Tag Archives: Mid South Coliseum

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

Episode 31: Class Of ’79

KFR host Scott Bowden has returned from Parts Unknown armed with evidence he claims will be the smoking gun in the Mil Mascaras Monday Night Mystery!

Bowden not only looks back at the night in question of January 29, 1979, but also examines every single card he attended that year as a young fan at the Mid-South Coliseum. Bowden shares his memories of a young Terry “the Hulk” Boulder, Robert Fuller’s booking and ascension near the top of Memphis cards, the emergence and abrupt departure of the Freebirds, thoughts on what made the Tupelo, Miss. concession stand brawl work, the amazing promos of Jackie Fargo and the outlandish antics of Roughhouse Fargo, fresh out of the nuthouse in nearby Bolivar, Tenn., and witnessing his first  AWA World title match in August and his first “World” title change in Memphis.

Bowden and host The Great Brian Last also talk Moolah, Jarrett, Idol, and rare Memphis appearances by Crusher Blackwell…and Tom Snyder?! All this and more on Episode 31, “Class of ’79,” on the KFR Podcast.

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 13: Who Was That Masked Man?

On January 29, 1979, a mysterious masked man appeared in the main event in Memphis at the Mid-South Coliseum—nothing new there. What makes the evening in question so intriguing is that no one can agree on the hooded wrestler’s identity—including—including the colleagues he worked with that night, the boys appearing underneath, and promoter Jerry Jarrett.

On Episode 13 of Kentucky Fried Rasslin’, host Scott Bowden examines the evidence, puts Jim Cornette on the stand, and calls a couple of surprise witnesses to unmask the truth. Was it truly the international wrestling superstar Mil Mascaras appearing as a heel alongside Austin Idol to do battle with Memphis legends Jackie Fargo and Jerry Lawler?

Also on this episode, Bowden kicks off a new fan segment, Stinkin’ Rednecks, with the resident artist of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network and longtime Louisville mark, Travis Heckel. Together, they discusses Heckel’s memories of Tuesday nights at the Garden and the amazing array of cool Memphis merch now available at the new KFR store at kentuckyfriedrasslin.bigcartel.com.

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