ErictheDragon Posted December 13, 2025 Report Posted December 13, 2025 It's so sweet of Jimmy Hart to set up a fundraiser for Honky's medical bills. I'm sure the donations will be pouring in. 😉 Consider me ready for the clash between Bull and Madusa. That's a loaded tournament whether or not Steiner holds onto his spot in it. After an incredible 1990 USWA is ready to make a climatic Last Stand.
spaldoni Posted December 14, 2025 Report Posted December 14, 2025 HTM is lucky to have such a caring manager like Jimmy Hart. Get well soon HTM A Lawler less Memphis will be very interesting. York and Wallstreet clear everything up and it looks like Nakano wants a piece of Medusa Austin gets back on the winning track while Medusa takes her frustrations out on poor Jimmy Hart. Hasn't the man suffered enough The fans in Nashville will get a great night of tournament action. We'll see who heads into 91 with the Southern title. Who knows, it might just be the cock of the walk Terry Taylor. Savage is ready for 91. Memphis might be upside down but that means we're in for more exciting times ahead.
kevinmcfl Posted December 20, 2025 Author Report Posted December 20, 2025 State Fairgrounds Arena Nashville December 17, 1990 This is the biggest night of the year in Nashville as they get to hold a one night tournament to crown the new Southern Heavyweight Champion as the title was vacated by Randy “Macho Man” Savage when he won the USWA World Heavyweight Title at Wrestlecade II. Before we get into the tournament, we must first go back to this week’s tv show where Terry Taylor, who was left out of the tournament, was granted a shot by Scott Steiner to “win” his spot in the tournament if Taylor could beat Steiner in TV. Steiner did this because he wanted to put Taylor in his place and was tired of Taylor’s arrogance and obnoxious behavior. As for this match, Taylor talked a good game but once he felt the power of Steiner, he lost some of that arrogance and played the frightened heel really well… or maybe he wasn’t playing as Steiner was showcasing some insane power moves. Taylor did have some time on top as he was really good at the dirty tactics but in the end, Steiner goes over Taylor with a big powerbomb. Also coming out of this week’s tv show was that the suspension of Jerry “The King” Lawler had been lifted. Lawler was suspended because of the fireball he tossed into the face of Honky Tonk Man. Jimmy Hart was not happy about Lawler’s suspension being lifted as he claims that HTM is still weeks away from totally regaining his eye sight and Hart once again asked for money to be sent to help cover the medical bills of the HTM. Just as Hart was not too happy this week, neither was Jerry Lawler. Lawler was fuming about being left out of the Southern Heavyweight Tournament. Lance tried to calm him down and did tell the King that Bill Apter said Lawler was definitely in the top 8 wrestlers in the USWA but that he did not include him due to the current suspension. Jerry Jarrett came out to try and calm down Lawler but Lawler continued with his demands that he be in the tournament. He told Jarrett that it was simple… take Tommy Rich out of the tournament and put Lawler in. You heard some in-studio fans cheer this idea while others seemed upset. While Lawler is the King of Memphis, Wildfire has been a good soldier since his return to the area and the fans are really behind him. Jarrett seemed unsure of what to do as he said the tournament was already set and it would be unfair to take Wildfire out. Lawler, the one babyface that has not accepted Wildfire since his return, got on the fans a bit here and told them that Tommy Rich was nothing but a cheating, lowlife who has them all fooled. This brought out Tommy Rich, who seemed as sick of Lawler as Lawler was of him. Wildfire didn’t seem to know what Lawler’s problem was but if he didn’t want to let bygones be bygones, they need to settle this in the ring once and for all and that Nashville was the perfect place. So, it was Tommy “Wildfire” Rich solving the problem for all… It would be the #8 seed, Tommy Rich wrestling the #9 seed Jerry “The King” Lawler in the first round of the tournament. Lance wonders what’s been going on with Lawler lately. First it was Lawler with the fireball and now it’s Lawler going after Tommy Rich for no reason at all. Dave Brown wonders if it has anything to do with Randy Savage winning the world title from Bossman and not Jerry Lawler. USWA SOUTHERN TITLE TOURNAMENT RULES: -Single Elimination -First two rounds have a 15-minute time limit -Semifinals have a 30-minute time limit Finals have no time limit Round #1 Tommy “Wildfire” Rich vs Jerry “the King Lawler The King has been the only one not buying Wildfire’s babyface return here in Memphis and it turned out the King was right! This match started with a handshake offer from Wildfire that was turned down by the King but it ended with Wildfire tossing the referee from the ring and then nailing Lawler with multiple chair shots to the head. Wildfire was disqualified but he left with a big smile on his face as it seems this has been something he has been waiting for since his return to Memphis. Quarterfinals Bossman vs Jerry “The King” Lawler Lawler has had his recent struggles with Bossman over the past few months as these two former USWA World Champions have squared off on numerous occasions and this one was no different. Lawler, with no time to recover after the chair shots by Wildfire, was still laying in the ring when Bossman walked down the aisle; all the disadvantages of being the #9 seed. This match was easy pickings for the Bossman who simply came to the ring, nailed Lawer with a few big shoulder blocks before finishing him off with a sidewalk slam. While the crowd had been wondering about Lawler’s behavior of late, the Wildfire turn had them right back 100% behind their King and you could tell they were really concerned about Lawler’s health. “Stunning” Steve Austin with Medusa vs Jeff Jarrett These two faced off many times in recent months as they were both vying for the USWA World Television Title which at that point was held by Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert. Their familiarity with each other and their in-ring talent made this possibly the best wrestling match of the tournament. Both men did a great job of bumping and selling around the ring with multiply momentum changes in this fast-paced match. The problem was that never man could finish the other off in the 15 minutes- Time Limit Draw! Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart vs Greg “the Hammer” Valentine with Jimmy Hart To quote a former Dawn of War writer, GeneJackson, who I recently heard on a podcast about Memphis Wrestling, “only in Memphis would you see two guys face off against each other week after week following their big blow off match.” Well, the Anvil and the Hammer just fought each other in a Memphis Street Fight at Wrestlecade where Anvil actually hit the Hammer with an anvil and now they are back at it again. This time it was Jimmy Hart’s megaphone connecting with the Anvil which allowed Greg Valentine to hit a middle-rope knee drop to get the pinfall. Valentine moves on! Scott Steiner vs “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert with Missy Hyatt and Jimmy Hart We have seen plenty of wrestlers in Memphis seem enamored with Missy Hyatt and her “assets” which has often been a bone of contention for Eddie Gilbert. This time, it might be Missy who has eyes for someone else as she seems “real interested” in Scott Steiner. Eddie does notice this and seems genuinely angry with Missy. Jimmy Hart tries to get Eddie to focus but the damage may be done. Scott Steiner is just different. Rarely has there been this combination of skill and power and with Eddie’s mind elsewhere, he is doomed from the beginning. The match goes less than 8 minutes with Steiner getting the win with a belly to belly suplex off the middle rope. Even with her man lying on the ground, Missy does seem to watch Scott Steiner head up the aisle. Semifinals: Bossman with a bye to the finals as a result of the Austin-Jarrett Time Limit Draw. Scott Steiner vs “Greg “The Hammer” Valentine This was a very hard-hitting bout but with different styles. Steiner was looking for the power moves but Valentine was looking to wear down his larger opponent by taking him apart limb by limb. The Hammer’s kicks, knees and elbow drops to Steiner’s right leg had him hobbling every time he tried to nail a big move. Valentine almost had the submission win with the figure four but Steiner managed to drag himself to the ropes forcing the break. In the end, Steiner managed a big powerbomb for the victory. One thing for sure is that neither Steiner or Austin is entering the finals at 100%. USWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH The Road Warriors © defeat The Assassin (Don Bass) and The Super Destroyer (Bill Irwin) with the Doomsday Device on The Assassin. USWA Southern Title Tournament Finals: Bossman vs Scott Steiner Bossman comes to the ring first and he is all fired up as he is arguing with any fan that will fight back. He gets the ring and immediately starts running the ropes as he is all amped up. Steiner comes to the ring and is 100% focused. Bossman asks for the house mic before the match started… Bossman: Steiner… you don’t belong in this ring. You are nothing but a second rate tag team wrestler. You were living off your brother Rick and sense he got hurt, you’ve done nothing. Why don’t you save yourself a whole lot of pain and walk away now! Steiner simply nods his head at the bossman as the ref calls for the bell… WHAM… Belly to Belly suplex as Scott Steiner tosses Bossman half way across the ring! Lance Russell wonders if the Bossman now thinks that Scott Steiner belongs in this match. Bossman to his knees which leads to a few big clubbing forearms by Steiner to Bossman’s back. Steiner drapes Bossman over the bottom rope face first and does his best Bossman impersonation as he comes flying off the ropes and lands on Bossman’s back! He is now riding him like a bronco, using the ropes to add to his momentum. Steiner whips Bossman into the corner and comes flying after him…. WHAM…Bossman with both knees to the face of Steiner and Steiner flies backwards. Bossman simply jumps on Steiner and starts throwing big right hands. The ref is admonishing him to no avail. The ref starts counting and verbally warning Bossman. Finally, Bossman stops but only to scoop up Steiner for a big back to back suplex. Now it is Steiner in a world of hurt! Bossman with the baseball slide and big right hand to Steiner’s face as he was now draped across the middle rope. Bossman back in the ring… but he took a little to long and as he put one foot across the middle rope, Steiner grabbed the rope and starting lifting it violently between Bossman’s legs. If you didn’t know it, it would be hard to tell by the wrestling if either of these two were babyfaces. This was all out war. Steiner now with a few kicks and punches before he hoists the 300-pound Bossman across the ring with another belly to belly! What’s this… a wrestling move? Steiner locks in the Boston Crab and is really adding in some serious yanking on the chin of his opponent. It looks like Bossman is going to snap in half but he won’t submit…. Steiner keeps yanking and yanking and adding in some big time torque! The ref grabs Bossman’s arm and lifts it once… it falls to the ground. Is Bossman completely knocked out from the pain? The ref lifts Bossman’s arm and drops it again… it falls straight to the ground for a count of two. The ref lifts the arm for the third time… he releases … and it falls straight to the ground for the count of three! We have a new USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion! Scott Steiner is celebrating as the ref hands him the title. From out of the back comes Rick Steiner who we have not seen since Halloween to celebrate with his brother. Rick is still walking with the aid of crutches after the knee injury he survived against the Road Warriors that night. The Steiner brothers embrace and head to the back as we see the Bossman struggling to get to his feet!
ErictheDragon Posted December 20, 2025 Report Posted December 20, 2025 Well it looks like Lawler has been vindicated in his distrust of Rich. Personally though, i'mm looking forward to Tommy's response because Lawler was pushing him pretty hard. Still, an easy first round match for the Bossman. Austin & Jarrett know each other a little too well. Always nice to hear from Gene. Hart's interference pays off this time giving the Hammer some payback. Scott with an impressive display in his first round match. Missy certainly thought so. Steiner goes bck-to-back by putting down the Hammer. Road Warriors run over the masked men. One things that stands out as you research the Steiner Bros is how early promoters realized that Scott had it in him to be The Man. Jerry Jarrett agrees and December 1990 marks the beginning of the Steiner era.
spaldoni Posted December 20, 2025 Report Posted December 20, 2025 I actually thought Rich was changing his ways. I guess Lawler was right all along. Thanks to Rich, Bossman gets an easy win. At least we're going to get more Lawler/Rich wars. Austin and Jarret go the limit in a show stealing match Valentine gets some revenge on Anvil After proving himself against Taylor, Steiner decimates Hot Stuff and gets the attention of Missy Valentine puts the hammer down but Steiner prevails Road Warriors give the fans a good showing Great write up for the finals. Bossman and Steiner went at it! I loved that finish. Very believable and made total sense. Steiner's on a whole new level now. It'll be interesting to see what happens when Rick returns. Savage, Steiner, the Road Warriors. Memphis has some damn good champions.
LowBlowPodcast Posted December 23, 2025 Report Posted December 23, 2025 This was a really solid show and it felt like a true Memphis-style big night. The Lawler and Tommy Rich stuff carried the emotion of the card, and Rich turning heel paid off immediately by putting the crowd fully back behind Lawler. Scott Steiner came out of this looking like a made guy — beating Gilbert, Valentine, and Bossman in one night didn’t feel forced and really established him as a top player. The Austin–Jarrett time-limit draw worked because it made the tournament feel real, even if it clearly set that feud aside for later. The Missy distraction with Steiner was subtle and effective without becoming the focus. The finals were physical and believable, and the Boston Crab finish was a smart way to show Steiner isn’t just power
jeff5819 Posted December 27, 2025 Report Posted December 27, 2025 One of the finest booked 1 night tournaments I've seen. Lawler looksike a man on a Misson to take back the number 1 spot at all costs. Rich turning heel is an interesting turn of events that freshens up Rich and gives Lawler a big time feud that isn't for a title. As for the Scott Steiner he looks like a beast and a force to reckon with in his showcase night and I agree with the Boston Crab finisher showing off some of his technical side and proving he's not just a powerhouse makes him seem an even bigger deal
kevinmcfl Posted December 30, 2025 Author Report Posted December 30, 2025 December 29, 1990 (This event was to be bigger but a few wrestlers NO SHOWED the event as they were moving on from USWA and didn’t want to do the job… so were the times in 1990) Terry Taylor defeats Sweet Brown Sugar with the Five Arm. While the finish was clean, Taylor had used questionable tactics throughout the match to thwart the hot start by Sweet Brown Sugar who had Taylor rocking after multiple missile dropkicks. It seems Taylor’s recent defeat at the hands of Scott Steiner did nothing to bring down his ego as he strutted around the ring from the introduction to the pin. The Dirty White Boy defeated “White Lightening” Tim Horner with the Bucksnort Blaster. (power slam) While Taylor used questionable tactics to show his heel side, DWB was just ultra-violent which had the fans all over him. Horner’s speed was negated early as the DWB just started pummeling Horner with forearms and elbows as soon as the bell started. Intergender Match: Michael Wallstreet & Bull Nakano with Ms. York vs “Stunning” Steve Austin & Madusa Wallstreet and Austin have been feuding over the USWA World Television Title for a while and Austin was able to come out on top each time until Wallstreet hired Bull Nakano to “take care of” Madusa. While this was accomplished by a Pearl Harbor job by Nakano, it did just enough to distract Austin and allow Wallstreet to leave with the gold. This bout, while the women and men are associated with each other, is really two feuds in one. Wallstreet and Austin clearly don’t like each other and Nakano and Madusa both feel like they are the best woman wrestler on the world. This should be enough to get this match over but add in Ms. Alexandria York and her computer and nobody knows what to expect. As for the match, it is really good. Wallstreet and Austin are awesome in the ring. They both bump and sell and show off a wide array of moves but it is Nakano and Madusa who steal the show. In the end, we see Ms. York attempt to hit Austin with the computer but she misses. Stunning Steve heads out after her but he is followed by Wallstreet which leads to a big melee out on the floor. While this was going on, Nakano was giving a good beating to Madusa until she ducked under a big clothesline from Bull. Madusa comes off with a big clothesline and down goes Nakano. WHAM… As Nakano staggered to her feet, Madusa nailed her with a huge spinning heel kick for the win! When the bell rang and Wallstreet looked to the ring and saw Nakano flat on her back, he knew that his money on the hired assassiness was money not well spent. You could just see from the smirk on Austin’s face that he was thinking, “that’s my girl.” One thing for certain as we had to 1991, Ms. York and her computer need a new plan to slow down Stunning Steve if her man wants to keep that USWA World Television Title. USWA Southern Tag Team Title Match The Destruction Company and the Rock n Roll Express wrestler to a 20-minute time limit draw. This one saw it all as both teams had many near falls but couldn’t keep the other down. Semi-main Event Jerry “The King” Lawler defeats Tommy “Wildfire” Rich by DQ as “Hot Stuff” Gilbert rushed the ring and attacked the King. This saw Brian Lawler come down to help his father. While the sides were even for a minute or two, it looks like Honky Tonk Man and his “vision problem” is heeled as he rushed to the ring where he nailed Jerry Lawler with a guitar shot. Now Rich grabbed Lawler from behind and made him watch as Gilbert and HTM beat Brian from pillar to post. Eventually The Rock n Roll Express and Steve Austin made the save but it was too late. Brian was down on the center of the mat and The King was visibly distraught. Main Event: USWA World Title Match Randy Savage © defeats the Big Bossman in this rematch from Wrestlecade II. Give Bossman some credit here as he put on a great show even though he is on his way out of the USWA. In the end, Savage connected with the flying elbow drop for the clean win for the babyface.
ErictheDragon Posted December 30, 2025 Report Posted December 30, 2025 Shameful hos unprofessional some people ca be. Taylor still thinks he's the cock of the walk. DWB lives up to his name. Medusa shows there's no weak link in her team with Austin. The DC show they can hang with the champs. Seems Rich has found himself a new family. Savage closes out the year with his title reign intact.
kevinmcfl Posted Saturday at 01:28 AM Author Report Posted Saturday at 01:28 AM January 3, 1991 Lance Russell: Yellow again everybody. Happy New Year! Lance Russell and Dave Brown here ready for another big one. Dave Brown: That’s right Lance but we are not quite ready to say goodbye to 1990 yet here in the USWA. Today we are going to be recapping the Top 10 moments from 1990 along with recognizing all the USWA title holders and even giving out a few awards! Honorable Mentions to the Top 10 Moments of 1990 in the USWA Last match between the Freebirds (Hayes & Garvin) vs The Studd Stable (Fuller & Eudy) for the Southern Tag Titles in a Steel Cage. The Freebirds (Hayes &Garvin) have been feuding with The Studd Stable (Robert Fuller & Sid Eudy) for nearly 6 months now. We have seen many different types of matches as these two teams have traded the Southern Tag Team Titles back and forth. We have even seen this feud divide families as Jimmy Golden sided with the Freebirds for a time and Buddy Roberts helped the Studd Stable. Eddie Marlin, concerned for the well-being of all involved, decided this would be the Last Match between these two teams in Memphis. As for the match, Eudy injures his leg which allows Hayes and Garvin to go over and win the titles. Jerry “The King” Lawler vs “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert with Jimmy Hart and Missy Hyatt: Stipulation: Anyone who interferes will be suspended for one year from wrestling in Memphis. In this match, two interesting things happen… first Lance Rusell notices that “The Bounty Hunter” Dick Slater is sitting in the first row. Last week, we found out that Slater was hired by someone to take Lawler out of wrestling but Slater needed to be sure what he was told was the truth. Next, Lance, is joined by Curt Hennig at the announce area and says that he is just here to “watch” Lawler get what’s coming to him. Lance points out that this could be trouble for The King as Slater, the bounty hunter, doesn’t work for the CWA and technically, neither does Hennig, the USWA World Champion. As for the match, it is back and forth with a bunch of momentum changes. Every time Lawler has the advantage, we see Jimmy Hart and Missy Hyatt try to come up with a way to help Hot Stuff without being suspended. Eventually we see Missy try to distract ref Jerry Calhoun with her “assets.” This doesn’t work but Calhoun does take time to admonish Missy and tells her to get off the apron. WHAM… Low blow by Gilbert on Lawler. Wait a minute… Slater is coming towards the ring! Eddie goes to cover Lawler! Slater grabs…. Missy Hyatt… and lifts her off the apron…. Jerry Calhoun turns towards the action and sees the cover. He rushes over to start the count. Missy Hyatt screams when Slater lifts her up! Hotstuff sees Missy in the Slater’s arms and gets off Lawler and heads towards the rope Here comes Curt Hennig Slater puts down Missy and starts to point as Jimmy Hart… Hart nervous… starts to run around the ring! WHAM… Jimmy Hart and Curt Hennig collide…Hart goes flying and Hennig goes to check on him. WHAM… Uppercut by Lawler on Gilbert…. WHAM… piledriver by Lawler 1…2…3! Lawler has defeated Gilbert Jerry “The King” Lawler & Jeff Jarrett vs “Macho Man” Randy Savage with Miss. Elizabeth & Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert with Jimmy Hart & Missy Hyatt with Dick Slater as the Special Guest Referee Give Slater some credit. He played this down the middle. Every time someone went to break the rules, he got involved! He cleared Eddie Gilbert away from the corner when he nailed Lawler with an illegal knee to the gut. He shoved both JJ and Eddie Gilbert out of the ring after a too-long double team and he knocked Jimmy Hart off the apron as he came up with the microphone. In the end, Lawler is straddling Gilbert and starts throwing big haymakers at Hot Stuff. Slater warns the King to stop but he keeps going as the crowd is counting the blows. Slater asks Lawler again to stop with the punches as the fans are nearing double digits! WHAM… Slater grabbed Lawler by his singlet and throws him backwards. WHAM… Gilbert face plants from the blows but he falls towards his corner and Macho Man makes the tag! WHAM… Top Rope Elbow Drop by the Macho Man…. JJ rushes in to break up the count but Slater interrupts him and forces him to leave the ring. This argument takes a little time but Jimmy Hart now scampers into the ring and nails Lawler with the microphone before Slater turned back. The two blows by Savage and Hart are too much and Savage pinned Lawler as Slater completed the three-count! And now the Top 10 #10: Southern Heavyweight Title: Randy Savage © vs Curt Hennig Macho Man retains the title with what might have been the match of the year in the USWA as Macho Man connected with the top rope elbow drop after a long battle that saw both men showcase all of their talents. #9: USWA World Title: Jerry Lawler vs “The Bounty Hunter” Dick Slater Is this just another USWA World Title bout or is this Slater’s attempt to collect a bounty on Lawler. The match goes through a long, slow, feeling-out process between the two punchers as the opening 10 minutes looks very much like a true wrestling match. We get a few pushes into the corner by both men followed by surprising, clean breaks. We get hip tosses, hammer locks, reversal of hammer locks with great go behinds, arm bars and leg scissors. To many, it was surprising that Slater seemed to control most of this segment. Lawler became frustrated with the pace and elbowed Slater in the head, only to have The Bounty Hunter hip toss the King in the center of the ring. The wrestling continues with more armbars and wristlocks. Finally, the two lock up for a test of strength where it is Slater’s turn to throw the big elbow into the head of Lawler and the brawl is on! After a few punches that saw the King take the advantage, Lawler whips Slater into the ropes and goes for the big backdrop only to have Slater with the leap frog escape. WHAM… Reverse Neck Breaker by Slater! WHAM… Knee Drop by Slater and he goes for the cover but Lawler kicks out at 2. Frustrated, Slater tosses the King to the floor and now we get a nice fight out by the fans and on to the ramp towards the locker rooms. This is where we get the camera shot of Tommy “Wildfire” Rich sitting in the stands with a big smile on his face, eating a bucket of popcorn. Not sure if the appearance of Tommy Rich shook the King, but Slater seemed to take control of the situation. Slater uses the ring bell to draw some color of Lawler and then runs him into the ring post before tossing the champion back into the ring! Slater with the cover but again Lawler kicks out at 2. Slater frustrated, walks around the ring before grabbing Lawler by the back of the head as he is setting him up for the piledriver! The fans sense this could be the end. WHAM… Lawler, somehow blocked the piledriver and nailed Slater with a backdrop. From there, the comeback is on as Lawler is all fired up! He connects with 10 big punches to the head of Slater and the Bounty Hunter staggers before crumbling on the mat. Strap is pulled down… Lawler to the middle rope…. And Tommy Rich walks to ring side! Lawler sees Wildfire but focuses on Slater and leaps and connects with the big fist drop! Lawler now scoops up Slater… WHAM… Piledriver by Lawler. 1…2…3! #8: : USWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE - The Road Warriors © vs The Rock n Roll Express Speed vs power to the extreme! This is the USWA World Tag Team Champions vs The USWA Southern Tag Team Champions but it is only the Road Warriors whose World Title is on the line. It is Hawk and Robert Gibson who start off and as soon as the lock up collar and elbow, Hawk launches Robert across the ring. With Robert sitting on the ground, you can just tell by the look on his face that he was overwhelmed by Hawk’s power. It is one thing to know about the power of the Road Warriors but it is another to feel it first-hand. Robert with a new plan… They lock up again and this time it’s Robert with a go behind to a hammer lock to an inside cradle for the pin. Count of 1 and Hawk launches Robert into the air. Hawk with a big scream and flex! We get about half the crowd with a pop. Hawk rushes at Robert and nails him with a big clothesline. Ricky rushes in and Hawk military press’s him and tosses him on top of Robert! Things slow down for a second as both teams tag out. It is Ricky vs Animal. Animal simply kicks Ricky in the gut and lifts him up by his head and throws him into the Warriors corner where Animal and Hawk go to work. Robert rushes over but Animal simply turns and nails him with a huge clothesline. Robert again flies to the matt. A bit if a funny spot is next as Robert once again rushes over to save Ricky but this time he sees Animal turn and Robert stops and walks towards his corner. He thinks he has saved himself from another major blow but it was Animal who followed him and nailed him with a big clothesline to the back of his head and Robert is down for about the 10th time already in the match. Ricky tries to escape but Animal catches him and whips him into the ropes. Morton comes off with a cross-body block only to be caught by Animal. Animal slams Morton into his knee; lifting him over and over again dropping him each time across his knee. Somehow both members of the Rock n Roll Express roll out of the ring and they come together to discuss a new plan as this one is not working. Ricky up on the apron as here comes Animal. It is Robert who trips up Animal and together Ricky and Robert who ram Animal’s leg into the ring post. The RnR Express now go to work on Animal. Double clothesline- Double Drop Kick-Double Leg Drop. It is now Animal playing the wrestler in peril as the Express have him in real trouble. They are hitting him with every move you could think off. Animal tried on numerous occasions to escape only to have Ricky and Robert double team him back to their own corner. Finally, Ricky with a mistake as he whipped Animal into the corner and rushed in to quickly as Animal launched himself out with a nasty clothesline. With Ricky down, Animal tags in Hawk. Hawk is now cleaning house! He nails Ricky… Robert… Ricky… Robert. Animal is back up and scoops up Ricky. Hawk to the top rope! WHAM…. Dooms Day Device!!! 1…2….3! The Road Warriors survive. #7: USWA WORLD TITLE MATCH- Big Bossman © vs “Macho Man” Randy Savage The first thing you notice is the size advantage for Bossman. He is huge! The two walk to the center of the ring. WAAP…. Bossman slaps Savage….WAAP…. Savage slaps Bossman. The two slap each other about 5 times and then lock up and roll around the ropes all over the ring. Finally, the ref breaks them up in the corner but Bossman with a huge heel elbow on the break and Savage is down. Bossman gets the first shot at wrestling from the top. Bossman makes this more of a boxing match then anything else with huge right hands. Give Savage some credit as he took about 5 blows and then blocked the 6th one and fired away with a few of his own. Bossman wasn’t having any of this and followed up a rake of the eyes with a nasty headbutt and Savage was down again. Bossman now begins the big moves. He drapes Savage over the bottom rope and runs across the ring and jumps on Savage’ back. Next, he slides the ring and nails Savage with another big right hand. Savage rolls all the way across the ring and out onto the floor as Bossman heads to the center of the ring and gloats about his dominance. Finally Bossman heads out to attack Savage but it was too long. Savage with the Ax Handle chop and he is back on top! Savage rams Bossman’s head into the steel barrier and then to the amazement of all, he scoops up Bossman on the concrete floor. Savage is about to run Bossman in the steel ring post but … WHAM… Bossman reversed it and it is Savage he goes face first into the post. Somehow, Savage made it in before the count of 10 but it is only to take more punishment. Kicks, chops, elbows, slams and splashes…. It is all Bossman. WHAM… Bossman with a belly to belly powerbomb and he knows its over. He simply lays across Savage 1…2…. Oh my God… Savage kicks out! Bossman drags up Savage into a nasty headlock but somehow Savage nails the back drop! Savage is still slow but he is starting to feel it as Bossman is down and trying to recover. It is a race to see who is up first. The fans are so disappointed as it is Bossman up first. He is really showing why he is the champion. WHAM… Another giant splash in the corner! UMMMPH …. Bossman locks in the Bear Hug. Savage is flailing in agony but there is no quit in the Macho Man. He kind of slithers up in the bear hug and now has a bit of a leverage advantage and starts throwing big right hands at Bossman. Bossman drops Savage and again, we see both men struggling to be first up. Again, it is the champ and he whips Savage into the corner but nobody home… Savage scampers to the top rope and comes off with a double axhandle smash to Bossman. Like lightening, Savage rushes across the ring and scampers up to the top. He is now almost ¾ of the ring away from Bossman. He stands tall… arms up in the air… leaps WHAM… Savage with the Top Rope Flying Elbow Drop!! 1…2…3! Randy “Macho Man” Savage is the new USWA World Heavyweight Champion. #6: USWA World Tag Team Title Match: The Steiners © vs Doom with Teddy Long Doom comes to the ring dressed all in black from their capes to their long tights. They are led by Teddy Long who does his best to antagonize the fans. When the Steiners come to the ring in their Michigan jackets, they go face to face with Simmons and Reed. Nobody seems to want to leave the ring as the two teams do a lot of posturing around the ring. Finally we get started with Rick Steiner and Hacksaw Butch Reed. This one starts with a big pose down before the two finally lock up. Both men struggle to move their opponent from the center of the ring, so they release the lock up and just start trading big right hands! The crows is loving this one already. Again, we get a lock up but Reed thrusts a knee into the midsection of Rick and then Hacksaw goes to work…. A big elbow after an Irish Whip sends Rick flying. Reed now shoves Rick back into his own corner and Reed and Simmons now go to work on Steiner. Somehow Rick manages to fight his way out of the corner and nails the now legal Rron Simmons with a big Steiner Bomb (clothesline) Hacksaw doesn’t want to see Doom’s advantage go away so he rushes in and illegal attacks Rick. This brings in Scott and we go bonzo-gonza for a few minutes where the Steiners finally got the advantage. Rick and Scott go to whip Ron and Butch into each other but somehow, Reed leapfrogs his partner. Both Butch and Ron point at their heads like they are just too smart! WHAM… Double clothesline by the Steiners on Doom! Doom manages to take the action out to the arena floor where we get a wild brawl with the ref having no control. Finally we are back in the ring with Scott and Simmons. Again, the two big men lock up collar and elbow by Simmons wastes no time before he elbows Scott in the head. Simmons goes to whip Scott into the corner but Scott reverses it. Simmons hits the corner so hard, he bounces out! WHAM… Belly to Belly by Steiner. He goes for the cover. 1…2…. Kick out by Simmons. WHAM… Shoulder breaker by Steiner. He covers again. 1…2… 2 ½ … kick out by Simmons. Steiner again whips Simmons into the ropes but Ron hooks the ropes as Scott went airborne for the Frankensteiner. Simmons tags in Hacksaw Butch Reed. Reed quickly tosses Scott to the floor. This angers Rick who enters the ring and goes after Hacksaw. This was all just a trick to allow Simmons to go to work on the outside against Scott. WHAM… Simmons drops Scott face first against the security railing before rolling him back into the ring. Doom now really goes to work on Scott Steiner. Reed nails a reverse neckbreaker but again, only a count of two. Next, Reed with a huge clothesline; another 2 count. In comes Simmons. Spinebuster…. 2 ½ count. Rick can take no more but all this did was force the ref to push Rick back out of the ring which set up Doom! Spike Piledriver….1…2… Rick makes the save. Scott Steiner manages an inside cradle on Simmons but all this did was anger Doom who now stomped Scott all over the ring. WHAM… Doom with a double suplex but again, Rick makes the save. Simmons now locks in the Camel Clutch and tries to rip Scott’s face apart but he refuses to give in. In fact, Scott manages to drag Simmons over to his corner for the tag to Rick but Teddy Long saw what was happening and jumped up on the apron just in time to distract the ref. Since the ref didn’t see the tag, he, again forced Rick back out of the ring and beating of Scott continued. Finally, we get the hot tag and Rick goes NUTS!! WHAM… powerslam on Simmons. WHAM… belly to belly suplex on Reed. WHAM… Double Clothesline on Reed. WHAM… Double Suplex on Simmons. WHAM… Frankensteiner on Simmons. And for a match we all the chaos and power… Rick from behind, shoves Simmons into the ropes and hooks the belly for the roll up for the successful title defense! #4: Jerry Lawler wins the USWA World Title Lance Russell: Let’s all take a look at this video from the AWA event that took place on Saturday Night in Market Square Arena. We see Jerry Lawler ramming the USWA champ, “Mr Perfect” Curt Hennig’s head into the uncovered turnbuckle before pulling the strap down and climbing to the middle rope for the fist drop which he followed up with a devastating piledriver for the 3-count!! Lance Russell: That’s right folks… We have a new USWA World Champion, Jerry “The King” Lawler and I was there in Indianapolis the other night and had a chance to interview the King in the locker room just after that glorious victory and here is that video. Lance Russell: I’m with the new USWA World Heavyweight Champion… Jerry “The King” Lawler who just beat Curt Hennig for the 1-2-3 right there in the middle of the ring. Now that some of the noise has died down, now that the fans who were cheering for you a little while ago have gone home, I want to know your thoughts on this accomplishment. We all know that you have been chasing Curt Hennig for months and now you’ve done it. Jerry Lawler: Lance, I guess over the past 6 months or so, I’ve thought about a thousand times what I would say if I was ever won the world title but now that it’s happened, I’m at a loss for words. It’s like I’ve finally climbed to the top of a mountain that I never knew if could climb. I mean after having the title taken from me by a coin toss, then taken away by the interference of Randy Savage and now dealing with Dick Slater, this has been a rough 6 months. I mean there where so many obstacles I had to overcome but I did it for all those fans who were behind me tonight. I know that Memphis wrestling has long been associated with the AWA but we haven’t been together for awhile now and the way they were cheering for me tonight was special. I did this for them… for all the fans back in Memphis and for all the fans around the wrestling world! #4: Jerry Lawler vs Big Bossman vs Randy Savage in a Lights Out-Non Title- Non-Sanctioned Country Whipping Match While this is not a title match, one thing is for certain… the winner of this wild bout can stake claim to being the top dog in the USWA! With everybody with a strap and everyone in the ring at the same time, one thing for certain… Lawler, Savage and Bossman will all have the welts to show for this one. Whipping, choking and tying people to the ropes soon became the norm in this Country Whipping Match. It didn’t matter to anyone who they hit… all three men have pure hatred for each other and with good reason! In the end, we see Lawler trying to choke out Bossman while Savage was down from a powerslam by Bossman. The choke went on long enough that Macho Man recovered enough to climb to the top rope… WHAM… top rope diving elbow drop to both Lawler and Bossman. Savage tosses Bossman over the top rope and then violently begins to whip Lawler. Finally Savage covers Lawler. 1…2….3! Savage wins this brutal match. As for the fans, they may have found some new respect for Savage for surviving such a brutal bout! #3: The Road Warriors defeat the Steiner Brothers for the USWA World Tag Title No need to go into too much detail as these two power teams nailed each other with some of the biggest and hardest moves in the sport for about 12 minutes until it appeared that Rick Steiner injured his right leg while executing one of his big suplexes. This left Scott to defend the title by himself against Animal and Hawk which is just too big of a task for any human. In the end, we see The Road Warriors connect with the Doomsday Device on Scott and we have new USWA World Tag Team Champions…. The Road Warriors. #2: Family Ties: After Honky Tonk Man unmasked POW who turns out to be Brian Christopher. We see the First Family (Jimmy Hart, HTM, Eddie Gilbert and Greg Valentine) at the podium with Lance Russell. Honky Tonk Man is visibly upset and demands that Brian Christopher comes out to the podium which he obliges. Jimmy Hart: “Oh baby get ready. This is gonna be great. The cat’s coming out of the bag.” Honky Tonk Man: “Brian, I warned you last time…. If you ever showed your face again in USWA Wrestling, I was gonna blow your cover. I knew there was something strange about that masked POW character nonsense and that’s exactly why I pulled it off of you last week in the Midsouth Coliseum. You thought you could pull the wool over our eyes. No way! I saw right through you. I mean come on Brian. Imitating a prisoner of war that’s really low even for someone with your last name. Brian: “hold on, hold on!” Jimmy Hart: “No way baby. It’s too late!” Brian: “I’m not talking to you, you little weasel. I’m talking to Honky Tonk Man; or should I say Wayne Ferris or ….. should I say ……Cousin.” Honky Tonk man with a shocked look on his face. Brian Christopher: “My father always told me how dumb you were and you just proved it. My POW mask wasn’t for Prisoner of War. It’s for Prince of Wrestling!! That’s right folks, my father is the King of Memphis Wrestling. Jerry Lawler!” A gasp from the crowd along with Lance Russell! Brian Christopher: “That’s right Lance. I am Jerry Lawler’s son. Folks, I’m sorry for not telling you the truth from the start but I wanted to try and make it in this sport all on my own. It has nothing to do with Dad. This was all my decision and I’m sorry for not being honest from the from the beginning. Jimmy Hart and Honky Tonk Man look like all of the Thunder was just stolen from them as the cat is out of the bag. Brian Christopher: “Honky Tonk Man… I’m sorry, I mean Wayne. Let’s tell your story …now since you wanted to be the one who spilled all the beans about me. I remember Dad saying you were the black sheep of the family and that’s why we didn’t spend any time with the Ferris side of the family. He said you just was raised all bad and you didn’t know how to act. That’s right folks …. Wayne here is my daddy’s first cousin and my second cousin, but we don’t like to admit that in public . You cousin… you’ve always been a lowlife and after the last time Daddy kicked your butt, from one end of the arena to the other, you ran away like you’ve always done. This time, you ran all the way up to New York and tried to pretend you were some famous musician. The only problem was you were worse at music than you were at wrestling. WHAM …. Honky Tonk Man attacks Brian This leads to a 3-1 beating as “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine join in the attack and they all get their shots in on young Brian. Lance Russell: And here comes the King and the Anvil. It’s Jerry Lawler and he’s on fire!... Big right hand after big right hand. Neidhart is hammering away on Valentine. Somehow, Jimmy Hart gathers his men as they run for the hills as Lawler and Neidhart check on Brian. Jerry Lawler, Jim Neidhart and Bryan Christopher to the podium. Jerry Lawler: Jimmy Hart… Wayne Farris, my lowlife cousin. Let’s get one thing straight. I‘ve known both of you for most of my life… since we were all kids. You two both tried your luck in the music industry and failed. I tried to help you both out … to make something of yourselves … by bringing you into wrestling. Wayne…. Jimmy…. The problem was you two were jealous. Jealous of me. Jealous that you two weren’t any good at this either so you have been trying to come up with ideas for decades on how to run me out of wrestling. Well you’ve failed each and every time. I am the King of Memphis and now I got me boy with me… Brian…. The Prince of Wrestling. Now imagine how hard it will be for you two now that there’s two Lawler’s. Things are gonna change around here. It’s you two who will be run out of Memphis … by King and the Prince! Father and son embrace as the crowd goes wild. #1: Randy Savage hits Jerry Lawler with a car! As the show came to an end last week, we saw Eddie Marlin rush onto the set in urgent need of a doctor. When asked what happened, all he could say before the screen faded to black was Lawler… Randy Savage uh… So it turns out that as Jerry Lawler was leaving the TV studio, Randy Savage hit him with his car and then got out of the car and was all over Jerry Lawler. It was at this time that Jeff Jarrett, Dustin Rhodes and the Freebirds were leaving and then rushed over to aid Lawler. Savage got back in his car and drove off. An ambulance was called for Lawler who was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. Lance Russell: First of all Jerry, what happened last Saturday afternoon? Jerry Lawler: That’s simple. The one they call the Macho Man wasn’t so macho. He needed a car to do what he couldn’t do. He came up from behind and ran me over. Lucky for me, I just rolled over the hood and landed on my right shoulder. But listen up Macho… you better have eyes in the back of your head because Memphis is my town and I got a lot of friends. Revenge is coming but you just won’t know when. 1990 Roll Call of Champions USWA World Heavyweight Champion Curt Hennig defeated Jerry Lawler on Thanksgiving Night, Nov.28, 1989 at the Midsouth Coliseum by a coin toss after a 1 Hour Time Limit Draw to become first USWA champ. Jerry Lawler defeated Curt Hennig on April 12, 1990 at Market Square Arena Big Bossman defeated Jerry Lawler on September 15, 1990 at the Midsouth Coliseum . Randy Savage with Miss. Elizabeth defeats Bossman on November 28, 1990 at Wrestlecade II in the Midsouth Coliseum USWA World Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeat The Southern Boys (Tracy Smothers & Steve Armstrong) in the finals of an 8-team joint-promotion tournament at the Midsouth Coliseum on March 24, 1990 The Road Warriors defeated The Steiner Brothers on October 31, 1990 at Halloween Spooktacular at the Midsouth Coliseum Southern Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated Eddie Gilbert in the Mid-South Coliseum on September 30, 1989 Randy "Macho Man" Savage with Miss. Elizabeth defeats Jeff Jarrett in the Midsouth Coliseum on March 24, 1990 Titled vacated after Savage wins USWA World Heavyweight Title at Wrestlecade II on November 27, 1990 at the Midsouth Coliseum Scott Steiner defeats Bossman to win a one night tournament to fill the vacated title on December 17, 1990 at the Fairgrounds Arena in Nashville Southern Tag Team Champions The Studd Stable (Robert Fuller & Sid Eudy) defeated the Freebirds with the help of Jimmy Golden at Last Stand on Christmas Night at the Midsouth Coliseum on December 25, 1989. The Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin) defeated the Studd Stable on Feb, 17, 1990 at the Midsouth Coliseum. The Southern Boys (Steve Armstrong & Tracy Smothers) defeated The Freebirds on May 9, 1990 at the Sam Houston Coliseum The Anvil (Jim Neidhart) & The Hammer (Greg Valentine) managed by Jimmy Hart defeat The Southern Boys on July 4, 1990 at the Midsouth Coliseum. The Rock n Roll Express defeat The Anvil & The Hammer on October 6, 1990 at the Midsouth Coliseum. USWA WOLRD Television Title (Formerly the Tri-State Champion) "Dirty" Dutch Mantel defeated Brad Armstrong at Last Stand on Christmas, Dec. 25, 1989 at the Mid-South Coliseum. Superstar Bill Dundee defeats Dutch Mantel on March 10, 1990 at the Midsouth Coliseum Eddie Gilbert managed by Jimmy Hart and Missy Hyatt defeated Superstar Bill Dundee at the Memorial Day Spectacular in the Midsouth Coliseum on May 26, 1990. Stunning Steve Austin, managed by Medusa, defeated Eddie Gilbert on September 15, 1990 in the Midsouth Coliseum. Michael Wallstreet with Ms. York defeated Steve Austin on November 28, 1990 at Wrestlecade in the Midsouth Coliseum USWA 1990 YEAR-END AWARDS Best Young Wrestler of 1990 (Must be under 25😞 Jeff Jarrett Jeff Jarrett- Jeff had a remarkable 1990 as he wins the Southern Title at only 23 years old. He has also main evented with Jerry Lawler in his feuds against the First Family and Randy Savage. Jeff has also been involved in a 4-way battle for the USWA Television Title where he more than held his own against Eddie Gilbert, Steve Austin, and Michael Wallstreet. Most Hated Wrestler of 1990: Randy Savage Randy “Macho Man” Savage- While Randy has recently changed his way and has become a fan favorite, nobody can forget just how bad he was in 1990. He invaded the USWA and attacked anyone in his sight while demanding matches with The King, Jerry Lawler all because he was mad that his fathers promotion, ICW, was kept out of the CWA years ago. Savage went on to hit Jerry Lawler with a car and interfere in World Title Matches preventing the King from winning the title. Randy even went so far as to place Miss. Elizabeth in harms way multiple times as he repeatedly put her in the path of Jerry Lawler and Bossman to save himself! Most Popular Wrestler of 1990: Jerry Lawler Jerry “The King” Lawler- This is Memphis so enough said! Add in that Jerry has won the World Title, came out on top of huge feuds against the likes of Eddie Gilbert, Dick Slater, and Curt Henning all while keeping Jimmy Hart at bay. Throw in the fact that he has joined forces with his son, Brian, and the ovations keep coming. P.S…. don’t forget to turn on the TV and see Jerry sponsoring one of his 37 products or hoisting his own talk show or basically being the reason that half of Memphis wakes up early on Saturdays just to see him. USWA Tag Team of the Year: The Steiner Brothers This was a tough one. The Freebirds, Doom, the Steiners and the Road Warriors have all been so dominant during 1990 but given that the Steiners held the World Title for over 7 months, they are given the nod! The Road Warriors might not be too happy about this as they are the current World Champions and are undefeated against Scott and Rick but longevity means something in this category. USWA Wrestler of the Year: ??? This one comes down to 4 wrestlers… Curt Hennig, Randy Savage, Bossman and Jerry Lawler who have each held the USWA World Title at various times throughout the year. The easiest way to narrow this down is that Curt Hennig and Bossman are no longer with the promotion so they are out. So now it comes down to Jerry Lawler and Randy Savage. These two have easily been the Feud of the Year in the USWA with all they have been through but who comes away with the big award. If you go by who had the longer title reign in 1990, the King is the winner but this one needs a deeper dive and it all comes down to the Bossman. Lawler was never able to defeat the big correctional officer while Savage never lost to him. In the end, the Wrestler of the Year was Randy Savage who went all of 1990 with only one defeat and that was in a tag team match!
ErictheDragon Posted Saturday at 03:30 AM Report Posted Saturday at 03:30 AM Love the idea of a full top 10 complete with honorary mentions. Savage cleans up being a part of ha;f the list as well as scoring wrestler of the year....and the most hated award but the Macho Man isn't gonna let that bother him.
spaldoni Posted Sunday at 08:14 PM Report Posted Sunday at 08:14 PM Even with the no shows, the USWA still gave the fans a pretty damn good show to end the year. Rich and Gilbert together are Memphis heel magic. This is going to get beyond personal with Lawler and son. It's good to see Taylor's still as arrogant as ever Austin and Wallstreet has been a gem of a feud. Your tag team division is stacked with top notch teams. The champs will have their work cut out for them. Savage remains strong as he takes his title reign into 91 I loved the year end review and awards. So many great Memphis memories. Congratulations to Savage on winning wrestler of the year. With all that talent, the USWA will no doubt provide more action packed wrestling and hot angles in 91.
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