[1980-11-22-CWA-TV] Tommy Rich's Mother

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Beast]

Peggy Rich did some damn fine acting here.

Triple turn with Valiant/Tojo turning heel after mocking Rich's mother and attacking him leading Tommy to turn face. Angle was good, but Rich had only been back in Memphis (and heel) for 2 months so this was obviously a rush job after Jerry Jarrett had cold feet in pairing heel Rich vs a returning face Jerry Lawler the next month. Crowd was quiet, but I took that to be more stunned than uninterested.

Lance Russell's severe annoyance at Tommy Rich getting bloodied rather than any actual concern was pretty interesting. I've seen more mid/late '80s Memphis and his reactions seem much more in tune with what's going on around him. Just my opinion, but he didn't do much to help the fans along in cementing the three sudden turns happening.

[GSR]

Eddie Marlin says that they are going to fine Jimmy Valiant $500 (he destroyed the TV that was awarded to the winner of the Battle Royal, pissed at the way he was eliminated) and that money will be used to pay for a new TV.  Marlin then brings out Peggy Rich (Tommy’s mother) who wants to say some things about her son who no longer feels that he is accepted by everyone.  Jimmy Valiant and Tojo Yamamoto come out to say she has no right to be here, and as Valiant is having a go at her, Tommy runs out from the back and attacks the two of them.  They end up overpowering him, busting him open bad and Valiant shoves down Peggy.  Bill Dundee, Ken Lucas, Ricky Morton and Eddie Marlin come out to get Valiant away and they help Peggy to the back.  Jimmy Hart and Bobby Eaton eventually show up to tend to Rich who isn’t happy that they weren’t there earlier.  Hart ends up insulting Peggy at which point Rich tells him that he is through with him.  Great angle to turn Rich