So although Houston did have some of its own action (like Mil Mascaras challenging for the AWA title, Gino Hernandez vs. Tully Blanchard, etc.), most of the action was derived from the television programs.  Bill Watts had plenty of steak, but not much sizzle.  The main feuds were big, rough, brawling guys, like Hacksaw Duggan, Butch Reed, Junkyard Dog, Nikolai Volkoff, King Kong Bundy, Kamala, the Missing Link, and many more.  There was no other type of babyface, or heel that made a real impact for a while that wasn’t cut from this mold.  Because of the emphasis on that style, fans began to grow tired of similar looking feuds and matches.  That led to a drastic drop in crowds, beginning in the late fall.  Case in point:  The last Superdome show of the year drew just over 8,000 fans, while at least two earlier ones drew in excess of 20,000.  Crowds at the Sam Houston Coliseum dropped quite significantly as well, as sellouts or near sellouts became a rarity. 

Upward Climb:

Realizing his crowds were down, Bill Watts brought in guest talent to help supplement his own roster.  Veteran stars like Andre the Giant, and Dusty Rhodes combined with new stars like The Road Warriors to give towns a boost.  Also, Watts had begun working with Fritz Von Erich together, and some of the World Class stars would make appearances in his towns, including Houston.  Further, Watts began to develop more babyfaces to supplement lead face the Junkyard Dog.  There was nearly no discussion as to who the top draw in Mid-South and Houston was.  JYD was the top dog, pardon the pun.  But a new guy was being groomed by Watts, and his name was Terry Allen, better known as Magnum T.A.  Allen had worked for some time in the Florida area, once portraying the Midnight Rider during a television match, and was one half of that area’s Global tag team champions with talented Scott McGhee.  Allen then moved down to Mid-South, where he was dubbed with the “Magnum” moniker.  He was tough and athletic, and it didn’t hurt him one bit that female fans found him very attractive.  Allen quickly got over in Mid-South, and in Houston.  Although his peak would come in 1984, Allen’s quick acceptance by fans did not automatically translate into box office success.  Houston was hit hard.  Near the end of the year, crowds were hovering in the 3,000 range, far below their normal peak.  Paul Boesch began to import more and more special stars to augment his Mid-South matches.  That didn’t seem to work.  Finally, Boesch actually scaled ticket prices back  to encourage more fans to come out.  While the de-scaling worked somewhat, it did not work nearly to the degree that Boesch (or Watts) would have liked.    

Near the end of 1983, fans on Mid-South television saw Jerry Lawler do commentary on the Mid-South matches from the Irish McNeil Boys Club in Shreveport.  Lawler wasn’t there just to do commentary.  Lawler and Jerry Jarrett were their to help Watts evaluate his territory.  Watts felt that something was missing, and Lawler and Jarrett identified it:  He had plenty of steak, but no sizzle.  Except for Magnum T.A., Watts didn’t have any handsome, girls-go-crazy babyfaces that would help draw crowds in.  So, Watts and Jerry Jarrett conducted a talent swap that would bring crowds roaring back into the area in the coming months, especially in Houston. Although 1983 would end on a down note, optimism was up for Houston, as we all heard Paul Boesch say to us that the biggest year ever in Houston Wrestling was coming in 1984.  Probably, Paul Boesch didn’t know how right he would be.    

Epilogue:  The talent swap with Jerry Jarrett resulted in Watts receiving two tag teams, a singles wrestler, a manager, and a new booker.  These seven men helped make 1984 one of the best years for Houston wrestling.  The Rock-n-Roll Express, the Midnight Express, Terry Taylor, Jim Cornette, and Bill Dundee would help Mid-South and Houston to regain lost crowds in a major way.  Watts now had the steak…and plenty of sizzle.  Terry Taylor would become one of the most popular babyfaces around, while the Expresses began one of the greatest tag team feuds of all time.  And, Dundee brought some “Memphis” flavor with him that helped put the territory on fire. 

NEXT MONTH:  

The night the newsletters and the newspapers were fooled…..temporarily at least.