Posted April 12, 200817 yr comment_5430622 This is from my personal collection and the VQ isn't that hot but it's definitely watchable. Handsome Jimmy Valiant comes out and wishes Lawler who is sitting at the desk good luck on his recovery and he is awesome here then vows he will destroy Bill Irwin. “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant vs. David Oswald (8/23/80) Squash. #1 Contender Match for the Southern Heavyweight Title: “Wildfire” Tommy Rich vs. “Superstar” Bill Dundee (8/23/80) This starts off with some really cool scientific wrestling with both men looking fluid getting in and out of holds. Rich hung with Dundee move for move that is saying something for him, as Dundee was one of the slickest in the biz. The action would start picking up as Dundee would hit a big backdrop followed up by a Boston Crab attempt that Rich would break out of before Rich started going to work on Dundee’s leg until they got to the ropes. There would be a collision of heads as they ran the ropes and Rich would hit a suplex for a nearfall but would miss a diving elbow. Dundee would then hit a powerslam on Rich for a nearfall then locked in a sleeper hold but Rich forced him into the ropes. They would soon take it back to the mat as they rolled around trying to get pinfalls before getting back into the ropes for a break. They would trade the advantage again but as Dundee tried to hit a body press he hit groin first on Tommy’s head so Rich tried to help him up and put him in an inside cradle to get the win. This kickstarted his heel turn as Rich cut a heelish promo afterwards saying that Dundee was playing possum then gave his story about going around the world making a name for himself then picking at the injured Lawler. The match was awesome and the heel turn afterwards was the icing on the cake. The Blonde Bombers (Wayne Ferris & Larry Latham) vs. Dutch Mantell & Terry Sawyer (August 1980) This is a rare match from Nick Gulas’ promotion from Nashville TV. Bombers showed good teamwork here and Sawyer showed some of his mat skills to go along with the fiery Dutch. This started getting really good as Dutch was coming on strong before Bobby Eaton ran out and pulled Dutch to the floor. Dutch would attack Eaton and gave him a hiptoss on the concrete before chasing him away and getting back in the ring for a 4-way brawl. “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant vs. Ken Wayne (8/30/80) Valiant is great here with the schtick. Eddie & Tommy Gilbert vs. David Oswald & Tio (8/30/80) Gilbert’s were supposed to defend their Southern Tag Titles but Tio’s partner Tapu didn’t make it. Sputnik Monroe is managing the heels by the way. Gilbert’s looked good here. “Wildfire” Tommy Rich vs. Koko Ware (8/30/80) Rich is great here as a heel and Koko shows flashes of what he would soon become. Rich would knock down Paul Morton then chunked Koko over the top rope to the floor where he would slam him on the concrete. Rich then demands Morton count out Koko then breaks the count so he could suplex him back in the ring for the pinfall. Eaton, Rich, & Jimmy Hart then come out for a hilarious promo about Billy Robinson. (10/25/80) “Wildfire” Tommy Rich vs. David Price (10/25/80) Rich wins this easily and is such a great heel. Southern Heavyweight Title: “Wildfire” Tommy Rich © vs. David McGee (11/1/80) Rich is picking names out of a hat for opponents for his title and it’s all jobbers. Rich wins this one easily. 2 out of 3 falls: “Superstar” Bill Dundee & “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant vs. Larry Latham & Buddy Wayne (11/1/80) Valiant pins Latham in seconds after the heels collide heads to end the 1st fall then they won the 2nd fall in 3 minutes. Battle Royal for the Memphis TV Title that is won by Koko Ware and starts the Jimmy Valiant heel turn as he breaks the TV. Eddie Marlin comes out and says that they would get him a new TV. This is a definite extra. (11/22/80) Next up we get the awesome Tommy Rich babyface turn angle with his mother Peggy getting roughed up by Jimmy Valiant & Tojo Yamamoto. Rich also does a world class blade job here. Eaton & Hart come out after he gets his ass kicked and Rich fires him. This is a slam-dunk extra. (11/22/80) Lawler comes out for an update on his knee injury then talks about the plight of Tony Charles and his son having brain surgery with a hospital bill ranging around $30,000 with no insurance. Lawler then asks for donations giving an address to his bank where people could send the money. (11/29/80) Eddie Marlin comes out and presents Koko Ware his new TV set. CWA TV Title: Koko Ware © vs. “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton (11/29/80) Well this is quite the matchup considering their future. Valiant comes out before the match starts and breaks the TV again so that makes Koko very angry. Koko starts strong but Eaton takes control as Marlin comes out and suspends Valiant from the territory. Eaton slows the match down a bit taking it to the mat but Koko would fight back although Eaton would resume control taking the beating to Koko. Koko would comeback though using various strikes and a hip toss before his awesome dropkick for a nearfall as Jimmy Hart would run in for the DQ. Eaton & Hart would attack Koko until Robert Gibson would make the save. This goes on as an extra because of Valiant breaking the TV again. Rich comes out saying that Marlin removed Valiant’s suspension so he could get his revenge. “Superstar” Bill Dundee & “Wildfire” Tommy Rich vs. “Nature Boy” Roger Kirby & Guy Mitchell (11/29/80) Kirby & Mitchell are the Southern Tag Champs but the titles aren’t on the line here and it’s funny having Mitchell here since he was Jerry Valiant in the WWF teaming with Jimmy & Johnny in 1979. This started out good but it wasn’t long before Tojo & Valiant would run in with Tojo using his wooden shoes to destroy Rich. Kirby & Mitchell would beat on Dundee until Ken Lucas & Ricky Morton tried to make the save but Tojo cut them off with his shoes. Koko would run out and started brawling with Valiant as the studio goes nuts with everyone brawling. Koko throws Valiant into the announce desk before chasing him off. Another definite extra. Next we get a video retrospective of the Lawler/Dundee feud as Lawler is coming back to active wrestling then the disco style video that we already have. Next we get clips of a studio match between Dundee & Paul Ellering from earlier in 1980.
April 12, 200817 yr comment_5430628 Was Gula briefly back promoting with Jarrett or did he somehow lure the Bombers, Dutch, and Sawyer away? He was paying even worse than before at this point:
April 12, 200817 yr Author comment_5430635 They were co-promoting in Nashville at the Fairgrounds then Jarrett took the talent he wanted after Gulas folded up shop.
May 10, 200817 yr comment_5431223 We open with Jimmy Valiant and has loads of charisma. Next we have Rich vs. Dundee. This is a lot of fun here. Their is a lot of neat stuff on the mat. I just loved Dundee's cartwheel into a wristlock spot onto Rich was super nifty. This was a pretty good match that was just well worked. Both men worked hard and it was just a great give and take match. The finish was a little weak, but it played into the Rich heel turn spot on. This match has to go forward. Blond Bombers vs. Mantell/Sawyer This is solid stuff. With Sawyer looking good on the mat. The Bombers have some good double team spots. This ended abruptly with Eaton getting involved. Valiant vs. Ken Wayne. Again Valiant shows tons of personality. Eddie & Tommy Gilbert vs. David Oswald & Manchurian This was solid with the Gilbert's looking good. Tommy Rich vs. Koko Ware This was another fun squash that shows the potential of Ware. Eaton/Rich and Hart cut a funny promo on Robinson Tommy Rich vs. David Price This was quick. Tommy Rich vs. David McGee This was another squash that Rich made fun. 2 out of 3 falls: “Superstar” Bill Dundee & “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant vs. Larry Latham & Buddy Wayne Too short to have an impact. The great battle royal for the T.V. This angle is classic stuff. Up next is the great Rich angle with his mother. Just tremendous. Lawler comes out in total carny mode. Koko Ware vs. Bobby Eaton Valiant destroys the T.V again. This has some fun moments. Both men are good in the ring. “Superstar” Bill Dundee & “Wildfire” Tommy Rich vs. “Nature Boy” Roger Kirby & Guy Mitchell This was fun with a neat angle. To end this we have a Lawler/Dundee piece.
