All posts by TGBL

Episode 15: All The King’s Men

On this week’s KFR podcast, host Scott Bowden begins his look at the angle that led to The Last Sellout: the return of the King to the Mid-South Coliseum on March 3, 1986, which would be the final time Jarrett Promotions sold out the building.

Two of Jerry Lawler’s longtime buddies/teammates who broke into the wrestling business because of the King’s influence join today’s show to discuss their thankless jobs and provide insight into one of the most memorable programs in the territory’s history: Lawler and Dutch Mantell vs. BIl Dundee and Buddy Landel. TV jobber Jim Jamison discusses the trials and tribulations of trainsitioning from the gridiron to the mat with Lawler, and shares his memories of Lance Russell, Jimmy Hart, Jerry Jarrett, and Joe LeDuc.  Jamison also reveals why he loved the job despite its obvious shortcomings and how he almost lost the Memphis gig when he worked a shot as Jim Cornette’s cousin Percy for Houston promoter Paul Boesch for a decent payday and a new haircut.

Jerry Calhoun, the most maligned official in the history of professional sports, discusses his break into the business as well as his thoughts on some of the memorable matches he officiated around the territory in its heyday—including the Last Sellout…and a certain stretcher match on Jan. 29, 1979. Will Calhoun be the unlikely hero who unmasks the Mil Mascaras Monday Night Mystery?! Find out in Espisode 14 of the KFR podcast with Bowden and co-host The Great Brian Last.™

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 14: Memphis Wrestling History 101

Class is in session, as Prof. Jerry Jarrett returns to educate host Scott Bowden on the inner workings of Memphis Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance in the late ’70s.

In this educational interview, the Original Double J reveals all the behind-the-scenes events that led up the alleged booking of Mil Mascaras in Memphis in January ’79 and reveals why his relationship with Salvadore Lutteroth is the key to the entire mystery. Jarrett further expands on the topic of relationships and shares why key members of the Alliance voted to back Jarrett in his war with Nick Gulas over the Memphis territory.

Memphis Wrestling History’s own Mark James raises some interesting counterpoints when he takes the stand to debate the Mil Mascaras Monday Nighy Mystery with Bowden. Will Bowden finally unmask the truth? Find out on this episode of Kentucky Fried Rasslin’.

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 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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Android | RSS

Episode 12: Years of Living Dangerously

USWA Monday night wrestling returns with another wild-and-wooly KFR podcast with special guest “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert reuniting with his former manager, Scott Bowden.

Doug discusses growing up in Lexington, Tenn., as the son of sensational ring technician Tommy Gilbert; his brother Eddie Gilbert’s booking philosophy; memories of being terrorized as a boy by the original Sheik; his first angle as a 15-year-old in ’84; working for Crockett as a teenager; why he turned down a shot to work for Vince McMahon in favor of Japan; getting cussed out by Jerry Lawler for our rather inappropriate language during live Memphis TV; and his thoughts on everyone from the King to Terry Funk to Nick Bockwinkel.

Don’t miss Doug Gilbert and Scott Bowden joining forces once again for an no-time limit, no disqualification discussion of all things Memphis!

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 11: Are You a Man or a Rat

Oh, rats! The legendary Nathaniel Whitlock drives by Kentucky Fried Rasslin’ to talk rasslin’, rats, and a little rock ‘n’ roll with Scott Bowden and The Great Brian Last™.

You’ll hear the incredible true story of how wrestling an alligator led to the nefarious manager’s big break in the business; background on Nate’s famous brother and his infamous first cousin; his ambitious idea to promote an AWA World title bout between Nick Bockwinkel and Jerry Lawler on a cruise ship sailing the Southern Seas; memories of managing future WWE stars The Godfather (Soul Taker) and The Undertaker (Master of Pain); recollections of trading shots with Stan “the Lariat” Hansen; and fond memories of getting rediscovered in his cab while picking up Northeast promoter Dennis Coralluzzo at Memphis International Airport.

“Wild and wooly” doesn’t do Episode 11 justice, so don’t you dare miss it!

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 10: Kentucky Fried Cornette

Out of the kindness of his heart, the legendary Louisville Slugger himself, Jim Cornette, drops by the KFR podcast after everyone from Randy Hales to Reggie B. Fine disrespectfully declines to appear.

The manager of such good Christian athletes as the Midnight Express and Mantaur, Corny joins Scott Bowden and The Great Brian Last™ for a lively 90-minute Broadway, discussing such extra-crispy topics as his favorite wrestler as a kid, a ’75 showdown with heels Jerry Lawler & Lou Thesz vs Ricky Gibson & Jerry Jarrett w/Jackie Fargo at the Louisville Gardens, and the young photographer’s first assignment at the Mid-South Coliseum alongside another budding photojournalist named Eddie Gilbert. 

The two former Memphis managers also share their conflicting memories of the night the WFIA (Wrestling Fans International Association) witnessed the Fabulous Freebirds spread their wings and fly to the ring as their Skynyrd anthem played over the PA for the very first time in the House that Lawler Built.

With the Louisville Lip onboard, it doesn’t get any juicier than this, so be there right alongside for another BIG day of Kentucky Fried Rasslin’!

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 9: The Perfect Storm

Buckle up for a wild-and-wooly ride, as Kentucky Fried Rasslin’ is proud to welcome the longtime meteorologist for the number-one newscast in Memphis and one half of the greatest wrestling announce team of all time, the legendary Dave Brown!

Join hosts Scott Bowden and The Great Brian Last as Dave discusses his start in the business, making the transition from radio to TV. Bowden also talks with Dave about the special bond between the Memphis wrestling promotion and the fans, and why the live TV show from the WMC-TV 5 studio did such incredible numbers in the early ’80s, becoming the city’s number-one rated show at one point—ahead of network prime-time powerhouses Dallas and Dynasty.

Dave also shares a story of how he and Lance narrowly avoided the wrath of ICW World champion Randy “Macho Man” Savage outside Lexington’s Rupp Arena. You’ll also gain insight into Dave’s feelings on everyone from Nick Gulas to Jerry Jarrett to Jerry Lawler to a young punk from Germantown who never knew when to keep his mouth shut. (Some things never change.) It’s our longest episode to date, so be there right along ringside for another BIG week of Kentucky Fried Rasslin’!

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 8: Shades Of Brown

When Scott Bowden got married a decade ago, he never dreamed he’d be spending his 10-year-anniversary with iconic Memphis wrestling announcer Dave Brown.  The two former on-air adversaries of the USWA recently reunited over burgers shortly after Bowden traveled from LA to his hometown for his sister’s funeral.

While there have been countless features on the late, great Lance Russell, the talented sidekick of ol’ Banana Nose is often underappreciated on a national level because Brown was so subtle in his cool delivery and subtle mannerisms.  Brown was so smooth, he made it look easy to maintain his credibility in the wild and wooly world of Memphis wrestling.

Bowden and his own loyal sidekick, The Great Brian Last, discuss what made Brown the perfect complement to Russell and spotlight some of the best moments featuring the city’s top weatherman, who picked up the role of the straight man to a heel King Lawler without missing a beat after Russell left for WCW.  Bowden also reveals what really happened that day of the infamous angle with Randy Hales that nearly got the arrogant young manager thrown off the air by Brown, and how he wound up back in the doghouse shortly after the initial heat between the two was seemingly hit with a cold front.  Join us right alongside for another BIG week of Kentucky Fried Rasslin’ as we honor the greatest wrestling announcer duo in history.

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 7: Seasons Beatings From Memphis

Scott Bowden and The Great Brian Last make a triumphant return right alongside ringside, coming to you from Memphis. This week, Germantown’s number-one son serves as the Ghost of Christmas Past, taking you on a wild and wooly journey back to heart-stopping holiday shows he attended at the Mid-South Coliseum—the home of the biggest bouts and most intense beatings of the seasons.

Bowden has also stuffed your proverbial stocking with his memories of the first-ever babyface appearance of Austin Idol in the territory, the Memphis debuts of Randy “Macho Man” Savage and The Road Warriors—on the same Monday night no less—and the best bout he ever saw between the King of Memphis and the King of the World, Nick Bockwinkel.

Bowden then travels back to the 1975 for Jerry Lawler’s first babyface promo as a challenger to the World throne—a bout so important, Sam Muchnick himself signed it at the behest of NWA kingpin Jack Brisco. Scott also asks legendary promoter Jerry Jarrett to rate Brisco against the other NWA World champions who defended their laurels in Memphis, most notably, Lou Thesz.

No matter if you’ve been a heel or a babyface (fine line there) this year.this action-packed episode is small-packaged, gift-wrapped and ready to go—so open it already, and experience the true meaning of the season in Memphis!

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 6: Christmas Creature Feature

Scott Bowden and The Great Brian Last team to unmask one of the ghastly Ghosts of Memphis Wrestling’s past, The Christmas Creature.  Hailing from the North Memphis Pole, the Yuletide Terror was the first in a long series of…interesting… gimmicks for Glenn Jacobs, who would finally carve out his niche as The Undertaker’s brother, Kane, and go to enjoy multiple reigns as WWE World champion and World tag-team titleholder.  Joining us from Memphis will be Kevin Lawler—son of the King—the man who created the Christmas Creature gimmick, who reveals how one the most memorable Memphis monsters in history came to be.  We’ll also have the referee who officiated this monstrosity of a match between this overgrown, haunted Christmas tree come to life and the King of Memphis way back in December 1992.  “I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, ‘Miserable Christmas to all and to all a good fright.'”

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