[1996-01-13-USWA-TV] Jerry Lawler vs Tommy Rich

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Lots of feeling out that doesn't really go anywhere. I'm glad this match was on the set for the novelty of it, even if it's not that good. The match was kind of a backdrop to build to a Rich heel turn.

[Tim Evans]

Rich was already a heel as he turned a couple weeks before this. Also this was his 3rd match of the show.

[Loss]

If he was heel prior, why were he and Lawler still doing handshakes and wrestling like sportsmen?

[Kronos]

Not much of a match. It's clearly an excuse to create two feuds, though - Lawler for the belt, and Lawler/Gilbert. In that sense, it works well enough.

 

I wish the cameraman had actually filmed Doug's run-in, though. I do agree with Loss that his antics pre-match don't feel very heelish, though the prev week's show sure made him seem like a heel against PG13.

[Jack_Briscoe_Is_My_Hero]

OK little match, but people these days would be screaming at a promotion having a title change in a little over 5 or 6 minutes.

[fishbaugh]

The best part of Memphis TV is how they go from one angle to the next in the same show -- crash TV can work if done right. Of course when you have guys who can actually talk it helps!

[Kevin Ridge]

Well, I still think the title changes they did in studio show lessened title. Not much of a match with Gilbert hitting Lawler with the chain allowing Rich to win title. They played it up like Rich didn’t know what happened with Gilbert/Lawler.

[soup23]

I liked how they started out as weary friends at the start of these and each took more shortcuts towards the finish until the blatant Doug Gilbert interference and the crowning of a new champion in Rich. I thought this was pretty fun and had some great punches while it lasted. (**1/4)

[PeteF3]

Some good basic stuff here, though Rich is in Memphis stall-o-rama mode. Just as this gets going, Doug Gilbert clobbers Lawler with a chain and Rich captures the USWA Heavyweight title.