Twenty-seven years ago, There was a lot going on in Memphis. Jerry Lawler had been back in the ring for almost 8 months, (following a year’s absence from a broken leg). Jimmy Hart was cemented into the top manager’s spot.
Aug 17 , 1981
The main event featured Dutch Mantell going against Tojo Yamamoto in a “lights-out” stretcher match. Dutch was the babyface and if I remember it right, had been feuding with Tojo, Onita & Fuchi all since back in April. They had “kendo stick” matches, “bullwhip-on-a-pole” matches, you name it. In front of nearly 7,900 fans, the Dutchman got the victory over the evil Yamamoto.Speaking of Masa Fuchi and Mr. Onita, they successfully defended their Southern Tag Team Titles against the fan favorite team of Steve Keirn and Bill Dundee. Keirn had been in the area a while and was the Mid-American Champ, he was still in the “upper-to-mid” level. He wasn’t in the main event status, (and wouldn’t gain that until the Fabs were formed), but was still doing well in the promotion. Teaming him with Bill Dundee would show the fans that he was the real deal and helped to give him credibility.
Another big match on the card had the Southern Heavyweight Champion, Dream Machine teaming with fellow heels Bugsy McGraw and the Nightmares to get a DQ win over Jerry Lawler, Steve Keirn and the Gibsons (Rick & Robert). Lawler was locked in a feud with the Dream Machine at the time. Jimmy Hart was the Dream’s manager and was sticking his nose into just about every single match his boy had.The Heartbreakers (Joey Cagle & Rocky Sortar) were stopped by big Plowboy Frazier and Roy Rogers. Also on the card, Koko Ware stopped Tom Staton.
Aug 24 , 1981
Don’t ask me why, but it didn’t seem right if Jerry Lawler wasn’t wearing the Southern Title. The night’s main even had the King defeating the Dream Machine (w/Jimmy Hart) for the Southern strap. The “no-dq” match also had a stipulation that the loser would get “tarred-and-feathered”. While it wasn’t tar, (molasses), they did indeed use real feathers on the Dream.
Babyface Steve Keirn lost his Mid-American Heavyweight Title to Bugsy McGraw, who was starting to get a small heel push.
Dutch Mantell continued his feud with the Japanese by teaming with Bill Dundee against Mr Onita and Masa Fuchi (w/Tojo Yamamoto). Tojo ended up interfering in the match, getting his team DQ’d, (and saving their Southern Tag Titles.)
Any night the King wins the Southern belt is a good card. The attendance was just under 8,100.
----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 – http://www.memphiswrestlinghistory.com/ - Click on his site and order his books!!
