Legends of Memphis

[Travis605]

While I have my regular LWF fed that is based like the old territory system and has wrestlers coming in when theyre announced, this is strictly one fed with most of the Memphis based Legends making up the original 24. As injuries or staleness set in, wrestlers will get rotated in/out. 



December 20, 1976



A group of reporters were called to the WMC studios on an early morning in December in ate 1976. They were greeted by Lance Russell and flanked by Jackie Fargo and Bill Dundee. Russell welcomed the crowd as they had a major announcement. He stated that major wrestling would be restarting in the Memphis area, which caused a major buzz throughout the studio. Russell then said they would be open for questions.



Reporter One asked Lance the obvious question. While two of the major stars of the area are with him, would Jerry Lawler be part of the promotion. Russell sadly answered that as of this moment, Lawler had other commitments and wouldn’t be taking part of this Memphis promotion. Russell said he’s confident that Lawler would one day be part of this promotion and he’d be welcome with open arms when the time comes.



Reporter Two asked what titles would be involved. Russell answered the Southern Title obviously. Right now, there are negotiations with 22 other stars to appear in a 24 man tournament to determine the first Southern Champion.



Reporter Three asked besides Fargo and Dundee, what other wrestlers would be involved in the promotion. Russell answered that negotiations are still happening, but the goal is to start with 24 wrestlers to compete in the initial tournament…and suddenly Russell was interrupted by a familiar voice. The voice belonged to the infamous Jimmy Hart.



Hart claimed he’s in negotiations with many top stars to join his First Family stable, but wanted to make a major announcement today. He wanted to introduce a man who should be taking his place upon the throne of Memphis wrestling - Brian Christopher.



Christopher said its time for fossils like Fargo and Dundee to step aside because he’s coming to claim his rightful place upon the Memphis throne. Christopher threw a few more insults at Fargo and Dundee as they made their way to confront Christopher, but security quickly stepped in before a melee began at the studios.



Russell thanked the crowd for attending and said they’d have an announcement of the roster within the week.





December 27, 1976



Lance Russel made the announcement that the Southern Title Tournament will be taking place staring January 3, 1977. He listed the names of the competitors involved.



Bill Dundee

Jackie Fargo

Dutch Mantell

Austin Idol

Tommy Rich

Jimmy Valiant

Billy Wicks

Steve Keirn & Stan Lane - The Fabulous Ones

Tracy Smothers

JC Ice & Wolfie D - PG 13



The Poffo Family - Randy Savage and Angelo & Lanny Poffo



Jimmy Harts First Family

Brian Christopher

Brickhouse Brown

Koko Ware

The Gilbert Family - Eddie, Doug and Tommy

Sputnik Monroe

The Moondogs - Rex and Spot



Lance announced the first and second round pairings.



Steve Keirn vs Angelo Poffo with the winner facing Randy Savage

JC Ice vs Koko Ware with the winner facing Bill Dundee

Stan Lane vs Lanny Poffo with the winner facing Tommy RIch

Jimmy Valiant vs Moondog Rex with the winner facing Eddie Gilbert

Billy Wicks vs Tommy Gilbert with the winner facing Jackie Fargo

Dutch Mantell vs Moondog Spot with the winner facing Sputnik Monroe

Wolfie D vs Brickhouse Brown with the winner facing Austin Idol

Tracy Smothers vs Dough Gilbert with the winner facing Brian Christopher

[Pariah]

Already enjoying the energy this fed is generating... I'll definitely be along for the ride!

[Spider Kid]

I'm gonna enjoy this as well. Sounds like its got a good start. Lots of my favorites.

[Travis605]

Memphis 1 - January 3, 1977


The show opened with the Poffo Family in the ring with Randy Savage claiming he’ll be the first Southern Champ and Lanny and Angelo will stomp out anyone in their way. This brought out the Fabulous Ones, as Steve Keirn was Angelo’s opening round opponent.



Keirn said they’ll let their actions speak inside the ring. This brought the Fabs and Poffos face to face with Savage pie facing Keirn, causing a near brawl until referees James Beard, Joey Marella and Dick Woehrle came out to restore order.



Beard took order and said the teams are going to have a cooling off period in the back while the next match will start. Beard rang the bell for the next match.





1) In a Southern Title Tournament First Round Match, Koko Ware pinned JC Ice following the MISSILE DROPKICK



Fatigue: JC Ice - 3



Jimmy Hart, who accompanied Ware to ringside, distracted the ref as Ware blasted Ice with the hubcap. Wolfie D tried to run in and tell referee Joey Marella what happened, but Marella said he didn’t see the interference, so the decision stands.





2) In a Southern Title Tournament First Round Match, Steve Keirn beat Angelo Poffo by disqualification when Lanny Poffo interfered



Fatigue: Steve Keirn - 2



Stan Lane ran out and decked Lanny from behind, but Angelo bailed and told Lanny their day will come. Referee Dick Woehrle demanded Lanny reenter the ring because his scheduled match with Stan Lane is starting now



3) In a Southern Title Tournament First Round Match, Lanny Poffo pinned Stan Lane with a cross body block as Angelo pushed Lane’s foot off the ropes



Fatigue: Lanny Poffo - 2, Stan Lane - 1



Jimmy Hart came out with the Moondogs and said Jimmy Valiant was an integral part of the First Family, so he’s offering him another chance to join his stable. Valiant came out to tell Hart to shove his offer. This caused the Moondogs to attack Valiant, smashing him with a bone. James Beard offered to postpone the match in order to give Valiant ample time to recover, but Valiant refused and said start the match



4) In a Southern Title Tournament First Round Match, Rex pinned Jimmy Valiant after the SHOULDER BREAKER



While its considered a major upset, fans weren’t surprised at the result due to the beating Valiant took from the Moondogs.



Fatigue: Jimmy Valiant - 2





Sputnik Monroe came out and said he was going to sit and help Lance announce and scout the competition. Russell warned him not to interfere because he knows he and Billy Wicks have had major heat over the years. Monroe was appalled at Lance’s accusations and said he’s only there as a spectator.





5) In a Southern Title Tournament First Round Match, Tommy Gilbert pinned Billy Wicks following the RUNNING KNEE LIFT



Monroe continually put down Wicks during the match which caused Wicks to step to the ropes and confront Monroe. Monroe spit towards Wicks, which provided the distraction for Gilbert to score the pin.



Fatigue: Billy Wicks - 1, Tommy Gilbert - 2



Dutch Mantell came out and said he saw the Moondogs attack on Valiant earlier and warned them that if they tried that with him, they’d have a birds eye view of Shoo Baby, his trusty bullwhip



6) In a Southern Title Tournament First Round Match. Dutch Mantell pinned Moondog Spot after a jumping knee drop



Jimmy Hart ran in and jumped on Hart’s back, but Mantell threw him to the mat. Mantell then grabbed Shoo Baby, but the Moondogs quickly pulled Hart from the ring before he could suffer any damage.





Fatigue: Dutch Mantell - 1, Moondog Spot - 1



Lance Russell brought out Jackie Fargo for an interview with Fargo statting the competition looks to be incredible, but he’s confident he’s coming out on top. This brought out Brian Christopher and Jimmy Hart as Christopher told Fargo to take a hike because the people are paying to see him. Fargo then punched Christopher, sending him sprawling to the floor. Holding his jaw, Christopher said he’s going to pay for that cheapshot



7) In a Southern Title Tournament First Round Match, Brickhouse Brown pinned Wolfie D with a deathjump reversal





Fatigue: Wolfie D - 2, Brickhouse Brown - 1





Lance brought out Austin Idol and Tommy Rich and asked them if they were thinking of joining Hart’s First Family. Both claimed they aren’t interested in anything to do with art and their only goal is to win the Southern Title. Idol asked Rich whats going to happen if its them two that meet in the finals, which caused Rich to answer may the best wrestler win.





8) In a Southern Title Tournament First Round Match, Tracy Smothers pinned Doug Gilbert following the JAWJACKER



Fatigue: Doug Gilbert - 1




Before the show ended, Lance gave the fans the pairings for the second round of the Southern Title Tournament



Steve Keirn vs Randy Svage
Bill Dundee vs Koko Ware
Tommy Rich vs Lanny Poffo
Eddie Gilbert vs Moondog Rex
Jackie Fargo vs Tommy Gilbert
Dutch Mantell vs Sputnik Monroe
Austin Idol vs Brickhouse Brown
Tracy Smothers vs Brian Christopher

[Pariah]

Very cool that during the very first card, we've already got some serious heat between the Fabulous Ones and the Poffo clan... And things will probably escalate further when Savage faces off against Keirn in the second round of the title tournament... Speaking of which, I'm laying my money down -- Macho Man will become the inaugural Southern champion! OHHH, YEAH!

[Travis605]

Memphis 2







An irate Randy Savage came out and was angered by last weeks brawl between The Fabulous Ones and Angelo & Lanny Poffo. This brought out Steve Keirn who told Savage he talks too much and told him lets have the match now.



1) In a Southern Title Tournament - Second Round Match, Randy Savage beat Steve Keirn by disqualification when The Poffos kept trying to interfere, which caused Stan Lane to come out and drive them off with a chair and then blasting Savage over the head with it.



Fatigue: Steve Keirn - 1, Randy Savage - 1





Brian Christopher and Jimmy Hart came out for an interview with Lance Russell and called Tracy Smothers to the ring. Hart told Smothers he’s going to give him a chance to back out of the match and save himself the embarrassment. Smothers gave no warning and slugged Smothers. Christopher then laid out Smothers with a superkick.





Eddie Gilbert came out the Moondogs were all on the same team, so they don’t have to do this, so just let him (Gilbert) pin him (Rex). Jimmy Hart came out to try and play peacemaker, telling his two charges this was a conspiracy with the promotion, trying to pit members of the First Family against one another. Hart encouraged Gilbert to take the match and prove to the promotion that Family comes first.



2) In a Southern Title Tournament - Second Round Match, Eddie Gilbert beat Moondog Rex by disqualification. Gilbert grabbed Rex’s bone and gave it to Rex, then fell to the mat. Referee Joey Marella saw Rex with the bone and Gilbert on the mat and called for the disqualification. Spot came in and the Moondogs began to converge on Gilbert, causing Tommy and Doug Gilbert to run in. The teams nearly came to blows, but Jimmy Hart managed to broker peace .







Lance brought out Sputnik Monore who laughed about costing Billy Wicks his opening round match. Wicks came out and said he’s going to be honorable and not interfere in Monroe’s match, but he’s hoping he wins the title because he wants to be the man to take the title off of him.



3) In a Southern Title Tournament - Second Round Match, Koko Ware pinned Bill Dundee after the MISSILE DROPKICK. Hart jumped on the apron, providing Ware the necessary distraction to score the pin on Dundee.



Fatigue: Bill Dundee - 3





4) In a Southern Title Tournament - Second Round Match, Austin Idol pinned Brickhouse Brown following an atomic drop



The Gilberts came out Lance with Tommy saying for years, Jackie Fargo hogged the spot light and main event, but tonight, he’s going to prove himself by beating Fargo.



5) In a Southern Title Tournament - Second Round Match, Jackie Fargo pinned Tommy Gilbert after hitting him with a ringside weapon.





Fatigue: Jackie Fargo - 1, Tommy Gilbert - 3





6) In a Southern Title Tournament - Second Round Match, Tommy Rich beat Lanny Poffo with the WILDFIRE SLEEPER



Fatigue: Lanny Poffo - 1



Angelo tried to sneak attack Rich, but Rich was ready and decked Poffo. The Poffos fled the ring to fight another day.





7) In a Southern Title Tournament - Second Round Match, Tracy Smothers pinned Brian Christopher with a roll up.



Fatigue: Brian Christopher - 1



With Smothers injured earlier in the night, Christopher was cocky throughout the night, showboating until Smothers surprised with with the roll up. Christopher and Hart immediately jumped Smothers, beating him down with his cane until Dundee made the save.





8) In a Southern Title Tournament - Second Round Match, Sputnik Monroe beat Dutch Mantell by disqualification when he whipped Monre with Shoo Baby.







After the matches, Lance announced the Quarterfinal Matches:



Tracy Smothers vs Randy Savage

Tommy Rich vs Eddie Gilbert

Jackie Fargo vs Sputnik Monroe

Austin Idol vs Koko Ware





Additional matches have been signed for the next card.



The Fabulous Ones have challenged Angelo & Lanny Poffo



Bill Dundee aims to shut the mouth of Brian Christopher, but with Jimmy Hart by his side, can Dundee overcome the odds?



All this and much more.

[TTX]

Always enjoy a good Memphis fed.

[Pariah]

I'm kinda thinking we might see Macho Man vs. Fargo in the tournament final... That being said, a minor upset here or there could mean that anyone could emerge with the gold... Very exciting!

[Travis605]

Mar 20, 2023 7:05:41 GMT -5 Pariah said:

I'm kinda thinking we might see Macho Man vs. Fargo in the tournament final... That being said, a minor upset here or there could mean that anyone could emerge with the gold... Very exciting!


Its a match we've never seen in real life, so it's exciting the we can "see it" in this game.