1987 Best of Memphis Wrestling Yearbook (Vol. three, part two)

It’s bell time and here we goooo, gang. It’s another look at Memphis Wrestling from 1987 courtesy of the Tubi Streaming Service. I have some questions; do you like the rock and roll music? Do you like the music videos? How about a singing cowboy, per se? How about some great announcing from Lance Russell and Dave Brown? We have all those and the usual litany of insane brawls and totally Tubi-lar action (as the song goes) All The Way From Memphis! Shall We? We shall.

(Note: As always, these matches are in no set order so helping me with dates are the fine people at Wrestlingrecaps.com and prowrestlinghistory.com. Thanks for the assist.)

Mid-American Heavyweight Title Match: Jeff Jarrett (champion) vs. Moondog Spot (with Downtown Bruno in tow)

We’re in the WMC studio for a taping aired on June 6. Spot returned to Memphis a couple of weeks prior after working as primarily a jobber to the stars in the WWE. We get right to the brawling as Jarrett and Spot start to brawl in the ring. Spot gets a momentarily advantage with a knee to the torso but a shoulderblock off the ropes is no-sold (looked sort of botchy, they kind of just bumped into each other.) Jarrett, however, continued to slug away at Spot and hit a big backdrop off the ropes.

Spot bailed to the floor but Jarrett pursued and caught him. He slammed Spot’s head into the announce table and jammed a chair in his torso. Spot headed back into the ring but Jarrett rammed his head into the turnbuckle and hit a FULL BODYSLAM for a one count. Jarrett continued to beat Spot in the corner and a back elbow off the ropes.

Spot, though, grabbed Jarrett’s tights and flung him through the ropes and onto the floor. Spot now pursued him and slammed Jarrett’s head into the apron and then ran him into the ringpost. Spot got back in the ring as Jarrett sold the attack. Jarrett got back on the apron but Spot did the neck snap on the top rope. Jarrett dropped to the apron but Spot got him in the ring and hit a huge clothesline off the ropes. Spot instantly climbed to the second turnbuckle but a body splash got nothing but mat as Jarrett moved.

Jarrett slugged away on Spot but another knee to the torso ended the offense. Once again, Spot threw Jarrett to the floor and nailed Jarrett in the leg and the torso with a chair. Spot climbed back into the ring and distracted referee Jerry Calhoun. Bruno snuck over to Jarrett to kick him but Calhoun turned just in the nick of time.

Spot again brought Jarrett into the ring and continued to beat on Jarrett. Jarrett had enough and started to brawl with Spot, getting the better of it. A huge uppercut dropped Spot for a two count. Jarrett continued to beat on Spot in the corner and hit a nice dropkick that dropped Spot.

However, Bruno climbed into the ring to thwart the count and distract Jarrett and Calhoun. Jarrett got a hold of Bruno and started to pound on him. This gave Spot a chance to grab his bone ( his giant chew bone, minds out of the gutter.) However, Jarrett saw him grab the bone and ducked a swipe and turned it into a backdrop. Calhoun was still trying to get Bruno out of the ring. Calhoun saw the bone in the ring and started to remove it until Jarrett stopped him. Spot hit Jarrett and, naturally, caused a ref bump out of the ring.

Bruno grabbed the bone and slid it to Spot who NOW clobbered Jarrett with it. Spot removed the bone from the ring and Bruno revived the referee. Calhoun saw Spot covering Jarrett and we have a new Mid-American Champion.

Post Match: Bruno and Spot headed to the announce table. Bruno asked Russell and Brown where the belt is (they had no idea.) Russell verbally accosted Bruno and said the victory was a sham. Bruno was insistent on getting the belt. Calhoun gave the belt to Spot but Jarrett came into frame and started to slug Spot with the belt. Calhoun tried to get the belt from Calhoun as Spot and Bruno cowered by the studio curtain. Randy Hales, Memphis official and backup announcer, calmed down Jarrett but Spot attacked Jarrett. Spot grabbed the belt and he and Bruno ran out of the studio and the building as Jarrett pursued him

Jarrett eventually made it to the announce table and pleaded his case. Russell agreed that we all saw it -sans the referee. Jarrett got Hales back into the studio and demanded a return match right now. Hales said Jarrett verbally agreed to the rematch clause and not written. Jarrett demanded Hales go back and get a rematch. Jarrett got back in the ring and the got the crowd on his side.

Hales eventually returned with Bruno hiding behind him. Bruno said there can be a return match – just not today. He also made the stipulation of a “title vs. hair match.” Jarrett said he didn’t care, he just wanted his return match. Even Russell said Jarrett is doing this in an irate state and should calm himself before agreeing to the match. Jarrett was a one-track mind and insistent on the match. Russell said he is not paying attention because he could lose his hair, he brought up the recent match between Lawler and Austin Idol where Lawler “lost his hair.” Jarrett remained constant about the match. Hales said he tried to warn him but the match was official as he and Bruno left off frame.

And now we get into the music video portion of our broadcast. We go to the October 24 airing with great news, Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee defeated Soldat Ustinov (no relation to Peter) and “Pretty Boy” Doug Sommers (who is not aesthetically pleasing) for the AWA world tag titles. (note: Sommers replaced Boris Zuhkov, who ironically jumped ship earlier in the month to the WWE and better money and became part of the Bolsheviks with Nikolai Volkoff.)

We get a highlights package of the match set to “The Sweetest Victory” by Touch (part of the Rocky IV soundtrack but not featured in the actual film. It is not a bad song in a 1987 middle of the road positive anthemic way.) Dundee and Lawler entered the ring and the heels having their way with a series of punches and backbreakers. However, heel miscommunication by Sommers dropped Ustinov to the floor. This gave Lawler a chance to rally with a series of punches and kicks. Dundee is tagged and hits a drop kick but the count is stopped by Sommers. Ustinov and Ustinov trade offense. Dundee played face in peril as the package focused on the beat down applied by the champs until a sunset flip gets a hope spot. However, the heels continue to pound on Dundee until Sommers missed a flying bodysplash, giving the Lawler a chance to tag and beat on Somers with a series of fists. We cut to the denouement of the match as Somers tried to throw Dundee into the turnbuckles but Dundee climbed them instead and hit a reverse body press for the win and the titles. The crowd went nuts for this, just an amazing reaction. Russell was beaming as this was Memphis’ first world titlists (give it about nine months.)

We go back to the studio as Dundee and Lawler head to the announce area wearing bowties and ersatz Fabulous Ones jackets. They are partially mobbed by the fans. Promoter Eddie Marlin comes out to congratulate the two. Dundee said he is elated; however, the news is a little bittersweet, though. Dundee is the Memphis International Champion and Lawler is the Southern Heavyweight titlist. Dundee weirdly said Lawler giving up his title means more to him than Dundee giving up his belt. However, they are world champions.

Russell asked Lawler what the meant for Lawler being in Memphis and the ensuing travel as world champs. Lawler said that it was a serious and if they were going to be fighting champions – as promised – they do have to travel all over the country and possibly the world. He said people think it is glamorous to see wrestlers who defend a title in Los Angeles one day and then New York the next.

However, Lawler said it is a miserable life living in a suitcase. Lawler has been fortunate to stay here in Memphis. Everyone wants to be champions and now they are and they had a discussion that they had to do a lot more traveling. He talked about traveling to Denver for a rematch with the ex-champions and to Whitewater, WI, which Lawler said he had no idea existed.

There will be a lot of traveling but they have some leeway in where they go and will try to bring the challengers for the title here. Memphis has been denied too long, so let them come to Memphis. However, since you can’t be a double champ, he painfully had to give up the Memphis titles to Marlin, he did thank the fans and promised the fans

Dundee focused on a match with Hector Guerrero and Dr. D (who Dundee said is not David Schultz “the guy who slapped Stossel on TV that one time.” Even if it is, it’s fine, he won’t be able to slap Dundee and Lawler. They are the first title challengers, according to Lawler, in Memphis and wants the fans to come out and support the champs. (we’ll talk off air about that.)

Southern Tag Title Match The Nasty Boys (champs) vs. Rock and Roll RPMs (Mike Davis and Tommy Lane)

We jump back one week in the WMC studio to October 17 for this one. The RPMs and Nasty Boys had a nice feud going in the late summer/early autumn of 1987 (more on that in a bit.) The Nasty Boys won the title a week prior on TV with that outside interference from both “Hangman” Bobby Jaggers and Jarrett (Jarrett’s dropkick led to the Sags getting the pin on Davis.)
Jarrett was at ringside again and raised Davis’ ire before the match. Lane and Knobbs started with Lane getting the initial upper hand with a series of punches and body slams. However, and elbow drop off the ropes missed as Knobbs hit a FULL BODYSLAM and an elbowdrop. Lane scampered to the corner and tagged Davis.

Knobbs got the opening hand by hitting Davis with a back elbow off the ropes. Davis got up and tagged Lane. Lane grabbed an armlock but Knobbs reversed it. Lane hit the canvas and Knobbs tagged Sags who hit axe handle on the arm and went back to the arm. Sags tagged Knobbs who hit a bodysplash on the arm (armsplash?)

Knobbs continued to work the arm with an elbowdrop and an armbar. Sags was tagged as the Boys hit a double back elbow and Sags goes to the arm again. A hair pull breaks the hold and Davis was tagged. Sags was feeling arm heavy and got an arm wringer and armlock on Davis. He tagged Knobbs who climbed to the second rope and hit an axe handle on Davis. Knobbs worked the arm and Davis hit the mat. Knobbs legdropped the arm. Davis vainly tried to break the hold but Sag was tied again as Sags out the boots to the arm and hit the armlock.

A back kick to the torso finally ended the arm work as Davis grabbed Sags by the hair and tagged Lane. But, Sags got the upper hand and (say it with me) worked the arm with another arm wringer and arm lock. Another kick to the torso broke the hold and Lane hit a side backbreaker to gain the momentum. Lane tagged Davis who pounded Sags in the corner and landed a vertical suplex.

Lane hit the chinlock and wore Sags down. Lane landed a boot to the back and then tagged Davis who landed a boot and he hit the chinlock. Lane tagged Davis and Davis worked the back and hit a FULL BODYSLAM. The deliberate psychology of the match continued as Lane was tagged back into the match and pounded away on the back despite Knobbs’ attempt to stop him.

Davis was tagged back and the RPMs both rammed Sags back into the corner. Lane tagged back into match and repeated the same spot and then hit the chinlock AGAIN. Lane booted Sags in the back. Davis is back in the ring and pounded Sags in the back and then rammed Sags backward into the turnbuckle.

A hard throw into the turnbuckles dropped Sags to the mat as Lane was tagged and got a two count. Sags tried to rally but Davis tagged into the match to continue to heat down. Sags again tried to rally and finally dropped Lane and then Davis. While Sags was occupied with Lane, Davis hit a clothesline to drop Sags. This brought Knobbs finally into the match and started to beat on Davis as Calhoun tried to get control of that situation.

One could see where this is going. Whilst that was going on; Lane reached into his tights for the object of international origin and clobbered Sags. Lane got Calhoun’s attention and Lane covered Sags for the pin and the Title Change.

Post Match: Lane continued to beat on Sags as Davis and Knobbs battled on the floor. This brought Jarrett into the fracas with a chair. Jarrett dropped the chair which Davis grabbed. However, Billy Travis brought a chair and gave it to Jarrett. The teams had a standoff by the announce table. Travis told the RPMs they are low life cowards who cheated to win the titles. They wanted a title shot right now. RPMs said they needed just two minutes but Jarrett and Travis said they nothing but talkers and left the announce area, foolishly dropping the chairs. This gave RPMs a chance to jump them from behind and use the chairs to waffle Jarrett and Travis.

The beatdown was underway on the floor as Lane beat on Travis and Davis beat on Jarrett. Davis grinded Jarrett on the floor and then threw Jarrett into the announce table. Davis beat on Jarrett some more and slammed him on the announce floor as Lane continued beat on Travis on the floor. Luckily, Dundee and Lawler ran to the area and surrounded Davis. Lane came back into the table area and that gave Davis enough time to run straight and to the backstage area.

Southern Tag Titles match Nasty Boys (champions) vs. Rock and Roll RPMs

See? The two teams traded titles every couple of weeks in September and October. This was aired on September 26 at WMC studios. This was the first title reign of the Boys who won the titles from Badd Company (Pat Tanaka and Paul Diamond) a couple of weeks prior.

Lane and Knobbs again start the match. Knobbs backed Lane into the corner until Calhoun broke the hold. Lane backed Knobbs into the corner and hit a knee to the torso. However, a whip to the turnbuckle is reversed and then Knobbs landed a clothesline and an elbowdrop. Lane begged off Knobbs and tagged Davis.

Davis and Knobbs jawed at each other as Davis wanted Sags in the match. Knobbs obliged and here is Sags. Davis pounded on Sags in the corner and whipped Sags into the other corner. However, Sags hit a charging Davis a big boot. Davis charged again and Sags landed a FULL BODYSLAM twice. Davis now begged off Sags and tagged Lane. Lane Sags grabbed a headlock on Lane and tagged Knobbs who got a punch to the torso and then a back elbow on lane off the a shoulderblock ropes. He proceeds to grab a headlock and cinches it. Knobbs dropped Lane with and we get another headlock sequence. Lane managed to back Knobbs back into his corner and tagged Davis. The two managed to beat on Knobbs.

Davis continued to beat on Knobbs rallied and dropped Davis with a right. He then asked if Davis wanted to face Sags. It seemed like a weird and moot question because he tagged in Sags. Sags attacked Davis and hit a double chop off the ropes. Once again, we get a headlock sequence. The two traded tags and headlocks but Davis but the RPMs regained the momentum as Dais whipped Sags into the ropes and Lane met him with a knee to the back.

Lane was tagged and hit a backbreaker on Sags, followed by a vertical suplex. He ran Sags into Dabis’ boots and tagged Davis. Davis hit a bodyslam on Sags and tagged Lane. Lane got a face lock and clubbed way on Sags until he whipped Sags to the ropes and a backdrop attempt was met with a knee. Sags managed to tag Knobbs who came in a (Nasty) house on fire. Knobbs dropped both RPMs and Sags came in to join the fracas. Knobbs continued to beat on Davis; but, Knobbs came off the ropes for a clothesline that connected. However, Davis managed to knockdown Calhoun, who was busy trying to separate Lane and Sags.

Naturally, a schmozapalooza started as Davis went over to Sags and beat on hm but Sags backdropped him over the top rope. Sags went after him. Meanwhile, Knobbs whipped Lane into the ropes but was reversed. Lane went for a backdrop and Knobbs went for a sunset flip (!) However, Lane slugged Knobbs and sat on him for the three count and we have a title change.

Post Match: the RPMs celebrated near the announce table and then headed backstage as Sags tried to help Knobbs in the ring.

Now, we get to an odd portion of the volume. Don Bass was a loooong time veteran of the area, teaming with his “brother,” Ron Bass (The “Outlaw” of Florida, Mid-Atlantic and WWE/F fame.) They were managed by “Maw” Bass (former female wrestling great Mae Weston, who challenged Mildred Burke and was one of the first to use a loaded object for the heels – in this case, a loaded purse.)
Bass had a litany of gimmicks aside from the Bass brothers. He was one of the (Memphis edition) Masked Assassins and one-half of Fire and Flame. He came back in 1987 as the “Singing Cowboy.”

We head back in time to the June 27 airing in the WMC studio and we get a Russell interview with Bass. He has an upcoming heavyweight title match against Lawler. Bass said when he found out about the match, he was pushing those weights and did cardio to get to where he is. Russell said he had not been seen in eight months and asked where he was?
Bass said he had other things to do; like his recording contacts. He is not only the best wrestler around but the best singer around – he also writes songs. Russell said he never heard about the singing career.

Russell said there is a few minutes before the match and asked if he could “rip off” a song beforehand. Bass was indignant that Russell would say that. He can sing but he has an important match. He wanted Lawler now and will take the title from him as the scene ends (note: Lawler won that match.)

The week after (July 4,) Russell is at the desk and recapped the previous week’s development with Bass. Russell said Bass declined but has sent a video this week – since all the major artists are doing that – so Russell throws it to the production booth and we get the video.

First, Bass still took umbrage with Russell calling him a liar. He got on the phone to the studio and got a crew to his house and prove that he can sing. The audio dropped for a moment but we get the Bobby Bare classic country/gospel song “Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goalposts of Life.” One can envision the horrible lip-syncing of the song. Bass is “playing the guitar,” barely strumming and not working the fret board.

Russell interrupts the video and obviously sensed a fake. Bass, again takes umbrage with this and verbally accosts Russell. When Russell it sounded like Bare’s version, Bass said Bare never sounded like that before in his life. Russell, much like the fans, are jealous of his abilities. Fans all over the world are buying the album. Russell had an idea – maybe he was wrong, so why doesn’t Bass sing some right now? However, Bass has a concert tonight and can’t sing. Bass storms off frame and Russell said Bass is one of the toughest wrestlers around but is far from a singer.

So now, we move ahead a week (July 11) as Russell and Brown are joking about Brown being absent last week and the Bass video. Russell said Bass has sent another video of his singing. We go to a lake and Bass said he went to a big expense to make the tape for him and his fans. The studio received thousands of calls asking why the video was cut. We are at his lake where he can relax. He breaks out another country song (methinks it is another Bobby Bare song, “Learning to Live Again” ) but it’s the same scenario, lip synching and almost air guitaring it.

Russell ended this version and said no more. This brought out Bass and another confrontation occurred (the audio in the studio cutout so the name of the singer is inaudible.) He wrote and played the song and everyone is jealous. Russell re-upped his offer for Bass to play and sing. However, Bass is in concert at all times and his voice is gone. Moreover, his band is not here. Bass threatened Russell with his guitar to play the entire song the next time.

So, we jump again a week to the WMC studio as Russell and Brown finish talking about the previous match and the escalating friction between Dundee and George Barnes (partially covered in Volume one, part two.) They transition to the Bass saga. Russell said Bass wanted one more chance so here it is: Bass sent in another video. This time on Beale Street in Memphis in front of a state of WC Handy, viewed as “the father of the blues.” Memphis is also the home of Elvis Presley. They all had an impact on music, but will pale in comparison to what Don Bass will have.

It’s more of the same as Bass lip-synchs Bare’s “Detroit City.” We get just a snippet before Russell puts the kibosh on it. Bass stormed out to the announce table. They keep cutting off the tape and Bass is mad, throwing his hat down as demonstration. He again threatens Russell with the guitar. Russell said he would love to hear Bass sing – not Bare. Bass demands Russell shut up and listen to him.

Since Russell is a nobody Bass would beat Russell’s brains out but since he is a nobody he is going to remember what happened and when he gets in a ring with a wrestler; he is going to beat his brains out on account of what Russell did. It’s all on Russell’s shoulders. Bass stormed off backstage as Russell continues to berate Bass’ singing attempts.

With all that in mind, we go back to the June 27 airing and get the actual first match:
Southern Heavyweight Title Match: Jerry Lawler vs. Don Bass

(fun factoid: Fun factoid: Bass hailed form Greasy Corner, Arkansas. It’s a real city about 30-40 minutes west of Memphis.)

Bass was reluctant to engage Lawler at the onset, drawing the ire of the fans. Once he did, he backed Lawler into a corner but Lawler slugged his way out of a jam. Bass sold the shot humorously. Bass finally got and arm bar and with a hair pull, dropped Lawler to the mat. Bass worked the wristlock and dropped the elbow on Lawler’s arm. Lawler again stated to get up but Bass pulled his singlet to again drop the champion. Bass locked on the arm and out the boots to Bass.

Lawler hit Bass and dropped him. As Calhoun admonished Lawler, Bass reached into his tights and attempted to pull an object of international origin. Lawler let Calhoun what he saw and Calhoun grilled Bass about it. Bass tried to pretend all was well and no weapon was present. When action resumed, Lawler whipped Bass into the turnbuckles. Bass evaded a charge but Lawler stopped in time and slugged Bass.

Calhoun again admonished Lawler as Bass reached in his trunks. The fans saw this and snitched on Bass told Calhoun what Bass was attempting. Bass and Lawler attempted a test of strength; but, while Calhoun was checking the test, Bass did reach into his tights and clobbered Lawler. Bass immediately went to work and ran Lawler into the turnbuckles and choked him in the corner. Bass threw Lawler into the ropes and met him with a back elbow for two.

Bass hit a huge kneelift on Lawler for two. Lawler kicked out of the pin and started his rally and THE STRAPS ARE DOWN…REPEAT THE STRAPS ARE DOWN!! Lawler slugged away on Bass and had him going on the ropes. However, Bass launched Lawler into Calhoun and we get another ref bump. Calhoun was wiped out but the action continued as Bass missed a diving headbutt. Lawler beat Bass into the turnbuckles and got the 10-punch turnbuckle spot. However, this gave Brickhouse Brown a chance to sneak from behind and pull Lawler to the mat. Brown dropped Lawler with a big clothesline and got out of the ring as Bass covered Lawler for the pin.

Post Match (or is it??) Brown brought Bass the title and the two celebrated in the ring as the crowd protested. Lawler did the same when Calhoun checked on him. Calhoun went to Bass and Brown and questioned them what happened. The crowd indicted Bass on the skullduggery and Calhoun grabbed the belt and gave it back to Lawler, who won via Disqualification. Brown beat on Lawler (with Bass holding him) until Dundee came in to even the odds as the heels scampered backstage. Lawler and Dundee started to chase them until Calhoun stopped them and cooler heads prevailed.

At this point Bass and Lawler traded the Southern title throughout the month of August. Bass won the title (the second time) on August 24. We jump one week to the Memphis Coliseum and get:

Southern Heavyweight Title Match Don Bass (Champion) vs. Jerry Lawler

We have the No disqualification match with the title on the line as well as hair. Oh, and it’s in a cage, too, in case you were yearning for one more stip. “Prince” Brickhouse Brown and “Court Jester” Bruno are in tow for the champ. We are joined in progress with Randy Hales doing the announcing. Bass beat on Lawler. Bass choked Lawler on the mat with his boot, using the ropes as extra leverage. Bass outright slugged Calhoun and continued to beat on Lawler. Lawler finally got to his feet and back suplexed Bass. Lawler got to his feet and to the second turnbuckle but missed a leg drop. Bass covered him for a two count. Bass continued to bat on Lawler until Lawler had enough, fired up and once again – THE STRAPS ARE DOWN!!!

Lawler pounded on Bass in the corner. Lawler tried to throw Bass to the ropes but, again, Calhoun got in the way and Lawler collided with him. Both crumpled to the mat as Brown threw Bass’ guitar over the cage to Bass. Bass measured Lawler but Lawler beat him to the punch, literally. Bass dropped to the canvas and dropped the guitar. Lawler then grabbed the guitar and “El Kabonged” Bass who dropped to canvas; Lawler covered him and we have a (sort of) new Southern Heavyweight Title.

Post Match: We see Bass getting his head shaved. Bass sat their despondently but it was a clean shave. Lawler got on the mic and said: “I can’t wait to hear the next song from the singing Onion Head.” As the crowd roared in approval. Bass got Bruno’s jester headpiece and covered his hair.

We wrap things up with the October 10 WMC TV airing and we get footage from a brawl in Evansville, IN (a frequent stop for Memphis on their travel loop.) It features Lawler and Dundee vs Bass and Carl Fergie (with “Prince” Brickhouse Brown in tow.) Hales was on commentary and a film crew was there (what are the odds?) Russell said this is some of the roughest stuff we’ve ever seen.

It is not well lit but that adds to the authenticity of it. Bass and Fergie set up a huge wood table and Fergie ran Lawler into it. Russell voices over that the brawl went over 20 minutes. Fergie verbally accosts the camera crew. Brown starts to attack Lawler. We get an edit and we head down the stairs near the outside area as all four combatants continue to brawl. Lawler is pounding on Bass as Fergie tried to rescue his partner. We head to the locker as Calhoun is slugged. We head backstage near the concession area. Dundee is beating on Brown as Lawler tried to handle Bass and Fergie. We have a cake throw that blinds Bass as Lawler continued to beat on Bass. Dundee hit Brown with a coke can as second referee Frank Morell nearly skated through the condiments spilled on the floor.

Hales left the broadcast area and tried to help. Brown dropped him with a punch. Bass picked up Hales and dropped him again with a punch. Dundee tried to rally and hit Brown with a metal sheet. Lawler beat on Fergie as the two went sprawling into the bathroom. Lawler dunked Fergie’s head in the toilet and used a plunger on his face (that’s not how that works.) Meanwhile Bass threw Dundee around the area and Morrell tried to keep his balance. Lawler grabbed Bass and tried to beat on Bass as they fell on Hales.

Brown, head adorned in mustard, Bass and Fergie continued to attack the faces. The faces recovered and Lawler chucked a soda bottle and trash can on Brown. Eventually, the heels retreated as we get a shot of Lawler, Dundee, Morell and Calhoun picking up a bleeding Hales as the footage ended.

Russell and Brown were incredulous on what they just saw (and they’ve seen a lot.) We then go to a pre-taped interview with Brown, Fergie and Bass. However, we get one sentence from Brown and the volume ended. The internet informed us that Brown said he got glass in his eye. Bass said Dundee and Lawler will look twice as bad the “Commission” looked at that moment. Fergie said he would go to their house to get them. Brown finished by saying he hates Lawler and kill him. That’s nice….

Long Distance Information:

One: Let’s start with the AWA world title change. We covered Zuhkov’s disappearance. Lawler and Dundee mentioned facing Hector Guerrero and Dr. D. Guerrero is in fact, Eddie’s brother. However, Dr. D was not Schultz but rather Karl Styles, a long time territory wrestler who had a sustained push in the Pacific Northwest in the late 1980’s. They actually beat Lawler and Dundee on October 19. Lawler and Dundee got the titles back the week after.

That title reign didn’t last that long. In the interview Lawler mentioned Whitewater, Wisconsin. Four days regaining the titles, they lost them in Whitewater to…the Original Midnight Express, led by Paul E. Dangerously (now Heyman.)

Two: This was an hourglass episode. The beginning and end were really standouts but the middle dragged (more later.) The Spot vs. Jarrett match was every bit the insane schmozapalooza one expects from both Memphis and from the Moondogs. This was odd as I thought the Spot/Larry Latham was very talented and moved well for a guy of his size.

Three: Memphis always cooked on music videos and finding that song to use from Rocky IV was a nice touch (hot take: It should have been in the movie somewhere, even if it was the closing credits. I really liked that song.)

Four: I did not expect to enjoy the Don Bass saga as much as I did. Russell’s Gong Show esque riffing and pulling the videos prematurely was a funny touch. Bass was a the proverbial “good hand” so you could trust him to pull that off. Bass was hilarious in his role and Russell played a phenomenal foil to this. One of my younger core wrestling memories was seeing the highlights and finish of the hair match with Lawler on Pro Wrestling This Week (for the neophytes: It was a weekly wrap up on wrestling throughout the globe hosted by Gordon Solie and Joe Pedicino.) I used “onion head” as much as I could as a kid.

Five: The Evansville Brawl was straight Memphis and another rehash of the famous “Tupelo Concession Brawl” (which I have access to and might review down the road if wanted.)

Six: Okay, now for the drag down part. I have grown to appreciate the Rock and Roll RPMs more and more than when I was younger. My disdain for the Nasty Boys has not wavered. I do truly get the emphasis on psychology and I appreciate it. But, there is psychology and then there is plodding and they dipped heavy in the plodding. Armlocks and chinlocks are great in moderation and in short bursts but they went overboard with it and it partially distracted from the match.

Knobbs particularly looked super awkward in the ring. I know he was young at the time and it was forgivable but he never got better. Sags was not quite as unpleasant but nothing about this team compelled to watch them with interest.

Seven: Kudos to the Memphis for not being afraid to give us a title change in a studio match. It kept people compelled to watch and the crowd was small but rabid and that helped infuse the passion in the match.

Eight: I indicated “sort of” in Lawler’s title victory. That was his 49th title victory. He would have one more and would be the last champion before Memphis consolidated all of its titles into one CWA Heavyweight Title, which Lawler won before winning the AWA World Title. He also had two more when the area was rebranded once more as the United States Wrestling Association.

Nine: Jarrett never lost his hair but traded the title with the Moondog three times each (ironically, Spot won the title when his hair was on the line vs. the title. Hmmm.. funny how that happened.)

Lastly: “Dropkick Me Jesus Through the Goalposts of Life” is a real song and yes, I did know and sung the words. My pop would sing it to me a few times as a kid.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight.