Walking In Memphis 02/17/79, by PaperClip Mike

Guess what, I’m back! I thought I would have to put my travel in going through Memphis like so many other series here, but the wrestling deities smiled down upon me, and here we are! Do not let the date on the title fool you; I did not skip several months on purpose. It is very hard to get footage pre-80s, as a lot of stuff was not saved or recorded over, and with Memphis, while very powerful clout-wise, being very small, stuff would just go away. And because of this, I am not going to have every match or segment until the end. In fact, it will be spotty here until the middle of 1979. With that said, on we go!

The footage opens right with Lance Russel talking about the next show at the Mid-South Coliseum. Not sure if or how much we missed, as the video of the show is a little over thirty minutes. Anyway, he mentions one of the featured bouts is Jerry Lawler against Austin Idol in a Canadian Lumberjack match. Idol comes out with who I presume are his lumberjacks: The Assassins, Don Carson, and Dennis Condrey. All of the men come out with leather straps as well, so one would assume they are all in play as well.

Idol talks about being with a ‘very fine ebony queen’ and was quoting “Ain’t No Mountain” as he talks about wanting to get at Jerry Lawler. Also, take a shot every time Austin says baby. Bet you won’t. According to Lance, the Canadian Lumberjack match is actually different from a regular Lumberjack match. Instead of tossing the other man back in if they go out of the ring, you can use the leather straps provided. Thanks, Lance!

Austin says that Lawler has been avoiding him for several matches, and his lumberjacks are there to keep him from leaving. The men act like they are going to hit Lance with them as they leave. I don’t know if that is a good idea. Lance gives off an Alfred Pennyworth vibe. A soft-spoken, unassuming man who will body you for pissing him off.

The Assassins vs Robert Gibson & Tommy Gilbert

As I assumed, we are missing the beginning of the show, as when Lance is cutting away to this match, he mentions going to more action. No idea what the match is, though, sadly. Assassin #2 and Gibson start with a little backy forthy. Gorgeous George Jr. is ringside with the Assassins as Gibson, with the speed he was known for, hits a dropkick he would later make famous with the Rock n’ Roll Express a few years later.

Assassin #1 and Gilbert tag in for the first time and get into a bit of a scrap. Tommy is able to lock in a deep headlock. A1 tries to use it to roll up in a bin a few times to no avail. A1 is able to get a blind tag to A2, who drives a knee into Tommy Gilbert to take over. Great top wrist lock into a standard wrist lock as A1 tags into A2.

A2 keeps firm control of the arm, and after several moments, Gilbert is able to tag in Robert Gibson. Headlock by Gibson as A2 tags A1, but Gibson easily transitions the headlock and tags back in Gilbert. A couple of strikes from Tommy before tagging Robert back in. Gibson runs the ropes and gets too close to the other Assassin, who strikes Robert. He quickly recovers and goes for an O’Connor Roll, but it is blocked. A1 goes for an elbow drop, and he misses before tagging in A2. Great sequence.

A2 is able to get control of Robert's arm. A couple of clubbing blows from A2, but he is driven in the opposite corner so Gilbert can tag in. Gilbert goes for a charge in the corner, but misses and nearly goes out of the ring before being dragged to the Assassin’s corner. A1 is tagged in as they hit a double back elbow on Gilber, who then eats another elbow from A1 but kicks out at one. 

A2 tags in and hits an atomic drop and another elbow, but Gilbert shows some resistance and kicks out again. He keeps getting slammed, dropped, and suplexed, but Gilbert keeps kicking out at one, not a fan of that. Gilbert is finally able to get the hot tag as Robert seems to be an expert at it even then. IYKYK. A bit of bedlam ensues, and in the commotion, the Assassins hit a backbreaker/flying headbutt for the win.

Back from break, and  Lance Russel is at the desk with Gorgeous George Jr as The Mongolian Stomper towers behind them. George has a couple of words as they go to a pre-taped vignette. We see George in what seems to be a robe (grainy 1979 footage folks) in some home, welcoming people in. He motions over to a framed picture on his wall of him and the Stomper as we get a promo video of TMS. The narrator says he is 6’2’’, but he looked so much bigger in the studio. Anyway, this is a great video showing those unaware of TMG (myself included) just how powerful and scary he is. We go from this right into…

The Mongolian Stomper w/ Gorgeous George Jr vs. Jerry Barber

Props to ol’ Jerry as he does take it to TMS, but to no avail as Stomper catches him in the corner with…well, a stomp. A few stomps later, TMS hits a body slam and some sort of arm trap cobra clutch for the very quick, decisive win.

(Insert picture 5 here)

Back from break, and we have Jerry Lawler come out to talk about the Canadian Lumberjack match with Austin Idol the very next evening. Jerry did not come alone; however, he brought his own lumberjacks. We see Robert Fuller, Tommy Gilbert, Jimmy Golden, and Bill Dundee. Lawler was talking about how awesome his team is, but stumbled over their names. Including Bill Dundee, one of his bigges trivals/partners in Memphis. According to Jerry, he and Idol were in plenty of multi-man matches, but Idol always ducked the singles match. So the front office told Austin that if he did not take this match, he would be out of Memphis. Jerry says that he has been in one of these before, and Idol has no idea what he is in store for. I can only imagine how gnarly this was.

We come back right at the end of a Robert Fuller and Bill Dundee interview with Lance talking about a tag title match. That was all I caught as we came in late. 

Buzz Sawyer vs Roger Howell

They say this is with TV time remaining, but with one match left on this video, we will see. Match starts with Buzz using some amateur moves to keep Roger discombobulated. Roger does answer with a head scissors, but Buzz does get free without much trouble. They try to say what would happen if the match did end due to TV time, but I was not able to catch it.

Back to the action as Buzz has locked in an armbar. But Howell gets free quickly and locks in a deep headlock. Buzz is able to get free to get another armbar. Roger is able to get free and shoot Buzz into the rope and land a gorgeous dropkick; however, he sadly misses the second. This gives Buzz an opening to hit a German suplex for the win.

Back from a break, and we see Dennis Condrey and Don Carson come out. Carson seems mad, and he wanted the winner of the last match right away, that being Sawyer. Lance says that is likely not gonna happen since he was not scheduled to wrestle tonight. All the proper parties seem to be ok with it, so we get… 

Don Carson vs Buzz Sawyer

Dennis Condrey is on commentary as the two men exchange holds and blows. This one ends quickly as Carson has a leather glove he loads up and punches Buzz for the win.

Carson comes back to the desk, and now I hear that he and Condrey are the tag champs, so now I know who Dundee and Fuller are fighting the next night. The champs gloat as the show ends.

Even though a lot was not available, I really liked this episode. Even though a lot changed in the months between that we are missing, it was still easy to follow along. I like how they also used the show to promote their non-televised show to drum up interest

Thank you, everyone, for the love as I get back in the swing of things and get the written word back to you people. As always, find me on all the socials, and I will see you for the next episode.