
Dibiase vs Paul Orndorff (Mid-South Wrestling, December 1981) starts off at a
hell of a pace with some quality back and forth action which then develops into
a showcase of some rather impressive submission moves by Dibiase. The match is
short but boasts some very fine reversals and moves which Dibiase never pulled
out in his WWE tenure, including a fabulous standing dropkick, a brilliant
powerslam and a classy figure four leg lock. Pau Orndorff is very good also and
looks to be a more sound technician here than he was later on in his career.
Had this match been given another ten minutes in 1981 then it would have been
nothing but excellent.
In
Junkyard Dog’s segment, everyone who speaks about the man is so complimentary.
Jim Ross calls JYD ‘the biggest star of Mid-South’ which he may well have been.
A blessed relief from the usual talking heads, this release sees the inclusion
of Jake Roberts – who looks really well – and Dr. Death Steve Williams – who
also looks to be in good health. It truly is wonderful to see them both.
Michael Hayes says that JYD popped the arenas like no other wrestler could
which is high praise for a man who was a monumental flop in WWE and WCW. It may
take until the end of the segment to get to, but Ted Dibiase says what is
everyone’s mind but no one wants to mention and that’s that JYD wasn’t a great
wrestler. It’s a nice and honest segment
which sheds light on a man who could have maybe done more to get himself over
in other companies.
Ted
Dibiase and Matt Bourne vs Junkyard Dog and Mr. Olympia (Mid-South Wrestling,
October 1982) is a lively tag team match which highlights the feud between
Dibiase and Dog which won feud of the year. The pair go at it hell for leather
in the beginning of the match in which Dog acts more like a heel than a face.
It’s striking and unnerving how much Matt Bourne – the man who go on to find
fame as Doink the Clown – looks so much like former WWE wrestler Eugene.
Honestly, they look almost similar. On the subject of Bourne, by his in ring
actions here its clear Vince McMahon never used him to his full potential.
Bourne is a cracking wrestler who pulls off some top notch moves here including
‘The Whoopee Cushion’ his finisher as Doink. There is always something going on
in the match and Dibiase carries Dog and Olympia to a fine outing and the
decision to have Dog lose is not a popular one – but this was a company who
weren’t afraid to take chances. In the post match interview Ted Dibiase has his
trademark laugh on display.
Ted
Dibiase vs Jim Duggan in a Coal Miner’s Glove, Steel Cage, Tuxedo, Loser Leaves
Town Match is as ludicrous as it sounds and may pale in comparison to other
matches on this release but is entertaining nonetheless. Though no date is
given for the match in the main menu, the laughs begin as the pair rip the
tuxedo’s off of each other and resemble two drunk guests at a wedding doing so.
Dibiase hits his trademark ‘Dibiase Fist Drop’ and Duggan bleeds heavily which
only adds to the entertainment. There’s a cringe worthy moment as Ted lands
awkwardly on the back of his head off of back bump from the top rope but its
not nearly as bad as seeing the pair almost eclipse the cage in height. Jim
Ross dubs commentary once again and isn’t allowed – just like he wasn’t on the
previous release – to add any background to the match – a reoccurring theme of
this release. In the end it turns out to be a very good match which the crowd
go wild for when Dibiase is felled with the coal miners glove.
Magnum
T.A and Dusty Rhodes give some idea as to how long and torturous the road trips
were between cities back in the day. As talking heads they provide some insight
into the goings on between trips and how wrestlers used to wind down. It’s
strange seeing Rhodes here as he doesn’t pop up at any other time on the DVD
release. Jim Duggan gives us a short story about several wrestlers sneaking
into a motel room when they’ve only paid for one bed and it’s a surprise to see
Jim Cornette pop up as a talking head considering his fractured relationship
with the company. Hearing this makes you wonder why WWE don’t release a ‘Road
Trip’ release focussed on the stories from the wrestler’s time on the road. The
books of the same nature are a great read.
Ted
Dibiase and Matt Bourne vs Andre the Giant and Tony Atlas (Mid-South Wrestling,
February 1983) is another superb effort by everyone, including Andre. A series
of bodyslams by Andre look accomplished which is a plus considering his
limitations in the ring – though his efforts are made miles better by the
selling of them by Bourne and Dibiase. Once again, Matt Bourne is technically
very good which makes you question why Vince didn’t allow him to perform like
this as Doink the Clown. Though the match is more than watchable it ends on yet
another farcical all out brawl as a visibly slimmer Kamala runs in and attack
Andre, body slamming him with more ease than Hulk Hogan ever managed.
Magnum
T.A vs Mr. Wrestling II (Mid-South Wrestling, May 13th 1984) is a decent six
minute outing which isn’t shown in its entirety. Instead of the whole effort
which would have been preferable we are introduced to the match which is almost
halfway old. The footage keeps cutting out which dates it horribly and whilst
the bout is far from special thanks to the fact that we can’t get involved half
way through, it’s not horrible either. Instead of the usual rest-hold-fest we
get a match which is all go with hardly any stalling.
The
Rock ‘n’ Roll Express vs The Midnight Express (Mid-South Wrestling, May 1984)
is the first piece of material which is decent on Disc 2, which doesn’t bode
well when you realise it’s close to an hour in. The match itself is a halfway
decent representation of one of the greatest tag team feuds in wrestling
history, fast paced and boasts some brilliant back and forth action from both
teams. Unlike other tag team matches on the release this keeps the action going
with minimal rest holds. Bobby Eaton’s powerslam on Ricky Morton is an
impressive piece of work and Robert Gibson is like a firecracker when he gets
going. The match ends with a solid interview by Jim Cornette who is a marvel on
the mic. The problem with this match is that it isn’t their best effort by a
mile and there isn’t a move that you’ll remember a week from watching this. It’s
not totally forgettable but it’s not the best they could have included either.
The
second Rock ‘n’ Roll Express vs The Midnight Express is yet another match
without a date to it but another great effort by the two tandems, with Jim
Cornette suspended above the ring in a straight jacket. Like the previous bout
between them, this isn’t their best effort and WWE would have done better ignoring
time constraints and excluding both these matches in favour of one longer and
more thrilling effort by the two teams. Two Monkey Flips out of the corner
begin the highlights on the match and frequent tags keep the match interesting.
Playing the face part, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express exude sympathy as The Midnight
Express dominate most of the match isolating Ricky Morton from his partner.
When Robert Gibson finally gets into the action he nails a wonderful sunset
flip roll and the bout ends on a low in yet another disqualification finish.
With the stipulation of the match that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express get $25,000 of
The Midnight Express’ money if they defeat them, it makes one wonder why The
Midnight Express would willingly lose the bout.
‘Shawn
Michaels Learns From Ted Dibiase’ is a heartfelt segment in which Shawn Michaels
talks about his days as an enhancement talent working with Ted Dibiase across
the territory. Michaels can’t praise Dibiase enough for helping him out in the
ring and touches on the fact that even though he was merely cannon fodder for
the bigger stars, when he was working with Dibiase he would be given stuff to
do which made him look good and the crowd believe he may actually score an
upset. Michaels’ thanks to Dibiase is maybe something we don’t hear enough
these days and its nice to hear someone give Dibiase the credit he deserves for
being a master tactician in the ring. Shawn Michaels does more for Ted Dibiase
in two minutes than Hulk Hogan did in three years.
Ted
Dibiase vs Shawn Michaels (Mid-South Wrestling, December 1984) may be a short
outing which pits a known talent against an enhancement talent but it is tense
for the few minutes it lasts and puts pay to everything Michaels was saying in
the previous segment. Dibiase is giving as he allows Michaels to get in some
moves and for a couple of seconds it actually does look like the man who would
become one of the greatest wrestlers that ever lived, may pull off a huge
upset. Dibiase is a powerhouse when he’s in control and it’s not hard to see
why he was one of the company’s shining stars.
Terry
Taylor’s anecdote about Ric Flair turning up smelling of alcohol an hour before
their match is amusing but begins to sound like sour grapes. Thankfully, it
turns into a heart warming testament to Ric Flair’s professionalism and talent
in the ring when Taylor tells us that even though Flair looked rough when he
entered the arena, he was ‘The Nature Boy’ when he stepped through the curtain.
I doubt Taylor could have done more to cement that Ric Flair is the greatest
wrestler to ever step foot in a wrestling ring, period. It’s also refreshing to
hear about wrestlers backstage exploits.
Ric
Flair vs Terry Taylor (Mid-South Wrestling, June 1985) is a long forty minute
bout but pays off in the end. Naturally, for a match so long it has its fair
share of rest and submission moves in the beginning but it really heats up
towards the end as Flair does everything he possibly can to make Taylor – the man
who would bomb as The Red Rooster in WWE – look like a star. With each move,
Flair is impeccable in the ring and you’ll be hard pushed to find something
that doesn’t look good from Flair’s move set. Ric’s selling really makes Taylor
look like a force when he never was one and even though the whole encounter is
very poorly lit the action is such that it never detracts from the in ring
product. You will need patience to sit through this as it can test at times but
the pay off comes when Taylor begins to look overwhelmed by what Flair – a man
who was lying on a couch backstage with a hangover an hour previous – does for
him. Taylor gets in some nice moves including an accomplished standing suplex
but nothing he does can hold a candle to Flair’s ring psychology. As the match
begins to wind to its conclusion there are some great near falls and tense
submission attempts. Has Ric Flair had better or more exciting matches? Of
course he has. But he can only work with what he’s given and he does a
tremendous job here.
Ric
Flair vs Ted Dibiase (Mid-South Wrestling, November 1985) is Ted Dibiase’s face
turn in the company. There is a short interview with Dibiase before the match
as he reflects in 2013 on his turn in 1985 but the interview contains all the
footage the bout does. The match begins with Dick Slater turning on his former
tag team partner and he cuts Dibiase well with a violent shot to the ring post.
From that one move Dibiase bleeds like he’s just been hit by a truck. When the
match begins it is another short effort but it’s still notable. What transpires
is an emotional effort from a man who is losing blood at a steady rate and Ric
Flair may be the champion here but Ted Dibiase is the undoubted star. The fans
are completely on Dibiase’s side as he valiantly refuses to give in and even
hits some of his trademark moves with perfection. Every time Dibiase kicks out
of a pinfall attempt its a little more inspiring to watch as he battles against
unbeatable odds. Flair does his fair share and you get the feeling that had
Dibiase been fully fit then maybe history would have been different. From a man
who was previously despised in the business, the fans are chanting Dibiase’s
name by the end which is wonderful to see.
‘Hacksaw’
Jim Duggan vs Terry Gordy (Universal Wrestling Federation, August 1986) isn’t
thrilling but is decent with moments of excitement. Everything Duggan does is
greeted with approval by the fans who seem to love Duggan and certainly prove
that he was never more relevant in wrestling than when he was in Mid-South /
UWF. Unfortunately neither man has enough to make the submission moves tense
and the match falls flat on each one. Duggan’s sunset flip and inside cradle
may be more than he ever did or moved in WWE. The end of the match is a good
back and forth effort with Gordy throwing himself around to make Duggan look
like a star – including a HBK inspired upside down flip into the corner. The
match ends in yet another DQ and when the camera cuts to the crowd there are
one or two women who get too involved.
The
late, great Terry Gordy gets a nice segment of his own with testimonials from
those who knew him best. Michael Hayes, Steve Williams and Animal can’t praise Gordy
enough and it may bring a tear to your eye to hear Michael Hayes refer to Gordy
as his best friend and that the highlight of his own career was when Terry
Gordy was finally recognised by the wrestling world for his talents and made
UWF Champion.
‘Dr.
Death’ Steve Williams vs Terry Gordy (UWF, September 1986) is a hard hitting big
man fight which features some sumptuous suplex’s by Gordy and thunderous
piledrivers by Williams. For two big men, the match contains excellent
reversals and the right balance of power and brawling mixed with near falls.
Both men were ring generals in their own right and that comes across here.
Terry Gordy does a juice job worthy of Ric Flair and flies like a cruiserweight
on a fluid cross body block from the middle rope. The match ends in the same
confusion as Shawn Michaels vs The British Bulldog at In Your House: Beware of
Dog as both men’s shoulders are counted to the mat.
The
final interview with Steve Williams covers the end of UWF and his UWF
Championship reign. The interview begins on a happy note as Williams relates
how WWE poaching the top stars was the best thing that happened to him because
it allowed him to become the UWF Champion and ends on a sombre footnote as the
company went out of business and Williams’ title was unified with Ric Flair’s
NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Williams seems geninually sad that it all
came to and end. The segment ends with the last few minutes of William’s UWF
Championship victory over Big Bubba Rogers – fitting as Williams sees this as
the highlight of his career.
Weaknesses:
Junkyard
Dog, Dusty Rhodes and Andre the Giant vs Ernie Ladd, Afa and Sika (Mid-South
Wrestling, January 1982) is a spirited but doomed effort. The bout begins
promising but falls apart when Andre and Ladd enter the ring. The pair are just
too big to do anything with and whilst Andre hits some actual wrestling moves
neither can drag it back to something watchable. The action between the pair is
horrible and Ladd lacks any determination with his punches looking more like
strokes. The match deteriorates into a free for all brawl which hosts a comical
moment as Andre tries to climb the turnbuckle. With Ernie Ladd, Andre and
Junkyard Dog – who adds nothing to the match – the whole thing never stood a
chance.
Talking
about ‘The Rat Pack’, the group which consisted of Ted Dibiase, Matt Bourne and
Jim Duggan, no talking head ever bothers to explain how the group came about or
why they needed to form a stable. Instead the segment begins with the tandem of
Bourne and Dibiase already established and explains Duggan’s induction into the
group. We really could have done with some more backstory here as it all seems
very brief and rushed. Dibiase says that Duggan and Bourne never got on in real
life but never says why and whilst Duggan to his credit says that he learnt a
lot more being with Dibiase than he would have without him. The segment quickly
turns away from the group and to Dibiase and Duggan’s feud which is baffling
since the following match is a tag team effort which sees Duggan join the
group.
‘Tony
Atlas Bench Presses 500 Pounds’ (Mid-South Wrestling, January 1983) is a wholly
pointless angle which does nothing for the release. It does what it says on the
tin and sees Atlas bench press 500 pounds with the help of Junkyard Dog who the
angle is centred around as he has his masked friend Stagger Lee with him –
Stagger Lee was actually Junkyard Dog when he competed in the ring, a gimmick
Dog assumed when he lost a match to Dibiase and was forced from competing for
the company for 90 days. This angle is about as interesting as those involving
Mark Henry doing the same thing on Raw or Smackdown and is totally worthless.
In preparation to lift the weights Atlas looks like he’s ready to crack the
atom.
The
segment which sees the talking heads compliment Magnum T.A is again, very nice,
but its almost identical to the same one featured on ‘The Rise and Fall of WCW’
release of some years ago. No one says anything new about Magnum which makes
the whole segment pointless. You can’t expect to have an almost identical angle
on two releases and have people like it. Magnum himself tries to add some history
to the upcoming angle with Mr. Wrestling II but can only mention it briefly
with any passion.
‘Announcement
of Magnum T.A’s Manager’ (Mid-South Wrestling, November 1983) and ‘Mr.
Wrestling II Conducts Workouts With Magnum T.A’ (Mid-South Wrestling, December
1983) are both so dull they’ll put you to sleep. The first is a sit down
interview from 1983 with Magnum and Mr. Wrestling II which is so drab it
boggles the mind why it’s included here and the latter is a series of vignettes
of Magnum lifting weights and running up roads with Mr. Wrestling II watching
him. They add nothing to the story of the heel turn of Mr. Wrestling II on
Magnum, and the whole thing could have been told in less than two minutes
verbally.
Magnum
T.A and Mr. Wrestling II vs The Midnight Express (Mid-South Wrestling, March
1984) is a 20 minute hit and miss match which really leaves you cold. Beginning
with some completely dull submission moves, the four men zap the enthusiasm from
the bout before its even got going. Mr. Wrestling II livens up proceedings with
a nice knee lift over the top rope but the match slows to almost a complete halt
when Magnum gets into the ring. Magnum was such a great talent that the company
could have shown highlights of this match – which features a heel turn by Mr.
Wrestling II – and featured a better match of Magnum’s. If you can be bothered
to sit through the tedious moments of which there are many then you may feel
rewarded by the back and forth action at the conclusion. There are many who
will like this match certain wrestling magazines included, but when you consider
there are many more matches on the release who follow this pattern but more
capably then this is one of the weak inclusions.
Butch
Reed’s moment under the spotlight is underwhelming as the talking heads, who
have presumably been in the studio a number of hours by this point, can’t
muster the energy to speak about Reed with as much enthusiasm as they do
others. There are compliments here but they’re not delivered with nearly enough
passion to make them seem genuine. Dibiase and Jim Ross cancel each other out
with their comments as Dibiase states that Reed’s gift was his charisma and
Ross states that Reed didn’t have the charisma that Junkyard Dog did. WWE
should have edited Dibiase’s comment out here as the following match totally disproves
his comment about Reed.
‘A
Painted Dog’ (Mid-South Wrestling, 1984) and ‘A Tar and Feathered Dog’
(Mid-South Wrestling, May 1984) are both futile efforts of getting the Butch
Reed vs Junkyard Dog feud over with the fans. Neither one of the short angles
can stress how important this feud was and with the first featuring Junkyard
Dog arguing with Jim Cornette before a beat down and being painted and the
latter simply being Junkyard Dog getting tar and feathered, WWE would have been
better served having the talking heads explain this with clips rather than
including the whole angles.
Junkyard
Dog vs Butch Reed in a ‘Ghetto Street Fight’ is just another match without a
date put to it. The date will be the least of your worries if you’re watching
this snooze fest which is less of a Street Fight and more of a disagreement
between two men who actually weren’t that good after all. Slow, messy and
utterly banal, this match plods at a snails pace for way too long and features
more punching than hardcore action. At moments where one is trying to choke out
the other the match stops completely and it looks like the whole thing is on
pause they stay dormant for that long. Certainly, this match does not warrant
an inclusion here and WWE should have sought out another match between the pair
to include.
Covering
The Midnight Express vs The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, not one of the talking heads
bothers or is instructed to explain the history between the two teams or how the
feud came about. Jim Ross is right when he says its one of the best tag team
feuds in wrestling history but apart from that the casual viewer isn’t given
enough scope to see why the feud was so good. Would it really have killed
someone to say something of note about it? Jim Cornette especially should be
ashamed. The manager who was in the middle of this feud, Cornette could have
given us a really good insight into the origins of the feud but instead focuses
on telling us about his own experiences.
‘Jim
Ross Interviews the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express’ (Mid-South Wrestling, October 1984)
once again is another pointless angle. WWE have included this just so the
following match which sees Jim Cornette suspended above the ring in a straight
jacket is explained but would have been more interesting had the feud been verbally
explained once again. Also the angle has the potential to confuse some younger
or new fans as the match before this on the release, The Midnight Express
defeated The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express for the Tag Team Championships, yet in this
segment the R&R Express are Champions again. There is no explanation as to
how the titles changed hands again.
Jake
Roberts vs The Snowman (Mid-South Wrestling, June 1985) begins with a segment
on Muhammad Ali, who the angle and match is based around. Ali gets more time
and explanation than some actual wrestlers which is a disservice. The match is
a poor show and whilst Roberts is a better than this, he’s hindered by The
Snowman who was an atrocious wrestler. When it comes to rest holds, it’s more
of the same than what’s on the rest of the release and the action only hints at
picking up when Roberts is in control, even then Jake cannot save it. Instead
of concentrating on the action in the ring, the camera keeps cutting to Ali at
ringside who for some reason has to be continuously restrained from getting
involved. It’s distracting from the action, which to be honest, isn’t a bad
thing here. Do yourself a favour and skip this one – you’ll thank me later.
Maybe
one of the most important moment in Mid-South Wrestling History, the moment it
changed from Mid-South to Universal Wrestling Federation is too briefly
explained. The segment isn’t allocated nearly enough time to explain in full
why the change happened or the effect it had on the company and talent. This is
the usual WWE rush job, skirting over history and pretending it never happened.
Michael Hayes says that ratings were going through the roof which is hard to believe
seeing as one year later they went out of business and a segment which was
meant to be about the change of name soon turns its attention to the younger
stars of the company, trying to cram two subjects into one.
Rob
Ricksteiner vs Nick Patrick – without a date – is a match which should be shown
to chronic insomniacs. It would cure them in seconds. Nick Patrick, who would
go on to become a referee, is utterly abysmal and Rob Ricksteiner, who would go
on to find fame as Rick Steiner, is useless on his own. The match turns into a
calamity when Steiner hits Patrick with a hip toss and then loses his footing
and stumbles backwards. Had the ropes not been there he would have ended up on
the floor, on his arse. From beginning to end it had ‘Dark Match’ written all
over it and is four minutes of your time you could save.
The
Bladerunners vs John O’Reilly and Ken Massey (UWF, March 1986) is altogether insignificant.
Reilly and Massey are enhancement talent for the Bladerunners who are Sting and
The Ultimate Warrior. The match is a blink and you’ll miss it affair which
could be better described as a mauling of the jobbers, but the pair together
are a disastrous tandem and their face paint makes them look more like
something out of The Walking Dead. Looking at them together, you could never
predict that both men would rise to fame. They’re legends of WWE and WCW separately
but definitely not legends on Mid-South. Avoid.
Jim
Duggan wastes four whole minutes of talking time when it comes to his career. All
Duggan does is mention rubbish and looks like a deer caught in the headlights.
To make this more effective, Duggan could have mentioned his legendary feuds
with the likes of Dibiase and other but doesn’t bother. It’s unbelievable that
he was called ‘the most exciting performer of the year’ back then when he
clearly wasn’t. WWE should have explored that Duggan was more popular and
relevant in Mid-South than in WWE.
Michael
Hayes and Buddy Roberts vs Ted Dibiase and ‘Dr. Death’ Steve Williams (UWF,
September 1986) is a lumberjack which is devoid of value. Again, this is a
match which will please many but didn’t float your Wrestling God’s boat. There’s
no real structure to the match or moves and everyone involved seems to be
sticking to a set of previously laid out moves, throwing spontaneity out of the
window. In truth, this match comes 46 minutes before the end of the release and
by this time the whole thing has begun to wear on you. Predictably, the
lumberjacks brawl at ringside and the match has no ending. The interview before
yet again fails to shed any light on the creation of The Fabulous Freebirds.
Beginning
to wrap up the talking heads segments, Terry Taylor, speaking on the One Man
Gang has the cheek to say that Gang was one of the best big men in the
business. I can think of ten big men who were much better than One Man Gang and
all the sentiments that are given his way are totally disproved when the
release cuts to the next match. I don’t know why the company like people to lie
like this on their releases. You can sing the praises of someone until you’re
blue in the face, but if you’re going to follow it up with a match that shows
you’re bullshitting then it defeats the object.
One
Man Gang vs Big Bubba Rogers (UWF, June 1987) is a slog of epic proportions.
Rogers – who would find fame as Big Boss Man – and Gang are just too large to
do anything effectively and whilst the pair complete the odd move here and
there this is one of those matches which is just punching and forearms. Neither
can pull out a good match to remember, but then could they ever? Rogers bleeds
to try and make the match more exciting which doesn’t work and Gang plods
around the ring. You will lose the will to live at how many times they hit each
other with fists and forearms – even worse the commentators try to make us
believe this is an excellent big man war, when in fact it could be one of the
worst Championship matches ever held. The match shows how desperate the company
were in 1987, that they had their two biggest and worst wrestlers feud over the
Championship and put it on both of them. Rogers and One Man Gang would unite in
WWE as Big Boss Man and Akeem – the Twin Towers.
In
the closing statement of the release, Bill Watts blames everyone and anyone for
the closure of Mid-South, without blaming himself. Watts blames the economy and
the oil crisis stating people couldn’t afford to come and see his shows. Watts
doesn’t realise that people were paying to see Jim Crocket Promotions and World
Wrestling Federation at the same time and if the product is good enough people
will find the money to see it. Watts could have even blamed McMahon and the
national expansion which would have sounded much more plausible, but he doesn’t.
The truth is, Watts had lost the talent to WWE and had no one else to replace
them. Main events such as One Man Gang vs Big Bubba Rogers helped the demise of
the company and Watts seems like he’s trying to blame everyone else but himself
– again.
Blu-ray Exclusive
Extras:
Mid-South Wrestling –
April 1984
Mid-South Tag Team
Championship Match
The
Rock N’ Roll Express vs The Midnight Express
UFW Championship
Contention Match – June 1987
Sting
vs Terry Taylor
Ted
Dibiase gets his tyres slashed
Mid-South Wrestling –
June 1982
North American
Heavyweight Championship Match
Junkyard
Dog vs Ted Dibiase
Superdome:
Mid-South Wrestling –
August 1985
Steel Cage Match
Ted
Dibiase and ‘Dr. Death’ Steve Williams vs Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts and The
Barbarian
Buzz
Sawyer:
Mid-South Wrestling –
November 1985
‘Hacksaw’
Jim Duggan vs Buzz Sawyer
Jim
Cornette’s favourite moment in Mid-South
Mid-South Wrestling –
March 1984
Cornette
gets caked
Mid-South Wrestling –
March 1984
Bill
Watts needs help
Mid-South Wrestling –
April 1984
Bill
Watts and Stagger Lee vs The Midnight Express
Lessons
on elevating talent
Dusty
Rhodes travels with Boyd Pierce
Bill
Watts tells a story about Ernie Ladd’s father
Conclusion:
‘WWE:
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling’ is a thoroughly decent release from WWE which
aims to highlight the legends of the company whilst providing its history with
matches and angles. The plan doesn’t always come off the way its intended as
some of the matches are just horrendous and almost all of the angles could have
been cut and told in verbal form by the talking heads, thus freeing up space
for more matches. Of the matches that are of value, almost all of Ted Dibiase’s
are top class affairs and WWE should have tried to base the release around four
of five legends instead of everyone and anyone, because some included here were
certainly not legends.
As
for the talking heads, once again only a few of them provide any insight into
the business or Mid-South, with the majority of them adding nothing to
proceedings once again. It’s a waste, because those who are chosen have
significant knowledge of Mid-South and could really have added the meat to some
paltry bare bones of this release. None of them are given nearly long enough to
talk effectively. In future, WWE should be looking to extend these pieces to
get the most out of them.
Bizarrely,
the front cover of the release depicts Ted Dibiase, Jake Roberts and Junkyard
Dog. Whilst Dibiase and Junkyard Dog are featured prominently on the discs,
Roberts only has one match across the entire thing. Surely, WWE could have excluded
some of the rubbish to give us some more Robert’s matches – he is one of the figures
on the front cover for crying out loud.
A
good release is maybe let down by its shoddy inclusions and no dates on some of
the matches which gives a strange confusing feeling as you’re not sure if some
of them took place before or after others. A lot of history is missed out or
ignored and there’s no one on one Ted Dibiase vs Junkyard Dog match which won
feud of the year. Other small gripes are that the release skips over all of
Dibiase’s Mid-South Wrestling North American Heavyweight Championship reigns
and by the time the company reached their UWF days it really did begin to feel
like an amateur production.
The
release wears on you as it gets to the conclusion and you get a sense of déjà vu
with some matches and the whole thing could have done with more information and
less rubbish. However, with each disc lasting merely two hours, if you watch
this in instalments instead of trying to cram it into one or two sittings then
you’ll find it more than pleasant and maybe some of the bad will begin to feel
just about okay.
Rating: B
Next Time in Review
Corner:
Onwards
and upwards...
