This week’s flashback is a little different in that I’m covering the same date on 2 different years. With this Saturday being Nov 1, I’ve got 2 cards from that date, (from 1976 and 1982.)
Nov 1,, 1976
Nov 1,, 1976
Back in 1976, Nick Gulas was still the owner/promoter of Memphis Wrestling. In a few short months, Jerry Jarrett would quit the promotion and start up his own company that would drive Gulas out of Memphis.The card’s main event featured the “Soulman” Rocky Johnson defeating Jerry Lawler for the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (and taking the King’s crown as well.) The Soulman was extremely popular in Memphis. Combine that with the fact Lawler was very hated and you had fans happy to finally see Lawler get what he deserved.
Rocky was very charismatic and it’s very apparent that his son Duane, inherited it from him. Little Duane went on to become one of the WWE’s biggest stars ever, the Rock.
The Southern Tag Champs, Phil Hickerson and Dennis Condrey, had a bad night and lost their titles to the team of Danny Little Bear and Chief Thundercloud. To say this was an upset is a huge understatement. As I’ve stated before, Hickerson and Condrey were probably the best tag team in the country to never hit it big (in the NWA, WWWF or AWA.)Other matches… Fan favorite, Bill Dundee defeated Gorgeous George jr and continued to move up the local ranks… Former Memphis State University all-american, Mike Stark defeated Buddy Wayne… Lastly, David Schultz and Bill Ash go the win over Don Anderson and Mike Pappas.
Nov 1, 1982
Jumping forward 6 years, this card from 1982 was pretty packed and most of the headliners actually wrestled twice. The main event featured Jerry Lawler, Bill Dundee, Steve Keirn, Stan Lane and Jackie Fargo going up against Bobby Eaton, Sweet Brown Sugar, Dream Machine, Rick McGraw and Jimmy Hart. The crazy match ended up being declared a no contest.
Earlier in the card, Keirn and Lane teamed up to defeat Eaton and Sugar… Lawler pinned the Dream Machine… Dundee whipped the Angel.Other matches that involved other wrestlers included Jesse Barr winning by dq over Mid-American champ, Dutch Mantell… Finally, the Sheepherders defeated Terry Taylor and Jacque Rougeau.A Halloween bonus from 25 years ago!
Today, Oct 29, marks the 25th anniversary of Robert Reed and Ken Raper, winning the CWA World Tag Team Titles from the Assassins. What’s important about this is Reed and Raper were jobbers and had never won a match before this one, (or after it.) The match happened in Memphis on the Saturday morning show, on Oct 29, 1983. The Fabulous Ones (Stan Lane and Steve Keirn) were in a feud with the Assassins and interfered in the match, (on behalf of Reed and Raper.) When Jerry Calhoun made the 3 count, Reed and Raper were the new champs!Two days later, Monday night, Oct 31, 1983, The Assassins destroyed Reed and Raper in their rematch and took the titles back.
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 – memphiswrestlinghistory.com - Click on his site and order his books!!
