Walking In Memphis 11/18/78, by PaperClip Mike

Like the song says, “Put on your blue suede shoes”, because we are walking in Memphis again! Before we get going, I know, I know. I was gone. But I am getting burned out on talking about my burnout, so read my previous article to see the explanation. Anyway, just to clarify for new readers. I was able to get a hold of a lot of Memphis footage dating back to 1978 and going to the turn of the millennium. Now, it is not an exhaustive list by any means. Some shows are just a few things; hell, sometimes there are a couple of months between episodes.

For instance, this episode is about ten minutes shorter than the last episode. But even with that, if it is anything like the last episode, we are in for a treat. We had no less than five future Hall of Famers just in that episode. And one of the most intense interview segments I've ever seen. So without further ado, the episode opens right into match introductions with…

Joe LeDuc vs. Coco Ware

First time I have seen the Canadian LeDuc, who has a noticeable size and strength advantage over Coco. Ware answers with his superior speed, snapping off a quick armdrag. Ware surprised everyone with a bodyslam of his larger opponent. LeDuc stood firm as Coco ran into him and got nothing. Coco does answer with one of his famous dropkicks, one of the best imo.

This must have pissed off Joe, who socked Coco in the face hard enough that it made me cringe. He then whips Ware into the corner so hard, Coco flips upside down! LeDuc continues the punishment with a huge running forearm. Coco tries to fight back, but with little effect. He eventually gets in some blows and a huge back body drop. He goes for another dropkick, but Joe dodges it and hits a leg drop for the win.

As the commentators are discussing the mistake that cost Coco the win, Joe goes to leave the studio, and Lance Russell stops him for a word. Apparently, there is some dissension with Joe, Don Fargo, and Al Green, with Lance wondering what is going on. LeDuc says Fargo wants to manage him, but there is no problem, as he can speak for himself. You know, I can get behind a Joe LeDuc. Bald, covered in hair, eyes nearly popping out of his head, nearly monosyllabic. My kinda guy!

The Bounty Hunters w/Chuck Malone vs. Tommy Gilbert and Jackie Welch

The Bounty Hunters are here with the tag titles, so I guess Chuck did not lose his hair. Sorry, Jerry and Bill. Jerry Novak and Jackie Welch start off the graps. Jackie got a quick small package for a short count, trying to get an upset early. Welch and Gilbert with the quick tags to cut the ring off. After a few moments, David Novak gets the tag to start working over Tommy Gilbert. Huge back elbow and bodyslam from David Novak before tagging out.

Jerry Novak with a bit more punishment before Gilbert counters with a vertical suplex and tags in Wells. Wells gets in plenty of Damage to Jerry before a side russian leg sweep. Chuck Malone gets out of his seat and onto the apron, which causes an instant DQ. This is a rule that I have never seen before. Wonder if this will be enforced as we go, or if it is more like the top rope rule in WCW in the early 90’s

Don Fargo w/ Al Green vs. Wayne Farris

Fargo is a champion of some sort, but they did not say what title he holds. Back and forth with both men, no one is in full control in the first few moments. Fargo does get him in the corner to batter him with several boots to the face and chest, before Farris answers with his own shots and a dropkick. As Don was down, Al Green handed him a foreign object, which Fargo used to punch Farris outside the view of the referee. Fargo then proceeds to rain fists and feet down on Farris, busting him open. Even with the less-than-stellar reception, you can still see how bloody Wayne is.

Farris is in no shape to keep going. Robert Gibson comes out to the ringside area, but does not interfere, under threat of a $1000 fine as the bell does ring. Jerry Jarrett comes out to try to get Al Green to call off Fargo, but Fargo refuses to do so. Gibson is still not able to get into the ring to help out. Even Joe LeDuc comes out to try to get Green to call it off, who finally does. Here is something that confuses me. I understand that there is a large fine if Robert Gibson interferes; no problem there. But if the bell is ringing and the match is over, shouldn’t he (or anyone else) be able to get in the ring since the match is over? Just a small thing, I may not get it since this was before my time and a product of an era before me.

Terry Sawyer vs. Lou Thesz

No, your eyes do not deceive you. We have a match in 1978 from arguably one of the greatest ever and a former NWA World champ, Lou Thesz. The match has already started as we come back from the break. To put in perspective how big this is, even in 1978, the first recorded world title reign for Thesz was 1937! And between 1937 and 1966, he held it six times for a combined 13 years. On top of that, he is credited with many wrestling moves, including the German suplex, the Thesz press (no shit), the STF, and the powerbomb.

Anyway, we are joined in action as Sawyer has Thesz grounded with a headlock. Lou is able to turn it around and tie up Sawyer in his own hold as we see judges ringside, likely to call for a winner if this goes to a time limit. In a crazy show of core strength, Sawyer is able to bridge as Thesz puts all of his body weight onto him. As someone who loves chain wrestling, as well as having never seen a Lou Thesz match outside of clips, not gonna lie, kind of in awe at him doing this at this level at this age.

I mentioned in my most recent JCW Lunacy Legacy article that the match between Willie Mack and Matt Cross was hard to keep up with as I tried to write. This is the same way, the way they chain from one move to the other is so fluid. I could watch this go on forever, but there are only five minutes left of the show. This might be one of the most even matches I have seen, regarding chain wrestling. Most wrestlers like Lou Thesz have been known to go an hour or more, so the fact that we are only getting ten minute match means this is merely a warm-up. As expected, this match does go to the ten-minute time limit draw. Absolutely fantastic match! We go to the judges' scores.

Robert Gibson scores it a tie. Both Bill Dundee and Tommy Gilber give it to Lou Thesz. This makes Terry Sawyer furious, who shoves Dundee. Unfortunately, we will not find out if there is any interaction between Sawyer and Dundee, as not only does the episode end here, the next episode we have is not until February of 1979.

A lot of action was packed into only a little over thirty minutes of time. Tag team upsets, bloody brawls, Lou Thesz still at a high level forty years after his first world title, and Joe Deluc making me grin.

Thanks, everyone, for continuing this journey. It has been a blast so far. You can follow me on all my socials, follow everyone at the bWo, and follow our non-wrestling channel on YT, The Group Project.