Tag Archives: Jim Cornette

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

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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

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 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

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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