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Episode #20 August 29, 1991 WBIR-TV (Channel 10-Knoxville) Syndicated across Eastern Tennessee, Kentucky and Western North Carolina SMW opening music plays. Highlights from K-Town Showdown flash across the screen: Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett raising the Tag Team Titles, King Kong Bundy fighting Stunning Steve Austin, and the chaotic finish involving the Funk Brothers and the Freebirds. LES THATCHER: Hello, wrestling fans, and welcome to another exciting hour of Smoky Mountain Wrestling! Wrestling the way it used to be and wrestling the way you like it. I'm Les Thatcher, and alongside me, as always, is the man who somehow manages to make every situation worse— DIRTY DUTCH MANTEL: You're welcome, Les. LES: I wasn't thanking you. DUTCH: You should. I'm the reason people watch this program. LES: People watch in spite of you. DUTCH: That's what they tell you because they're afraid of me. LES: Let's get right to it. We have an awful lot to talk about following K-Town Showdown, and joining us right now is Smoky Mountain Wrestling Commissioner Bullet Bob Armstrong! [Bob Armstrong enters to a big ovation.] BOB ARMSTRONG: Les, I couldn't be happier! K-Town Showdown proved something to me and proved something to every wrestling fan in this part of the country. Smoky Mountain Wrestling can stand toe-to-toe with anybody! LES: And you mean the WWF? BOB: That's exactly who I mean! The big boys from up north came down here expecting to make Smoky Mountain Wrestling look second-rate. Well, they found out something different! DUTCH: Hold on, Commissioner. You say "anybody." I saw Terry Funk taking it to Terry Gordy. BOB: Tell the whole story for once Dutch. You say Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk taking it to Terry Gordy in a 2-1 attack. That it until Mr. Michael Hayes showed up! LES: And you believe that if it weren't for some outside interference, SMW could have swept all three of those major matches? BOB: I absolutely believe it! We were that close. BOB: That's why I'm proud of Smoky Mountain Wrestling. We're growing, and we're not afraid of anybody. LES: Commissioner, thank you for joining us. BOB: Thank you, Les. And … never mind, that’s all. DUTCH: Like I’m not even here. LES: Wishful thinking. Try not to cause any trouble today. DUTCH: Les, I am the model of professionalism. LES: Well, Dutch, let's run down today's lineup. DUTCH: Let's start with my favorite part. LES: Your favorite part? DUTCH: The debut of Mr. Perfect, Curt Hennig! LES: I knew you'd like him. DUTCH: He's everything I admire in a wrestler. Good-looking, confident, arrogant— LES: Arrogant? DUTCH: Yes… nothing wrong with that. I’m arrogant. LES: Not sure Curt Hennig wants to be compared to you. DUTCH: Everyone wants to be compared to Dutch Mantel. LES: Also today, fan favorite Ron Garvin is in action, your man King Kong Bundy will wrestle— DUTCH: My man! LES: Dutch, please stop interrupting. Captain Redneck Dick Murdoch is here, and our main event has Wildfire Tommy Rich and Brad Armstrong taking on Ron Wright's Dirty White Boys. DUTCH: That's going to be a rough night for Tommy Rich and Brad Armstrong. LES: We'll see about that. MATCH #1 — MR. PERFECT CURT HENNIG vs. SWEET BROWN SUGAR [Curt Hennig makes his SMW debut. He receives a mixed reaction, confidently soaking in the attention.] DUTCH: Look at this guy, Les! That's a professional wrestler. LES: Curt Hennig certainly has an impressive reputation. DUTCH: He doesn't even sweat walking to the ring. LES: Give him time. [Bell rings.] Sweet Brown Sugar tries to take Hennig down, but Hennig quickly counters and controls the match. Sugar fires back with several quick moves and nearly catches Hennig with a huge missile drop kick but Hennig swiftly dodges. LES: Don't underestimate Sweet Brown Sugar. He's a formidable opponent. DUTCH: Not formidable enough. He’s laying on the ground again. Hennig catches Sugar coming off the ropes and plants him with a picture-perfect Perfect Plex. REFEREE: ONE! TWO! THREE! LES: That's it! Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig wins his Smoky Mountain Wrestling debut! DUTCH: PERFECT! LES: I have to admit, Dutch, I'm impressed. Sweet Brown Sugar is no pushover, and Hennig disposed of him very quickly. DUTCH: I told you! Mr. Perfect is perfect! LES: Let's go to commercial. DUTCH: Don't go anywhere! I want to watch that Perfect Plex again! [Michael Hayes and Smoky Mountain Champion “Bam Bam” Terry Gordy stand at the interview podium.] MICHAEL HAYES: Well, well, well! Knoxville, Tennessee! How sweet it is to be back home with my Freebird brother! [Hayes smiles and puts his arm around Gordy.] HAYES: Terry and I have been through a lot together. We've fought, we've traveled, we've partied, we've raised a little Cain everywhere we've gone. And when I saw Dory and Terry Funk double-teaming my brother? HAYES: Ohhhhh, baby! I felt that Freebird blood starting to rise up again. HAYES: I couldn't just sit at home and watch that happen! GORDY: Michael came in when I needed him. I appreciate it. HAYES: "Appreciate it"? GORDY: Yeah. HAYES: Terry, baby, we're Freebirds! You don't just appreciate a Freebird. You celebrate a Freebird! And once a Freebird … always a Freebird and you can take that to the bank Jack! DUTCH: Michael… you’re laying it on a little thick. I mean you haven’t even been in a match here in Smoky Mountain Wrestling and your acting like the Freebirds are in charge. HAYES: Freebirdmania is alive and well baby. And Knoxville, you better get ready because the parties are coming back! The lights, the music, the beautiful people, the Freebirds— Michael “Purely Sexy” and Brother Bam Bam are back in town…. GORDY: We're here to wrestle. I am the Smoky Mountain Champion. HAYES: And soon to be the Smoky Mountain tag team champions. Nobody and I mean nobody gets in a Freebirds way. GORDY: Again Michael, thanks for you’re help… glad you’re here. [Hayes winks at camera.] HAYES: The b b b b b b b boys are back in town! MATCH #2 — KING KONG BUNDY vs. “JUMPING” JOEY MAGS DUTCH: Here comes my man! LES: King Kong Bundy is certainly a formidable individual. DUTCH: Formidable? He's a human earthquake! [Bundy dominates immediately.] LES: Joey Mags is trying to use his speed. DUTCH: Speed doesn't matter when you're standing in front of a five-hundred-pound problem! Bundy catches Mags and launches him across the ring. DUTCH: Look at that! He's playing with him! Bundy crushes Mags in the corner, grabs him and delivers the Avalanche. DUTCH: AVALANCHE! Bundy covers. REFEREE: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! DUTCH: YES! Nobody can stop this man! LES: Including Ahmed Johnson and Stunning Steve Austin? DUTCH: Especially Ahmed Johnson and Stunning Steve Austin! LES: You seem very confident. DUTCH: I'm going to the top of Smoky Mountain Wrestling, Les. And if I have to ride King Kong Bundy all the way there, that's exactly what I'm going to do! LES: I don't think that's how you're supposed to phrase that. DUTCH: You know what I mean. [Sensational Sherri Martel makes her way to the desk.] SHERRI: Well, hello, Les. LES: Hello, Sherri. SHERRI: You look awfully handsome today. [Les becomes visibly flustered.] DUTCH: Oh, brother. SHERRI: You know, Les, I always thought you were a very distinguished gentleman. LES: Well... that's very kind of you. DUTCH: He's melting! LES: I'm not melting. DUTCH: Les, you're sweating through your jacket. SHERRI: I've been meaning to ask you something, Les. LES: Anything. SHERRI: When are you going to ask me about my team? LES: Actually, that's exactly what I wanted to ask. DUTCH: Here we go. SHERRI: First of all, Les, it's not just a tag team. It's the hottest, best and sexiest team in all of professional wrestling. LES: You've certainly built-up expectations. SHERRI: And last week wasn't my fault. LES: What wasn't? SHERRI: The introduction. DUTCH: Security’s fault. Commissioner Armstrong let’s everything fall through the cracks. SHERRI: Exactly! Smoky Mountain Wrestling didn't send enough security. When my boys walked into that Hooters restaurant, those waitresses went wild! We couldn’t even see my men. They were surrounded. DUTCH: I knew they were there. We just couldn’t see them. Sherri, you are always a woman of your word. SHERRI: They were screaming! They were climbing all over the place! I had to get my boys out of there before somebody got hurt! LES: So when do we finally meet them? SHERRI: At the end of today's show. LES: Here? SHERRI: No. SHERRI: A secret location in Knoxville. LES: A secret location? SHERRI: That's right. The camera man and I are leaving right now. LES: Sherri— SHERRI: Bye, Les. [Sherri kisses Les on the cheek and leaves.] DUTCH: I'm sick. LES: Dutch, I think I need a moment. DUTCH: You need a cold shower. LES: Let's go to break. [Dick Murdoch enters to boos.] DUTCH: Now this is my kind of wrestler. He means business. LES: Captain Redneck Dick Murdoch is certainly one of the toughest men in wrestling. Murdoch batters Dixie Dynamite and eventually catches the masked fan favorite with a devastating Brainbuster. REFEREE: ONE! TWO! THREE! LES: Dick Murdoch wins but maybe Commissioner Bob should take a look at that finishing move. It does resemble the piledriver if you ask me. DUTCH: Captain Redneck just drove him straight into the mat. Nothing illegal there. This is professional wrestling Les… not Hop Scotch like you used to play. [Murdoch comes to the interview podium.] MURDOCH: I'll tell you something. I ain't real happy right now. LES: What's wrong? MURDOCH: Ivan Koloff. LES: The Russian Bear? MURDOCH: Yeah. Seems like Ivan's left town because of that little mishap we had against Jeff Jarrett and Shawn Michaels. DUTCH: He's talking about the punch. MURDOCH: It was an accident. I got a lot of respect for Ivan Koloff. He's been in this business a long time, he's one of the toughest men I've ever met, and I hope he understands that. [Dory Funk Jr. enters.] DORY FUNK JR.: Dick Murdoch! MURDOCH: Dory Funk. DORY: I'm looking for a partner. MURDOCH: For what? DORY: The Freebirds. DUTCH: Oh, boy. DORY: Michael Hayes interfered at K-Town Showdown. Nobody interferes with a Funk! MURDOCH: I like where this is going. DORY: My brother Terry would be the perfect partner. MURDOCH: But he's up north with WWF commitments. DORY: Exactly. So if my brother can't be here, what better than my brother from West Texas? [Dory extends his hand.] DORY: Dick? MURDOCH: You got yourself a partner! [Handshake.] MURDOCH: Let's go beat some Freebird hide! DUTCH: This could get ugly. Just the way people from West Texas like it. LES: It almost certainly will. [Ron Wright is wheeled to the podium with the Dirty White Boys standing behind him.] RON WRIGHT: Well, I'll tell ya, Les, this here is one of the finest days ever in the history of Smoky Mountain Wrestling! LES: Why's that, Ron? WRIGHT: Because my boys have finally got themselves a tag team title shot! DIRTY WHITE BOY #1: That's right! WRIGHT: In two weeks, right here in Knoxville, we're gonna take on Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett for those here tag titles! DIRTY WHITE BOY #2: And we ain't asking for those titles. DIRTY WHITE BOY #1: We're taking 'em! WRIGHT: That's right! My boys ain't gonna wrestle those championships away from 'em. WRIGHT: They're gonna bully those titles away from 'em! DUTCH: I like this strategy. LES: Of course you do. WRIGHT: And when we get those titles, maybe I'll finally have enough money to get these surgeries and get myself back up on my own two feet! DUTCH: Now that's something I can support. LES: I have a feeling there's more to Ron Wright's plans than helping himself walk again. MATCH #4 — RON GARVIN vs. KILLER KYLE Now this a brawl. LES: This has been a slugfest from the opening bell! DUTCH: Killer Kyle is giving Garvin everything he's got. Kyle attempts to press the advantage, but Garvin absorbs the punishment and finally catches him with a massive right hand. DUTCH: That's not a wrestling move! It's a punch! LES: And you had no problem when Killer Kyle used the same move! DUTCH: Exactly! REFEREE: ONE! TWO! THREE! [Bell.] DUTCH: He punched him! LES: Ron Garvin wins! [Garvin walks to the desk and Dutch is just staring him down. GARVIN: What's your problem, Dutch? DUTCH: I just told Les…. That wasn't wrestling. GARVIN: You don't like how I wrestle? DUTCH: No. GARVIN: Then get in the ring and do something about it. DUTCH: Well— LES: Dutch? DUTCH: I'm an announcer! GARVIN: That's what I thought. [Crowd laughs.] DUTCH: I'm not afraid of you! GARVIN: Then prove it. DUTCH: Where is that King Kong Bundy? [Commissioner Bob Armstrong enters.] BOB: That's enough! Ron, I've got some news for you. GARVIN: What is it? BOB: Wrestling fans … Do you remember the Southern Championship? It was defended here in Knoxville and was the major championship in nine southern states. LES: I certainly remember that title. It was a huge deal here in the South. Second only to the world title I believe. BOB: Well, folks, Ron Garvin was the Southern Champion in 1979. GARVIN: And I never lost that title. BOB: You're right. The title was stripped from you by then-promoter Ron Fuller because you wanted to be a fighting champion and defend it throughout the South and he wouldn’t let you leave Knoxville with that title. DUTCH: That's ancient history. BOB: Maybe to you. BOB: But I recently won a major court case in Knox County Court establishing that Ron Garvin was wrongly stripped of that championship. GARVIN: You're kidding me! BOB: I'm not kidding. DUTCH: I think I know where this is going and I’m going to be sick again. BOB: In two weeks, right here in Knoxville, Ron Garvin gets a Southern Championship match! GARVIN: Against who? BOB: The irony is... the current Southern Champion is Tennessee Stud Robert Fuller. Garvin's face changes as he starts to smile. GARVIN: Robert Fuller? BOB: That's right. GARVIN: I've waited over ten years for this. DUTCH: This is completely unfair to the Fuller family! GARVIN: Dutch, you better worry about yourself. BOB: Congratulations, Ron. You've waited a long time. Now you get your opportunity. Garvin raises his fist as the crowd cheers. MAIN EVENT: WILDFIRE TOMMY RICH & BRAD ARMSTRONG vs. THE DIRTY WHITE BOYS [Tommy Rich and Brad Armstrong receive a huge ovation.] LES: Here we go! Our main event! DUTCH: And here comes Ron Wright's army. [Ron Wright is wheeled to ringside with the Dirty White Boys.] The opening minutes feature Tommy Rich and Brad Armstrong using crisp technical wrestling to gain control. LES: The Armstrong family and Tommy Rich have tremendous teamwork. DUTCH: They're wrestling fair which I’m not a fan of. LES: Of course not. The Dirty White Boys begin bending the rules, using cheap shots and double-team tactics. DUTCH: Now the Dirty White Boys have turned the tide. That's experience. LES: That's cheating. DUTCH: Same thing. Rich and Armstrong eventually answer with a furious brawl. LES: Now we're seeing the fists fly! DUTCH: I thought you just said that was cheating. [Ron Wright begins shouting toward the locker room.] WRIGHT: Get him! Get him now! [Irwin R. Schyster suddenly runs toward the ring.] LES: Wait a minute! Here comes Irwin R. Schyster! DUTCH: Three against two! IRS has joined the attack. Time for Wildfire and Armstrong to pay the Tax Man! REFEREE: [Calling for the bell.] LES: The referee has thrown this match out! DUTCH: Who cares? This is the best part of the show… an Armstrong getting a beating! [Dirty White Boys and IRS continue destroying Rich and Armstrong.] LES: Somebody needs to get out here! [Suddenly, Jeff Jarrett and Shawn Michaels sprint down the aisle.] LES: HERE COME THE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! DUTCH: What are these two brats doing out here. [Jarrett and Michaels hit the ring. Wright's Army immediately retreats.] LES: Jarrett and Michaels have driven them away! [Ron Wright, the Dirty White Boys and IRS back up the aisle laughing and celebrating.] DUTCH: They're not scared! They don’t want to show Jarrett and Michaels anything before their title match in two weeks… Very smart. LES: Very cowardly! DUTCH: They're strategically relocating! LES: They're running, Dutch! [Wright's Army disappears backstage.] DUTCH: You know what? They accomplished what they wanted. LES: They tried to injure two men. DUTCH: Exactly. Professional wrestling. LES: Well, wrestling fans, earlier today Sensational Sherri promised us that we would finally discover the identity of her mysterious tag team. DUTCH: And our cameraman left almost an hour ago with her. LES: Let's go to that location now. [CUT TO OFF-SITE CAMERA.] [The camera shows the area outside Neyland Stadium on the University of Tennessee campus.] SHERRI MARTEL: Okay, everybody. This is it! The moment you've been waiting for! [A limousine approaches.] SHERRI: There they are! [The limo stops.] SHERRI: That's my team! [The limo door begins to crack open.] Suddenly, a large group of Tennessee cheerleaders rush toward the limousine. CHEERLEADERS: AAAAAHHHHH! [The cheerleaders begin screaming and surrounding the limo.] SHERRI: What are you doing?! [The limo begins rocking.] SHERRI: Stop! Stop! CHEERLEADERS: AAAAAHHHHH! SHERRI: Driver! DRIVER! Pull away! [The limo begins moving.] SHERRI: WHO TOLD THEM OUR LOCATION?! [The limo speeds away as the camera struggles to keep up.] SHERRI: WHO?! [The camera cuts abruptly.] LES: Well... I don't think that's what Sherri had in mind. DUTCH: Well at least I got to see cheerleaders. LES: Dutch those girls are half your age. DUTCH: Maybe! LES: What would your wife say? DUTCH: Who? LES: Oh brother. Dutch, you are Dirty! Folks, Smoky Mountain Wrestling returns to Knoxville in just two weeks for another major event! Be sure to get your tickets now. We've got Ron Garvin challenging Tennessee Stud Robert Fuller for the Southern Championship, the Dirty White Boys challenging Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett for the Smoky Mountain Tag Team Championship, and much more! DUTCH: And King Kong Bundy! LES: Yes, Dutch. King Kong Bundy might be in action. DUTCH: And Mr. Perfect! LES: Possible. DUTCH: And me! LES: Hope not. DUTCH: You'd miss me if I wasn't there. LES: Let’s try it so I know for sure. DUTCH: You'd be lonely. LES: Good night, everybody. DUTCH: Good night, fans. And remember: if you want to be smart, listen to Dutch Mantel! LES: Don't do that. DUTCH: Too late. LES: So long from the Smoky Mountains!

Great shows in Phoenix as it showed off the depth of your roster. Some many great matches. The fact that Windham and Martel go head to head in a prelimanary match is WWF like in real life. I also found it interestng that Sabu gets the pin by using the table in a regular match instead of the DQ loss. ECW rules are in effect in AZ! I think this would be a perfect place for this. Just look at the fans at their annual PGA Golf event. They would love this. NIce touch.

Very interesting article. Two things jumped out at me. First, how rare it was for someone 160 pounds to make such a big name for himself; especially as a heel wrestler. Other people of that size might make it as a manager but very few in the ring. Next, I never new how big the wrestling scene was in Winnipeg. I had heard of the AWA going there and also thought that Stu ran some shows in Manitoba but it looks like there were multiple promotions in Winnipeg. Thanks for the article. I enjoy wrestling history.

I love that Cactus Jack comes right in and goes after Lex. Speaking of Lex... Wow, does it say a lot about your roster and your use of your roster when Lex is ranked #8. Looking forward to the Clash.

Awesome job with Summerslam from the angle reviews to the promos to the match write-ups. This took a lot of work. So many choices going forward for Flair. He will have a tough road for sure.

Great job witt title night! While Bad News is always a huge threat, the way you had him walk through the Gauntlet Match makes him look so strong! All the chaos throughout the night would have kep all the fans on the edge of their seats waiting for whats next. Really fun show. Also, while catching up on your last few weeks, I couldn't help but notice the depth of the tag team division. So many teams. Perfect time to bring the National Tag Title back.

Really enjoying all the comedy angles of the UWF so far. Madril has been magic on the mic and I love the Desparados videos. Nice little shoutout to SMW in the News from the Universe.... Thank you. Us little guys need to stand up to the Big Boys!

Really creative start to Winnipeg Wrestling. I agree with Eric that I had no idea how big Caveman was. Loved the song clip. Nice touch! The poor Pink Panthers have gotten off to a rough start. The Dundees are my new favorite stable.... The Book of Dundee was a great touch.

Due to family vacation and lack of time, I thought I would try something new to catch up and keep Smoky Mountain Wrestling on track. So here it is... Magazine style. And yes... AI did help with the cover. Fallout: Fire on the Mountain Smoky Mountain Wrestling’s Fire on the Mountain left the fans talking, but the fallout from the wild night in Chattanooga may be even more explosive than the action inside the ring. Smoky Mountain Commissioner “Bullet” Bob Armstrong came down hard on two of the territory’s most controversial figures, issuing fines to both Dutch Mantel and Ron Wright. Mantel received the largest fine in Smoky Mountain Wrestling history — $2,000 — for throwing a fireball directly into the face of Ahmed Johnson. “I’ve seen just about everything in this business,” an angry Armstrong said. “But throwing a fireball into a man’s face has no place in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Dutch Mantel crossed the line, and he is going to pay for it. Two thousand dollars is the largest fine I’ve ever handed out, and frankly, he should consider himself lucky that’s all he got.” Mantel, however, claims Armstrong is simply protecting his favorites. “Steve Armstrong and Ahmed Johnson have been cheating their entire time in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, and that biased commissioner has done absolutely nothing about it,” Mantel fired back. “But the minute I fight fire with fire, suddenly I’m the bad guy? Bob Armstrong has made it clear that there are two sets of rules around here.” Wright was also fined, receiving a $500 penalty after giving his man, Irwin R. Schyster, a chisel that was used during the wild six-man tag team battle involving Steve and Brad Armstrong. “I did absolutely nothing wrong,” Wright protested. “I am a Christian man! I have done so much good for the sport of rasslin’, and this is the thanks I get? Bob Armstrong knows that I need money for the much-needed surgeries that will allow me to walk again. He is trying to prevent me from making that money!” While controversy dominated the aftermath, there was plenty of good news for the Smoky Mountain Tag Team Champions. TNT, Jeff Jarrett and Shawn Michaels appear to have finally settled their war with “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff and “Captain Redneck” Dick Murdoch. The champions scored a huge victory by defeating Koloff in his own specialty — the Russian Chain Match. If this is indeed the end of the feud, the champions certainly finished it in impressive fashion. And then there was the main event. Smoky Mountain Champion Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy proved once again why he is considered one of the very best in professional wrestling when he went toe-to-toe with the dangerous Stan “The Man” Hansen. The two battered each other in a wild, hard-hitting contest that eventually became so chaotic that the referee had no choice but to disqualify both men. A double disqualification may not have produced a definitive winner, but one thing is certain: Terry Gordy proved he belongs at the top of Smoky Mountain Wrestling. With Mantel and Wright furious, Hansen still hunting the championship, and the tag team champions riding high, the fallout from Fire on the Mountain promises to shake Smoky Mountain Wrestling to its foundation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the Mat: K-Town Showdown Smoky Mountain Wrestling — Knoxville Civic Center — August 22, 1991 If there was ever any question about whether Smoky Mountain Wrestling belonged on the same stage as the mighty World Wrestling Federation, K-Town Showdown put those questions to rest. On August 22, the Knoxville Civic Center became a battleground as the upstart SMW joined forces with the WWF from up north for a night packed with championship pride, bitter rivalries, wild brawls and more than a few surprises. The evening opened with Killer Kyle overpowering “Jumping” Joey Mags. Mags showed plenty of heart, but Kyle was simply too powerful. A crushing sidewalk slam put the fan favorite down for the three-count. The Southern Boys, Tracy Smothers and Steve Armstrong, were next, taking on the Dirty White Boys. What started as a heated tag team battle ended in controversy when Dirty White Boy #1 smashed a chair over Armstrong’s head, forcing the disqualification. The Southern Boys got the victory, but the Dirty White Boys certainly left their mark. Brad Armstrong then gave the Knoxville faithful something to cheer about when he defeated the arrogant “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel. Armstrong caught Landel in an abdominal stretch and brilliantly turned the move into a lateral roll and cradle for the pin. What a move by the fan favorite! Things took a much darker turn when King Kong Bundy met Stunning Steve Austin. With Dirty Dutch Mantel distracting Austin, Bundy seized the opportunity and crushed him with the Avalanche before delivering the five-count. Austin never had a chance to recover. Then came one of the most disturbing moments of the night. Irwin R. Schyster, managed by the sinister Ron Wright, defeated Wahoo McDaniel after Wright handed IRS a chisel. Schyster used the weapon to bloody Wahoo before finishing him with the devastating Samoan Drop-Airplane Spin combination. Ron Garvin scored a wild victory over “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff after “Captain Redneck” Dick Murdoch tried to interfere. Murdoch accidentally struck Koloff, allowing Garvin to unleash huge right hands on both men and score the three-count. Koloff was furious afterward, and the two had a heated confrontation. Then came the match everybody will be talking about for years: Tommy “Wildfire” Rich vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler in a Tennessee Street Fight. It was nothing short of a war. When the dust finally settled, Wildfire drove Lawler into the mat with a piledriver for the victory. Normally, that move is outlawed in Smoky Mountain Wrestling—but in a Tennessee Street Fight, there are no rules! The semi-main event featured champion vs. champion as SMW Tag Team Champions Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett faced WWF Tag Team Champions Power and Glory, Paul Roma and Hercules. The match appeared to be slipping away from SMW when Slick managed to get involved and create an opening. Hercules locked Shawn in the full nelson, and when Michaels appeared to be unconscious, Jarrett had no choice but to throw in the towel. But nothing could prepare Knoxville for the main event. Smoky Mountain Champion Terry Gordy vs. WWF Champion Terry Funk was an absolute bloodbath. Momentum swung back and forth, but every time Gordy appeared ready to put Funk away, his brother Dory Funk Jr. found a way to interfere. Finally, the referee was knocked down, and the Funk brothers began laying into Gordy. The champion appeared to be in serious trouble. Then—Freebird Michael Hayes hit the ring! Hayes evened the odds, and suddenly the Civic Center exploded as the Funk brothers battled the Freebirds. It was the kind of wild, chaotic brawl that only professional wrestling can produce. In the end, the Freebirds won the fight, and the moment Knoxville will remember came afterward. Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy stood together in the center of the ring, embraced, and soaked in the deafening roar of the fans. K-Town Showdown proved that Smoky Mountain Wrestling may be the new kid on the block—but it can fight with anybody. And after a night like this, everybody is going to want to see what happens next. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHO IS SHERRI BRINGING TO SMOKY MOUNTAIN WRESTLING? The mystery sweeping the Smoky Mountain territory! For the past two weeks, one question has been on the lips of practically everybody in Smoky Mountain Wrestling: Who in the world is Sherri Martel bringing to the territory? Sherri made her first SMW appearance two weeks ago and immediately turned heads when she promised to “turn up the heat” with a tag team she described as “the best, the sexiest, and the hottest team ever to come to this territory.” During her appearance, Sherri spent plenty of time flirting with commentator Les Thatcher, leaving the veteran announcer looking more smitten than he has in years. “I've interviewed a lot of people in this business,” Thatcher admitted, “but there is something about Sherri Martel. She knows exactly what she wants, and I can't wait to find out who she's bringing. Frankly, I'm hoping she tells me first!” Dutch Mantel isn't nearly as surprised by the commotion. “Look, I've known Sherri long enough to know one thing,” Mantel said. “Whatever she says she's gonna deliver, she delivers. If Sherri says she's bringing the hottest tag team in wrestling, then you'd better believe we're gonna have some serious competition around here.” The Smoky Mountain Tag Team Champions, Jeff Jarrett and Shawn Michaels, aren't exactly shaking in their boots. “Sherri says she's bringing the hottest team ever?” Michaels laughed. “Well, she's already got two of the hottest guys in wrestling right here!” Jarrett added, “We've already taken care of Destruction Company, and we've beaten Ivan Koloff and Dick Murdoch. Whoever Sherri brings, they're going to find out why we're the champions.” And then came perhaps the strangest development yet. Sherri invited SMW cameras to meet her mystery team at a local Hooters. Unfortunately, the cameraman came back empty-handed! Apparently, the moment Sherri's team arrived, the beautiful waitresses surrounded them in such an excited frenzy that the camera crew couldn't get a clear shot of either wrestler. “It's like they were seeing Elvis!” one witness claimed. So the mystery continues. Who are Sherri's mystery men? Why has she kept their identities secret? And just how “hot” can things get in Smoky Mountain Wrestling? For Les Thatcher, Dutch Mantel, Jeff Jarrett, Shawn Michaels and every SMW fan, there is only one question left: WHO IS SHERRI BRINGING TO TOWN? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is Dutch Mantel the Dirtiest Man in Smoky Mountain Wrestling? If there is one question being debated throughout the Smoky Mountain Wrestling territory, it is this: Is “Dirty” Dutch Mantel the dirtiest man in professional wrestling? After everything that has happened between Dutch Mantel, Stunning Steve Austin and Ahmed Johnson, there may not be much debate left. The trouble began with Mantel’s bitter feud with Stunning Steve Austin. Dutch quickly discovered that Austin wasn't intimidated by his threats, so he turned to his favorite weapon—his bullwhip, “Shoo Baby.” When Austin continued coming after him, Mantel decided he needed protection. His answer was Ahmed Johnson. Johnson proved to be an outstanding bodyguard. No matter what Commissioner Bob Armstrong said or did, Ahmed made sure Stunning Steve Austin couldn't get anywhere near Dutch. For Mantel, it was the perfect arrangement. He had a dangerous man standing between himself and Austin, and Dutch could continue doing what Dutch does best. But there was one problem: Dutch didn't seem to want to pay Ahmed. According to Johnson, Mantel actually claimed that Ahmed should be paying him for teaching him the wrestling business! That arrangement didn't last long. When Johnson finally decided he had enough of Mantel's excuses and began turning against his former employer, Dutch resorted to perhaps his dirtiest trick yet. Mantel called the police. He accused Johnson of stalking him and attacking him, telling a story that many around Smoky Mountain Wrestling considered completely outrageous. Johnson was actually arrested and spent a short period in jail. But Dutch still wasn't sleeping comfortably. He was still terrified of Stunning Steve Austin, so Mantel went looking for another bodyguard—and this time he found a monster. King Kong Bundy. While Bundy kept Ahmed Johnson away from Mantel, Johnson had only one thing on his mind after getting out of jail: finding Dutch Mantel and collecting the money he believed he was owed. Bundy made sure Ahmed couldn't get close. That changed when Commissioner Bob Armstrong had enough and ordered a tag team showdown: Stunning Steve Austin and Ahmed Johnson vs. Dutch Mantel and King Kong Bundy. The match took place at Fire on the Mountain in Chattanooga, and what happened next may have been Mantel's most disgraceful act yet. Rather than fight, Dutch tried to end Ahmed Johnson's wrestling career permanently, throwing a fireball directly into Johnson's face. Commissioner Armstrong responded by handing Mantel a record $2,000 fine. But will it change Dutch Mantel? Don't count on it. The bullwhip, the bodyguards, the police story and now the fireball all tell the same story. Dutch Mantel doesn't play fair. He doesn't play nice. And he certainly doesn't plan on changing his ways. In Smoky Mountain Wrestling, that may make him more than just “Dirty” Dutch. It may make him the dirtiest man in the entire territory. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rumor Mill Is the Russian Bear Ready to Walk Away? The usually cold and calculating “Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff is reportedly furious with his tag team partner, “Captain Redneck” Dick Murdoch, following a recent match with Ron Garvin. During the bout, Murdoch accidentally caught Koloff with a hard punch, leaving the Russian Bear seeing red. Koloff has not been quick to accept the explanation that it was simply an accident. “I do not know if Dick Murdoch punch me by accident,” Koloff said. “He is American, and Americans are not always very smart. Maybe he make mistake. Maybe he make mistake on purpose. I do not know!” Murdoch, however, insists there was nothing intentional about the blow. “I hit Ivan by accident, plain and simple,” Murdoch said. “I’ve known that man a long time, and I consider him my friend. But if Ivan wants to throw away our friendship over one punch, that’s his business. I never back down from a fight!” Now, rumor has it that Koloff has left Smoky Mountain Wrestling temporarily to think things over. Is this the end of one of the most dangerous tag teams in the territory, or will the Russian Bear and Captain Redneck settle their differences? Is Mr. Perfect Coming to Smoky Mountain? The biggest rumor currently circulating through Smoky Mountain Wrestling concerns one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the world—“Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig. Hennig has already built a tremendous reputation, including championship success wherever he goes. His arrival would instantly give SMW one of the most technically gifted performers in the business. And apparently Hennig has his eyes on Smoky Mountain Champion Terry Gordy. Sources say Hennig was impressed watching Gordy hold his own against the likes of Stan Hansen and Terry Funk. But don't mistake admiration for fear. Hennig reportedly believes Hansen and Funk are great wrestlers—but simply aren't in his league. “Stan Hansen and Terry Funk are tough,” Hennig reportedly said. “But they aren't in my league. Then again, who is?” If Mr. Perfect really does walk through the Smoky Mountain doors, Terry Gordy may have just found his most technically dangerous challenger yet.

Fun show rhis week with some great writing with the back and forth between Madril and Bruno. Nice opening with the fans getting what they want with a babyface win over a known name like Koloff. I think your tag team division is shaping up nicely. Some good feuds on the horizon. It will be interesting to see who steps up for the babyface side of this division.

Again, enjoying the behind the scenes look. If this where real life, Vince would be strutting down every street with his coup to get Hogan in the building. This is going to be a wild ride. Summer Slam drama with who comes out as the champ already has me hooked.

Nice job keeping the AWA flowing after Wrestlerock and the departure of Hulk. This transition period will be interesting to see if the fans can buy into Warrior like they did Hulk. If they don't, it would just mean a focus on more of the tag team division and your midcard feuds that you are so good at buidling. AWA is going to be fun to watch as you have so many choices. For example, great job with Norman turning on Gamma and Dundee going with Iceman. Really looking forward to title night; especially the main event.

Just got caught up on all the action from the Bash! Wow... you are so good at working with a large roster of stars. So many great finishes which were able to keep even those who lost very strong. Loved the main event with Sting going over Hennig twice!! Really enjoyed the whole show.

Saturday, August 8, 1991 Chattanooga Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium Attendance: 4,700 (60% full) Commentary: Les Thatcher The Chattanooga faithful packed the historic arena for as pro wrestling, under the promotion, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, returned to the River CIty. With bitter rivalries, championship matches, blood feuds, and one of the wildest main events ever seen in the territory, Fire on the Mountain lived up to its name. Dixie Dynamite vs. "Badboy" Billie Black The evening kicked off with the popular Dixie Dynamite taking on the arrogant "Badboy" Billie Black. Black used every shortcut possible, choking Dixie across the ropes and hiding behind the referee whenever he found himself in trouble. Once Dixie gained momentum, the crowd erupted behind the hometown favorite. After avoiding a charging Black in the corner, Dixie climbed to the top rope and connected with a spectacular Missile Dropkick square to the chest for the three-count. Winner: Dixie Dynamite via pinfall (Missile Dropkick) Tommy "Wildfire" Rich vs. "The Hustler" Rip Rogers Rip Rogers wrestled one of the dirtiest matches of his career, constantly raking Tommy Rich's eyes, pulling tights, and using the referee as a shield. Rogers repeatedly bailed to the floor to slow the pace whenever Rich began mounting offense. Late in the contest, Rogers attempted to use the ropes for leverage on a pin, but the referee caught him. While arguing with the official, Rich slipped behind Rogers and locked in his patented Sleeper Hold. Rogers struggled desperately before fading unconscious. Winner: Tommy "Wildfire" Rich via submission (Sleeper Hold) Ron Garvin vs. "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel Buddy Landel entered wearing his trademark robe and oozing confidence, but Ron Garvin quickly turned the match into a fistfight as the bayyface, to the delight of the crowd, used a lot if heel tactics. Landel repeatedly tried to outsmart Garvin with cheap shots and flashy offense, yet every time he got cocky, Garvin answered with brutal punches. As Landel attempted a top-rope crossbody, Garvin stepped aside before leveling the Nature Boy with his devastating Hands of Stone right hand, knocking Landel out cold. Winner: Ron Garvin via pinfall (Right Hand Knockout) King Kong Bundy & Dutch Mantel vs. Steve Austin & Ahmed Johnson The young, athletic duo of Steve Austin and Ahmed Johnson controlled much of the match with speed and power, frustrating Bundy and the crafty Dutch Mantel. With the ref down after being run into by a shoved Ahmed, Bundy began to put the pressure on Ahmed, Mantel secretly pulled a concealed packet from his boot. As Ahmed turned toward him, Dutch hurled a fireball directly into his face. Blinded and stumbling, Ahmed walked straight into King Kong Bundy's crushing Big Avalanche before Bundy covered him for the victory. After the match, officials and medics rushed to ringside to attend to Ahmed's burned face while Mantel laughed all the way to the locker room. A fuming Commissioner Armstrong can be seen yelling at Dutch Mantel on his way to the locker room. Winners: King Kong Bundy & Dutch Mantel via pinfall (Big Avalanche after fireball) but one may suspect that Commsioner Armstrong may reverse this decision and hand out some fines on next week's tv show. Six-Man Tag Team Match Ron Wright's Army (Irwin R. Schyster & The Dirty White Boys) vs. The Southern Boys (Steve Armstrong, Brad Armstrong & Tracy Smothers) This heated rivalry exploded from the opening bell. Neither team cared much about wrestling holds as fists flew throughout the contest. Late in the bout, manager Ron Wright maneuvered his wheelchair to ringside. While the referee was distracted, Wright reached beneath his blanket and handed one of the Dirty White Boys a steel chisel. Before the weapon could be used to carve up Tracy Smothers, the referee spotted the exchange and immediately called for the bell. The decision resulted in a disqualification against Ron Wright's Army, but the violence only escalated afterward as a wild six-man brawl erupted before security finally restored order. Winners: The Southern Boys via disqualification Smoky Mountain Tag Team Championship Russian Chain Match Champions TNT (Jeff Jarrett & Shawn Michaels) vs. "Captain Redneck" Dick Murdoch & "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff All four men entered connected by one long steel chain, guaranteeing there would be no escape. The match quickly became an unforgettable bloodbath as the chain was wrapped around throats, fists, and foreheads. Murdoch repeatedly battered Jarrett with chain-assisted punches while Koloff attempted to choke Michaels unconscious. The finish came after Jarrett and Michaels turned the tide by wrapping the chain tightly around Koloff's head. With Koloff trapped, Shawn Michaels exploded with a devastating Superkick, dropping the Russian Bear instantly. Michaels made the cover while Murdoch was unable to reach his partner in time. The champions retained after one of the most brutal matches in Smoky Mountain history. Winners and Still Smoky Mountain Tag Team Champions: TNT (Jeff Jarrett & Shawn Michaels) Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Championship Champion Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy vs. Stan "The Man" Hansen The crowd barely had time to settle before Gordy and Hansen met in the squared circle and immediately began exchanging punches. Both men went for the early knockout with big devasting moves as Gordy nailed Hansen with a spear and Hansen even connected with the Lariat but each pinfall was too close to the ropes as both men managed to get a foot across the bottom rope. Outside of the big power moves, this championship match never resembled a wrestling contest but was more of a brawl. As the action spilled out onto the floor, chairs flew, guardrails bent, and both men slammed each other into concrete walls as they battled throughout the arena. Neither man showed any interest in returning to the ring. Referee Mark Curtis desperately tried to regain control while counting both wrestlers outside the ring. The count reached ten with Gordy and Hansen still trading fists deep inside the crowd. Result: Double Count-Out Even after the decision, neither man stopped fighting. Security, wrestlers, and officials poured from the locker room in a desperate attempt to separate the two monsters as fans stood on their chairs cheering wildly. The show ended with Gordy and Hansen still trying to tear each other apart, leaving the Chattanooga crowd buzzing long after the final bell.

Great first show. Awesome job with Al Madril. For me, it was always the promos that hooked me in and I am hooked. Also, great use of the free agent pool

I added Champion and Thompson to the free agent list

Episode #17 August 1, 1991 WBIR-TV (Channel 10-Knoxville) Syndicated across Eastern Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky (Opening theme plays over scenic shots of the Smoky Mountains mixed with action footage from Mountain Mayhem with Stan Hansen's lariat, Tommy Rich firing punches, King Kong Bundy crushing opponents, Tracy Smothers chasing the Dirty White Boys with a 2x4 and Terry Gordy battling Wahoo McDaniel.) Les Thornton: "Hello everyone and welcome to Smoky Mountain Wrestling! Wrestling the way it used to be and wrestling the way you like it. I'm Les Thornton alongside the always opinionated Dirty Dutch Mantel." Dirty Dutch Mantel: "Opinionated? That's a fancy word for right. I tell the truth, Les. Folks around here just ain't used to hearing it. Les: Not sure I would call much of what you say as truth but let’s move on. First, boy do we have some show for you fans today but before we get to the action, we need to talk about what happened last week in the Ashville Civic Center and Mountain Mayhem. Dutch Mantell: Folks, I thought it was would never happen but I finally agree with Les Thatcher. We need to talk about the injustice that happened in Ashville. Commissioner Bob Armstrong never ceases to amaze me. He immediately fines my friends Dick Murdoch and Ivan Koloff instead of awarding them the tag team titles after they clearly defeated TNT. Les Thatcher: Oh brother… Dutch. I mean they used a Russian chain to nearly take the head off of Shawn Michaels. Dutch Mantel: You have no proof of that … but then when Tracy Smothers, a man not even involved in any match that night tries to clobber the Dirty White Boys with a 2x4, Armstrong does nothing! Les Thatcher: You might have a point Dutch but Tracy Smothers never even touched the Dirty White Boys. Dutch Mantel: And let’s not forget that Mr. Armstrong paid Stan Hansen to personally come after me in the Mountain Mayhem match! Les Thatcher: Dutch… you’re just reaching at straws now! But speaking of Stan Hansen… he did win the Mountain Mayhem and the $5000 along with a Smoky Mountain Title shot coming up in 2 weeks at Fire on the Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dutch Mantel: Now that is actually something I would pay to see. Let’s get this show started as I’m sure there are lots of other people who want to complain about our commissioner. Match #1: Tommy "Wildfire" Rich vs. "Gentleman" Ken Timbs Dutch immediately begins praising Timbs. Dutch: "Look at Ken Timbs. A true gentleman." Les: "Dutch, he just wiped some crude off his boots on the ring apron." Dutch: "Gentlemen don't like dirty boots." Rich controls the match with his trademark fiery offense. Timbs repeatedly tries shortcuts before Rich fights back. Finish: Rich ducks a clothesline, lands a series of right hands, followed by the Thesz Press for the win. Dutch: "Timbs got robbed." Les: "He was pinned in the middle of the ring." Dutch: "Exactly! The referee was standing too close." Les: "How does that matter?" Dutch: "Pressure." Post match Interview: Les Thornton: "Tommy Rich, congratulations on your first television win in Smoky Mountain Wrestling." Tommy Rich: "You know something, Les? It feels mighty good to say this—I am HOME." (Crowd cheers loudly.) "I've wrestled all over this country and I’ll admit that Wildfire has not always been on the right side of the law but Tennessee has always been special to Tommy Rich. These people stood behind me when I was a young man, and standing here tonight hearing these fans again reminds me exactly why I love professional wrestling. "I didn't come back here for a vacation. I didn't come back to tell old stories. I came back because an old friend who saved my hide more times than I care to mention asked for a little help and I am really excited to pay back my debts to … Mr. Bob Armstrong! So if you're a tough guy like Ivan Koloff or Dick Murdoch, if you're a bully like Irwin R. Schyster, if you're looking to make a name for yourself, line up. Because Tommy 'Wildfire' Rich is ready." "I'll wrestle anybody." "One-on-one." "Two-on-one." "I don't care." "If you've got bad intentions, I've got these hands waiting for you." Dutch Mantel: "That's not a strategy. That's anger management issues." Les: "It sounds like fighting words to me." After Tommy walks out, the very angry tag team champions walk to the podium. Shawn Michaels & Jeff Jarrett Promo (The Smoky Mountain Tag Team Champions stand together with the belts.) Jeff Jarrett: "Ivan Koloff, Dick Murdoch, what happened at Mountain Mayhem crossed the line." Shawn Michaels: "A Russian chain? Really?" "You couldn't beat us in the ring, so you tried to take me out." Jarrett: "We earned these championships and there’s nothing you can do about it. Michaels: "That’s right … you two seemed more interested in hurting us then taking our titles so now, how about we forget the wrestling… We’ll fight fire with fire. You and us in a 4-Way Russian Chain Match. This is supposed to be your type of match Koloff so when we beat you in this match… it proves we are better! Jarrett: "Fire on the Mountain … Murdoch and Koloff… this is your last shot but know one thing, we’re ready to take this match right to the gutter and walk out the champions." COMMERCIAL BREAK HYPING UP FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, VHS TAPES FOR SALE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SMOKY MOUNTAIN WRESTLING BEING A LOCAL FUNDRAISER Before our next match, Les Thornton: "Fans, one of the busiest men in Smoky Mountain Wrestling has joined us. Please welcome Commissioner Bob Armstrong." (Huge ovation as Bob Armstrong walks to the interview area.) Dirty Dutch Mantel: "Listen to these people. They even cheer crooked politicians now." Les: "Bob Armstrong isn't a politician, Dutch. He's the Commissioner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling." Dutch: "Same thing. They both make rules nobody likes." Les: "The only people who don't like Bob Armstrong's rules are cheaters." Dutch: "Wrong…. We all watched Tracy Smothers cheat at Mountain Mayhem when he attacked the Dirty White Boys with a 2x4 in a match he was not even official in. I call that cheating but Smothers didn’t get fined." Bob Armstrong: "Dutch, I don’t know why I bother to answer you anymore but Tracy Smothers never hit anyone unlike your friends Ivan Koloff and Dick Murdoch who used a Russian Chain to try and take off the head of Shawn Michaels. But let’s move on. Fans, I wanted to stop by because we are just a few weeks away from what is shaping up to be the biggest event in Smoky Mountain Wrestling history..." 'FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN' Saturday Night, August 15th Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium "I've spent the last several weeks talking with wrestlers, managers, and officials, and one thing has become perfectly clear—everyone wants to know who the toughest man in Smoky Mountain Wrestling really is." "And Mountain Mayhem last week in Ashville proved that with Stan Hansen outlasting 19 other men to get the victory and earn the Smoky Mountain Title shot as Fire on the Mountain with Terry Gordy! (Crowd erupts.) "I've known both of these men for years. They're as tough as they come. Neither one knows how to back down, neither one knows the meaning of surrender, and Chattanooga may not be big enough to hold what's going to happen when those two step into the ring." "So, if you've been waiting to witness history, make your plans now. August 8th...Fire on the Mountain...because someone is leaving Chattanooga as the Smoky Mountain Champion." Les Thornton: "Commissioner, that may be the biggest championship match we've ever presented." Bob Armstrong: "It certainly has the potential to be. But I also want everyone watching to know this..." "The recent attacks, the outside interference, and the chaos involving the Ron Wright, Dirty White Boys, I.R.S., ends right now. We all saw Ron Wright handed that chisel to IRS which he used to slice up the head of Ron Garvin at Mountain Mayhem. Ron Wright is the manager of IRS and thus is responsible for his man’s actions so Ron Wright has been fined $500. For those of you wondering why Tracy Smothers has not been fined for his attack on the Dirty White Boys, it is very simple. He never hit anyone with anyone weapon. But…" "From this point forward, no more warnings. No more second chances. Anyone interfering in a sanctioned Smoky Mountain Wrestling match will face heavy fines and possible suspension just as our rules state.." Dirty Dutch Mantel: "There he goes with his rules but again falls to say that if you are on his side, there are no rules.." Bob Armstrong: "Dutch, the only people worried about those rules are the ones planning on breaking them." Dutch: "I ain't worried." Bob Armstrong: "Good. Then you won't mind if I keep my eye on you." (Crowd laughs.) Dutch: “Les, he's threatening a commentator!" Les: "I think he's protecting you from you." Dutch: "He's lucky I was in a good mood." Les: "When does that happen?" Dutch: "About every leap year." Next to the podium, Ron Garvin Les: Next, I want to welcome back a man who has not been wrestling in Knoxville for over a dozen years, a true legend in professional wrestling. A man that was wronged by the previous regime here…. Ron Garvin. (Crowd cheers as Ron Garvin appears.) Ron Garvin: "You know, hearing these fans brings back a lot of memories." "I've fought in Knoxville back in the 70’s. I've fought all over these mountains. I was the champion. I held that prestigious Southeastern Heavyweight title… Until a man named Ron Fuller took that all away from me. "And I can tell you one thing..." "It feels mighty good to be coming back home but I wouldn’t be here if Ron Fuller was still in charge. I wouldn’t be here if Bob Armstrong was not the commissioner" Dutch: Here we go again… another puppet. Les: Dutch, please don’t interrupt. Continue Ron. Ron: "I'm making my way back to the Knoxville area, and I'm looking forward to seeing old friends, making a few new enemies, and proving that Rugged Ron Garvin still has plenty left in the tank. So, to everybody in Smoky Mountain Wrestling...Get ready. Because Ron Garvin is coming and he has some debts to collect. (Huge ovation as the show heads to commercial.) Match #2 King Kong Bundy vs. Stan Jackson & Brian Davis Dutch claims this is unfair. Les: "It's two against one." Dutch: "Exactly. There aren’t two men in all of Tennessee that could stop King Kong Bundy.” Bundy dominates from the opening bell. Avalanche on Jackson. Avalanche on Davis. Bundy stacks both men. Referee counts... 1... 2... 3... Bundy stops him. "KEEP COUNTING!" “FIVE!!!” 4... 5! Winner: King Kong Bundy (Five Count) Les: "Why does he insist on a five-count?" Dutch: "Because four is for quitters." Dutch joins King Kong Bundy who says there isn't a man alive big enough to stop him. Dutch reminds Bundy … “Us… Us! You mean there aren’t two men big enough to stop us. Suddenly, Stunning Steve Austin appears and for the first time in Smoky Mountain history Dutch doesn’t seem afraid of Austin. Dutch thinks Austin must be suffering from some kind of brain injury to walk out here now with him and Bundy. Dutch reminds Austin that it was him who eliminated Austin from Mountain Mayhem and that it was Bundy that nearly broke every rib in his body a few weeks ago a Night of Legends! Austin just smirks and say that he is just out here wondering if Bundy and Dutch will put their money where their mouth’s are. Dutch looks confused but Austin just questions Dutch’s own words and asks are you sure there aren’t two men alive big enough to stop the two of them and Dutch simply say’s that rights.. Austin quickly challenges Bundy and Dutch to a match a Fire on the Mountain with him and his partner. Dutch quickly agrees and then asks who is his partner. Austin just smirks again and rubs his fingers together making the money sign and than walks off. Dutch’s eyes go wide! When Dutch returns to Les, Les wants to know who Austin has found as a partner but Dutch is talking to himself…”that can’t be … I put him in ja…. COMMERCIAL BREAK HYPING UP FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, VHS TAPES FOR SALE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SMOKY MOUNTAIN WRESTLING BEING A LOCAL FUNDRAISER Before our next match, Sensational Sherri Martel arrives (Sherri joins Les Thornton at the interview desk.) Les Thornton: "Fans, we'd like to welcome the newest arrival to Smoky Mountain Wrestling—Sensational Sherri." Sherri: "Thank you, Les." "You know...I've traveled all over the wrestling world..." "But I have to admit..." (Smiles at Les.) "I've never sat next to a man quite as handsome as you." Les: "Well...thank you." Dutch Mantel: "I think I'm gonna be sick." Sherri: "And that's saying something because I've met movie stars, athletes, and plenty of wrestlers." "But none of them had that distinguished look." Les: "I'm not sure what to say." Sherri: "Then don't say anything." "Just listen." "Because very soon I am bringing the sexiest..." "...most talented..." "...most dangerous tag team in wrestling history to Smoky Mountain Wrestling." "But before I do, I need to make sure this territory has enough security." "Because once my men arrive..." "The women around here are going to lose complete control." Bigger than the Beatles …. Sexier than Tom Selkick …. Les: "I'm suddenly intrigued. Can you give us a hint?" Sherri: "Not until it is safe for all." Match #3 Stan Hansen vs. Sweet Brown Sugar Before the bell... Dutch starts putting Hansen over. Dutch: "That's the toughest cowboy in America." Sweet Brown Sugar tries to uses speed early. Hansen barely notices. One massive boot. Another. Huge Lariat. Pinfall. Les: "That was absolute destruction. Terry Gordy will have his hands full at Fire on the Mountain." Dutch: "Wow… Les… the obvious doesn’t get past you. Stan Hansen: "GORDY!" "You got something I want!" "That Smoky Mountain belt belongs around the waist of the toughest man alive." "And Terry Gordy, that's not you." "I don't care how big you are." "I don't care how hard you hit." "When I throw that lariat, championships change hands." "August 8th in Chattanooga, I'm not coming to wrestle." "I'm coming to HURT you." "And after I hurt you..." "I'm taking your title home with me." COMMERCIAL BREAK HYPING UP FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, VHS TAPES FOR SALE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SMOKY MOUNTAIN WRESTLING BEING A LOCAL FUNDRAISER Before our next match, we get Terry Gordy’s thoughts on his upcoming match with Stan Hansen. Terry Gordy: "Hansen, we've fought before and I know exactly what kind of man you are." "You're mean." "You're dangerous." "And that's exactly why I wanted this match." "You can talk about taking my title." "You can talk about hurting me." "But understand something." "I'm Terry Gordy." "I'm the Smoky Mountain Champion." "And on August 8th, when that bell rings, you're going to find out why." "Because I'm not giving this title away." "You'll have to take it from me." "And nobody does that." On their way to the ring, Dick Murdoch and Ivan Koloff stop at the podium. (Koloff holds the Russian chain while Murdoch grins.) Ivan Koloff: "Shawn Michaels...Jeff Jarrett..." "Your Russian Nightmare has not ended." "You escaped at Mountain Mayhem but now there is no mistake… A Russian Chain Match!" "Your time as champions is fast coming to an end." Dick Murdoch: "Now hold on there, Ivan." "Escaped is exactly right." "Because everybody knows we should already be champions." "You boys got lucky." "We didn’t ask for another title shot." "But now you two made the big mistake of thinking your tough guys." "You picked the stipulation…Any type of match you want!" “And you picked a Russian Chain Match… You two are as dumb as you look.” Murdoch pats the chain. "...your time is up." Match #4 Dick Murdoch & Ivan Koloff vs. The Batten Twins Dutch proudly claims Murdoch is "an artist." Les asks..."An artist?" Dutch: "Brainbusters are art." As for the match, The Battens show good teamwork. Koloff cuts Brad off. Murdoch enters. Huge clothesline. Brainbuster. It’s all over. Murdoch celebrates while Koloff waves the Russian chain. COMMERCIAL BREAK HYPING UP FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, VHS TAPES FOR SALE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SMOKY MOUNTAIN WRESTLING BEING A LOCAL FUNDRAISER Before the main event, Ron Wright and the Dirty White Boys are at the podium Ron Wright Interview (Later in the show.) Les Thornton: "Fans, we've been joined by Ron Wright." Ron Wright: "Les Thornton, I am absolutely disgusted by what happened at Mountain Mayhem. My men, the Dirty White Boys, were viciously and unfairly attacked by Tracy Smothers." Dutch Mantel: "That's exactly right." Ron Wright: "And what did Commissioner Bob Armstrong do? NOTHING!" "Tracy Smothers comes charging in, wielding a 2x4, causing chaos, and Bob Armstrong sits back and what does he do? …. He fines me… a pitiful old cripple… a man with no money… no health insurance … no way to pay for the surgeries I need to get up out of this chair. Disgusting… but yet you hillbillies cheer him … you cheer when he abuses an old man… classless…. All of you… Not true Christians like myself and my men. Apparently there are two sets of rules in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. One for honest Christian businessmen like myself and another for Bob Armstrong's favorites. Well let me make something perfectly clear. The Dirty White Boys aren't backing down. I.R.S. isn't backing down. And neither am I. We've been wronged, and we're going to collect what we're owed." Les: "Your men were trying to injure The Southern Boys in Johnson City!" Ron Wright: "Self-defense, Les. Pure self-defense." Dutch: "Finally, somebody around here telling the truth." Les: Two people… lots of words… no truth! Main Event Brad & Steve Armstrong vs. The Dirty White Boys The crowd is electric. Fast opening with the Armstrongs using speed. The Dirty White Boys slow things down with roughhouse tactics. Referee begins losing control. Steve Armstrong nearly scores the win. Tony Anthony breaks it up. All four men begin fighting. Suddenly... I.R.S. rushes to ringside. The taxman attacks Brad Armstrong from behind. Dutch stands up cheering. Dutch: "Now THAT'S proper accounting!" Les: "That's not accounting—that's assault!" IRS stomps away. The Dirty White Boys join in. The crowd erupts... Here comes... TRACY SMOTHERS! Smothers races into the ring throwing lefts and rights. IRS is sent over the top rope. The Dirty White Boys bail out. All six men continue brawling around ringside. Wrestlers pour from the locker room trying to separate everyone. Les Thornton: "We've got complete bedlam! Somebody get some order out here!" Dutch Mantel: "Order? This is wrestling! Besides...I think IRS was just trying to collect some overdue taxes." Les: "By punching people?" Dutch: "Sometimes the paperwork gets burdensome so you try a different method." Les: "You're unbelievable." Dutch: "My ex-wife said the same thing." COMMERCIAL BREAK HYPING UP FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, VHS TAPES FOR SALE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SMOKY MOUNTAIN WRESTLING BEING A LOCAL FUNDRAISER Les: "Ladies and gentlemen, somehow order has been restored but we have just been informed that this is far from over. At Fire on the Mountain, it will be Ron Wright’s Army (IRS, & The Dirty White Boys vs the Southern Boys and Brad Armstrong. If you are anywhere near Chattanooga on August 8st get to the Coliseum as this is going to be a night to remember. For Dirty Dutch Mantel, I'm Les Thornton. We'll see you next week on Smoky Mountain Wrestling!" So long from the Smokies.

Free agency is open. Eric is going to work off of free agency for the first 4 months which does mean 4 months after his first show, we would need to provide him with a supplemental draft list.

Free agency is currently closed as Eric looks over what is available as he is looking to jump back in.

Smoky Mountain Wrestling adds Black Bart and Billy Jack Haynes

Ashville Civic Center: Ashville, NC June 25, 1991 (Attendance 4,500) (About 60% capacity) IF YOU WANT MORE OF THE ACTION, YOU WILL NEED TO BUY THE VHS TAPE FOR $14.99 “White Lightening” Tim Horner defeats “Outlaw” Joel Deaton with the rolling cradle. This match served two purposes. First, it marked Horner’s return to action after being nailed by Mr. Wonderful’s piledriver about a month back. It also gave fans a chance to get their popcorn and soda before the real action started. “Wildfire” Tommy Rich defeated Buzz Sawyer in a 12-minute blood bath that saw Wildfire catch Sawyer with a double knee to the belly as Sawyer was going for the top-rope frog splash. Smoky Mountain Tag Team Title Match TNT (Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett) © defeated “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff and “Captain Redneck” Dick Murdoch by DQ as Koloff and Murdoch nearly decapitated Shawn Michaels when they whipped him into the ropes and then caught him with the Russian Chain Clothesline where each held one end of the chain. Koloff and Murdoch where sure they had the match won as the ref was down but somehow he managed to pick his head up just in the nick of time. Bob Armstrong rushed out to ringside where he immediately fined both Koloff and Murdoch $500. Mountain Mayhem Match: Winner gets $5000 plus SMW Title Shot at Fire on the Mountain. 1 wrestler enters every 2 minutes. Wrestlers are eliminated if they go over the top rope and out onto the floor. The action starts with Dixie Dynamite and “Hustler” Rip Rogers battling it out for two minutes. Both had each other hanging over the top rope but no eliminations. Next in, #3, we see Irwin R. Schyster with Ron Wright rolling behind him. 2-1 for the heels but somehow Dixie Dynamite survives. Next in, #4, Booker T. as we go 2-2. Booker T, one ½ of the Ebony Express, has had trouble getting over with the fans so far in SWM but this all begins to change here as he rushed in with a big jumping side kick to the head of The Hustler and out goes Rip Rogers. Booker T and Dixie Dynamite close in on IRS but he rolls under the bottom rope and goes to talk to Ron Wright. It looks like Ron might have handed him something. Next in, #5, Stunning Steve Austin: 3-2 in favor of the babyfaces but still no eliminations. Next in, #6, Dory Funk Jr. This might not be the best type of match for Dory but his experience and cunning-nature make him a dark horse as he shows why right off the bat as he rakes the eye holes of the mask of Dixie Dynamite and then nails him with a running knee lift and out goes Dynamite. Eliminated: Rip Rogers, Dixie Dynamite Still in: IRS, Booker T, Steve Austin and Dory Funk Jr. Next in, #7, Stevie Ray Vaughn, the other half of the Ebony Express goes right to his brother and the two begin a double team on Dory Funk Jr who once again uses his smarts as he just sits on the ground holding the rope making it hard to eliminate him. IRS and Austin are battling it out on the other side. Next in, #8, The Mighty Yankee who makes the fatal error of rushing in after the Ebony Express. Stevie Ray simply steps out of the way and nails him with a clothesline to the back of the head and the Mighty Yankee goes out as fast as he got in. Next in, #9, “Hands of Stone” Ron Garvin comes in and it looks great for the babyfaces as they have the 2-1 advantage on both sides of the ring with Garvin and Austin battling IRS and The Ebony brothers taking on Dory Funk r. Next in, #10, Dirty White Boy #1, enters with a bang. Sometimes in these matches luck plays an important role. As DWB entered the ring, the Ebony Express, had Dory Funk Jr. ¾ of the way over the rope. DWB simply charged at the trip and nailed them all with a big bump and the three went out. It is now DWB going after Austin while Garvin and IRS battling it out. Eliminated: Rip Rogers, Dixie Dynamite, The Mighty Yankee, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Booker T, Dory Funk Fr. Still in: IRS, Steve Austin, Ron Garvin, Dirty White Boy #1 Next in, #11, Killer Kyle rushes in and goes after Ron Garvin Next in, #12, “Dirty” Dutch Mantel joins in the attack on Steve Austin. He is always looking for an advantage on Austin and is excited to join in the 2-1 with DWB. What was a babyface advantage only a few minutes ago has turned into two 2-1 attacks by the heels. Next in #13, Dirty White Boy #2, and now it is 3-1 against Steve Austin and there is only so much he can take and over the top rope goes Austin. Dutch is celebrating with the Dirty White Boys when suddenly, out of nowhere comes Tracy Smothers wielding a 2x4. He is not in the match and has not been seen sense the Smoky Mountain Tag Team Tournament when he and Steve Armstrong where attacked from behind before their semifinals match by the Dirty White Boys who were wearing masks. Smothers is swinging that 2x4 at the heads of the Dirty White Boys who decide safety is the number one priority as they dive over the top rope and head for the hills with Tracy Smothers in hot pursuit. Eliminated: Rip Rogers, Dixie Dynamite, The Mighty Yankee, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Booker T, Dory Funk Fr., Steve Austin, Dirty White Boy #1, Dirty White Boy #2, Still in: IRS, Ron Garvin, Dutch Mantel, Killer Kyle Next in, #14, Stan “The Man” Hansen. Hansen is the wild card here as he has no friends in Smoky Mountain Wrestling and he comes in like a bull in a China closet. WHAM… he simple bowls over Killer Kyle with a lariat and out goes the man from Hell’s Kitchen. Hansen turns to Dirty Dutch who just starts running in circles. IRS reaches into his trunks and pulls out the chisel that Ron Wright handed him earlier and while Garvin was looking at Hansen, IRS sliced open his forehead. Garvin starts throwing wild punches as he can’t see with the blood pouring down his face. Next in, #15, “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel. He slowly and arrogantly walks to the ring. He is in no rush to get involved and finds a “quiet corner” to hang out in as Dutch fights for his like and IRS is trying to find a way to eliminate the wounded Garvin. Next in, #16, Brad Armstrong. Armstrong comes in and seems to leave Nature Boy to his rest as his quarrel is with Ron Wright and his men so he goes right after IRS. Garvin takes this opportunity to recover. Next in, #17, “The Fab One” Steve Keirn. Keirn comes in and decides enough rest for Landel and we have three battles going on. Keirn-Landel, Brad/Garvin- IRS, and Hansen and Dutch. Next in, #18, King Kong Bundy. Everything seems to change when the big man enters the ring. Hansen seems to refocus and tosses Dutch out before Bundy can come to help his “acquaintance.” Bundy nods at Hansen as if to say ok, game on. Bundy with a big rush sends both Armstrong and Keirn over the top rope. Bundy now rests in the corner daring someone to come for him. Still in: IRS, Ron Garvin, Buddy Landel, Stan Hansen and King Kong Bundy Next in, #19, Sweet Brown Sugar. Buddy Landel thinks he sees his chance as Garvin is in trouble. He closes in on Garvin. WHAM… Right Hand by Garvin and Nature Boy rolls over the top rope. Wham, from behind, IRS nails the bloodied Garvin from behind and out he goes. Give Garvin credit for lasting so long while being a bloodied mess and give IRS a lot of credit for still being in the match as was entrant #3. Next in, #20, “Jumping” Joey Mags. Poor Joey. Bundy simply scoops him up before he really got in the match and tossed him to the floor. It’s down to IRS, Hansen and KKB. IRS and Bundy look at each other to make some sort of agreement to take out Hansen first. The finish-Bundy grabs Hansen and whips him into the ropes and goes for a huge clothesline but Hansen ducks under it and then knees an unsuspecting IRS in the back and out he goes. Hansen pivots and rushes at Bundy who has yet to recover and hits him with a lariat to the back of the head and out Bundy topples. Winner of Mountain Mayhem- Stan Hansen! Main Event: Smoky Mountain Title Match Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy © vs Wahoo McDaniel One thing to note as we start this match. So far, Gordy has been the babyface in all of his matches since his arrival in SMW but this is Ashville. This is Wahoo country!! The next thing to note is that someone is going to have to change here. While they both love to brawl, Wahoo is not a big fan of taking huge bumps so for this to work, Gordy is going to have to lay off of some of the big power moves that he is used to. So, what does that leave us? A War with some major rest holes. The bout starts with a series of chops, punches, knees, and forearm smashes! Wahoo takes the early lead with chops that echoed around the civic center. This allowed him to spend some time working on Gordy’s lower half. From spinning toe holds to elbow drops across the legs, Gordy is somewhat hobbled early on. This allows for the story that Gordy can’t really lift up the big Wahoo for some of his power moves. As the match continues, we get some close calls after both men locked in the sleeper hold. The end came when the action spilled outside and Gordy slammed Wahoo’s head off the ring post. Gordy then rolled him and caught the Chief with a big spear for the win. Bloodied and battered, Wahoo takes a few minutes to get to his feet where he offered Gordy a handshake for a job well done. This will help to get Gordy over in NWA territory.

Wow... this was a great show. It just kept building and building and getting better and better. I really enjoyed Dusty on the mic and found myself reading all of his work with his slow lisp... awesome job. Format works perfectly for a pay-per view with all the promos. I am so glad I took SMW and you did WWF and you are so good at these big shows and match write-ups. All I have is a small promotion that never had pay-per view and just a few tv recaps of big matches. Wow.. those last two matches. Flair walking out on Lawler gives us another great match for Summerslam and that main event was awesome. From Andre just showing up to turining heel. WOW Dibiase instantly became the #1 heel in our game. Then Dusty stepping out from the announce table to Hogan coming in. This is going to be awesome to keep following.

Episode #15 July 20, 1991 WBIR-TV (Channel 10-Knoxville) Syndicated across Eastern Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky Highlight show mostly due to a roster somewhat in flux and very view angles at work. - The major focus of the show was to continue to hype up the rest of the summer’s major events. Up next week is Mountain Mayhem on July 24th in Ashville, North Carolina with the main event being a “royal rumble” type battle royal where the winner gets $5000 and a Smoky Mountain Title shot at the next big event which is only a few weeks away as SMW makes its debut in Chattanooga with Fire on the Mountain on August 8th. Finishing up the summer’s big events is the massive K-Town Showdown in Knoxville where the WWF champions come to SMW to challenge the best Bob Armstrong can put forward. -As for Mountain Mayhem, Bob Armstrong knows that his roster is a little light for an event like this so he has called in a few re-enforcements. Knowing that Ashville was NWA/Crocket Country in the past, Armstrong was able to bring in a few past stars from the area to improve ticket sales. He was even able to coax one of them out of retirement for one night only! -So, let’s examine what happened on this week’s show to get us to where we are. First, we see a living legend in the Carolinas make his SMW debut as Wahoo McDaniel chopped his way to a win over “Gentlemen” Ken Timbs. While he is a bit past his prime here, his brawling style never gets old, so again with a deplete roster and looking to sell tickets in Mid-Atlantic land, Bob Armstrong decides it will be Wahoo vs Terry Gordy at Mountain Mayhem for the Smoky Mountain Title. How did he hype up this match… well let’s have Gordy interrupt Wahoo’s post-match interview with a bunch of old man and over-the-hill comments with sent the two off on a chopping, punching and kicking brawl that saw Wahoo get the best of Bam Bam! Remember we are in Ashville, so it seemed like a perfect time for the Smoky Mountain Tag Team Title rematch between the young champions, TNT (Jeff Jarrett and Shawn Michaels) and the NWA vets, Captain Redneck Dick Murdoch and the Russian Bear Ivan Koloff. While this one did not erupt during the show, the battle of the words was easily won by Murdoch and Koloff who gave a heck of a promo about how they made the mistake last time of beating Jarrett and Michaels all over the arena instead of just in the ring… this time the beating will be worse but will end in a pinfall and lots of blood! The last match Bob Armstrong signed for Mountain Mayhem took a little coaxing as one of the men had recently called in quits… “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer but when you told him it would be against “Wildfire” Tommy Rich he howled at the idea. While neither of these two were in studio, a highlight video of their historical feud should sell some tickets. Last but not least, who is going to be in the Mountain Mayhem match. The SMW roster is a bit on the smaller side and not really the battle royal type but once again, Bob Armstrong called in some big names for event. Stan Hansen is here. Ron Garvin is here. Dory Funk Jr. is here. “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel is here. Put those names with King Kong Buddy, IRS, Stunning Steve Austin, “The Fab One” Steve Keirn and Brad Armstrong, this event is sure to have the crowd on the edge of their seats. While a few of the names are past their prime, their name recognition in this part of the country should be enough to get a big crowd at the Ashville Civic Center where seating capacity is just over 7,000 people. Commissioner Armstrong is going to need to have a bottom in most of those seats to pay everyone on the card tonight! -The only angle continuing to develop this week was “the what happened to Ahmed” storyline. Dutch continues to claim that Ahmed is in prison and that he he has replaced Ahmed with King Kong Bundy as his security guard. Maybe this is true, maybe there is more to it than what Dutch is saying.

Awesome show!! You put so much effort into these big shows and they are so fun to read. Thanks for all your hard work. The biggest surprise of the night for me came early when Bobby Blaze beat Gagne's man. I thought cry baby Gagne would find some way to get his man over. Can't wait to see what Gagne does next. Col. Debeers is truly a great heel! Enjoying Muraco as a babyface. I only really remember his heel rin in WWF. Great ending. Not only beating Wildfire but making Tully utter the words, "I quit"---AWESOME Great match between the Warriors--- Is the Ultimate Warrior next for Kokina or is Hulk not really done. AWA is always interesting!

Awesome show where I thought you did a great job in giving the fans in Puerto Rico what they wanted.... untilt the end. I really hope that there was security for Kokina, Adnan Al Kassie and CHICKY STARR. From what I have heard, that was as dangerous a venue as there was in North America. Also, being a fan of early 80's wrestling, I loved the Garvin-Slater match. Perfect way to end it! Awesome job. Can't wait for Night 2