A few weeks ago I did a flashback that ended up focusing on many of the great stars who have passed far too early. Thinking back on it, I wanted to revisit 1984 because Memphis was busting at the seams with talent, (and I didn’t want my only commentary about it to be on the bad stuff.)
At the time I was a 17 yr old kid, just about to start my senior year of H.S. I hate to think what trouble I was getting into that summer. As busy as I was and even though it’s 23 years later, I can remember these cards like they were yesterday.
The first card up is for July 02, 1984.
The first match that jumps out to me is Dutch Mantell and Porkchop Cash defeating Randy Savage and Lanny Poffo. I had forgotten all about Dutch and Porkchop teaming up. I really enjoyed both of them throughout their careers. I saw Porkchop at the Memphis reunion show 2 years ago and he’s still a great performer. Savage and Poffo were getting huge heat at the time for piledriving Ricky Morton on the announcers table the previous week.
Also on the card, Eddie Gilbert and Tommy Rich lost to Phil Hickerson and the Spoiler (Frank Morrell). Austin Idol lost to Ito, (don’t really remember him.) Lawler was in the middle of a great feud with Ric Rude and his valet, Angel. The King also came back later that night and won the 24 man battle royal. Over all it was an Ok card with a decent attendance number
of 6,749.
Next up is July 09, 1984
It was always a big main event whenever Lawler and the Fabulous Ones would
team up. On this night, though outnumbered, they defeated a completely
overwhelmed Rude, Jime Neidhart, the Animal (not LOD), Jimmy Hart & Angel.
Also on the card, King Kong Bundy debuted and won his 2 on 1 handicap match.
Tommy Rich had a good night as he won the International Title from Mr Ito.
The Rock n Roll Express got some revenge against the team of Savage and
Poffo from the piledriver from 2 weeks earlier. This match had to be stopped
and that would set up a bigger match the following week. Attendance was
5,831
The next card was on July 16, 1984
First thing from this week was Tommy Rich continued his winning streak by
defeating Rick Rude for the Southern Heavyweight title. At the time, Memphis
had 2 big, singles titles (Southern & International titles), and now Tommy
Rich held both of them.
Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson finally got their revenge on Randy Savage and
Lanny Poffo, by defeating them in a grudge match. Jerry Lawler didn’t fair
as lucky and was defeated by King Kong Bundy in a special challenge match.
The King also teamed with USFL Memphis Showboat, Ron Mikolajczyk and fought
to a no contest with Rick Rude and Jim Neidhart. Phil Hickerson and the
Spoiler (Morrell), won the held up Southern tag titles by defeating Dutch
Mantell and Porkchop Cash. Attendance was up this week, at 6,813
Next week I’ll cover the final 2 cards of July 1984. Lawler, Rude, Bundy,
Savage, Rock n Roll Express, Fabs, Road Warriors, Handsome Jimmy, they’re
all there.
----Mark James is the author of “Memphis Wrestling History – Cards, Matches, Results, Newspaper Clippings” Vol 1 and "Vol 2: The Programs 1972 - 1976" James also is the webmaster to the BEST Memphis Wrestling site in the area – www.memphiswrestlinghistory.com - Click on his site and order his books!!
