Straight out of 1986-87, this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show takes a deep dive into the Jerry Lawler vs. Austin Idol steel cage hair vs. hair match which also included Tommy Rich and Paul Heyman.
I had so much fun putting this show together and I encourage not only fans of classic wrestling to listen to this show, but also modern fans who don’t understand why we keep harping on good promos and continuity today.
This show is a masterclass in how to do an angle right with some of the best promos you’ve ever heard in addition to peak Tommy Rich.
Dave Meltzer discussed the legacy of Jerry Jarrett on Wrestling Observer Radio.
During Tuesday’s show, Meltzer went into detail regarding the life of Jarrett, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. You can watch the clip below.
Starting his career as a wrestler, Jarrett would be best known as the promoter for the Continental Wrestling Association in Memphis, which later became known as the USWA after merging with World Class Championship Wrestling. They were one of the final territories still running shows before their eventual closure in 1997.
“He was the last surviving promoter partially because he wasn’t paying much, and also because he was getting paid by the television station,” Meltzer explained.
While talking about the history of Memphis Wrestling, Meltzer emphasized just how big their weekly television was at its peak.
“Their television ratings were ridiculous. The highest rated wrestling show anywhere, week after week after week. There was a year where the NBC affiliate would not air the World Series because wrestling was so popular,” Meltzer said.
Meltzer noted that Jarrett had attempted to buy WCW, which eventually went to Vince McMahon in 2001. The following year, he founded NWA-TNA with Bob Ryder and his son, Jeff Jarrett. NWA-TNA still exists today under the name Impact Wrestling.
“Years later I remember talking to him and going how could you think this was going to work,” Meltzer recalled. “And he said when you’re older and have a son, you’ll understand.”
Jarrett left TNA in 2005 after a falling out with Jeff over the direction of the company.
“They had a lot of tension,” Meltzer recalled. “Jerry had different ideas than Jeff. Jeff was a big proponent of Vince Russo, and Jerry didn’t hate Vince Russo at first. I don’t know if he ever hated Vince Russo. In time, he did not feel that Russo was a good booker. And I think he was hurt that Jeff chose Russo to be the booker above him because he’s this legendary booker. Russo was not. But that was the decision that was made. “
Tributes have poured in across the wrestling community, including Impact Wrestling and Jeff Jarrett, in the days since Jarrett’s death.
Dave Meltzer discussed the legacy of Jerry Jarrett on Wrestling Observer Radio.
During Tuesday’s show, Meltzer went into detail regarding the life of Jarrett, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. You can watch the clip below.
Starting his career as a wrestler, Jarrett would be best known as the promoter for the Continental Wrestling Association in Memphis, which later became known as the USWA after merging with World Class Championship Wrestling. They were one of the final territories still running shows before their eventual closure in 1997.
“He was the last surviving promoter partially because he wasn’t paying much, and also because he was getting paid by the television station,” Meltzer explained.
While talking about the history of Memphis Wrestling, Meltzer emphasized just how big their weekly television was at its peak.
“Their television ratings were ridiculous. The highest rated wrestling show anywhere, week after week after week. There was a year where the NBC affiliate would not air the World Series because wrestling was so popular,” Meltzer said.
Meltzer noted that Jarrett had attempted to buy WCW, which eventually went to Vince McMahon in 2001. The following year, he founded NWA-TNA with Bob Ryder and his son, Jeff Jarrett. NWA-TNA still exists today under the name Impact Wrestling.
“Years later I remember talking to him and going how could you think this was going to work,” Meltzer recalled. “And he said when you’re older and have a son, you’ll understand.”
Jarrett left TNA in 2005 after a falling out with Jeff over the direction of the company.
“They had a lot of tension,” Meltzer recalled. “Jerry had different ideas than Jeff. Jeff was a big proponent of Vince Russo, and Jerry didn’t hate Vince Russo at first. I don’t know if he ever hated Vince Russo. In time, he did not feel that Russo was a good booker. And I think he was hurt that Jeff chose Russo to be the booker above him because he’s this legendary booker. Russo was not. But that was the decision that was made. “
Tributes have poured in across the wrestling community, including Impact Wrestling and Jeff Jarrett, in the days since Jarrett’s death.
Another DragonKingKarl mega-show in our “Saga” series takes a look back at a tag team many consider the greatest of all time: the Midnight Express.
But if you think the Midnight Express is only Dennis Condrey, Bobby Eaton or Stan Lane, or if you think Jim Cornette has always been part of the formula, think again. The Midnight Express was already a highly decorated veteran unit before Cornette ever came along.
With founding members Condrey, Randy Rose, and Norvell Austin, the Midnights ran rampant as the top heels in two different territories long before Mid-South.
Plus, you will learn about all the Midnight Express members including (yes) the Mongolian Stomper, the Honky Tonk Man, and more.
Click below for part one with part two coming next Tuesday.
This week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling show features a look back at a weird time in the fall of 1985 where Southeastern/Continental Wrestling took over Memphis for a few weeks.
This included Mr. Olympia (Jerry Stubbs) coming in as a fake Masked Superstar, Scott and Steve Armstrong, Mongolian Stomper, Mr. Class (Ken Timbs), The Heavenly Bodies (no, not the real ones), and more.
Editor’s Note: You can watch tonight’s episode here.
The Big News: Father and son stood victorious at show’s end when Billy & Austin Gunn teamed up for the first time on AEW television and picked up the win over Shawn Spears & Peter Avalon.
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Excalibur and legendary Memphis announcer Dave Brown opened the show and ran down the matches we’re in store for before pitching it to Tony Schiavone and Dasha Gonzalez.
Schiavone and Gonzalez previewed our opening segment, then we were magically whisked away to it.
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All of the Memphis legends AEW was honoring were standing in the ring as things got started. Justin Roberts did a nice introduction for each person and they stepped up front for an acknowledgment.
Those acknowledged were Jimmy Valiant, Kevin Lawler (for his brother Brian Christopher), Dave Brown, Shane Russell (for his father Lance), Austin Idol, Doug Gilbert (for himself, his father Tommy, and his brother Eddie), The Rock & Roll Express, and Lanny Poffo (for himself, his father Angelo, and his brother Macho Man Randy Savage).
Savage and The Rock & Roll’s got the biggest reaction and then AEW did a 10-bell tribute to those who had passed away. Too bad this wasn’t on Dynamite as this was an excellent tribute and well worth going out of your way to see.
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Darby Allin defeated Brandon Cutler
Excalibur spent the early part of the match using Dave Brown to respond to critics of AEW by comparing some of the wackiness to the wackiness of Memphis. The one name Brown brought up was Flex Kavana, who would move on to become someone you guys may have heard of, The Rock.
Cutler hit a moonsault press and landed by crashing his knees on the top of Allin’s head. I had immediate flashbacks to DJZ and Jesse Sorensen from a TNA pay-per-view almost 10 years ago, but thankfully Allin was back up seconds later and seemed to be okay.
Cutler took most of the match, using his superior size to bully around Allin. Dave Brown said Allin may have been looking ahead to his match with PAC on Dynamite. Allin did hit a Code Red, but Cutler went for a springboard move. Allin sidestepped him, dropped him with a stunner, and hit a Coffin Drop for the win.
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Nyla Rose vs. Shanna never got started
Rose was headed to the ring for this grudge match. On multiple occasions in the past month, she has powerbombed Shanna through a table and Shanna was not happy with this. Shanna ran down and attacked Rose on the ramp.
They fought around ringside with Rose constantly trying to powerbomb Shanna outside of the ring. Rose set up a table outside the ring, but Shanna speared her through the ropes and they both crashed through the table.
Security and referees came down and carried them to the back. They both would occasionally make a half-hearted attempt to go after the other one, but they lived to fight another day.
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Suddenly we found ourselves backstage where Alex Marvez was attempting to interview Shanna. Shanna attempted to speak, but was attacked by Rose.
Rose threw some set pieces onto Shanna and then turned to the camera to cut a promo. Unfortunately for Rose, the same thing happened to her, as Shanna attacked her. This was when security ran in to break things up.
I think Shanna has a complaint to be made. Every time Rose attacked her, no one tried to break it up. As soon as Shanna made a move on Rose, security and referees ran in and stopped her both times.
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The Gunn Club (Austin & Billy Gunn) defeated Shawn Spears & Peter Avalon (w/ Tully Blanchard and Leva Bates)
Despite the match not airing at all, the match with the Gunn Club defeating Spears & Preston Vance does count towards their respective records.
Austin Gunn led the crowd into asking Billy to do his shtick. It might be walking the line of copyright infringement. Avalon did his usual cheap heat promo, this time saying that the food at Jerry Lawler’s restaurant was so bad that if you eat there you would die on the toilet like Elvis. He then called Austin “Ass Boy.”
There’s no better way to phrase this. Spears found himself on his knees — eye-to-eye with Billy’s crotch — after a brief back and forth. He then proceeded to stare at it until Billy told him to suck it.
Austin looked fine for someone so early into his career. He was green, obviously, but he held his own. He wasn’t on offense for long, but it was obvious what he did wasn’t as crisp as the others.
Austin sold forever and then made the hot tag to Billy. Billy ran wild, but Austin blind tagged himself in and hit the Famouser on Avalon for a two count. Finally, father and son picked up the win with a combination Cobra Clutch slam and Swanton Bomb.
Final Thoughts: The matches were your typical Dark fare. Nothing to write home about. However, the Memphis tribute was a very good opening 15 minutes to the show and — again — you should go watch it.
We have additional notes for the tribute to Memphis Wrestling that will take place on this week’s AEW Dynamite.
Dave Brown will be appearing and calling Dark and Excalibur will be trying as best he can to call it as close to a Lance Russell as possible on that show. Doug Gilbert will be appearing to honor Tommy & Eddie Gilbert. Shane Russell, Lance’s son, will be there to help honor Lance Russell.
Lanny Poffo will be there to help honor his father Angelo and brother Randy Savage. Austin Idol and Jimmy Valiant are also scheduled.
Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, who last appeared for AEW at Full Gear, are also scheduled for the taping. They were last seen helping The Young Bucks following their match against Santana & Ortiz when they were jumped by their opponents.
Randy Hales and Brandon Baxter worked with AEW officials on putting this together.
This week’s AEW Dynamite taping will take place at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi.
AEW has revealed some more information about the tribute to the legends of Memphis wrestling that’s taking place on Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite.
It was announced today that the legends that AEW is paying tribute to will include Angelo Poffo & Randy Savage, Lance Russell, Eddie & Tommy Gilbert, Brian Christopher, Austin Idol, Dave Brown, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson), and Jimmy Valiant.
Poffo, Savage, Russell, Eddie & Tommy Gilbert, and Christopher are being honored posthumously.
Wednesday’s Dynamite is taking place at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi. Southaven is part of the greater Memphis area.
Cody & Dustin Rhodes vs. The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix), Riho vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW Women’s Championship, Kenny Omega & Hangman Page vs. Private Party (Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy), and Sammy Guevara vs. Christopher Daniels are the matches that have been announced for Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Jon Moxley will also reveal if he’s accepting Chris Jericho’s offer to join the Inner Circle on Wednesday’s show, and Cody will announce whether or not he accepts MJF’s stipulations for a match at Revolution.
AEW will be paying tribute to the legends of Memphis wrestling next week.
During tonight’s Dynamite, it was announced that Memphis wrestling legends will be honored on next Wednesday’s episode of the show. It was noted that some legends will be appearing in person, though further details weren’t revealed.
Next week’s Dynamite is taking place at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi. Southaven is part of the greater Memphis area.
AEW is billing next week’s Dynamite as the anniversary edition of the show, with it taking place on the one-year anniversary of the company’s Double or Nothing rally.
Cody & Dustin Rhodes vs. The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix), Riho vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW Women’s Championship, Kenny Omega & Hangman Page vs. Private Party (Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy), and Sammy Guevara vs. Christopher Daniels are set for next week’s Dynamite. Jon Moxley will also reveal whether or not he’s accepting Chris Jericho’s offer to join the Inner Circle.
Editor’s Note: With Lance Russell’s passing last week, we wanted to share this interview that he did with us back on June 24, 2010.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez returns today with a very special show as we’re joined by legendary wrestling announcer Lance Russell, nearing nearly fifty years in the wrestling business.
We talk the history of Memphis Wrestling, great angles, the amazing TV ratings they had, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Andy Kaufman, and so much more. Even though Lance is in his 80s, he sounds exactly the same and he sticks it out for a full 90 minutes.
DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show: Biography Series – The Mongolian Stomper. I wanted to dedicate an entire biography show to the late Archie “The Mongolian Stomper” Gouldie. He was my first favorite heel character when I started watching wrestling. Normally, I would not expect a lot to be made of the Stomper’s death other than a mention here or there since he was not a giant international star. But to me, here in the deep southern United States and, I am sure, to many in Canada he was a very big deal.
Today I want to talk about the career of the Mongolian Stomper and talk about the angle that made him my favorite. He was well spoken in some areas, while in others he was a grunting brute. Yet, even when he played the brute, his angles were often sophisticated. He was part of a famous, very heavy, angle in Stampede wrestling that lead to the shows announcer quiting. He did a similar angle in Alabama.
On today’s show I will talk in detail about another sophisticated angle he did involving Ric Flair, Austin Idol, Buddy Rogers, and much more. Today, I am going to give the Stomper his due and I hope you enjoy learning about a relatively under rated wrestling star.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns today with special guest Lance Russell to talk his return to Memphis Wrestling at the Jerry Lawler tribute show this Thursday, Memphis history, your calls and emails and more! A fun show with an all-time legend, so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer returns today with special guest LANCE RUSSELL to talk everything you ever wanted to know about Memphis Wrestling, Jerry the King Lawler, broadcasting throughout the years, favorite memories, and so much more. A full 90 minutes with one of the great announcers of all time, so check it out~!
