Saherrin Reviews: Greatest Tag Teams 1979-1980 (part two)

Okay, with “Superstar” Bill Dundee’s recent passing, I decided to take a look at some of his work and get back into some Memphis actually from the Tubi Streaming Channel. In April, I did the first half of Greatest Tag Teams 1979-1980 (conveniently located here Saherrin Reviews: Greatest Tag Teams 1979-1980 – Scott’s Blog of Doom!,) Well, most of the action is in that time frame (we have one infamous match from 1981.) In the second half we have former WWWF tag team Champions reunite, we have plenty of Bill Dundee action and a brawl that was a template used to this very day. So, sit back, relax and get into some Totally Tubi-lar action coming (as the song goes) All the Way From Memphis.

The Blonde Bombers (Larry Latham and Wayne Farris with Sgt. Danny Davis in tow) vs. “Superstar” Bill Dundee and Tony Boyles

Who’s Who? Latham would leave in a year and become Moondog Spot, replacing Moondog King (who had Visa Issues) as one-half of the WWF(E) Tag Team Champions with Moondog Rex. Farris would find his way to the WWF( E) six years later as the Honky Tonk Man. Davis is not THAT Danny Davis (evil WWF(E) referee) but a future staple in Memphis and other Southern Territories as a parter with Ken Wayne as the Galaxians and, more famously, the Nightmares, Dundee is Dundee and a legend in southern territories. Boyles only lasted a year in the business (he had just debuted earlier in the year.) I wonder who eats the pin here? This is a WMC studio match from June, 9 1980

Dundee and Latham start the match. Dundee got the early advantage with a hiptoss and hip gyrations. Dundee also got a hiptoss off the ropes as Latham complained about a tights pull. Farris tagged and instantly bullied Dundee into the corner. Farris threw Dundee into the corner (Dundee seemed lost for a moment and looked like a botch of a reverse.) Farris, nonetheless beat on Dundee until Farris missed a standing fistdrop. Another sort of miscommunication occurred as Dundee threw Farris into the ropes and just sort of collided with him. Dundee got his bearings on his next throw to the corner as he hit a monkeyflip to send Farris out of the corner. Farris instantly crawled to Latham for some consoling and tagged.

Dundee sent Latham into the ropes as Farris tried to interfere. Both Dundee and Farris ducked the first two times Latham hit the ropes. Farris was not so lucky on the third as the heels collided with each other and scurried to the floor for a strategy session with Davis. Dundee taunted the heels in the corner. Latham got back into the ring and charged Dundee. Dundee leapt off the turnbuckles onto his back to monkeyflip Latham as he rebounded out of the corner for a two count.

Dundee grabbed a headlock and tagged Boyles. Latham escaped a headlock takedown with a headscissors. Boyles got an armdrag as Latham protested it was from a hair pull; Davis pleaded the case as Latham tagged Farris. Boyles got an armlock and tagged Dundee who backdropped Farris and then hit a sliding dropkick in the corner. Farris escaped a headlock with a hair pull and tagged Latham. Latham got a momentary advantage with a bodyslam but an awkward elbow drop from the second turnbuckle got nothing but canvas. Dundee hit a double stomp on the torso and the hand and hit a reverse knee drop off the ropes to the arm of Latham. Farris attempted to interfere, thought twice but went ahead. However, Dundee moved and Farris kicked Latham twice and then dropped an elbow on him when Dundee moved again.

Dundee got a sleeperhold on Latham off the ropes until Farris finally managed to hit Dundee to break the hold. Latham tagged Farris but Dundee grabbed the Bombers and ran their heads together. Dundee threw Farris into a boot by Boyles and tagged the rookie. The two hit a double backdrop on Farris for a two count. Boyles grabbed a headlock and cinched it. Russell and Brown tried to constructively critique Boyles’ headlock, to their credit. No sooner than they said that, Farris dropped Boyles with a wristlock takedown. Dundee tried to interfere but the referee restrained the two. Off-camera, Latham decked Boyles. Dundee tried to go after Latham but did manage to interrupt a Farris pin attempt. Farris went after Dundee and Boyles joined him. Farris grabbed a side headlock and tagged Latham.

Boyles tried to fend off Latham but Latham got a leg takedown and tagged Farris. Farris grabbed a headlock as Dundee went around the ring to accost Davis. Dundee got in the ring and started to beat on Latham as Farris and Boyles paired. Dundee dragged Boyles to the corner for a tag but Latham grabbed him in time and dragged him to the middle. Latham tagged Farris and but Boyles reversed a bodyslam for a quick two-count. Farris threw Boyles into the ropes and Boyles (somewhat awkwardly) hit a shoulder block and tagged Dundee.

Dundee went after Farris who begged for mercy. Dundee threw Farris into Latham and the future Moondog staggered to the apron. Farris and Dundee ran into each other and both dropped to the mat. Farris tried a flying body splash but missed. Dundee, though, tried a bodyslam and Farris dropped on top of him for a two count. Dundee slugged Farris and tagged Boyles. The video darkened for a moment but it sounded like Farris reversed a back bodydrop with a boot to the face.

Latham tagged and hit a knee to the abdomen off the ropes. Latham slammed Boyles and drop multiple knees on Boyles and tagged Farris. Farris slugged Boyles off the ropes. Farris continued to beat on Boyles. Dundee had enough and tried to interfere. Ther referee restrained him and Latham tagged. Latham continued the beat down on Boyles. Dundee again tried to interfere but the referee was called to restrain him. The heels took advantage one more time. Dundee saw enough and attacked Davis on the floor. With the referee preoccupied once again, Farris climbed to the top and attempted hit an axhandle whilst Latham held him. Farris climbed to the second turnbuckle and (sort of) hit a spike piledriver (Boyles did not fall correctly with Latham so he dropped a couple of seconds after Latham hit the floor.) Nonetheless, the Bombers got the win.

Post-Match: It would not be Memphis without a schmozapalooza, would it? Dundee tried to get revenge but the Bombers attacked him and Davis entered the ring and hit him with his army helmet. Latham leapt on Boyles with the helmet from the second turnbuckle. Farris continued to beat on Dundee. Russell and Brown asked for order fecklessly as the Bombers continued to attack Boyles and Dundee with Davis’ helmet (and copious amount of fists.) Dundee started to bleed as the beatdown continued. Russell and Brown Called for Memphis promoter Eddie Marlin to do something to get them out of the ring. Eventually, referee Jerry Calhoun got some control and the Bombers left the ring and headed to Russell.

Farris started to run down Dundee and how allegedly tough he was. Dundee is the one who gets all the title shots but look at him now. The Bombers are uncrowned champs and deserve a title shot.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE: After a commercial break, Dundee is at the announce desk and said the Bombers are tough when there it’s three-on-one. He could beat all three of them, one-on-one. He’s not leaving and headed back into the ring, still bleeding. Russell tried to talk some sense into Dundee but Dundee wouldn’t hear it. Off-Camera, Davis started to taunt Dundee in mic range. Marlin finally came to ringside but Dundee snuck around Marlin and decked Davis. Dundee threw Davis into the ringpost and in the ring where Dundee started to beat on Davis. Calhoun tried to restore control but the Bombers hit the ring and it was another three-on-one. Dundee held his own for a moment but the numbers game proved too much. Marlin entered the ring and tossed Farris and Davis aside to help Dundee. Davis had some powder with him and blinded Marlin with it as he tried to attack Latham. The Bombers put Dundee into the Tree of Woe and attacked him.

Davis went to the announce table and verbally accosted Dundee and Marlin. BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, Jerry Jarrett (yup, Jeff’s dad and Marlin’s son-in-law) hit the ring and attacked all three. Jarrett temporarily succumbed to the numbers game but managed to remove his belt and started to whip all three heels and finally they scurried from the ring after Jarrett laid multiple lashes into Farris. Jarrett and some officials attempted to help Dundee back to the dressing room as we go to another break.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S STILLMORE: The Bombers and Davis are now at the announce table and Farris reiterating what does it take to get a title shot. They handled and ran out Buddy Fuller (son of long time promoter Roy Welch and father of Ron and Robert Fuller (aka Col. Rob Parker, the Tennessee Stud and other sobriquets.) Now, “Fast Daddy” Eddie Marlin interfered in their business. How much can the Bombers stand? Farris wanted to get his hands on Jarrett for three years now. He was tried of Jarrett’s promotional tactics and dictating where he went, which he didn’t appreciate.

They ran down the entire family until Brown tried to take over for Russell. Farris called Brown Russell’s stooge like Dundee is Jarrett’s stooge. Davis said he will buy this place so that he doesn’t have to leave. Davis wanted to speak to someone with authority. Russell returned and said they got their wish and it will be Dundee and Jarrett vs. the Bombers. Placated, they left the announce table and we fade to black.

Jerry Lawler and Jimmy Valiant (with Jimmy Hart in tow) vs. Rick Morton and Larry Hardin

This match took place on WMC on February 2, 1980. Yup, it’s heel Jerry Lawler. Lawler turned heel in late 1979. Lawler’s fortunes took a turn for the worse the next day. During a touch football game, Lawler broke his leg. This started his face turn as Hart buried Lawler during the post injury interviews (to the point that Valiant turned face, too.) Lawler was out most of 1980.

Who’s Who? Lawler is Lawler and Valiant is “The Boogie Woogie Man.” He left the WWF(E ) earlier after working with his “brothers,” Lucious Johnny and Gentleman Jerry. (Jimmy and Johnny held the tag titles in 1974.) Rick Morton is THAT Rick(y) Morton of Rock and Roll Express fame. Hardin wrestled a few more years under various gimmicks but mostly as enhancement talent.

Valiant flexed and Lawler verbally accosted Russell. Lawler had a dragon emblazoned on his trunks. Valiant took time that the lights were too bright and affecting his eyes. Lawler and Morton stated the match. Lawler stalled and argued with his fans. Lawler grabbed a facelock when Morton tried to attack the legs. Lawler threw Morton our to he corner but Morton reciprocated. Lawler stalled and consulted with Valiant. Lawler backed Morton into the ropes where Valiant grabbed him. Heel miscommunication almost occurred as Morton ducked but Lawler managed to stop his punch in the nick of time.

The two traded punches in the ropes with Morton getting the better one. Morton went for the pin and NOW we get heel miscommunication as Valiant tried to interrupt the pin but stomped on Lawler instead. Valiant apologized to Lawler and tried to pleas his case to the referee. Morton grabbed a headlock and tagged Hardin. Hardin ducked a punch off the ropes and dropped Lawler with a punch of his own. The heels protested to no avail.

A test of strength proved equally feckless for Lawler and Hardin booted “The King” in the torso. Morton tagged and grabbed a headlock but Lawler got the advantage with a big boot off the ropes. Valiant tagged and started to maul Morton. Valiant threw Morton hard into the turnbuckles and continued the mugging. He ran Morton into Lawler’s boot and Lawler got the tag. “The King” hit a second rope fitstdrop for a two count and continued to beat on Morton.

Valiant tagged but Morton started to rally. He whipped Valiant into the turnbuckles and started to beat on Valiant. Hardin tagged and Hardin hit a dropkick (shame it wasn’t a double one) for a one count. Hardin went after Valiant in the corner. Lawler tried to interfere but Morton came in to help his partner. Not a smart move as the referee restrained Morton and pushed him back to his corner. This gave Lawler a chance to grab his elbow pad, put it over his fist and wallop Hardin. Valiant got the academic pin for the victory.

AWA Southern Tag Title Match: Robert Fuller and Bill Dundee vs. Professor Toru Tanaka and Mr. Fuji (with Gorgeous George Jr. in tow)

Who’s who? We spoke about Fuller earlier and his monickers. He and the “Stud Stable” were a top faction throughout the 1980’s in the Southeast. Mr. Fuji is THAT Mr. Fuji, longtime WWF(E) talent and manager. Tanaka was a feared heel in much demand across the U.S. Tanaka wrestled in most territories and companies in the 1970’s and appeared in such movies as The Running Man, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and Black Rain. He and Fuji held the WWWF World Tag Titles three times (in 1972-1973 and 1977-1978.) Dundee and Fuller are the champs, winning the title the previous week against The Assassins (Memphis version.) This bout was held in the Mid-South Coliseum onMay 14, 1979.

We are JIP as Fuller pounds away on Tanaka, dropping him with a big kick off the ropes. Dundee tagged and dropped Tanaka with a dropkick off the ropes. Dundee beat on Tanaka on the mat but only got a one count for his efforts.

The match is heavily edited as we go to Dundee dropping Fuji with a shoulderblock off the ropes and then getting a headlock takedown before Tanaka interrupted the procedure. Dundee got a hiptoss. Fuji tried to rally with a bodyslam but Dundee booted Fuji to prevent further damage. Dundee tagged Fuller who hit another big kick off the ropes and a knee lift. However, Fuji struck Fuller in the knee and Fuller crumpled to the mat. Tanaka tagged and continued to the beating.

Tanaka grabbed a toehold to work the injured leg. We get another edit and go to Fuller laying in the corner and Fuji grabbing the leg and ramming into the ringspot and started to use the barricade rope to further damage the leg. Dundee came around to help his partner and accost George. Meanwhile, in the ring, Tanaka continued to work the leg around the ropes. Tanaka kicked away at the damaged leg. When the referee tried to restrain Tanaka, Fuji took turn to work the damaged leg. Dundee again tried to help his partner but had to be restrained. Fuji grabbed a nerve hold on the leg as Fuller writhed on the mat. Tanaka grabbed Fuller and grabbed a leg submission.

We get another edit as Tanaka applied another nerve hold to the leg. Fuller kicked away Tanak with his good leg and tried to get riled. Fuller dropped Tanaka with a shoulder tackle and tagged Dundee. Dundee cleaned house on Tanaka, firing away with punches and another dropkick off the ropes for another one count. Dundee slammed Tanaka to the mat for a two count until Fuji interrupted the match. Fuller tried to interfere but could only do so much with an injured leg. The referee had to restrain Fuller, enabling Fuji to reach into his trunks for some salt. Tanaka held Dundee and Fuji threw the salt into Dundee’s eyes. Tanaka got the pin and the heels got the Southern Tag Titles.

Blonde Bombers vs. Tommy Gilbert Jr and Tony Charles

Who’s who? Tommy Gilbert Jr would become Eddie Gilbert (THAT Eddie Gilbert) in a couple of years. Now, he was honoring his father, famous southern territory wrestler Tommy Gilbert Sr. Tony Charles was a Welsh wrestler of renown in the United Kingdom and throughout the south. He held singles titles in Tennessee and Texas and tagged with another famous British Wrestler at the time, Les Thornton. This is a WMC studio match aired June 9, 1979.)

Charles and Latham started and Charles got the advantage with an armdrag. Latham tried to reverse it but Charles reversed it with a leg takedown. Farris tagged and met the same fate as Latham. Charles got another leg takedown into a pin attempt. Latham tagged again and Charles got another armdrag and turned it into an armlock. Farris tied into the match and rinse, repeat.

Latham gave it another chance and Charles got a two count from an armlock into a small package pin. Charles grabbed a full nelson and then a snapmare into a chinlock. Latham finally got some offense with a hiptoss takedown. Farris tagged and Charles reciprocated with the hiptoss takedown. Charles grabbed Farris’ leg and started to drop the knee on it.

Charles worked the leg and finally tagged Gilbert. Gilbert worked the leg by dropping repeated knees on it. Lathan tried to escape with a punch but Gilbert grabbed the leg and continued to work on it. Charles tagged back into the match and worked the leg with a toe hold and grabbed an ankle lock variation. Charles continued to work the leg and tagged Gilbert. Gilbert worked the leg and Farris tried to escape again but Gilbert was dogged in keeping the future Honky Tonk Man in the ring. Farris tried to pull the hair but Gilbert would not let go. Eventually, Farris inched his was to the corner and tagged Latham.

Gilbert continued with the leg work, despite Latham’s attempts to boot him away from him. Russell commented on Gilbert being a bulldog with the leg and that was apt as Gilbert continued to work and work the legs of both Bombers as Charles smiled from ringside. Gilbert dropped the knee on the leg and held a single leglock. Russell on Gilbert “He’s gonna be a good one” – prophetic, no doubt. Latham tried to kick away Gilbert to make the tag but Gilbert continued to drop the knee on the leg until Latham made the tag to Farris.

Farris, bigger of the two, slugged Gilbert for the most sustained offense the Bombers had to that point. Farris slowed down the action with a snapmare and a chinlock. A “Go, Tommy, GO” chant emerged. Gilbert got an armdrag to momentarily escape but Farris decked hi and rammed into the corner. Latham tagged and Latham dropped repeated knees and kicks to the back. Latham got a surfboard hold variation on Gilbert suing his knee for extra leverage. Gilbert fought out the hold but Latham pulled Gilbert’s hair and the future “Hot Stuff” fell to the mat.

Latham reapplied the surfboard hold but Gilbert again tried to rally and reverse it. However, Farris managed to tag and started to beat on Gilbert. Farris applied his own surfboard variation and used his knee to the back as extra leverage. Gilbert managed to rally again and got a leg rip to escape but Farris subdued him and tagged Latham and we got another surfboard hold.

This time, though, Gilbert fought to escape and worked his way to his corner. Farris got in the ring to slug Gilbert and this brought Charles into the action. We got another schmozapalooza as Charles and Farris fought and Latham and Gilbert paired. Order was restored and Latham went back to the hold and dropped the knee on Gilbert’s back.

Farris tagged back into the match and Gilbert found himself in the same hold and fought again to get to his corner. Farris pulled the hair again to prevent the tag and tagged Latham. If you guessed another surfboard hold, enjoy your winnings. Gilbert tried a leg trip and almost escaped but Latham subdued him just before the tag. Gilbert finally got the reversal and kneed Latham in the back. Charles finally got the tag and Charles was a flat on fire; dropping the Bombers with a series of punches and dropkicks. He ran the Bombers’ heads together and threw Farris out of the ring. He dropped Latham with two shoulderblocks off the ropes. However, on the third one, Farris held the ropes apart and Charles crashed to the floor. Referee Paul Morton admonished Farris. Farris got in the ring and the Bombers double clotheslined Gilbert. Latham ascended to the second turnbuckle. Farris grabbed the backbreaker and Latham dropped the elbow on him. They did the double axe handle move and continued to beat on Gilbert. The time limit bell rang for a draw. Tommy Gilbert Sr hit the ring and cleared the ring of the Bombers. Charles and Gilbert Sr helped Gilbert Jr to the back.

The Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl: Rick Morton and Eddie Gilbert vs. Masanabu Fuchi and Astushi Onita (with Tojo Yamamoto in tow)

Who’s who? Onita is a forefather of hardcore wrestling style with his FMW promotion in Japan. One of his earliest inspirations for his style and promotion was this match. Fuchi is one of the most venerable names in pro wrestling – especially in Japan. He has remained with All Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut in 1974. He serves as co-booker and trainer in the promotion. Yamamoto is a mainstay in Memphis for decades and was rivaling Tommy Rich, Dundee and Dutch Mantell in the number of face/heel turns (think the Big Show, except, well smaller.) The original “Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl” took place in 1979 between Lawler and Dundee vs.. the Blonde Bombers. This was the sequel, per se. This match took place in Tupelo, Mississippi (naturally) on September 4, 1981.

We are JIP with Gilbert beating on Fuchi and doing a neat variation of a Sunset Flip (sliding under Fuchi instead of leaping over him.) Morton and Onita start to brawl in the corner, distracting the referee. The distraction worked as Yamamoto snuck in the ring and rubbed salt in the eyes in Gilbert. Gilbert writhed in pain as Fuchi grabbed the pin and victory.

BUT WAIT, Post-Match: The heels are in the celebrating with Yamamoto carrying a kendo stick (or “a fighting stick” as told by Russell.) Morton wrested the stick away from Yamamoto and laid in multiple shots on all the heels. The heels tried to use the numbers game on Morton (Gilbert was still selling the salt injury) however, Morton used to stick to keep the heels at bay. He cracked Fuchi in the head with the stick and then rammed it into the abdomen of Onita frequently.

The heels bail to the floor and we go to a jump edit with all four fighting in the aisles and to the concession stand. After getting ring announcer (and backup announcer) Randy Hales to safety. Russell continued to call the action. Fuchi and Morton started to brawl inside the food prep area and Gilbert and Onita join them soon afterwards. Morton threw both Onita and Fuchi on the prep table as then focused his attention on Yamamoto who joined them. Morton grabbed a small board under the stand and started to bludgeon Yamamoto with it as Gilbert grabbed Onita and threw him into another table on the other side of the stands.

Glass flew everywhere as the brawl continued as Fuchi grabbed a tablecloth and tried to smother Morton with it. Gilbert grabbed a large tub of ice and slammed it on Yamamoto. Gilbert wacked Onita with a board and the blood was flowing from Onita’s head. Morton slammed a mustard tub (NOT THE MUSTARD!!!) on Yamamoto’s head. Gilbert went after Onita with another table.

Fuchi snuck behind Gilbert and attacked but Gilbert threw a bottle of mustard onto Fuchi and blinded him. Onita’s head was gushing, too, but he started to choke Morton as Gilbert and Fuchi battled amongst the condiments. Morton hit Yamamoto with another board drawing even more blood.

Morton threw Onita into the ice machine (that had to be at least a little refreshing,) Morton clobbered Onita with a metal trash can. Gilbert got the trash can lid and now he attacked Yamamoto and Fuchi. Fuchi tried to eye rake Gilbert to stop the assault. By this point, Marlin came to the stands to somehow get cooler heads to prevail.

By this point, mustard was everywhere and Fuchi was almost ice skating to Gilbert to attack. Referee Paul Morton was doing the same. Fuchi chopped away at Gilbert as Gilbert fended him off with a board. Gilbert took the board and then went to work on Yamamoto and then hit Fuchi repeatedly in the head with the board.

Onita, at this point, took the garbage can and hit Rich over the head with it. Onita held Morton in place on the floor and Yamamoto hit him in the head with the trash can lid. Yamamoto and Onita were about .8 on the Muta Scale. Marlin was doing his best to separate Gilbert and Fuchi. Fuchi grabbed a board and Gilbert grabbed a large stool (for seating) and started to duel. Marlin skated his way to Morton and got him separated and flopped him on and over the concession stand counter. Malin did the same with Gilbert. Marlin joined them and cooler heads started to finally prevail.

Or did they? Yamamoto grabbed an official and started to strangle and slap him in the food prep area. A young lady (possibly working the stands) tried to stand between the two and she got chopped and hit for her actions!!! Marlin finally came to the rescue and pushed Yamamoto to the side. We get a quick edit and Morton and Gilbert came back into the stands and attacked Fuchi and Onita. Gilbert hit Yamamoto with a plastic garbage can and then focused on Onita. Morton paired off with Fuchi and fought on the food prep table.

Morton waylaid Yamamoto with another trash can shot and Yamamoto was prone on the floor. Gilbert and Onita fought as Onita had the kendo stick. Marlin had to skate around the area to break up the fight again. Yamamoto arose and grabbed the garbage can. Morton saw him and grabbed a cooking pot (or a pail) and hammered Yamamoto with it. Fuchi and Gilbert took turns grabbing the garbage can and lid and hitting each other with it. One funny moment was Russell’s commentary:
“I don’t how much of it we can show but just keep shooting it”

All three heels ganged up on Gilbert until Morton grabbed a broom handle and attacked Fuchi with it and then turned to Onita and Yamamoto. Gilbert hammered Onita with the pot/pail again. We get another cut and Fuchi was ready to nail Gilbert with a garbage can lid until Morton grabbed the broom handle and hit Fuchi.

We get another edit and see Yamamoto with the broom as Marlin tried to shoo him away until Morton decked him. Meanwhile, Morton AND Onita BRAWLED ON THE FLOOR. Morton grabbed an object and started to deck Yamamoto with it. Gilbert launched a garbage can at Fuchi and started to brawl with the broom handle. Onita and Yamamoto had all but collapsed on the floor and Morton was just about spent. Gilbert whacked Yamamoto and Onita with the plastic garbage can as help came from the back to get the parties separated. Onita flopped over the concession stand counter. Meanwhile, Fuchi shooed away Marlin but Marlin finally got Fuchi over the counter – not without one last shot from Gilbert.

Morton followed Gilbert and the two heels and started to brawl to the backstage area as Yamamoto grabbed a board and we fade to black…….

(phew…..)

To wrap things up we go to back to the WMC studios and we see Russell congratulate the new Southern Tag Team Champions – Lawler and Dundee – for winning the titles from Tanaka and Fuji (according to the internet, this was on the June, 9, 1979 airing.)

Lawler said they were fortunate to be tag champs since Fuji, Tanaka and Gorgeous George Jr had been raising protests about the match since the first match had Dundee as a substitute but AWA sanctioned the match that lead to the title change (originally it was to be Lawler and Thunderbolt Patterson challenging for the belts.)

Dundee said if they were so worried, Tanaka and Fuji should not have put the tag titles up but now they are crying like little babies over spilt milk but now the milk will be put back together (not quite how that works but he’s rolling) because they are champions and are going to stay that way. We then go to the highlights of the match from the Mid-Southern Coliseum.

Naturally, it’s JIP as Lawler whipped Fuji into the turnbuckles and bodyslammed him as he returned. He also bodyslammed Tanaka for good measure. He took turns bodyslamming the heels. We get a brief cut and see Fuji with (presumably) salt in his fist as he held it from the referee. Lawler and Dundee tried to warn the referee about it but at that point Tanaka attacked Dundee. That distracted the referee and Fuji rubbed the salt in Lawler’s eyes.

Fuji pleaded his case to the referee and accosted Dundee for good measure. That gave Tanaka a chance to attack Lawler, who was struggling to see. The referee restrained Tanaka and sent him back to his corner but Fuji went back on the attack.

We get another small cut and Fuji has Lawler in an armlock but, uh-oh, Lawler has his fist balled. Lawler started to land a right hook to Fuji’s head repeatedly until Fuji chopped Lawler over the ropes and to the floor. Dundee helped and encouraged Lawler into the ring but Fuji was waiting and started to chop away at “The King.” Lawler started to rally and started to no-sell the chops and started to land body shots to Fuji.

We get an odd insert reaction shot of Lawler in the studio as Lawler rallied and dodged a Fuji charge into the corner. Fuji flew to the floor. Lawler started to wallop Tanaka who entered the ring as Dundee took advantage and beat on Fuji on the floor. Dundee got the tag and nailed Tanaka with a shot off the ropes. Dundee grabbed a sleeperhold until Fuji interrupted the pin (we now get reaction footage from Dundee in the studio.)

Fuji chopped Dundee off the ropes and stomped him for a two count until Lawler interrupted the pin this time. Tanaka tagged again and applied a nerve hold on Dundee. Fuji snuck into the ring and yanked Dundee by the hair to drop him to the canvas. Tanaka reapplied the hold and Fuji did the same thing. One more nerve hold application as Dundee tried to leap into the tag but fell just short.

Dundee slugged his way out of the hold and tried to leap again to tag but Tanaka caught him and dragged him back to the corner. Tanaka dropped Dundee and we go back to the nerve hold – again. This time Dundee managed to crawl his way to the corner and made the hot tag to Lawler.

Lawler slugged away on Tanaka as Dundee hit a dropkick to stop Fuji from interfering. Lawler dropped a series of punches on Tanaka on the mat as Fuji managed to succumb Dundee and threw him out of the ring. Fuji stomped on Lawler and slammed Lalwer. Fuji climbed to the top rope and tried the bombs away splash but got nothing but canvas. He writhed on the canvas which gave Lawler a chance to hit an elbow drop and we have new tag team champions.

We go back to the studio as Dundee and Lawler joked with Russell and left the announce area as Russell throws it to commercial and we fade to black.

Long Distance Information:

One: I guess as a wrestling fan, I owed it to see the concession stand brawl that was the stuff of lore in the territories. Now that I saw it, I guess It’s one off the bucket list. It was completely bonkers and, luckily, the last one ever done (at least in Memphis.) It’s odd to see that what we accept as routinized in modern wrestling (for better or for worse) started in a mid-sized town in Mississippi more known for being the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Onita knew how to sell the matches (here and abroad) but got caught up in trying to do too much and one-upmanship turned rapidly into one-downmanship and now the matches just don’t resonate like they did. Oversaturation can be a bad thing. And yeah, attacking the woman (albeit just briefly) really was not a good look, even if they were heels.

Two: A bit of history as relates to the Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl. The first brawl was related to the last segment in the review. Dundee and Lawler lost the titles on June 15, 1979 to the Blonde Bombers in the first Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl Match.

Three: Compounding that, Lawler and Dundee got the tag titles from Tanaka and Fuji after the heels won them in the match with Dundee and Fuller earlier in the review.

Four: Dundee is still one of those, I argue, that got the business. His offense looked okay at best but showed how to set up a match psychologically. He had people eating out of his hand on his comebacks and in his matches and interviews. He was in the perfect spot and the perfect time and he took advantage of it and did not let it get the better of him.

Five: One guy I discovered was Charles. I had seen previous British wrestlers stateside when I was young (I mentioned Thornton earlier but also Billy Robinson and later Chris Adams.) They all knew how to wrestle and just had a presence about him that really sold the sport as being just that. They knew all the holds and just seemed like a smarter type of style than what we previously saw.

Six: The one downside was the repetition of holds. I can go without seeing another surfboard hold or nerve hold. I get the cool downs and heat spots but some variation would have been nice. But, to their credit, they knew when to do it and how to effectively use those moments. I would like to have seen more variety, though.

Seven: You could see why McMahon Sr. took a shot at Latham as a Moondog. He was fast for a big guy and knew how to effectively brawl. Farris is one who seemed lost and struggled at times, out there. Luckily, he had great mic skills and eventually the in ring was close enough to his mic work to make a legendary heel in the WWE(F.)

Eight: It’s utterly fascinating to see Lawler and Valiant in a throw away match on TV, knowing what happened the day after the taping – even more so is how the Lawler injury would change him and the wrestling world. That is how one capitalizes on a bad situation. Kudos to Marlin and Jarrett on having Dundee (and turning Valiant) in the bullpen and not a miss a beat until Lawler returned. It helps to keep talent stockpiled for just an emergency. There are some companies now that would heed that wisdom accordingly. Just saying.

Nine: Also, credit to Jarrett and Marlin for seeing talent and fostering accordingly to keep the cupboards full with young talent like Morton and Gilbert. They had the genes but knew the business and how to apply the fabled Memphis psychology.

10: One side note for history purposes, Dundee and Jarrett never got their revenge but Jarrett and Yamamoto got their revenge on the Bombers in one of Yamamoto’s 9837 turns.

11: Fuller was also amongst those who knew the business and how to apply it in matches. It seemed a natural but we have seen as many flops and successes. Fuller is definitely a success.

12: Valiant is hard to define to a modern audience. It is almost “you had to be there” because as a kid in a simpler time, you hung on his enthusiasm and charisma and his ability to have fun to rope you into a match and interview of his. It’s odd to describe but yeah, you had to be there. He was oddly memorable.

13: Tanaka had such an amazing aura to him. Even as a kid, you knew his reputation in the ring; moreover, he was in big budget action films that just personified the “special attraction” when he was in the area. He sold it perfectly, too. He was another one that understood the assignment and aced it -think Tomohiro Ishii for Generation X folks.

Lastly: As a mustard lover, it saddened me to see that much mustard go to waste. Mustard is the greatest condiment and will not stand for it as a superfluous prop in a match. I stand with French’s and Nathan’s Hot Dogs and Guldens and Colman’s. Unite.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight