Tag Archives: Freebirds

Episode 35: Close-Up on Union Avenue

KFR Pod #35 has dropped like Ricky Morton’s head through a table after a Macho Piledriver! Host Scott Bowden goes behind the camera to chat with longtime (and now retired) WMC-TV 5 engineer Ken Parnell, who reveals the crazy energy and the wild-and-wooly inner workings of the Memphis TV show in its heyday.

Ken recalls his rookie year of 1981, which resulted in some of the most entertaining Memphis TVs in history thanks to the red-hot feud between Jerry Lawler and the All the King’s Men vs. Jimmy Hart’s nefarious First Family.

Ken will also explain the details behind his ill-advised detour down Badstreet USA where he lost the Freebird version of Rock, Paper, Scissors in August 1985 as part of a bloody-good angle at the Mid-South Coliseum.

Plus, Ken breaks down what made Memphis wrestling so special and his thoughts on the show’s TV format that was as loose and flexible as any arena rat back in the day and just as action-packed.

Not only does Ken provide a unique perspective of the show working for both the station and the promotion, but he also shares inside stories such as a Macho Man promo that nearly made Ken quit the business and how that led to he and Randy Savage eventually becoming good friends. All this and more on an extra-crispy, not-so-late KFR Episode 35!

Visit the Kentucky Fried Rasslin’ online store at http://kentuckyfriedrasslin.bigcartel.com/

Follow Scott Bowden on Twitter @TravScottBowden and on Facebook @KentuckyFriedRasslin.

Follow Brian on Twitter at @GreatBrianLast.

Kentucky Fried Rasslin’ is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Episode 34: The King Of Jackson

Fresh off a trip to Memphis to revisit his old stomping grounds—literally—Scott Bowden returns to LA and the KFR Podcast approximately 9 pounds heavier from all that country cookin’ and jivin’—and yes, even a little moonshinin’. As his eager sidekick, the Great Brian Last, hangs on every pause, Bowden spins tales about the glory days of pro wrestling in the South’s most infamous arena and some of the legendary backstage gossip that used to fly around the building like Mil Mascaras sailing from turnbuckle to canvas back in January 1979.

Not only will the KFR Colonel guide you through an empty arena—MY EYE!—but Bowden will also explain the emotions and memories that came flooding back, some of which surprised the cold-hearted, diabolical manager from Germantown. Also, Bowden makes like his favorite wrestling journalist—PWI’s hard-drinkin’, hard-workin’, liver-not-functionin’ (and not actually existin’) sage columnist Matt Brock.

On this episode’s Anatomy of Angle, Bowden looks at one of his favorite ’70s Memphis heels of all time who made an expected babyface turn in 1985, returning the perennial Southern tag champion back to main-event glory, this time as a singles star as well as the partner of Jerry Lawler to pluck and fry the evil Freebirds, Phil Hickerson. In the end, the Rodney Dangerfield of Memphis wrestling finally earned the respect of the fans as the King of Jackson, Tenn. KFR is also serving up a heapin’ of rare WHBQ audio, including a promo by a young, nervous and downright humble Hickerson with Lance Russell that hasn’t been heard in 40–plus years.

Bowden also shares the full story on the infamous November 1976 Memphis Magazine cover featuring the King wearing the NWA’s crown jewel—the 10 pounds of gold—for a quick photo shoot following only his second bout ever with World champion Terry Funk in October 1976. This was, quite literally, Lawler’s only “run” with the NWA World championship belt.  All this and more episode 34 of the KFR Podcast! 

Visit the Kentucky Fried Rasslin’ online store at http://kentuckyfriedrasslin.bigcartel.com/

Follow Scott Bowden on Twitter @TravScottBowden and on Facebook @KentuckyFriedRasslin.

Follow Brian on Twitter at @GreatBrianLast.

Kentucky Fried Rasslin’ is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network