Post by Travis605 on Aug 6, 2023 19:29:27 GMT -5
This is just results from my Legends of Memphis Bootlegs beginning in 1977 when Jerry Jarrett broke off from Nick Gulas.
December 1976
Jerry Jarrett had prepared for this day for several months, but didn’t know it would come to pass so quickly. Could he run a promotion on his own? Will the established NWA owners go a long with his plan? After all, they knew he was the mastermind behind the success of the Western end of the Gulas/Welch promotion, albeit behind the scenes.
He knew he had an ace in his pocket: Jerry Lawler. While they didn’t see eye to eye when it came to wrestling philosophy, they both respected one another’s keen business sense when it came to the business. Plus, Lawler drew money; he was money. While every fan in the territory despised him, the old adage “love to hate him” really applied when it came to Lawler. Fans would pay money each week to come to the arenas in hopes of seeing that loud mouth Lawler get his comeuppance…well, at least the fans hoped he did. Lawler was well prepared when it came to winning matches. He always had some sort of manager or flunky that was willing to help him (i.e. cheat) win.
Jarrett knew if he could take his plan to Lawler, and Lawler went along with it, he could make this thing work. He had other allies in his corner such as Bill Dundee and Rocky Johnson, but Lawler was the key. If Lawler followed him to this new promotion, he would immediately establish himself as the territory’s promoter.
After a grueling match with Bob Armstrong, which Lawler won with the help of his slimy manager Micky Poole, Jarrett met him at the dressing room entrance and asked him to come into his office. Lawler, while arrogant, also knew Jarrett called the shots and signed his check. Would Jarrett question him on his use of outside interference to beat the popular Armstrong? Lawler already had his excuse read to pour from his mouth when he heard Jarrett speak to him about a new proposal. Lawler, surprised by this revelation, but also intrigued, sat down to listen. After around 20 minutes, Lawler emerged from the dressing with a sly grin while a somber Jarrett emerged after with his head down in deep thought. He was confident this would work, but what happens if it doesn’t.
The next week at television, Jarrett gathered all of the active wrestlers to tell him about his plan on splitting from Jarrett. There were immediately sounds of intrigue across the dressing room from the various wrestlers. While they all distrusted promoters, many were tired of wrestling under the Gulas banner. He was cheap and paid them minimally while they traveled across the southeastern portion of the states, busting their ass night in and night out. They were tired of it and knew the promise of a new territory, with Jarrett in charge, could lead them into better opportunities. They knew the western (Memphis) side, which Jarrett was booking, was drawing much better than the eastern (Nashville) side and that meant more money in their pockets.
The deal was set. Jarrett was going to go out to start the program and speak to Lance Russell about his decision and to let the fans know exactly what would happen. Jarrett took a deep breath. He’d always taken risks over his career, but this was the biggest one he’s taken. He’s bet on himself many times before and he’s always come out on top. Lance and Dave Brown opened the show and said they were going to bring out Jarrett after the commercial break for a major announcement.
The announcement went over great with the studio wrestling. They just loved their Memphis rassling and wanted to go to the matches to cheer their favorites like Dundee, Johnson and Armstrong while booing the man they despised like Lawler, the Bicentennial Kings and others. Jarrett announced all titles (Southern Heavyweight and Southern Tag Titles) would be vacated and tournaments would be held to determine the new champions of this new promotion, the CWA. He then announced the brackets for the twenty-two-man tournament, which had fans scurrying to figure out which of their favorites might win. With the current buzz among the fans and wrestlers, Jarrett gained more confidence and thought this just may work.
Fan Favorites
Rocky Johnson
Bill Dundee
Tommy Rich
Paul Orndorff
Bob Armstrong
Tommy Gilbert
Gorgeous George Jr
Ricky Gibson
Robert Gibson
Jim Garvin
Mike Stark
Rulebreakers
Lawler's Army
Jerry Lawler
Mickey Poole (Manager)
Plowboy Frazier
Porkchop Cash
LeRoy Brown
Ratamyus
Dr Frank
Igor
Bicentennial Kings
Rock Hunter
Dennis Condrey
Phil Hickerson
David Schultz
Pat McGinnis
December 1976
Jerry Jarrett had prepared for this day for several months, but didn’t know it would come to pass so quickly. Could he run a promotion on his own? Will the established NWA owners go a long with his plan? After all, they knew he was the mastermind behind the success of the Western end of the Gulas/Welch promotion, albeit behind the scenes.
He knew he had an ace in his pocket: Jerry Lawler. While they didn’t see eye to eye when it came to wrestling philosophy, they both respected one another’s keen business sense when it came to the business. Plus, Lawler drew money; he was money. While every fan in the territory despised him, the old adage “love to hate him” really applied when it came to Lawler. Fans would pay money each week to come to the arenas in hopes of seeing that loud mouth Lawler get his comeuppance…well, at least the fans hoped he did. Lawler was well prepared when it came to winning matches. He always had some sort of manager or flunky that was willing to help him (i.e. cheat) win.
Jarrett knew if he could take his plan to Lawler, and Lawler went along with it, he could make this thing work. He had other allies in his corner such as Bill Dundee and Rocky Johnson, but Lawler was the key. If Lawler followed him to this new promotion, he would immediately establish himself as the territory’s promoter.
After a grueling match with Bob Armstrong, which Lawler won with the help of his slimy manager Micky Poole, Jarrett met him at the dressing room entrance and asked him to come into his office. Lawler, while arrogant, also knew Jarrett called the shots and signed his check. Would Jarrett question him on his use of outside interference to beat the popular Armstrong? Lawler already had his excuse read to pour from his mouth when he heard Jarrett speak to him about a new proposal. Lawler, surprised by this revelation, but also intrigued, sat down to listen. After around 20 minutes, Lawler emerged from the dressing with a sly grin while a somber Jarrett emerged after with his head down in deep thought. He was confident this would work, but what happens if it doesn’t.
The next week at television, Jarrett gathered all of the active wrestlers to tell him about his plan on splitting from Jarrett. There were immediately sounds of intrigue across the dressing room from the various wrestlers. While they all distrusted promoters, many were tired of wrestling under the Gulas banner. He was cheap and paid them minimally while they traveled across the southeastern portion of the states, busting their ass night in and night out. They were tired of it and knew the promise of a new territory, with Jarrett in charge, could lead them into better opportunities. They knew the western (Memphis) side, which Jarrett was booking, was drawing much better than the eastern (Nashville) side and that meant more money in their pockets.
The deal was set. Jarrett was going to go out to start the program and speak to Lance Russell about his decision and to let the fans know exactly what would happen. Jarrett took a deep breath. He’d always taken risks over his career, but this was the biggest one he’s taken. He’s bet on himself many times before and he’s always come out on top. Lance and Dave Brown opened the show and said they were going to bring out Jarrett after the commercial break for a major announcement.
The announcement went over great with the studio wrestling. They just loved their Memphis rassling and wanted to go to the matches to cheer their favorites like Dundee, Johnson and Armstrong while booing the man they despised like Lawler, the Bicentennial Kings and others. Jarrett announced all titles (Southern Heavyweight and Southern Tag Titles) would be vacated and tournaments would be held to determine the new champions of this new promotion, the CWA. He then announced the brackets for the twenty-two-man tournament, which had fans scurrying to figure out which of their favorites might win. With the current buzz among the fans and wrestlers, Jarrett gained more confidence and thought this just may work.
Fan Favorites
Rocky Johnson
Bill Dundee
Tommy Rich
Paul Orndorff
Bob Armstrong
Tommy Gilbert
Gorgeous George Jr
Ricky Gibson
Robert Gibson
Jim Garvin
Mike Stark
Rulebreakers
Lawler's Army
Jerry Lawler
Mickey Poole (Manager)
Plowboy Frazier
Porkchop Cash
LeRoy Brown
Ratamyus
Dr Frank
Igor
Bicentennial Kings
Rock Hunter
Dennis Condrey
Phil Hickerson
David Schultz
Pat McGinnis
