Patera vs. Rheingans I don't think would have worked because I've never seen Rheingans as having any sort of drawing potential. Patera vs. Sarge in the same setting, for sure.
I think it could have worked specifically in 84 in a lightning in a bottle sort of way. Actually, I was 3 in 84, so I'm just guessing, but looking at AWA tv and what I watched of the olympics on youtube in the last week, the US Wrestling Golds seemed like a big deal to me. I just think Turncoat Olympian vs Former Olympian and Current Olympic Coach would have worked with that specific crowd. It practically writes itself.
With Brad, did they really give him stuff to do or did they just toss him out there on the idea that his credentials would be enough to draw?