Originally aired on December 24, 1983.
The host, Lance Russell, presented the broadcast solo.
The broadcast cut directly to the Mid‑South Coliseum, where the Fabulous Ones faced Bill Dundee and his new ally Jim Morris. It was striking to see Hillbilly Jim in his usual black trunks, knee pads, and boots, resembling Bruiser Brody in his standard attire. The Fabulous Ones were outmatched. Steve Keirn attempted a desperate, final‑minute rally, but the coordinated assault of his opponents overwhelmed him, resulting in a clean victory for the heels.
Eddie Marlin appeared on the show, and host Lance extended a holiday greeting to him. In 1983, even the most irritating individuals lacked a platform to criticize such gestures. Marlin announced a “loser‑leaves‑town” match scheduled for Monday night between Steve Keirn and Superstar Bill Dundee. Acknowledging that Dundee had previously lost a similar match six months earlier yet remained active, Marlin emphasized that the contract stipulates the loser must remain absent for one full year, with no opportunity to return through any other avenue.
Steve Keirn delivered a promotional segment. Stan Lane, who was spending the holidays with his family, would not be lurking in the audience to assist on Monday night. Consequently, Keirn would face the match alone, fighting for the future of his own career.
“Little Billy” promised to prove himself as a giant‑killer, and the Fantasy Island‑related jokes would cease once the match concluded on Monday night.
The broadcast featured the “Bad Reputation” music video for Bill one final time, pending the outcome of the match, which remained uncertain.
On Monday night, Jerry Lawler and Austin Idol were scheduled to meet in a one‑on‑one contest, with the victor earning a shot at the AWA World Title against Nick Bockwinkel. The production quality of the broadcast surprised the host, who apologized for the poor acoustics in the interview room where Austin’s pre‑recorded promo was aired, noting that the significance of the match warranted using the first available space. Austin expressed confidence that either he or Lawler could defeat Bockwinkel, framing the bout as a strictly babyface encounter between former friends and former tag‑team partners.
Jerry Lawler, who had previously defeated Jesse Ventura, Ken Patera, and Randy Savage (via disqualification), admitted that his longtime friend and equally qualified rival, Austin Idol, remained an unbeaten opponent. During the segment, Jimmy Hart interrupted to provide a historical overview, recalling that five and a half years earlier he had managed Lawler when the latter suffered a broken leg—an injury inflicted by his friend Austin Idol. Additionally, two years prior, Idol had required 17 stitches to repair a head wound inflicted on Lawler.
Lawler, anticipating the direction of the conversation, calmly informed Jimmy that he would never rehire him as a manager and subsequently exited the broadcast.
After the commercial break, Jimmy Hart remained on air and requested a live phone call with Austin Idol. In 1983, connecting a phone call on live television required considerable time to set up the equipment. Eventually, Idol was linked on the line, creating a humorous moment in which Jimmy, contrary to his previous stance, recapped all of Austin’s grievances with Jerry Lawler. This included referencing the incident in which Lawler’s face had been burned. Idol declined to discuss the matter and made clear that he had no desire to involve himself with Jimmy Hart.
Angelo Poffo appeared to discuss his son, former ICW World Heavyweight Champion Randy “Macho Man” Savage. The segment addressed speculation about whether the former world champion could defeat Mid‑American Champion Terry Taylor. Poffo dismissed the question as absurd, while Savage asserted that someday Taylor would have the distinction of telling his grandchildren that he once lost to the greatest wrestler of all time.
