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Post by wrestlingrecap on Jun 19, 2018 23:36:00 GMT -5
For quite sometime I’ve wanted to review and learn about Memphis wrestling. Recently, I began that journey starting in 1986 with the CWA. I decided to start with 1986 because, for my personal taste, that’s the earliest time I find myself interested in professional wrestling. I actually ventured out and obtained every television show from 1986 to 1995. I may go back and get earlier seasons, but that seemed like a good enough backlog for this series. I hope that these posts lead to discussions. From what I looked up, there is a large amount of footage on YouTube, especially for the 80s CWA. If you have any insight on what was going at that time, that would be neat to here. I’ll likely post one months worth of TV reviews at a time. January 4th, 1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-1-4-1986/AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee’s rivalry is heating up as Dundee is so desperate to end Lawler that he’ll put his wife Beverly’s hair on the line. Tony Falk tries to earn his first win in the CWA against Lawler. January 11th, 1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-1-11-1986/A tag team title tournament is being created and a lot of people think they’re going to win it. Did Dundee’s wife lose her hair, or is Lawler gone for six months? The Blade Runners compete in tag action. Steve Keirn returns to CWA with his eyes set on the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. The Fantastics take on Dutch Mantell and Tony Falk in tag team action. Big Red Reese returns to CWA and he’s coming after Dundee. January 18th, 1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-1-18-1986/Did Dundee survive the challenge of Big Red Reese? The Spoiler spoils the recent attack by the Bladerunners on Phil Hickerson, his former partner. The Fantastics begin a competition for two lucky ladies to win a date with them, but one CWA wrestler takes exception to that. An eight man tag team main event takes place. January 25th, 1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-1-25-1986/We’ve got new AWA Southern Tag Team Champions as the Fantastics defend against Pat Rose and Tony Falk. Buddy Landell, Bill Dundee and Dutch Mantell are determined to take over the CWA with Lawler gone. AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Bill Dundee takes on Tracy Smothers in a singles match. |
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404 
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Jun 20, 2018 0:04:00 GMT -5
Are you getting the Memphis airings of CWA or the shorter other city airings? Memphis was 1 1/2 hours a week and all the other airings of CWA were an hour.
By 86 I wasn't seeing Memphis every week. Mostly cause it aired at the same time as either GLOW or WCCW.
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Post by Joe Neglia on Jun 20, 2018 3:38:34 GMT -5
- Rick Casey was aka Wendell Cooley
- It's mentioned that Bill Dundee had been gone for two years. This was because he was working for Mid-South as booker during this period.
- Big Red Reese was also the Kamala rip-off Voodoo Malumba in Southwestern Championship Wrestling. He was...not good.
- Billy Travis showed a lot of promise once, but eventually became a cautionary tale. By this point, he'd already had a WWF run and got a bit too comfortable working the Texas and Tennessee territories, because he never really made it back out of them.
- The Spoiler here was Frank Morrell, not the "real" Spoiler (Don Jardine). He's the one the Apter mags referred as Mid-Southern Spoiler in their rankings.
- Dirty Rhodes was Roger Smith, and had previously tagged with Harley Davidson (Hillbilly Jim). Rhodes/Smith was also one of the Memphis-territory Assassins.
- These Sheepherders arent the Bushwackers, but they are connected. This version of the team (Rip Morgan/Taras Bulba) were managed by Jonathan Boyd, who had been Butch Miller's replacement in the team for almost three years after Miller quasi-retired in '81. The only reason Miller came back was because Boyd would end up breaking both of his legs in an auto accident. He would serve as their manager while recovering, and when they ended up parting ways, they gave him their blessing to continue being a Sheepherder. He would then form his own Sheepherders team with Morgan, who had been a 'Herders flagbearer previously. I'm still not real sure how or why Taras Bulba (the late Juan Reynosa, who was the same Bulba that was briefly in Mid-South and beat Kerry Von Erich in World Class, and NOT to be confused with Johnny K9, who also used the alias) got involved other than Boyd wasn't able to wrestle for some reason.
- Larry Hamilton's a bit of an enigma. He was presented in Fuller's territory as a former Florida State collegiate champion as well as National AAU champion. Showed lots of potential and promise. He more or less disappeared by the end of 1987, and no one really knows anything about him except that he popped back up briefly in the 1990s to run a couple of promotions in the Jacksonville area. No idea if his credentials were legit or worked, would love to know more if anyone does have info.
- They were pushing the Fantastics so hard because they were desperately trying to recreate the Fabulous Ones/Rock N Roll Express. Business was down and they were hoping beyond hope they could squeeze out another clone of this money-making gimmick. While the Fantastics were an awesome team at times, they didn't help Memphis make anywhere near what they were making with the Fabs.
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Post by cabbageboy on Jun 20, 2018 7:57:31 GMT -5
If business was down during that period it was mainly because Lawler lost the "Loser leaves town" match, so in that regard this isn't a great period to start reviewing. The angle to bring Lawler back though is one of the iconic shows ever in Memphis. Truth be told the 1986-87 period was one of the last times Memphis was a really hot territory.
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Post by wrestlingrecap on Jun 20, 2018 8:54:34 GMT -5
Are you getting the Memphis airings of CWA or the shorter other city airings? Memphis was 1 1/2 hours a week and all the other airings of CWA were an hour. By 86 I wasn't seeing Memphis every week. Mostly cause it aired at the same time as either GLOW or WCCW. I'm watching the hour versions of the program. - Rick Casey was aka Wendell Cooley - It's mentioned that Bill Dundee had been gone for two years. This was because he was working for Mid-South as booker during this period. - Big Red Reese was also the Kamala rip-off Voodoo Malumba in Southwestern Championship Wrestling. He was...not good. - Billy Travis showed a lot of promise once, but eventually became a cautionary tale. By this point, he'd already had a WWF run and got a bit too comfortable working the Texas and Tennessee territories, because he never really made it back out of them. - The Spoiler here was Frank Morrell, not the "real" Spoiler (Don Jardine). He's the one the Apter mags referred as Mid-Southern Spoiler in their rankings. - Dirty Rhodes was Roger Smith, and had previously tagged with Harley Davidson (Hillbilly Jim). Rhodes/Smith was also one of the Memphis-territory Assassins. - These Sheepherders arent the Bushwackers, but they are connected. This version of the team (Rip Morgan/Taras Bulba) were managed by Jonathan Boyd, who had been Butch Miller's replacement in the team for almost three years after Miller quasi-retired in '81. The only reason Miller came back was because Boyd would end up breaking both of his legs in an auto accident. He would serve as their manager while recovering, and when they ended up parting ways, they gave him their blessing to continue being a Sheepherder. He would then form his own Sheepherders team with Morgan, who had been a 'Herders flagbearer previously. I'm still not real sure how or why Taras Bulba (the late Juan Reynosa, who was the same Bulba that was briefly in Mid-South and beat Kerry Von Erich in World Class, and NOT to be confused with Johnny K9, who also used the alias) got involved other than Boyd wasn't able to wrestle for some reason. - Larry Hamilton's a bit of an enigma. He was presented in Fuller's territory as a former Florida State collegiate champion as well as National AAU champion. Showed lots of potential and promise. He more or less disappeared by the end of 1987, and no one really knows anything about him except that he popped back up briefly in the 1990s to run a couple of promotions in the Jacksonville area. No idea if his credentials were legit or worked, would love to know more if anyone does have info. - They were pushing the Fantastics so hard because they were desperately trying to recreate the Fabulous Ones/Rock N Roll Express. Business was down and they were hoping beyond hope they could squeeze out another clone of this money-making gimmick. While the Fantastics were an awesome team at times, they didn't help Memphis make anywhere near what they were making with the Fabs. This is the kind of response I hope to see moving forward, too. A lot of stuff I wouldn't be aware of. So, that is incredibly helpful and I thank you for that. What really stood out to me was that Billy Travis had already had a run in the WWF. He comes across as someone nowhere near ready for that kind of exposure. If business was down during that period it was mainly because Lawler lost the "Loser leaves town" match, so in that regard this isn't a great period to start reviewing. The angle to bring Lawler back though is one of the iconic shows ever in Memphis. Truth be told the 1986-87 period was one of the last times Memphis was a really hot territory. Yeah, he lost that match to Dundee in early '86, but he'd be back much, much sooner. I decided on 1986 because, like I had said, it's a year that I can sit through and watch. As I get more familiar with acts and probably like some, I may seek older stuff. Plus, judging by what I've read, there's a lot of big name guys who come through the territory, even if it is a brief time. |
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Post by cabbageboy on Jun 20, 2018 11:05:16 GMT -5
I don't know if this aired on TV but on You Tube you can find the insane Lawler/Mantell vs. Dundee/Landell match that was a 45 minute long Texas Death Match. There's a segment where Lawler just blasts Buddy with punches in the corner that will amaze.
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Post by Joe Neglia on Jun 20, 2018 14:36:09 GMT -5
What really stood out to me was that Billy Travis had already had a run in the WWF. He comes across as someone nowhere near ready for that kind of exposure. He was strictly jobber fodder for them. Was there from March to November or so, 1984. Only had one win I can find on thehistoryofwwe.com, over someone named Jimmy Jackson. The rest of his time there were decisive losses against top heels and SD Jones alike. Sadly, he is most well known now for getting arrested (for real) for an outstanding warrant on live TV during a Memphis studio show in the late '90s. Pretty much. Even with lousy pay, a lot of guys agreed to work one or two dates there simply because the territory was a halfway point between where the guys were heading from/to (Florida/Texas to NY/Minnesota) and would stay there a show or two just for that reason more than anything. But yeah, not a lot of the '80s names that you can't find on at least one Memphis card. |
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Post by wrestlingrecap on Jun 25, 2018 11:09:12 GMT -5
February 1st, 1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-2-1-1986/Koko Ware looks to get revenge on Bill Dundee. Austin Idol is returning and he’s coming for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. AWA Mid-American Champion Buddy Landell teams with Dutch Mantell to take on Tracy Smothers and Billy Travis in a tag team main event. February 8th, 1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-2-8-1986/ Abdul Gaddafi makes his debut for the CWA and it’s clear that he’s not going to be liked. JD Costello, a new manager in CWA, is coming in and he’s got to make his mother proud at any cost. AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Bill Dundee teams with Dutch Mantell to take on Dirty Rhodes and Tracy Smothers in the main event, which leads to a crazy aftermath. The Spoiler unmasks and reveals his identity. February 15th, 1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-2-15-1986/ AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Bill Dundee is hell bent on proving he knows who the Midnight Rider is. Everyone is preparing for the Thunder Dome. February 22nd, 1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-2-22-1986/ Austin Idol makes his in-ring return for the CWA when he takes on the loud mouth, Tony Falk. AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Bill Dundee teams with Dutch Mantell to take on Billy Travis and Frank Morrell in the main event. |
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Post by Toilet Paper Roll on Jun 25, 2018 11:53:26 GMT -5
That 2/1 match between Koko and The Patriot didn't appear like Koko had a "new mean streak" it looked like he stiffed him with a clothesline and knocked him stupid and then some stiff kicks to the back before pinning him with one foot (I think) and bitch slapping him afterwards.
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Post by Joe Neglia on Jun 25, 2018 23:00:34 GMT -5
Jerry Jarrett and Lawler usually split the booking with one doing it for half a year, then handing it off to the other. I can almost guarantee this is a Jarrett period. No monsters I have no idea who Abdul Gaddafi was. Possibly the same guy that was running around UWF a few months later? Lot of these low-rent "Middle East mercenary" gimmicks going around at the time. The MOD Squad is barely remembered today, but my god, they were EVERYWHERE for a while. Between this, February '86 (and the debut of this new gimmick for the Jeffers brothers) and July of 1987 they beat the Fantastics for the CWA/AWA Southern Tag titles, beat Dave Peterson and Todd Champion for the NWA Central States tag titles, beat Steve Armstrong and Tracy Smothers for the NWA Florida tag titles, got invited to be part of the Jim Crockett Sr tag tourney (where they made it to the second round, going over Wahoo McDaniel and Baron Von Rashke) and challenged the Rock n Roll Express for the NWA/JCP tag titles during the Great American Bash tour. That's a hell of a resume to put together in 16 months. These Undertakers are different from the ones the WWF made the deal with to get the rights to the name. Not sure who they were, but head's up that there's another CWA Undertaker on your way in a few months.  "Lance Russell brings out The Spoiler who unmasks and goes by his name Frank Morrell." - That bit right there is so ahead of its time. I love that Memphis had a Midnight Rider and a Dirty Rhodes on the roster. Especially since Dusty had JUST BEEN THERE three months prior. |
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Post by wrestlingrecap on Jun 25, 2018 23:59:00 GMT -5
Jerry Jarrett and Lawler usually split the booking with one doing it for half a year, then handing it off to the other. I can almost guarantee this is a Jarrett period. No monsters I have no idea who Abdul Gaddafi was. Possibly the same guy that was running around UWF a few months later? Lot of these low-rent "Middle East mercenary" gimmicks going around at the time. The MOD Squad is barely remembered today, but my god, they were EVERYWHERE for a while. Between this, February '86 (and the debut of this new gimmick for the Jeffers brothers) and July of 1987 they beat the Fantastics for the CWA/AWA Southern Tag titles, beat Dave Peterson and Todd Champion for the NWA Central States tag titles, beat Steve Armstrong and Tracy Smothers for the NWA Florida tag titles, got invited to be part of the Jim Crockett Sr tag tourney (where they made it to the second round, going over Wahoo McDaniel and Baron Von Rashke) and challenged the Rock n Roll Express for the NWA/JCP tag titles during the Great American Bash tour. That's a hell of a resume to put together in 16 months. These Undertakers are different from the ones the WWF made the deal with to get the rights to the name. Not sure who they were, but head's up that there's another CWA Undertaker on your way in a few months. "Lance Russell brings out The Spoiler who unmasks and goes by his name Frank Morrell." - That bit right there is so ahead of its time. I love that Memphis had a Midnight Rider and a Dirty Rhodes on the roster. Especially since Dusty had JUST BEEN THERE three months prior. I didn't know that about Jarrett and Lawler splitting the booking half the year. You're absolutely right about the lack of monster heels. I'm enjoying most of what Jarrett has been putting together, if he is indeed writing the shows.
Initially, I was skeptical about the Mod Squad. However, JD Costello is winning me over. Especially his work a couple of months later.
I appreciate your knowledge and input on Memphis. It's fun to have discussions about stuff that happened so long ago and I'm watching for the first time!
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Post by Joe Neglia on Jun 26, 2018 23:57:58 GMT -5
I didn't know that about Jarrett and Lawler splitting the booking half the year. You're absolutely right about the lack of monster heels. I'm enjoying most of what Jarrett has been putting together, if he is indeed writing the shows. There were exceptions, but generally speaking, if it had Lawler taking on whatever monster or just-passing-through powerhouse/lunatic that had the local obnoxious manager as their advocate, then it was a Lawler period. If things were heavy around the soap opera that was the unending Lawler/Dundee/Dutch/Idol/Rich dynamic, it was Jarrett. |
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Post by James Fabiano on Jun 27, 2018 13:10:22 GMT -5
I can't say enough of how much I like this site.
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Post by wrestlingrecap on Jun 27, 2018 22:23:05 GMT -5
I can't say enough of how much I like this site. If this is in reference to my website, thanks! |
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Post by wrestlingrecap on Jul 4, 2018 6:14:20 GMT -5
CWA 3/1/1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-3-1-1986/ Jerry Jarrett announces his retirement, but also reveals that his son Jeff Jarrett will be getting involved in professional wrestling. Joe LeDuc is making his return to the CWA. There’s a split between the trio of Buddy Landell, Dutch Mantell and Bill Dundee. In the main event, Buddy Landell takes on Billy Travis. CWA 3/8/1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-3-8-1986/There’s an intense scene as Bill Dundee and Buddy Landell target the Jarrett family by viciously attacking both Jerry and Jeff. Eddie Marlin believes there is only one man to get rid of Dundee and Landell, and it is the King. But, will Lawler return to team with Dutch? CWA 3/15/1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-3-15-1986/Paul Diamond and Michael Lee make their debut as a tag team in the CWA. Abdul Gaddafi wins his first championship. Bill Dundee and Buddy Landell continue to destroy CWA talents before their tag match against Jerry Lawler and Dutch Mantell. CWA 3/22/1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-3-22-1986/Frank Morrell is determined to lead Billy Travis to the AWA International Championship. A sit-down interview Jeff Jarrett following the vicious attack he endured two weeks ago. Joe LeDuc returns to in-ring competition. AWA Southern Tag Team Champions The Fantastics defend against the Mod Squad, who have put up $3,000 in gold coins. CWA 3/29/1986 - wrestlingrecaps.com/territorie/cwa-tv-3-29-1986/Memphis Vice make their television debut. Joe LeDuc reveals that Dirty Rhodes is his first target. Frank Morrell continues to train with Billy Travis. Bill Dundee assaults Lance Russell during an interview. Tony Falk wants to be the first guy to wrestle and defeat Jeff Jarrett. Paul Diamond has a sit down interview to introduce himself to the CWA fans and discuss various obstacles in his life. AWA Southern Tag Team Champions The Mod Squad compete against Paul Diamond and Michael Lee in the main event. |
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Post by James Fabiano on Jul 4, 2018 7:02:44 GMT -5
I can't say enough of how much I like this site. If this is in reference to my website, thanks! It is, and no problem, I'm a big fan. |
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Post by cabbageboy on Jul 4, 2018 8:22:27 GMT -5
That 3/8 show is one of the all time iconic Memphis wrestling shows.
I think I can sort of notice different styles in Jarrett vs. Lawler booking as well. It seems like if it is Lawler there are way more insane studio brawls, unhinged mayhem, and overall chaos. If it is Jarrett it seems like the show is a bit more dialed down and normal with more basic wrestling and fewer wacky angles and characters. I wonder which did better business?
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Post by wrestlingrecap on Jul 4, 2018 17:57:01 GMT -5
That 3/8 show is one of the all time iconic Memphis wrestling shows. I think I can sort of notice different styles in Jarrett vs. Lawler booking as well. It seems like if it is Lawler there are way more insane studio brawls, unhinged mayhem, and overall chaos. If it is Jarrett it seems like the show is a bit more dialed down and normal with more basic wrestling and fewer wacky angles and characters. I wonder which did better business? I've mostly enjoyed the Jarrett booking, assuming that's been him booking for the first six months. |
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Post by Joe Neglia on Jul 4, 2018 19:37:48 GMT -5
Landel bringing the photo of him with Flair and the NWA title is a common Memphis trope. They looooved to show footage or pics of their guys beating the big names elsewhere, even if some of it was used out of context.
If I have my timeline right, Diamond was coming in fresh off his tag team with Shawn Michaels in Texas All-Star Wrestling. After they split, Michaels would go straight to the AWA, where he would soon start teaming with his old Central States pal Marty Jannetty, while Diamond took a detour, wound up here, would eventually gain Pat Tanaka as his partner and finally make it to the AWA much later. Imagine how different their careers would have gone had they stuck together and headed to AWA or Memphis as a unit.
Believe it or not, $30 bucks for a 1-hour wrestling tape in 1986 wasn't a bad sell at all. The PPV tapes ran $75 or more, and most of the rest were 1-hour compilations by the various manufacturers that usually sold for right around $30. If all that sounds bad, most new theatrical releases (and even most catalogue titles from the major companies) were running $60-100 a tape at the time.
Koko Who? What Hamilton? As small a crew as Memphis would keep, you tend to notice when someone suddenly disappears.
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Post by wrestlingrecap on Jul 4, 2018 22:35:23 GMT -5
Landel bringing the photo of him with Flair and the NWA title is a common Memphis trope. They looooved to show footage or pics of their guys beating the big names elsewhere, even if some of it was used out of context. If I have my timeline right, Diamond was coming in fresh off his tag team with Shawn Michaels in Texas All-Star Wrestling. After they split, Michaels would go straight to the AWA, where he would soon start teaming with his old Central States pal Marty Jannetty, while Diamond took a detour, wound up here, would eventually gain Pat Tanaka as his partner and finally make it to the AWA much later. Imagine how different their careers would have gone had they stuck together and headed to AWA or Memphis as a unit. Believe it or not, $30 bucks for a 1-hour wrestling tape in 1986 wasn't a bad sell at all. The PPV tapes ran $75 or more, and most of the rest were 1-hour compilations by the various manufacturers that usually sold for right around $30. If all that sounds bad, most new theatrical releases (and even most catalogue titles from the major companies) were running $60-100 a tape at the time. Koko Who? What Hamilton? As small a crew as Memphis would keep, you tend to notice when someone suddenly disappears. Judging just by how they are being presented, it was evident from the start that Paul Diamond was going to get a special focus in CWA.
There are a lot of stop and go kind of pushes in Memphis at this time. It kind of becomes a bummer when as a viewer you get interested in an act and they are suddenly gone.
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