Tag Archives: Interview

Episode 44: J.J. Dillon Invades Lawler & Jarrett’s Backyard

The latest KFR episode had dropped with the force of a Kimala belly splash, as host Scott Bowden welcomes the legendary manager of The 4 Horsemen—and Vince McMahon’s former right-hand man in creative—J.J. Dillion.

Together, these two Memphis manager alums discuss J.J.’s short yet memorable runs in Memphis in ’82 & ’84 as well as the booking genius of Eddie Graham and Jerry Jarrett. Dillion talks about his reaction to witnessing Jerry Lawler’s popularity in the territory firsthand, vividly describing the amazing pop of the fans when the King pulled the strap to make his comeback.

Dillion also explains what distinguished himself from other managers like Jimmy Hart, and he also recalls delivering the memorable promo to get over Southern journeyman/jungle savage Sugar Bear Harris as Kimala—sight unseen no less—a reminder of how a mouthpiece can make all the difference for a big lug who can’t cut promos.

All this, plus classic J.J. promos as both a heel and eventually as an unlikely babyface  in Memphis.

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 37: You Dropped a Baum on Me

#KFRPod 37 has dropped like gallons of blood on the WMC-TV studio floor! Host Scott Bowden talks with Howard Baum about his involvement in one of the most infamous angles ever in Memphis wrestling history with fellow WFIA member Pete Lederberg as they present the WFIA’s tag-team of the year award to the new-and-less-improved Fabulous Ones, Tommy Rich and Eddie Gilbert in August 1984.

Howard also shares his memories of Lance Russell and Jerry Lawler, in particular the King’s reaction to seeing the Wrestling Observer newsletter for the first time as well as the Memphis Monarch’s run in the Sunshine State.

Plus Baum discusses his early fandom in Florida and how he regrettably JUST missed out on seeing Terry Funk defeat Jack Brisco for the NWA World title in Miami Beach, and much more in this two-hour hilarious episode.

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 36: Merry Macho Christmas Special

Freak out—it’s a Merry Macho Crispy edition of the KFR Podcast with host Scott Bowden guiding his sleigh down memory lane to the biggest card of Memphis wrestling in 1983—Dec. 5 to be exact. The originally scheduled main event saw the Road Warriors make their post-apocolyptic debut in the territory in a rumble for the ages vs the Fabulous Ones—with more potatoes served than all area KFCs combined.

But it was the late addition to the main-event spot (along with smuggled booze) that had the Coliseum buzzing: ICW outlaw Randy “Macho Man” Savage finally invades Jerry “The Queen” Lawler’s kingdom, bringing his own brand of madness to Memphis for the first time under Jarrett’s banner.

Bowden was in attendance that night along with a little more than 8,000 other stinkin’ rednecks—not a bad house coming off the slow-dying feud between the King and Kaufman but not even close to the anticipated sellout.

Together with longtime fan John Keating and ICW co-founder “Hustler” Rip Rogers, Bowden speculates as to why the program between Macho and Kingfish fizzled after three weeks in Memphis but thrived in Louisville, Lexington and the surrounding areas.

All this and classic Savage audio make this a Merry Macho Crispy season to remember. So break out the confetti ’cause we’re doing the thing!

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 32: A Nose for Excellence with Guest Shane Russell

Yellow again, everybody, and welcome to another BIG DAY of the KFR podcast, as Scott Bowden and Brian Last welcome Shane Russell, son of legendary Memphis Wrestling broadcast Lance Russell.

Shane shares his favorite memories both as a huge wrestling fan and as the son of the most iconic personality in Memphis broadcasting history. Shane shares memories of tagging along with his father for live broadcasts at WHBQ and later at WMC-TV and discusses his personal favorite Lance Russell moments, both on camera and at home. Shane also explains Lance’s decision to leave WHBQ and promoter Nick Gulas for WMC-TV and Jerry Jarrett, and why this led to some spirited discussions at the Russell home.

Shane also offer insights into the special relationship between his dad and Jerry Lawler and details what it was like being known as “Banana Nose Jr.” by his classmates in Memphis growing up. All this, plus classic Lance Russell audio make this a show you don’t dare miss, partner!

Visit the NEW 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 29: Unsolved Mysteries of Memphis

On this special Unsolved Mysteries of #Memphis edition of the KFR Podcast, host Scott Bowden goes face to masked mug with Mil Mascaras during an autograph signing at Los Angeles-area sports-memorabilia speakeasy.

Bowden doesn’t tiptoe gracefully around the issue, asking as many questions as humanly possible to unmask the truth behind the mystery that has had a chokehold on the longtime Memphis fan and manager since he was 8 years old: Was it REALLY  Mil Mascaras in the ring at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on 1.29.79, doing a stretcher job for promoter Jerry Jarrett’s local legends Jerry Lawler and Jackie Fargo…or was it a ringer?

Mascaras not only answers emphatically, providing photographic evidence, but can also be heard discussing the issue with Bowden, whose ill-fitting skinny jeans  accidentally setting off the voice recorder on his Galaxy Note8 device—finally a break that cracks the case…the answer awaits, true believers!

Visit the NEW 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 27: The House That Lawler Built

KFR host Scott Bowden reminisces about Monday night memories at the Mid-South Coliseum with Marvin Stockwell, co-founder of the Coliseum Coalition and Friends of the Fairgrounds. The two Memphians discuss everything that made the Roundhouse the entertainment capital of the Mid-South, including Memphis State Tiger basketball, legendary artists who performed at the arena, who flying-saucer shape provided out-of-this-world acoustics and, yes, the heritage of Memphis wrestling in the House That Lawler Built. Most important, Stockwell provides insight into how the grassroots campaigns of his two community-driven organizations  have helped save the Coliseum while revealing what the future may hold for the longtime legendary home of Memphis wrestling.

Bowden also kicks off his look at the 10 Most Memorable Memphis Wrestling Moments at the Mid-South by welcoming fellow podcaster Kris Zellner, who turns his eyyyeeeeeeeesss on the infamous Empty Arena Match between Jerry Lawler and Terry Funk.

Visit the NEW 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 26: Baby, He’s A Superstar

On July 4, 1977, Jerry Lawler and Billl Dundee kicked off the greatest summer in Memphis wrestling’s history as he outfoxed Jerry Lawler in the main event at the Mid-South Coliseum, winning $2000 of the King’s coldhearted cash. 41 years later, Dundee joins KFR hosts Scott Bowden and the Great Brian Last® for an explosive interview.

The Superstar will discuss Dundee’s Memphis debut; why he and George Barnes got over so quickly in the territory and skyrocketed to tag-team main events; Billy’s reaction when Barnes told him he was heading back to Australia;, Dundee’s personal feelings on Jerry Lawler; why the scrappy Aussie and ex-wife Beverly agreed to the hair match stips in ’77; the popularity of Memphis wrestling around the world today; and the story of how a young punk from Germantown got his very first autograph of any kind from the Superstar on a black-and-white publicity photo back in 1978.

Visit the NEW 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 25: Stardust Memories

Host Scott Bowden serves up an extra-extra crispy bucket of goodness on the KFR podcast, as he welcomes back the hottest heel on Twitter….Jerry Jarrett.

The original Double J provides insight into the following topics: Dusty Rhodes’s appearances vs. Jerry Lawler in Memphis nearly 41 years ago to the day and why Jarrett and the Dream had a falling out in ’84; the Lawler/Dundee feud of ’77; how Pro Wrestling USA came together and ultimately failed; and his heat with Jim Crockett Jr. and Ric Flair. It all drops on ya like a Bionic Elbow, bayyyy-bbeeee, in public if you wiiiiilllllll.

Visit the NEW 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 24: Men About Town w/ Guest Jim Cornette

KFR host Scott Bowden and his extra-crispy guest, Jim Cornette, honor the 35th anniversary of one of the best bouts ever held in Memphis, which also was featured around the territory’s loop, earning one of the biggest money weeks ever for promoter Jerry Jarret.

This series of bouts featured Jarrett’s two biggest
longtime handpicked stars who worked practically the same match with the same finish to huge crowds in Lexington, Memphis, Nashville and Louisville, June 2—June 7, 1983, with a loser-leaves-town stipulation and the AWA Southern heavyweight title hanging in the balance. They all came to witness Jerry “the King” Lawler defeat “Superstar” Bill Dundee to regain his belt and finally rid the
area of his perennial rival and former ally in what many fans declared the greatest match they ever saw in the territory.

Behind the scenes, Dundee’s departure also resulted in other key names leaving the area, including Cornette, who explains not only the reasons behind that but also why this ’83 series and the ’77 feud clicked with Memphis fans while the ‘79 program between the King
and the Superstar did not. It’s no-holds-barred, must-listen edition of the KFR podcast, complete with rare WHBQ audio you won’t hear anywhere else.

Visit the NEW 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 23: Tux Tales

Scott Bowden welcomes his Beverly Hills neighbor, the dapper-yet-diabolical Tux Newman (Jeff Walton), who orchestrated Randy “Macho Man” Savage’s return to the dark side of Memphis wrestling in late February 1985, guiding his star to memorable, brutal reign as the Southern heavyweight champion of the WORLD.

The twisted talent agent from Tinseltown will dish on how he got his macho client booked in the WWF and explains why Savage insisted on dropping the belt back to the King on his way out.

Tux will also reveal why bad timing may have been the only thing that prevented the Tux Man from having a legendary run under Vince McMahon’s ever-expanding ’80s circus tent.

In addition to sharing his thoughts on everyone from Lance Russell to the King to Jerry Jarrett, the Big T takes the stand to offer his expert analysis regarding the Mil Mascaras MondayNight Mystery. Is this the night Bowden unmasks the truth?!

Visit the NEW 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