R.I.P. Lance Russell

October 3rd 2017

Legendary Memphis announcer Lance Russell has died at the age of 91.  I got to see him for a short time in the early 1980s when one of our local Indianapolis tv stations picked up Memphis wrestling.  He soon became my favorite voice in wrestling and remained that until the end. 

Match of The Day (Memphis Classic)

Memphis Wrestling (Louisville Feed) - 8/14/82 - Flair vs. Lawler

Classic Memphis: Jerry Lawler vs Dick The Bruiser

Jerry Lawler vs Dick the Bruiser

NO DQ match in Memphis TN

MidSouth Coliseum

Tag Team Match of the Night (Moondogs vs Fabulous Ones)

Anything Goes Tag Team Match

The Moondogs w/Jimmy Hart

vs

The Fabulous Ones

January 9th 1984

Mid South Coliseum

Memphis TN

Sting and Ultimate Warrior Debut in Memphis

from the early 80s in Memphis we get to see the early days of Sting and Ultimate Warrior as they debut as  "The Freedom Fighters".  Most interesting to hear them go by their real names of Steve Borden and Jim Hellwig.   They are very raw and stiff but just the look could get them over.

Match of the Night (Lawler vs Funk 1981)

No DQ/No Time Limit

Mid South Coliseum

March 23rd 1981

Jerry "The King" Lawler

vs

Terry Funk

Jerry Lawler and Jimmy Valiant 1978

This is the Jimmy Valiant I loved from the 70s, the handsome one and after watching this I am sure its one of Jerry's works that only he and Jimmy were in on to make it really come off good.
To top it off some of what Jerry says would get him fired today but even back then brought a strong reaction from the crowd.
I love the old school, today can never compare or even come close to this fun.