The Legends of Mid South Wrestling DVD is a compilation that I bought used a few years back. It seems like a good time to jump in and watch it. It's a WWE production so I'm not sure what to expect. I know that the DVDVR did a best of the Mid-South project a long time ago. That's going to be my guide. I'm fully aware that watching in this format might tarnish the match quality since I might be missing backstory, promos etc. I'm going to try to see what I do to give myself some background going into the highly recommended matches. Additionally I'm going to scratch the surface so take this as a sampler rather than an exhaustive deep dive. Matches with a star (*) are on the DVD.

JUNKYARD DOG

*Andre the Giant, Dusty Rhodes & Junkyard Dog vs. Afa, Sika & Big Cat Ernie Ladd
(01/1982) - Fun match that you could have a beer and some chips with. Tons of star power so I can see why they put it on here. This follows a segment highlighting JYD and this felt more about Andre vs Ernie Ladd so that's kinda weird. 

Nick Bockwinkel vs. Junkyard Dog (05/14/82) : This might be Houston but I'm including here. I know there's overlap later as Bill Watts buys a portion of the company and everyone starts to rally together to stay in business against Vince. So I may include Houston matches here & there but will avoid it if it's clearly Houston booking/angles. But seeing as this isn't and JYD & back do have a match in Mid South, I'm using this match as a proxy. Anyhow, this was really good stuff. Bock's character is a bit different than you'd see down this neck of the woods. It's refreshing as hell and gratifying once Dog gets to beating him up! And although this isn't a technical duel, JYD still has got maneuvers and even locks Bock in abdominal stretch and goes for an inside cradle... despite the WWE making him sound technically inept. I really dug this match.

Junkyard Dog vs. Ted DiBiase (06/24/82) - DiBiase is a face here & he is friends with JYD. There's a lot of interview here and they have former champ Bob Roop speak. He looks like a rummy...you know a lush, a drunk! On to the match, this is very good stuff in ring. Pretty technically oriented and friendly like...which is what makes the match. They do a fantastic job being competitive but remaining friends. Slapping hands, shaking their heads after losing their cool and JYD even carefully helps Ted back in the ring. The finish is abrupt but changes everything and is great stuff with the story they were telling. I'm glad the interviews were provided before the match as they gave the necessary context. Great segment overall!

*Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia vs. Ted DiBiase & Matt Borne  (10/27/82) - This is a good match. Olympia was impressive from a wrestling standpoint. I think the real lasting effect of this is Jim Duggan dressing as a gorilla (for the State fair going on) and sneak attacking the baby face team. This is included on the WWE DVD but I think the above match/segment is better. As it shows JYD in singles action, has better wrestling and is simpler to understand to a novice like myself. This match on its own is confusing without more context. It's in the top 10 on the big DVDVR.

Butch Reed vs JYD (Special Ref Dusty Rhodes 10/27/83) - This was a fun match with shenanigans at the end but we got to see Dusty get involved as Jim Neidhart came out to assist Butch. Not a long or complex match but, it'll put a smile on your face.

*Junkyard Dog vs. “Hacksaw” Butch Reed (Ghetto Street Fight 06/1984) - This is the only Butch Reed match on the DVD and was a good motivator for expanding my search. I just felt that they didn't include enough wrestling. Anyhow, this is a good brawl especially once the belt came into play. I really dug the clotheslines with the belt. I would say my complaint was there was too much choking with the belt that really didn't look like work and it slowed the pace down. But they came out of this. Heck they even did some moves! Shenanigans ensue towards the end but it was a lot of fun. 

Junk Yard Dog & Jim Duggan vs Midnight Express (08/04/84) - I didn't know the Midnight's theme song was the same one as for Coast to Coast AM - holy shit! Anyhow, this one is a lot of fun. It's tremendously chaotic with action going on everywhere. Of course, Corny gets involved but there's even more shenanigans. It's a TV main event so no complaints from me. This was one WWE could have put on the DVD as no background or setup was needed and it's got all featured stars...and it's actually entertaining!

JYD from all appearances and from the interviews on the DVD, was THE baby face for Mid-South, at least until Vince scooped him up. And while the DVD has matches of his, they probably aren't all the best he has to offer. The matches included on the DVD weren't representative of JYD's work and honestly don't do him any favors. I feel like I got a better sample from what I found online. 

MAGNUM TA

*Magnum TA & Mr. Wrestling II vs. The Midnight Express (01/1984) - This was good stuff with some quality in ring action and meaningful post match. Terry Taylor plays a part but I'm not sure why they didn't include more of his matches. From the research I've been doing, he was a pretty big deal. Anyhow, the big deal with this match is Mr. Wrestling II turned heel as he felt TA wasn't listening to him & following his training so he (Mr. Wrestling II) wasn't going to take the lashings for losing the match (II was barely in the ring so he kinda has a point).

*Mr. Wrestling II vs. Magnum TA (05/1984) - It's odd this made the DVD as it's joined in progress from a TV broadcast with Watts doing commentary. Regardless, what is shown is very good with a mix of wrestling and brawling. But there's an energy to it as well. And the story is well told. Of course I had to listen to Jim Cornette's podcast to understand why there's a "new" Mr. Wrestling II on the outside, Hercules Hernandez, I believe. Again I am not sure why the WWE folks picked some of these matches that required extra research to understand. But this was a very good nonetheless.

Ted DiBiase vs. Magnum TA (07/01/84) - Great match! DiBiase jumps TA and both guys are swinging for the fences with their punches. The pace was very spirited and felt like a fight. I loved it when all the teenage girls were screaming for TA and then Ted starts mauling him (he is now bleeding) and those girls are legit freaking out! I liked that they incorporated wrestling maneuvers like drop kicks and back body drops instead of only punching & kicking.  It definitely adds variety and excitement with still keeping the pace/intensity up. And to cap it off there was a great finish... as DiBiase was getting his glove ready for the KO punch...

Ted Dibiase vs Magnum TA (07/06/84) - This is Houston a few days later and this is another great match! Lots of good wrestling to begin with and then they get to the brawling/bleeding. As before, they work a quick pace and tell a good story. Towards the end, the top turn buckle pops and they improvise and there's a couple amazing sequences...and another great finish.

Magnum TA vs Hacksaw Butch Reed w/ Ernie Ladd (08/31/84) - This one is a Houston show. Hahaha! What a finish! It looked like it was one thing then it became another and then there was post match goodness. And that's the cherry on top to a great straight ahead wrestling match. Both guys were excellent. Great match!

Magnum T.A. vs. Ted DiBiase (11/15/84) - Oh man I wish this was longer. It's in the TV studio so it's under 10 minutes but is the most jammed packed wrestling match of the 3 bouts. But it really plays off their early matches and I enjoyed the heck out of it. I almost want to say it was great because it was for as long as it lasted

Magnum T.A. in Mid South is damn good. He was such a complete talent in my book...over with the fans and could actually work both brawling and traditional pro wrestling styles. He was in Mid South for a short time in his short career but he definitely made an impact. The stuff vs DiBiase should have been included on the DVD, the TV match would have been great if time was a concern.

More Mid South Wrestling to come! Thanks for reading!