Whoa, had to look twice at "Tonga" to figure it was Barbarian (Sione Havea Vailahi) . I knew it wasnt King Tonga/Haku/Meng from the face and body but had taken a minute for me to see Barb in the face. Very cool.
Crusher Darsow, not long after this, later joined The Russians as an American Soviet sympathizer and was renamed Crusher Kruschev. He would go on to form the great Russian 3 man tag with the Ivan & Nikita Koloff. Later on in life, post his Repo career, Barry would be Mr. Hole in One & owned the pavement as The Black Top Bully!
Young rookie Rick Rood being teamed with Mike Jackson (YOUR Alabama Jr. Heavyweight Champion) would tell you that he was being groomed. Mike was a veteran carpenter and was clearly the man to help bring the eventual Rick Rude along in a match with the greatest tag team combo of all time.
Mr wrestling finisher is a knee lift. Wearing depends diapers as trunks and mask to shield his age. God bless the 80s where this dude was over. I don’t understand how that could be but God bless.
I’m from northeast so I grew up on wwf. I love watching the old Midsouth stuff though totally different animal but I’m sorry Mr. wrestling I just don’t get how he was over but God bless.
5:02... War Bonds Bill?? 😅😅😅 ANYTHING to sell a character... I loved Bill Watts Mid South! 82-86: Had the best array of talent out of any federation or territory! HANDS DOWN! The names are endless: Mr. Wrestling 2, JYD, Hacksaw Butch Reed, DOOOOGAN!, Magnum TA, The Rock N Roll Express..... The Anvil, Dr Death... etc etc etc!!
Jesus what a roster! One of the few things lacking in Mid-South was smothnes. They never reshot interviews, or comentary so the stutters and breaks in the thought process were not covered up. Part of the reason Vince's guys came off as biger stars. Promos were always perfect. Billy thiught only those from the south were watching I guess.
Nikolai Volkoff vs. Josh Stroud Jim Neidhart vs. Tony Torres Tonga (the Barbarian) vs. The Junkyard Dog Mike Jackson & Rick Rood (Rick Rude) vs. The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) (w/Jim Cornette) Steve Williams vs. Frank Lavert Lanny Poffo & Magnum TA vs. Carl Fergie & Doug Vines Jim Duggan vs. Larry Higgins Crusher Darsow vs. Doug Vines Steve Williams vs. Nikolai Volkoff The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) (w/Jim Cornette) vs. Josh Stroud & Lanny Poffo Magnum TA vs. Frank Lavert Mr. Wrestling II vs. The Missing Link Jim Duggan vs. Tom Lintz Carl Fergie & Tonga vs. Mike Jackson & Rick Rood
@@animalunleashed3812 I don't blame you for thinking that, since that 'puffy hair and bare feet' look is a more common one for Haku than Barbarian, but that's definitely Barb. You can clearly see his face at 12:12.
@@animalunleashed3812 I've replied a couple times with links, but the comments keep disappearing. Anyway, I did the search you suggested and found two reviews of this match at 411mania and blogofdoom. Both confirmed it was Barbarian. So does the listing for this match at cagematch.
This was the beginning of the territory going on a tear. This was the beginning of a talent swap w/Memphis. The midnight express starts generating heat, the RnR express on the way starting one of the all-time feuds…then the Wrestljng II /TA double cross is a masterpiece of long term booking. The place is on fire for all of 84 but then JYD leaves in the night and the oil industry goes into a recession killing the territory…so eventually the best talent head off to Crockett for a HUGE run from 85-87. If u have Peacock both runs are on there.. check them out
Are you Crazy, Bobby Eaton was 1/2 of one of most sucessful Tag Teams of the 80 with Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane. He was the longest tenured wrestler in WCW there from the JPC sale to Turner in 1988 to it closed it doors in 2000. Eaton was a wrestler wrestler who made everyone he worked with look better.
@@KirksCORNER1983 Bobby Eaton never wrestled in the WWF (He did work as a trainer in the 2000's for a little while). In 1990 he was still with Stan Lane, In , 91 and 1992 when Correntte and Stan Lane left we was in theDangerous Alliance with Rick Rude, Larry Zbyszko, and Arn Anderson. He was WCW World TV Champ, WCW World Tag Team Champ with Arn Anderson. He also had a run with Steven Regal as the Blue Bloods in 1995. After 1996 he did start to move down the card, he would win against lesser talent on WCW Saturday night, but loose against top talent on Nitro and Thundrer to the stars in good matches for the rest of his time in WCW as a mid card talent, but was never a jobber or enhancement talent.
@@larrysclassicsports I remember a Bobby eaton or an eaton in the early.90s he always had that belly but was muscular and wore I think long white tights and blonde mullet. I swear it was WWF..
I never had access to Mid south. I like it. It seems pretty good.
I've been watching all the old episodes on peacock
I watched it when it became UWF. Liked it as much or more than WWF when I was a kid. Some really good stuff.
You’ve got tons of hours to watch cause it storyline quality control
It was underrated.
The debut of the Midnight Express w/Jim Cornette! Soon to be involved with the greatest tag team feud of all time!
I love watching these future WWF stars before they made it big!
What?
Hate to break it to you kid, this IS "big".
JYD was a million times better in Mid South than McMahon's clown show.
@Mality Amen WWF sucks
WWF SUCKS!!!
Whoa, had to look twice at "Tonga" to figure it was Barbarian (Sione Havea Vailahi) . I knew it wasnt King Tonga/Haku/Meng from the face and body but had taken a minute for me to see Barb in the face. Very cool.
That's exactly what I was trying to figure out too. Thanks for confirming.
Never really seen Midsouth Wrestling before. All the matches, here, are good. Looks like they cared about the in ring product a lot.
some great stuff here. Tonga is a highlight!!! So is Jim Neidhart!!!!
Tonga=Haku Agree good stuff!
Tonga=Barbarian.
I really enjoy seeing them white knee high wrestling boots junkyard dog is wearing. He has a red pair that are nice also.
Crusher Darsow, before he was Smash in Demolition and before he was Repo Man in the WWF
Crusher Darsow, not long after this, later joined The Russians as an American Soviet sympathizer and was renamed Crusher Kruschev.
He would go on to form the great Russian 3 man tag with the Ivan & Nikita Koloff.
Later on in life, post his Repo career, Barry would be Mr. Hole in One & owned the pavement as The Black Top Bully!
@@yoholmes273Krusher with a “ K “ … I kind of liked how it looked spelled that way .
6”3.5” 315lbs ( most of the time ) Krusher Darsow was one of the eighties most promising young prospects and I was a fan .
Who the heck was that bootleg Jerry The King Lawler?
Doctor Death vs Nikolai Volkoff, great match
Also interesting revisiting this is that Tonga broke one of Watts golden rules about no top rope stuff.
Young rookie Rick Rood being teamed with Mike Jackson (YOUR Alabama Jr. Heavyweight Champion) would tell you that he was being groomed. Mike was a veteran carpenter and was clearly the man to help bring the eventual Rick Rude along in a match with the greatest tag team combo of all time.
17:00
Rood went about it the right way,paying his dues,and went higher and beyond.You have to give him credit for that!RIP ROOD!
From the island of Tonga, it's Tonga! (Haku further on).
@@algeborusas2775 Is it Haku or is it the Barbarian. Looking at the face it looks more like the Barbarian.
@@Bellthorian One of Haku's former ring names was King Tonga.
Holy crap look at rick rood the sterroids really got him big after this
That's a transformation for sure.
WOW! I never knew Jim “The Anvil” Niedhart competed for Mid South Wrestling. I’m shocked!
He didn't stay long
Still, this surprised me
@@rommelvillanueva8652 I didn't know it until recently watching some old Mid South shows on Peacock
@@DMS-pq8About 8 months then went to Florida with Darsow
The way these old guys work is awesome compared to the junk today. Fast and believable, it looks like an actual fight not an acrobatics event.
Mr wrestling finisher is a knee lift. Wearing depends diapers as trunks and mask to shield his age. God bless the 80s where this dude was over. I don’t understand how that could be but God bless.
He was near the end of his career at this point, In fact his upcoming feud with Magnum TA would be his last run as a main eventer
His turn on mag ta was spectacular!
I’m from northeast so I grew up on wwf. I love watching the old Midsouth stuff though totally different animal but I’m sorry Mr. wrestling I just don’t get how he was over but God bless.
@@caps201 I think the fact that he wasn't a big muscled up guy was part of his appeal, Kinda of the ultimate underdog
5:02... War Bonds Bill??
😅😅😅 ANYTHING to sell a character...
I loved Bill Watts Mid South!
82-86: Had the best array of talent out of any federation or territory! HANDS DOWN!
The names are endless:
Mr. Wrestling 2, JYD, Hacksaw Butch Reed, DOOOOGAN!, Magnum TA, The Rock N Roll Express.....
The Anvil, Dr Death... etc etc etc!!
Lol...Teddy's been "in Japan", but the promo was shot in Georgia! Lol
Jesus what a roster! One of the few things lacking in Mid-South was smothnes. They never reshot interviews, or comentary so the stutters and breaks in the thought process were not covered up.
Part of the reason Vince's guys came off as biger stars. Promos were always perfect. Billy thiught only those from the south were watching I guess.
I thought Darsow had potential but not many agreed with me . I had no idea it would be with face paint though
Apparently I was here 9 months earlier.
It is nice that professional wrestling exists. It provides professional football players a way to make a living when they can’t play football anymore.
Excellent
Mr Wrestling #2 didn't know he was going to be on tv!!!
13:51 - the only time someone had a harder head than the JYD
Watts says Volkoff did a 600-pound Dead Lift with ONE hand at the age of 17... hahahaha, man I miss the Kayfabe days.
I thought the same thing. A bit over the top there, guy.
Nikolai Volkoff vs. Josh Stroud
Jim Neidhart vs. Tony Torres
Tonga (the Barbarian) vs. The Junkyard Dog
Mike Jackson & Rick Rood (Rick Rude) vs. The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) (w/Jim Cornette)
Steve Williams vs. Frank Lavert
Lanny Poffo & Magnum TA vs. Carl Fergie & Doug Vines
Jim Duggan vs. Larry Higgins
Crusher Darsow vs. Doug Vines
Steve Williams vs. Nikolai Volkoff
The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) (w/Jim Cornette) vs. Josh Stroud & Lanny Poffo
Magnum TA vs. Frank Lavert
Mr. Wrestling II vs. The Missing Link
Jim Duggan vs. Tom Lintz
Carl Fergie & Tonga vs. Mike Jackson & Rick Rood
Show 1, match 3...Tonga wasn't the Barbarian, he was Meng (Haku), who tagged with Barbarian. :)
@@animalunleashed3812 I don't blame you for thinking that, since that 'puffy hair and bare feet' look is a more common one for Haku than Barbarian, but that's definitely Barb. You can clearly see his face at 12:12.
@@togo6545 I actually looked up his bio before I commented, just to be sure. Search Tonga Mid South and it'll pop up his bio page.
@@animalunleashed3812 I've replied a couple times with links, but the comments keep disappearing. Anyway, I did the search you suggested and found two reviews of this match at 411mania and blogofdoom. Both confirmed it was Barbarian. So does the listing for this match at cagematch.
Barry Darsow with all that hair!
Lol.. Lanny went from a Main Eventer to a JOBBER in ONE WEEK!?!?!
Is that who I think it is against Nikolai volkoff.
What ever happened to jjoshua stroud
Mike Jackson sure was damn good for a jobber...
Rip Nikolai volkoff
Dennis is definitely the "top" to Bobby's "bottom"..
Stone cold! Stone cold!!
Guess Rood/Rude hadn't started Tanning/Juicing yet...
Ric Flair a distant second to Crusher Darso, in terms of mic skills.
That crowd is dead OMG
This was the beginning of the territory going on a tear. This was the beginning of a talent swap w/Memphis. The midnight express starts generating heat, the RnR express on the way starting one of the all-time feuds…then the Wrestljng II /TA double cross is a masterpiece of long term booking. The place is on fire for all of 84 but then JYD leaves in the night and the oil industry goes into a recession killing the territory…so eventually the best talent head off to Crockett for a HUGE run from 85-87. If u have Peacock both runs are on there.. check them out
So... Tonga wasn't Samoan enough to be a top performer???
"Crusher" DAR-SO
600lb one hand deadlift at 17 😂
Lol... Volkov has a NOOSE!!!!??.
Eeeehee heee heee heee!!!! Ah haaaaaa!
Who gets pinned with a body slam?
Jim Cornette pure gold
NO !!!!
"Messermized"...
Wow... Lavert was HORRIBLE!!!
I was about 11 back in 83... did we really hate Russian people that much?
Rick Rood would beat TF out of Bobby and GAY Dennis!!!
Why are the jobbers having a tag team match?!?!?!
rip junk yard dog
He lived to smoke crack rock R.I.P. JYD
Bill Watts spreading his war propaganda 😂
What nonsense.
Great talent and roster though
Jim Cornette MADE the Midnight Express, otherwise, Bobby and Dennis were TRASH!!!
Doughboy Bobby Eaton was AWFUL!!!!
Lol
Wow... Bill Watts is a BAD commentator!!!
Lanny Poffo was the WORST!!! Might as well watch WOMEN'S wrestling!!!
Say what you want about Bill Watts, but he absolutely sucks as an announcer!
Bobby eaton became a nobody and rood became a somebody what a complete 180
Are you Crazy, Bobby Eaton was 1/2 of one of most sucessful Tag Teams of the 80 with Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane. He was the longest tenured wrestler in WCW there from the JPC sale to Turner in 1988 to it closed it doors in 2000. Eaton was a wrestler wrestler who made everyone he worked with look better.
@@larrysclassicsports I am talking about into the EARLY 90s
@@larrysclassicsports . I remember Eaton in wwf and he seemed like a Jobber in early 90s like 91 or 92 and so on. Like a nobody.
@@KirksCORNER1983 Bobby Eaton never wrestled in the WWF (He did work as a trainer in the 2000's for a little while). In 1990 he was still with Stan Lane, In , 91 and 1992 when Correntte and Stan Lane left we was in theDangerous Alliance with Rick Rude, Larry Zbyszko, and Arn Anderson. He was WCW World TV Champ, WCW World Tag Team Champ with Arn Anderson. He also had a run with Steven Regal as the Blue Bloods in 1995. After 1996 he did start to move down the card, he would win against lesser talent on WCW Saturday night, but loose against top talent on Nitro and Thundrer to the stars in good matches for the rest of his time in WCW as a mid card talent, but was never a jobber or enhancement talent.
@@larrysclassicsports I remember a Bobby eaton or an eaton in the early.90s he always had that belly but was muscular and wore I think long white tights and blonde mullet. I swear it was WWF..