All posts by TGBL

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

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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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Episode 22: World Politics

KFR host Scott Bowden continues his look at Jerry Lawler’s AWA World championship win 30 years ago with guests Prince Kevin Lawler and the man who crowned the King, legendary Memphis promoter Jerry Jarrett.

Scott and Kevin also pay tribute to their mutual friend Nik Niknahad, aka Mr. Clyde and Ali Ben Khan on Memphis TV, who recently passed away.

The Original Double J will provide fascinating insight into the politics of the wrestling world in the ’70s and ’80s as the Tennessee promoter worked tirelessly to get the King of Memphis a run with the NWA championship. Jarrett will also reveal why he turned down Sam Muchnick’s offer to give Lawler a short reign as King of the World a la Tommy Rich, and he will also share his true feelings about Unfortunate Bruce Prichard™ and news about his upcoming podcast.

It’s a king-sized episode as the 1st Annual JerryFest™ continues on the KFR podcast, so don’t you dare miss it, my friend.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Episode 21: Area King Crowned

In honor of the 30th anniversary of Jerry Lawler’s AWA World title win, host KFR host Scott Bowden discusses the King’s chase of the World heavyweight championship—the Memphis territory’s overarching storyline for well over a decade.

On this week’s Stinkn’ Rednecks segment, Bowden and longtime fan David Delahoussaye discuss why Lawler was so over as a sport hero for kids growing up in the area in the ’70s and early ’80s, and why the King’s quest for the World title meant so much to his fans.

And in the first part of a revealing interview, Kevin Lawler recalls the highs and lows that came with being the son of one of the most controversial stars in wrestling, and he explains why Nick Bockwinkel was the true World champion in the eyes of Memphis fans.

All this and more on episode 21 of  KFR, the REAL World champion of Memphis wrestling podcasts.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Episode 20: ¿Que Es Mas Macho?

The ICW invasion continues on the KFR podcast as “The Hustler” Rip Rogers returns for the second part of a no-words-barred interview.

The ICW outlaw will reveal secrets about life on the road with ICW, the story behind the bizarre radio ads and how they were part of the spending problem that ultimately led to the demise of the promotion, and the romantic story coming soon to theaters nowhere, “Macho Man Meets Ms. Elizabeth.”

Larry Flynt’s favorite f*ckin’ professional athlete will also provide a firsthand account on what really went down between Savage and Bill Dundee—besides the Superstar—at the height of ICW’s invasion of Jerry Jarrett’s Memphis territory.

Plus, host Scott Bowden goes back in time (not literally, mind you) to present rare WHBQ promos from Al Greene and Jackie Fargo from 1975 that led to sellout crowd of 11,700 fans, with 5,000 more turned away. All this and not much else on episode 20 of 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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Episode 19: Macho Memories

The ICW invasion of the KFR podcast continues this week, featuring a proverbial run-in by none other than “Hustler” Rip Rogers! 

Over the course of two hours, Rip discusses—as only he can do—such ICW stars as Randy Savage, the carpetbagging Miser (Angelo Poffo), Ronnie Garvin, Bob Orton Jr., Elizabeth Huelette (the future Miss Elizabeth) and more. The Hustler explains how he got the nickname and provides insight into the ICW booking philosophy, which resulted in some of the best TV of the era. Today a renowned trainer, Rip explains how he learned the ring ropes under the watchful eyes of second-generation stars the Macho Man and Bob Orton Jr.

You’ll learn why the Hustler feels the ICW product was better than Jerry Jarrett’s and more details on why this band of NWA castoffs decided to invade the Memphis territory.

And the Mil Mascaras Monday Night Mystery also continues this week when Rip takes the stand as a character witness  to testify why there’s no way in hell that could have been the real masked egomaniac in Memphis on the night in question in 1979. All this and more—complete with more cursing than any Tarantino film—on this week’s edition of 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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Episode 18: ICW Invasion

Freak out! Scott Bowden is back, right alongside ringside and ready to go with another BIG day of the KFR podcast! This week, KFR is invaded by one of the most infamous performers in the short-but-memorable history of International Championship Wrestling: the leader of the Slapowitz Syndicate, Izzy Slapowitz.

Over the course of nearly 90 minutes, Izzy will reveal how he went from being a boisterous wrestling fan backing the bad guys in Brooklyn to a heat magnet as a manager in the Bible Belt of Tennessee and Kentucky. Izzy will also share his memories of working in Memphis alongside the ICW band of outlaws, including his own “Devil’s Duo” as well as “The One Man Gang” Ronnie Garvin, ICW World champion Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “Hustler” Rip Rogers, Bob Orton Jr., and The Miser (Angelo Poffo).

The former braided pawnbroker will also share stories about Bill Dundee and The Dream Machine (Troy Graham), and Izzy explain why he felt uncomfortable with the shoot promos the ICW stars cut on Jerry Jarrett’s crew. You’ve heard the Jarrett side of the ICW invasion in Memphis—now you get the story from one of the men who lived it! Doing the thing!

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Episode 17: Fifty-One Shades of Grey

Scott Bowden is back with another piping hot edition of the KFR Podcast! Joining Bowden and the Great Brian Last™ will be Jerry Grey, who has emerged as one of the greatest storytellers in all of professional wrestling on the 6:05 Superpodcast…the Mothership!

Tonight, the Golden Boy shares his comic misadventures in the wild-and-wooly world of ’80s Memphis wrestling,  featuring Jerry Lawler, Jimmy Hart, “Ravishing” Rick Rude and his lovely valet, Angel, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Sabu The Wild Ladies’ Man from Borneo, and more!

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Episode 16: Jeff Jarrett

Welcome to a Hall of Fame-worthy episode of Kentucky Fried Rasslin’!

This week, KFR host Scott Bowden welcomes Jeff Jarrett, WWE Hall of Fame, Class of 2018, to the show to discuss the former USWA and WCW World champion’s early days in his father’s territory. Double J will discuss his participation in two of the hottest angles—not to mention one of the hottest posters—to ever hit Memphis TV, along with his memories of Tojo Yamamoto, Akio Sato & Tarzan Goto, Tony Falk, Phil Hickerson and Pat Tanaka.

You’ll also discover how the founder of TNA also had a hand in creating Kentucky Fried Rasslin’ (true story)! All this and more on episode 16 of 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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS