Smoky Mountain Wrestling

[spaldoni]

Enjoyed the go home show. I'm sure the promos (especially the heels) along with the surprise appearance of Hillbilly Jim sold a few more tickets. 

Nice touch with the legends autograph session. The fans even get a bonus with the Armstrong/Fuller skirmish 

Dixie Dynamite gets the night going on a high note 

Love the Timbs/Rogers pairing. Totally an 80s type heel team. These guys did their job well and probably helped the Ebony Express get over a bit 

Looks like Killer Kyle's getting a push 

Man, that Dutch always seems to get one over. Acquiring the services of King Kong Bundy changes everything 

Nothing like a southern 6 man tag to get the fans energy back. Even Wright's constant interference isn't enough to stop Hillbilly Jim and the Armstrongs 

Looks like Uncle Ivan and Murdoch will get a rematch. Things are going to get brutal 

Orndorff and Gordy bring the piledrivers but damn, nobody gets up from a piledriver on the concrete. Gordy may have put Orndorff down for good 

Bullet Bob puts the cast to use and save SMW. All is well 

[kevinmcfl]

Episode #14

July 11, 1991

WBIR-TV (Channel 10-Knoxville)

Syndicated across Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky

 

Highlight show mostly due to a roster somewhat in flux.

-The show started with a fired-up Commissioner Bob Armstrong excited to have the Fuller issue behind him after beating The Tennessee Stud at Night of Legends to secure control of Smoky Mountain Wrestling.  When Dutch Mantel wondered how it felt to get a win by using an illegal weapon, Armstrong told Dutch that nothing is illegal in a Tennessee Street fight but if he wants to talk about illegal things from last week in the Coliseum, he does remember someone bringing a bull whip into the ring and some out side interference during his match with Stunning Steve Austin as King Kong Bundy seemed to get involved.  Dutch quickly backed down.

-After the first commercial break, Les pushed Dutch on the entire Ahmed situation and what exactly is his relationship with King Kong Bundy.  Dutch went off on some strange story about Ahmed being in prison and he needed someone in case that psychopath Steve Austin went completely nuts… which Dutch claimed happened as Austin attacked him as he was leaving the arena.  Dutch was evasive if KKB was his new bodyguard but he made it clear that he and Ahmed have officially terminated their agreement and that Ahmed is now banned from Smoky Mountain Wrestling. 

-Les let us know that there were some pretty severe injuries last week at Night of Legends as Stunning Steve Austin suffered cracked ribs from the repeated big slashes from King Kong Bundy and Mr. Wonderful has suffered a major neck injury from the piledriver on the concrete.  Dutch added that Austin got exactly what he deserved while it was disgusting what the Smoky Mountain Champion, Terry Gordy, did to Mr. Wonderful when he piledrove Orndorff on the concrete floor.  He went on to say that Bob Armstrong should be ashamed of himself for making that move legal.  Les just shakes he head at the hypocrisy from Dutch as it was Dutch screaming that the piledriver should be legal and that Armstrong was trying to take away Mr. Wonderful’s ability to make a living!!  Anyway, Austin should be back in a week or two while we do not have a timetable for Paul Orndorff.

-Bob Armstrong also announced the next 3 big events for Smoky Mountain Wrestling as he continues to try and capitalize on the huge number of visitors to the Smoky Mountains in the summer.  First up will be Mountain Mayhem on July 24 at the Ashville Civic Center.  This will be a battle royal type event where 20 contestants will enter every 3 minutes and the last man not to be thrown over the top rope will win $5000 and a Smoky Mountain Title shot at our next big event, Fire on the Mountain Fire on the Mountain will be held in Chattanooga at the Soldiers and Sailors Auditorium on August 8^th.  Armstrong is excited about these events as he can’t wait to bring wrestling back to the great people of Ashville and Chattanooga.  He goes on to hyped up the tv affiliate in Ashville and Chattanooga where Smoky Mountain Wrestling began being aired a few weeks ago- WLOS- Channel 13 in Ashville and WRCB- Channel 3 in Chattanooga.  And finally, Commissioner Armstrong announces the biggest event of the Summer of August 22… K-Town Showdown…. A clash between Smoky Mountain Wrestling and the WWF!!! That’s right, the WWF is sending their champions to a one-night battle against the best Smoky Mountain Wrestling has to offer and it will be held right in the Knoxville Civic Auditorium!!!  Bob Armstrong is really confident that his men will do more then hold their own against the “big” boys from the north.

 

-Ron Wright was disappointed this week.  First, he was mad at the fans for not giving him any money at the meet and greet in the afternoon part of the legends event.  Next, he was mad at Bob Armstrong for cheating his way to victory over the Tennessee Stud.  He let everyone know that he, as a Christian rassler would never have done what Bob did when he used the illegal cast on his arm to hurt Robert Fuller.  Next, he was mad at the referee who allowed Hillbilly Jim to cheat and attack his Dirty White Boys both at the same time instead of stickin to the rassling rules of rassling against only the legal man in the ring…. Ron Wright, along with Dutch’s sympathy would have went on for ever if not for Les refocusing the show and bringing the action back to the ring. 

 

As for this week’s matches,

-King Kong Bundy with Dutch by his side defeated Jumping Joey Mags and Sweet Brown Sugar in a handicap match where he defeated both men in under 2 minutes- both we a count of 5!

 

-Brad and Steve Armstrong defeated Ken Timbs and Joel Deaton

 

-Dick Murdoch and Ivan Koloff defeated The Batten twins from pillar to post and continued after the attack which led to TNT (Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett), the Smoky Mountain tag team champs making the save.  We seem to be heading to a rematch between these two teams very soon.  One thing to note is the relentlessness of the fans with their Captain Red chant at Dick Murdoch.  While he continues to say that he is Captain Redneck and that while he and Ivan work well together, he is loyal to America and not Russia.  Ivan does call him comrade and tells everyone that Dick is one of the first Americans he has seen to have the same values as Mother Russia. 

 

-IRS with Ron Wright defeated The Fab One Steve Keirn in our main event with help from Wright’s chisel.

[rainmakerrtv]

Murdoch and Ivan is such an awesome old school tag team, like the Superpowers in reverse

[ErictheDragon]

Bullet Bob has a huge summer tour lined up for SMW. Mountain Mayhem marks the company's debut in North Carolina. Fire on the Mountain is such a cool name for a wrestling event. I'm convinced it's a reference to something but I can't tell what. But the biggest news is the announcement of K-Town Showdown where the good ol' boys of SMW will face the Northern Invasion by the WWF. That'll definitely put asses in seats.

[Control21]

Wow, the WWF/Smoky Mountain crossover is a really cool idea. It's going to be interesting to see how that plays out.

Another solid night of television for SMW. Dutch seems a little loco, and I wouldn't want to be him in the locker room....

[LowBlowPodcast]

Really solid reset show after Night of Legends. I liked how you used Armstrong and Dutch to address the fallout while naturally setting up the next three major events. Dutch’s hypocrisy was especially entertaining, and Ron Wright complaining about everything felt completely in character. Bundy came across as a monster, Murdoch and Koloff kept their issue with TNT moving, and IRS stealing the main event maintained his momentum. A good, focused show during a transitional period for the roster.

[spaldoni]

The upcoming events prove that SMW is definitely on the rise, especially working with the WWF. 

That Dutch sure can tell some stories and he can really twist the truth around 

Poor Wright, still can't catch a break 

Really looking forward to the Austin/Bundy showdown 

I agree with the others, Murdoch and Uncle Ivan are such a great old school heel team. They fit so well here 

Loved that IRS/Keirn match. Solid TV main event 

[kevinmcfl]

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 24^th 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 8^th.  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.

[rainmakerrtv]

Can't wait to see who prevails in Mountain Mayhem. 

[ErictheDragon]

Smart move by the Bullet to bring in some JCP alumni to boost sales in North Carolina.

Gordy may want to watch who he calls over the hill cause there's plenty of guys who've tried to knock Wahoo off that hill and it didn't end too well for them.

[kevinmcfl]

 

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.

[rainmakerrtv]

I wouldn't want to bet against Hansen in any sort of Battle Royal. Gordy gets the bloody win in an epic battle. 

[ErictheDragon]

White Lightening strikes again.

Rich puts a bloody exclamation point on his feud with Sawyer.

Murdoch & Koloff get caught red handed and it costs them (literally).

Fire on the Mountain is gonna be white hot when Hansen and Gordy collide.