Bill Dundee vs. Tommy Rich - CWA Memphis Championship Wrestling TV 23/08/1980
Pretty cool match. I don’t really expect a ton of mat-work in Memphis but a huge chunk match was just that. Nothing clever. Just basic amature holds being exchanged. They told a good story about it being a stalemate with no one being able to truly get the advantage over the other for very long. Both were equally as good. The match eventually sped up the tempo and went to feet more often. The finish was pretty cool. An accidental headbutt to the groin spot is rare nowadays and I see why but I thought it was excellently done. Rich sold his uncertainty and inner conflict really well before deciding to go for the win. ***1/2
AWA Southern Tag Team Title Two On One Handicap Match: Bill Dundee (c) vs. Wayne Farris & Tojo Yamamoto - CWA Memphis Championship Wrestling TV 03/07/1981
Oh Territory politics are at play. Bill Dundee is left alone for his title defence due to his Tommy Rich’s commitments in Georgia against Wayne Farris and Yamamoto, led by Jimmy Hart. Dundee is a level above both of these two but even he can’t overcome the 2 on 1 advantage. Although he puts in a hell of an effort. He batters Farris and Yamamoto to his credit but the disadvantage is just too much. Dundee is excellent in this match. Both when on offence and selling. He came off like a badass but vulnerable when he needed to be. Like a rat trapped in a corner. ***1/2
CWA World Tag Team Title Match: Austin Idol & Dutch Mantell (c) vs Bill Dundee & Tommy Rich - CWA 12/03/1981
This was a pretty fun match. Dundee again impresses with his house on fire offence and ability to make anything he does captivating. Mantell and Idol do fine as the heel team, cutting the faces off from each other. Rich doesn’t do much. ***
No Disqualification Match: Jerry Lawler vs. Terry Funk - CWA 23/03/1981
Jerry Lawler coming out to ‘Gonna Fly Now’ with loud trumpets was an incredible entrance. If he went all out for his entrance like this regularly, you can see why Lawler was indeed the King Of Memphis for the next decade. The match gets quite a rep for being the first ever 5* rated match. Not by Dave Meltzer, but Norm Dooly (and Jim Cornette). But as well, this is quite a famous match although not as famous as their Empty Arena match. I loved this match the last time I saw it and re-watching it was just as rewarding. This was a classic memphis bloody brawl, at its finest. Incredible heat. Both roles were executed at a very high quality and we just got enough for a rematch. The match started off heated with Funk initially running from Lawler and getting bounced into the corner and ropes. But Funk catches Lawler with some offence before unleashing some immaculate punches. Lawler then replied with punches of his own and busted Funk open by slamming him into the table. Funk’s bumping and selling for so great. Lawler was just as excellent at the selling. Lawler also got the aid of the blood soaking his white attire - it was visually gross, yet it added to the match greatly. Lawler brought tremendous babyface fire with his fired-up comebacks and his decimation of Funk’s knee with the steel chair. The crowd was unglued when Lawler brought the straps down and they were able to keep that heat for the remainder of the match until the match called for a count-out win for Lawler. ****1/2
Jerry Lawler vs. Dory Funk Jr. - CWA 30/03/1981
A cool Dory Funk Jr match outside of his known element. I think Dory Funk Jr, I think St Louis or Tokyo. Not Memphis but it's neat to see a legend out of his comfortable setting. He rocks at it as well. Dory Funk is straight laced at first, using his superior technical skills to control Lawler and run rings around him but Dory gets more and more underhanded with the tables on the outside and even a chain that Jimmy Hart, who is suspended above the ring because it’s Memphis, threw down. Lawler wrestles Dory’s match but even though he’s not as good on the mat, he sells super well and makes the best out of his offence. I really loved how most of Lawler’s offence was him getting Dory back for the cheating also using the chain. Lawler’s fists are hammers most of the time but add a chain to them and it’s deadly. The crowd, of course, are all in on the match. The match is called off for the DQ (in Lawler’s favour) and Lawler beats Jimmy Hart up after the match. Awesome ending. ****
Empty Arena Match: Jerry Lawler vs. Terry Funk - CWA 06/04/1981
“My Eye”. Bloody hell, this was a very gross match by the end. Lawler bloodies Funk’s eye up badly and Funk’s panicked squealing made the finish very uncomfortable and disturbing to watch. Funk desperately calling for the Doctor and Lance Russell (aw) was horrifying but the perfect finish to an incredible match. I never realised just how big the Mid-South Coliseum was until the lights go on and you see a sea of seats. And they made great use of the space, brawling in the crowd seats, using the empty chairs to their advantage. I loved the contrasted tempo of emotions from the two. Funk starts off the match with Lance Russel blowing his lid, itching to face Lawler who came out calm and focused. And the match was the same. The brawling was erratic and aggressive but Lawler was able to calm the storm and use that to win the match. Funk’s trash talking was awesome (yet another good use of the empty arena setting). ****1/2
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