Post by Mickey Yarber on Apr 22, 2017 3:24:41 GMT
Smoky Mountain Wrestling TV
Saturday 04-15-88 11:30pm
Taped Friday 04-14-88
Civic Coliseum Ballroom, Knoxville TN
The show opened with hosts Les Thatcher and Johnny Weaver in front of a backdrop with the SMW logo on it, and a desk in front of that, also featuring the logo. They talked briefly about this coming Wednesday night in Kingsport TN, and the Bluegrass Brawl tour coming to towns all around Kentucky from Saturday thru Tuesday. Les said we’d get more info on those events later, but right now, let’s go to the ring…..
Match: Terry Snuka pinned Pat Rose with a flying splash from the tope rope.
After the match, Thatcher and Weaver were joined at the desk by the Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Champion, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. Thatcher said that as part of the Bluegrass Brawl tour, Orndorff will be defending that belt against “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan on Sunday night in Hazzard KY. Orndorff said he shouldn’t have to defend against Duggan, because Duggan hasn’t proved anything here in the Smoky Mountain area yet…and he really shouldn’t even be forced for go to a place like Hazzard KY either. Weaver then chimed in and said this Wednesday night at the Civic Auditorium in Kingsport, he and Phil Hickerson have to face Duggan and “Exotic” Adrian Street in a Texas Tornado match. Orndorff was hot about this too saying that somebody around here doesn’t want to see Mr. Wonderful stick around by putting him in matches like these. But, he said, Duggan and Street better be careful what they wish for, because he and Hickerson will come ready for a fight, and Duggan will be lucky if he even makes it to Hazzard on Monday night!
Commercials
Thatcher and Weaver were joined by Ivan Koloff and his nephew Vladimir Pietrov. Ivan claims that no man can beat Pietrov, and every challenger that steps up to face him has found that out. He said that the challenges keep coming in, and Pietrov is ready for all of them. Now this man, this American hero called Ranger Ross has issued a challenge for this Wednesday night in Kingsport. Well Vladimir accepts the challenge, and he’ll put him down like the American dog he is.
Match: Ole Anderson defeated Jimmy Backlund by making him submit to an armbar after jumping off the top rope and driving his knee into his shoulder.
Chip Kessler hosted local promos featuring:
Nelson Royal and Sam Houston about facing The Thunderfoots Monday night in Pikeville KY
Rip Rogers about facing Scott Armstrong in Pikeville
Adrian Street about teaming with Duggan against Orndorff and Hickerson in Pikeville
Commercials
Out of the break and The Bullet was at the desk as Thatcher asked him about his match this Wednesday night in Kingsport against a mystery opponent being chosen by Ron Wright. The Bullet said that Ron Wright is as sneaky and mean as they come, so he knows he’ll have someone dangerous waiting for him on Wednesday night, but the Bullet can fight dirty with the best of them brother, so whoever is coming to Kingsport Wednesday night better be ready , jack!
Match: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan pinned Chris Hamrick with a running shoulder tackle. Afterwards, he gave a big old “Hooooo” and saluted the fans before leaving the ring.
Chip Kessler hosted local promos featuring:
Ole Anderson about facing Todd Champion this Wednesday night in Kingsport
Lord Jonathon Boyd about the King of the Mountain match Tuesday in Harlan KY
Sam Houston about the King of the Mountain match in Harlan
Commercials
Out of the break, and Thatcher and Weaver had promoter Ron Fuller with them, who said that since Smoky Mountain Wrestling is on television, he thought there should be a Television championship. He said that in two weeks, he is going to draw two names out of a hat, and those two men are going to meet that day on TV to decide a television champion. Each week after that, the champion will defend the belt against who ever is drawn out of the hat! If the champion wins, he keeps the title and wins a $1000 bonus! If the challenger wins, he is the new TV champion and the following week will start defending the belt. If a champion can make five consecutive title defenses, he’ll win an additional $5000 and two new men will meet for the title the following week. We’re gonna call it the “Beat the Champ” TV Title.
Thatcher and Weaver liked the sound of that, and then threw it to the ring…
Match: The Jive Tones w/ Ron Wright defeated Paul Garner and Randy Mulkey when Whatley pinned Mulkey.
Afterwards, they went to the desk for an interview. Ron Wright said that next Monday night in Barbourville, his Jive Tones are gonna whup Ricky and Robert for the 100th time and win the first Smoky Mountain tag team titles! He said that Morton and Gibson are a couple of yellow dogs, and the Jive Tones are gonna finish the job they started on them a long time ago, take the titles, and run the Rock and Roll Express out of the Smoky Mountain area!
Chip Kessler hosted local promos featuring:
Scott Armstrong and Johhny Rich about meeting The Deatons in Hazzard
The Bullet about teaming up with the Rock and Roll Express in Hazzard to face Ron Wright’s men
Hacksaw Duggan about facing Orndorff for the title in Hazzard
Commercials
Match: The Rock and Roll Express defeated the Thunderfoots with a double dropkick on #2.
Afterwards, they went to the desk and said that Rock and Roll is here to stay, and they are gonna show all the great fans, and especially Ron Wright and the Jive Tones who the real champions are in Smoky Mountain Wrestling next Monday night in Barbourville!
Thatcher and Weaver wrapped up the show.
Working on it now.