A Match 2 Remember
Chapter Two: Unmasking of the Masked Superstar
#PWHS #Article #Match2Remember #M2R #MaskedSuperstar
It wasn’t a stipulation match like "Mask versus Belt" (not exactly). No, it wasn’t a "Mask versus Mask" or "Hair versus Mask" match. The ex-villains #1 Paul Jones and the Masked Superstar were being cheered to wrest away the NWA World Tag Belts from Ray “The Crippler” Stevens (one of the greatest tag partners for decades) and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka (who wore boots in the Mid Atlantic region).
Paul Jones had asked the fans’ forgiveness for his recent bad-guy ways, and the Masked Superstar had been attacked by the Tag Champs and their manager Gene Anderson. Superstar had even laid aside his Mid-Atlantic TV belt so they could focus on one and only goal: The World Tag Straps.
Masked Superstar upped the ante by making it a promoter’s dream match by promising if he and Jones would win, he would unmask so the fans could see who he was. This was of much more importance than it seems on the surface. For years his identity was shrouded in mystery. He was rumored to be a former Olympian, or even NFL football star. People had been guessing stars’ names by the 10’s for years, and The Masked Superstar just kept on winning and saving his identity.
It was Thanksgiving Night 1980 in Greensboro, North Carolina that the fans got an extra dessert for this holiday as Jones and Superstar won in a steel cage match. While the fans were jumping up and down, the Masked Superstar became Bill Eadie for the first official time to wrestling fans. This was repeated the next night in Richmond, Virginia.
Most places will tell you there is no footage of that match...but there are photographs of his unmasking in Richmond, Virginia with Rich Landrum in the background, just like the one pictured.
Paul Jones had asked the fans’ forgiveness for his recent bad-guy ways, and the Masked Superstar had been attacked by the Tag Champs and their manager Gene Anderson. Superstar had even laid aside his Mid-Atlantic TV belt so they could focus on one and only goal: The World Tag Straps.
Masked Superstar upped the ante by making it a promoter’s dream match by promising if he and Jones would win, he would unmask so the fans could see who he was. This was of much more importance than it seems on the surface. For years his identity was shrouded in mystery. He was rumored to be a former Olympian, or even NFL football star. People had been guessing stars’ names by the 10’s for years, and The Masked Superstar just kept on winning and saving his identity.
It was Thanksgiving Night 1980 in Greensboro, North Carolina that the fans got an extra dessert for this holiday as Jones and Superstar won in a steel cage match. While the fans were jumping up and down, the Masked Superstar became Bill Eadie for the first official time to wrestling fans. This was repeated the next night in Richmond, Virginia.
Most places will tell you there is no footage of that match...but there are photographs of his unmasking in Richmond, Virginia with Rich Landrum in the background, just like the one pictured.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
A Match 2 Remember: Chapter Two.
Author: Terry Kent.
Published: July 2014.
Article: #37.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Updated: June 6, 2018.
A Match 2 Remember: Chapter Two.
Author: Terry Kent.
Published: July 2014.
Article: #37.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Updated: June 6, 2018.
A Match 2 Remember: Chapter Three - Read Here.
A Match 2 Remember: Chapter One - Read Here.
Other articles by Terry can be Read Here.