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Sunday Week 3, April 1983
Event – Spring Break
Austin, Texas
Attendance: 8,118
Pre-Show
To warm up the crowd we hold what is becoming an event staple. In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Bruiser Brody won a battle royal in 17:38. The other members of the 'final four' were Mr. Wrestling II, Jake Roberts and King Kong Bundy, with Mr. Wrestling II being the final elimination. Bruiser Brody got the most eliminations over the course of the match. Wrestling II did a great job getting rid of Bundy and Roberts, but had nothing left for Bruiser. (B-)
Main Show
In a bout that featured great action and average heat, Greg Valentine defeated Chris Adams in 10:37 by submission with a Figure-Four Leglock. (B-) Valentine refused to relinquish the hold which brought Ricky Steamboat out from the back. Valentine made a hasty exit as Ricky checked on Chris Adams (C)
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Eddie Gilbert defeated Spike Huber in 12:20 by pinfall, illegally using the ropes for leverage. (D+)
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Curt Hennig defeated Bugsy McGraw in 11:57 by pinfall with a fast roll up after squirming free from a Brain Buster (C-)
Stan Hansen and Gary Hart give an interview as Hansen threatens Jim Duggan promising to “Take that damn flag pole of yours and stick where you ain’t gonna have an easy time walking boy.” Hart chimes in that a steel cage “is no place to be trapped with a dangerous and calculating assassin.” Hansen worked the crowd well and Hart was solid too (B+)
In a match that had some good action and average heat, The Long Riders defeated Sweet Brown Sugar and Brian Adias in 14:04 when Scott Irwin defeated Brian Adias by pinfall with a Bicycle kick after Gary Hart interfered. Sweet Brown Sugar’s gimmick is getting stale (C)
Michael Hayes comes out with Roberts and Rich, promising The Freebirds will dethrone Kevin & Kerry Von Erich tonight, in a match that will also be in a steel cage. Hayes exudes confidence, telling the crowd to “pull the gold fillings from the few teeth you have left and bet on Bad Street, because tonight daddy……It’s money in the bank!!” (B-)
In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Bob Backlund defeated David Von Erich in 17:13 by submission with a Cross Face Chicken Wing. The end came after Von Erich went through the ropes and Backlund landed a sucker punch as he made his way back in to the ring, after holding the ropes open for him. The crowd is shocked and does not take Backlund’s heel turn well. Backlund dodges cups and threatens to slap several audience members on his way out as Von Erich holds his shoulder in pain. He has his shot at Brody, which it seems has now consumed him (C+)
We are taken backstage, where Michael Hayes has apparently just found referee James Beard laid out unconscious on the floor. He is calling help, and it is obvious that Beard won't be refereeing the Freebirds match against the Von Erich’s. (B-) In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, The Freebirds defeated Kevin & Kerry Von Erich in 17:57 when Tommy Rich defeated Kevin Von Erich after using a foreign object that Bronco Lubich obviously saw, but made the count anyway as Kerry protested in vain. The Freebirds win the NWA American Tag Team titles. (C+)
In a match that had excellent in-ring action and a good crowd, Stan Hansen defeated Jim Duggan in 21:19 by pinfall with a handful of tights, in a brutal cage match that saw both men busted open. Stan Hansen makes defense number 2 of his NWA American Heavyweight title, then snaps Duggan’s Flag Pole in half as he leaves the cage, causing Duggan to go berserk and chase him into the back, waiving a splintered half of the pole menacingly. (B-)
Final Rating: B- (No change in popularity)
Not pleased with the perceived indifference at the Backlund turn, so what happens with him down the road will be interesting. Hansen and Duggan continue to run with the promotions hottest feud and Hansen has to be our MVP right now. Out April event leaves some unanswered questions regarding the actions of one Bronco Lubich as well, not to mention the fate that befell James Beard. In my post event speech I compliment Hansen, Hayes and Valentine and they all seem pleased. The show draws a lot of praise from fans and the wrestling media.
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