Smoky Mountain Wrestling

[spaldoni]

Loved the magazine format to catch us all up. 

I give SMW a lot of credit. They did hold their own with the WWF. It was great seeing Rich and Lawler go at it one more time. Icing on the cake was watching the Funks and Freebirds brawl. 

Les and Dutch were really on their A games tonight. 

Commentary mixed in with the matches was very creative 

Mr. Perfect has arrived and I know he'll be knocking on Gordy's door real soon. Bullet Bob really scored signing Hennig. 

Is it me or is Hayes more enthusiastic about a Freebird reunion than Gordy. 

Bundy's also a serious threat to Gordy 

Sherri's having a hard time just getting her team in public

If he can't get Terry, Murdoch's a pretty good runner up. I wonder how Gordy feels about all this. He's got enough on his plate with all the challengers lining up for his title. 

Can the DWBs bring Wright the happiness he so badly wants 

Tremendous job setting up the Southern Title match between Garvin and Fuller. Absolutely brilliant 

Chaos was exactly the way to end tonight's show. There was a lot of tension and things needed to burst 

Will Sherri ever get her team to SMW? These guys must be as good as Sherri brags about. 

Great week. SMW is really clicking. 

[kevinmcfl]

Episode #21

September 5, 1991

WBIR-TV (Channel 10-Knoxville)

Syndicated across Eastern Tennessee, Kentucky and Western North Carolina

 

Les Thatcher:

  Welcome wrestling fans, coming to you from Knoxville Auditorium Studio for Smoky Mountain Wrestling… wrestling the way it used to be and wrestling just the way you like it.  I’m Les Thatcher along with “Dirty” Dutch Mantel and we are just over a week from the big event in the Knoxville Civic Center where there will be a triple main event!!  The Smoky Moutain Tag Title will be on the line as Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett will have their hands full with the Dirty White Boys, Dory Funk Jr. and his new tag team partner, Captain Redneck Dick Murdoch will face the reunited Freebirds, Michael Hayes and Smoky Mountain Champion Terry Gordy and let’s not forget the title match that is over 12 years in the making as the Southern Champion, “The Tennessee Stud” Robert Fuller faces Rugged Ron Garvin. 

Dutch Mantel:

Wow…. It never ceases to amaze me… Smoky Mountain Wrestling Commissioner Bob Armstrong doesn’t give his top wrestler a match!

 

Les:

 And who might that be?

 

Dutch: 

Me you idiot

Les: 

Well Dutch, you will be in action that night as you will be facing “White Lightening” Tim Horner.

Dutch:

Well, all I can say is that White Lightening is going to be Black and Blue.

Les: 

We will have to wait and see but let’s get to today’s show and what a show it is going to be.  We will have “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig in action tonight against the double tough Tracy Smothers.  Tim Horner will be back in action tonight.  Tommy Rich and Brad Armstrong will tag up to square off against the Hustler Rip Rogers and “Gentlemen” Ken Timbs.  Ron Garvin will have, what he hopes is a tune up for his Southern title match, against the Mighty Yankee and in a main event tonight, we have a big one as Terry Gordy defends his Smoky Mountain title against Irwin R. Schyster. 

Dutch: 

Ohhhh, your girlfriend is here!!

Les: 

Dutch,  I’m a married man.

Dutch: 

Married maybe… man, not that’s a question.

Les: 

Can I continue…

Dutch:

 If you must.

Les:  Never mind, let’s just get to the ring.

 

Match #1:  Curt Hennig vs. Tracy Smothers

LES:
Mr. Perfect, Curt Hennig been running his mouth since the day he arrived in this territory, but he's about to find out that Smoky Mountain Wrestling has some very talented athletes.  Tracy Smothers is one double tough wrestler.

DUTCH:
Les, Tracy Smothers has about as much of a shot of beating Mr. Perfect as you do. 

LES:
All I'm telling you is that Tracy Smothers is one of the finest young competitors we've got here. He's one-half of the Wild Southern Boys, he's quick, he's tough, and he's beaten some very good men.

DUTCH:
And none of that matters!  This is Curt Hennig.

As for the match, Smothers comes out aggressively, circling Hennig before locking up.

Tracy catches Hennig with an arm drag and immediately follows with another. The crowd cheers. Smothers backs Hennig into the corner and fires off several punches. Hennig covers up before suddenly raking Smothers across the eyes.  Hennig takes control, driving Smothers into the turnbuckles. He methodically works over Tracy, delivering a series of crisp right hands and a knee to the midsection.  Smothers tries to fight back but to no avail.  Hennig immediately grabs him from behind.  Hennig lifts Smothers into position.

DUTCH:
PERFECT-PLEX!

LES:
Oh no!

Hennig executes the Perfect Plex. He bridges perfectly as the referee counts.

ONE! TWO! THREE!

DUTCH:
Mr. Perfect wins!

LES:
Curt Hennig has defeated Tracy Smothers, and I'll tell you what, Dutch—he made that look far easier than I thought he would.

DUTCH:
Because I told you exactly what was going to happen!

LES:
Tracy Smothers is a tremendous competitor, but tonight he simply got caught. That Perfect Plex is an impressive maneuver.

DUTCH:
Caught? Les, he got destroyed!

LES:
I wouldn't go that far.

DUTCH:
I would! Somebody better tell the rest of these Smoky Mountain wrestlers to stay home when Curt Hennig is in town!

Hennig stands in the middle of the ring, arrogantly brushing imaginary dust from his shoulders while looking down at Smothers.

 

POST-MATCH INTERVIEW

Hennig has a smug grin on his face

Les:
Curt Hennig, an impressive victory over Tracy Smothers tonight. Your thoughts?

HENNIG:
My thoughts?  (Hennig laughs)

My thoughts are that I'm starting to wonder where all the talent is around here.

I was told Smoky Mountain Wrestling was supposed to be full of tough competition. I was told there were some great athletes down here.

Well, I've been here for a few weeks now, and I'm still waiting.

Tracy Smothers?

He's supposed to be one of the top guys? I just beat him without breaking a sweat.

I've competed against the best in this business, and believe me, Smoky Mountain Wrestling hasn't shown me anything yet.

So let me make something perfectly clear: Curt Hennig isn't here to become another wrestler in the Smoky Mountain Wrestling roster.

I'm here to become the Smoky Mountain Champion.

And whoever is holding that championship better start worrying.

LES THATCHER:
Well, Mr. Hennig, you may want to listen up because he's going to get plenty of competition this week at the Knoxville Civic Center.  Curt Hennig will be in action against Brad Armstrong!

DUTCH:
Brad Armstrong isn't competition for Curt Hennig.

LES:
Oh, really?

DUTCH:
He's an Armstrong.  He’s a stepping stone!

HENNIG:
Brad Armstrong? Brad Armstrong is supposed to stop me? That's funny. Very funny.

Armstrong, when you step into the ring with Mr. Perfect...you're stepping into the ring with the future Smoky Mountain Champion.

LES:
Well, there you have it. Curt Hennig certainly has confidence—and plenty of arrogance to go with it.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We see, RON WRIGHT, in his wheelchair along with the Dirty White Boys and IRS

LES:
Ladies and gentlemen, we're back here on Smoky Mountain Wrestling television, and I've got to tell you, as much as I don’t like Ron Wright, he has gotten his men in position to win the two titles here in Smoky Mountain Wrestling.  First, tonight it will be Irwin R. Schyster taking on Terry Gordy tonight for the Smoky Mountain Title and then this Saturday night at the Knoxville Civic Center, the Dirty White Boys will get their opportunity to take the Smoky Mountain Wrestling Tag Team Championship away from Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett! 

RON WRIGHT:
Les Thatcher, I want you to listen to me real careful now, because I'm fixin' to tell you something that every man, woman and young'un in the state of Tennessee oughta hear.  All I've ever done... ALL I'VE EVER DONE... is try to do the right thing.  I've tried to help people. I've tried to give these wrestlers a chance. I've tried to make an honest dollar in this business.  And what do the people of Tennessee do?  They turn their backs on me!  They point their fingers at me! They laugh at a Christian man who's been sittin' in this wheelchair, unable to walk, unable to work like a man oughta work, unable to earn the money that I deserve!

LES:
Ron, you've blamed practically everybody for your condition—

RON:
You hush up now, Les!  I'm talkin' about the truth!  Who could look at an old mountain man like me and treat him the way these people have treated me?

DUTCH:
Nobody with a conscience, Ron.

RON:
That's exactly right, Dutch.  But I'm here to tell you something tonight.  My men are finally gettin' what they deserve.  Irwin R. Schyster is gonna put a stop to Terry Gordy once and for all!  Because everybody knows what's goin' on around here!  Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes are obviously part of that organized crime that's runnin' rampant through these parts!

LES:
Now, come on!

RON:
Don't you "come on" me!  That organized crime is the reason I've been stuck in this wheelchair for so long!  It's the reason I can't get out there and earn the money that belongs to me!  He’s been a stealin the money that these fans have been sending me each week. 

And Terry Gordy is gonna find out today that you don't cross Ron Wright and get away with it!

IRWIN R. SCHYSTER:
You know, Ron Wright is absolutely correct.  Terry Gordy has been living off his reputation for far too long. He's been allowed to walk around here pretending to be some kind of hero.  Well, Saturday night I'm going to expose him.  I'm going to take Gordy, and I'm going to break him down piece by piece.  Michael Hayes can’t save him.  And when that bell rings, the only thing Gordy is going to understand that everyone must pay the Tax Man … and he will pay with the Smoky Mountain Title. 

LES:
Let's talk about the Tag Team Championship match. Dirty White Boys, you've got Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett this Saturday night. The champions have defeated some very good teams to hold those titles.

DIRTY WHITE BOY #1:
Yeah, Les, they have beaten some good teams.  I'll give 'em that.   They've got speed. They've got those fancy moves But they've never faced anything like the Dirty White Boys.

DIRTY WHITE BOY #2:
That's right!  Saturday night they're gonna be fightin' the Dirty White Boys!  There's a difference!  We're not comin' to Knoxville to have a wrestling match with those two pretty boys.  We're comin' to destroy 'em!

DUTCH:
That's what I've been saying!  Michaels and Jarrett have had a nice little run as champions but they are outclassed now.!

Les: 

Let’s get back to the ring

 

Match #2  Ron Garvin vs The Mighty Yankee

Garvin is just pummeling The Mighty Yankee as Dutch is going wild at the tactics of Garvin but Les seems to ignore it all.  Wrestling is funny how the babyfaces are so tough when they stomp and punch away at their opponents but the heels are criminals when they do it.  Anyway, Garvin tosses the Mighty Yankee out onto the floor but doesn’t follow him to the floor. The camera picks up the Mighty Yankee rolling under the ring but when he reemerges something is different.  He is much taller and seems to be thinner.  Garvin doesn’t notice. 

WHAM… shoulder to the gut of Garvin by the “Mighty Yankee” 

The Mighty Yankee now enters the ring and is pounding away on Garvin.

Wait… another Mighty Yankee appears… also taller and from the other side of the ring and they do quite a number on Garvin they are beating him from pillar to post.  Garvin begins to show a little blood on his head but the attack continuous! 

Finally, Tommy Rich and Brad Armstrong hit the ring and the “Mighty Yankees” exit stage left.  As Rich and Armstrong tend to Garvin, The Mighty Yankees who are out on the floor take off the masks and we see that it is The Tennessee Stud Robert Fuller and his cousin Jimmy Golden! 

Even though both are no strangers to Knoxville, Les makes it clear who they are and that they are here for one reason… to hurt Ron Garvin before the Southern Title Match this week in Knoxville!!

Dutch says Garvin and Commissioner Bob Armstrong got exactly what they deserved as Garvin has no right to a Southern Title Match and that Armstrong had no right taking the Fuller’s to court over a title he has no jurisdiction over!

We see Tommy Rich and Brad Armstrong help Ron Garvin out of the ring where he goes right to the podium and is all fired up.

Ron Garvin

Robert Fuller… you coward!  You come here with your inbreed cousin and think the two of you can stop me from getting in the ring with you this Saturday for a title Ive been waiting 12 years to get back.  (Garvin rubs the blood on his forehead)  You two think this hurts… you think I’m afraid of a little blood!  Think again Fuller.  This Saturday night …. There will be more blood.  Maybe mine.  Maybe yours but one thing is for sure… There will be another Southern Champion!

As the trio walks off, Les thanks Tommy and Brad for their help out there and promises the fans that they will see these two a little later on in the show.  This seems to upset Dutch again. 

COMMERCIAL

 

Bob Armstrong is with Les and Dutch for a big announcement.

BOB ARMSTRONG:
Smoky Mountain Wrestling is heading to the campus of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, to the Alumni Coliseum for the …. Battle of Kentucky on Saturday, September 26!

And we've got something special planned.

There will be an eight-man, single-elimination tournament. Eight men will begin the night. One man will walk out the winner.  And that winner gets five thousand dollars—and a future shot at the Smoky Mountain Heavyweight Championship!  We'll also have a Smoky Mountain Tag Team Championship match that night, and I can promise you there will be plenty more announcements concerning Battle of Kentucky in the weeks ahead.

LES:
Five thousand dollars and a future title shot! That's going to bring out the very best competitors in this territory.

DUTCH:
Or the very dirtiest.

LES:
Speaking of competition, let's get to the ring.

 

Match #3: “White Lightning” Tim Horner vs. “Bad Boy” Billie Black.

Horner controls the early action with crisp wrestling, taking Black down repeatedly. Billie Black attempts to slow the pace with cheap shots, but Horner keeps coming back.

LES:
This is what Tim Horner does better than almost anybody. He makes you wrestle.

DUTCH:
And that's the problem with wrestling. Eventually somebody gets tired of it and starts fighting.

LES:
That's usually when you get in trouble.

Horner catches Black with a rolling cradle and scores the three-count.

Suddenly, King Kong Bundy storms toward the ring.

LES:
Wait a minute! What's Bundy doing here?  Did you have something to di with the Dutch. 

Bundy enters the ring and blasts Horner with a massive Avalanche in the corner.

LES:
Good Lord!

Bundy hits Horner with a second Avalanche!

DUTCH:
That's what you call making an impression!

LES:
There's no reason for this!

Bundy backs Horner into the corner one more time and crushes him with a third Avalanche!

LES:
THREE AVALANCHES! Somebody get help!

Officials rush toward the ring as Bundy finally leaves.

LES:
Dutch, I'm going to say something that everybody watching this program already knows. King Kong Bundy is your man … and you were supposed to face Tim Horner this week in Knoxville. 

DUTCH:
All coincidence.  Anyway, Bundy is his own man plus…. Now it looks like I now have a date with a pancake.

LES:
I don't believe in coincidences like this!

BOB ARMSTRONG:
Dutch Mantel! Get back over here and you listen to me. 

Dutch reluctantly turns towards Bob.

BOB:
I saw what happened, and I've got the same suspicions Les Thatcher has. I believe you had something to do with that attack!

DUTCH:
Commissioner, I had absolutely nothing—

BOB:
Save it!

I've been told Tim Horner may be out of action for some time because of what just happened tonight.

BOB:
Now, Dutch, I know you're probably pretty happy about that because you were scheduled to face Tim Horner in Knoxville next week.

DUTCH:
Well, Commissioner, if the man's injured, that's not my fault!

BOB:
You're right. It's not your fault that he's injured.

But it IS my decision who you wrestle.

DUTCH:
Wait a minute—

BOB:
Next week in Knoxville, Dirty Dutch Mantel will wrestle Stunning Steve Austin!

[Huge crowd reaction.]

DUTCH:
WHAT?!

BOB:
You heard me.

DUTCH:
You can't do this! I'm a commentator!

BOB:
Stop playing both sides of the fence.  Next week, you're a wrestler.

DUTCH:
I protest!

BOB:
Protest denied.

LES:
Dutch Mantel has just gotten a taste of his own medicine!

DUTCH:
This isn't over, Thatcher!

 

COMMERCIAL

 

Dory Funk Jr. and Dick Murdoch are seated at the interview area.

LES:
Fans, the West Texas Outlaws are with us. Dory Funk Jr. and Dick Murdoch have a bit of a grudge to settle next week in Knoxville against the Freebirds.

DORY FUNK JR.:
Michael Hayes has done a lot of talking.

DICK MURDOCH:
Too much talking!

DORY:
Next week, we're going to shut that talking down.

MURDOCH:
The Freebirds may think they're tough. They may think they're untouchable. But they've never been in the ring with the West Texas Outlaws!

DORY:
Next week, Michael Hayes is going to find out that words don't hurt us but we do hurt sissy boys like him.

MURDOCH:
Can’t wait to see that hair of his go flying back after a Texas right hand whacks the smile off his face. 

DORY:
Terry Gordy… sorry but you are guilty by association.  My brother didn’t have a problem with you.  I didn’t have a problem with you but your so-called Freebird Brother… Michael Hayes… No we got a problem with him.  We're coming to Knoxville to destroy the Freebirds.

MURDOCH:
And if Hayes wants to run his mouth afterward, it might be a bit hard with a broken jaw!

Match #4:  TOMMY “WILDFIRE” RICH & BRAD ARMSTRONG vs.

“THE HUSTLER” RIP ROGERS & “GENTLEMAN” KEN TIMBS

The heels spend much of the match using every shortcut available. Rogers distracts the referee while Timbs attacks Armstrong from behind.

Rich eventually gets the hot tag and cleans house.

LES:
Look at Tommy Rich! He's had enough!

Rich and Armstrong work together, but Rogers and Timbs continue their cheating.

Late in the match, Timbs attempts another illegal maneuver. Armstrong catches him and delivers a Russian Leg Sweep.

LES:
Armstrong caught him!

DUTCH:
That wasn't very gentlemanly.

LES:
Neither was what Timbs was doing!

BRAD ARMSTRONG:
You know, next week in Knoxville, I've got a match against a man who calls himself “Mr. Perfect.”

Well, Curt Hennig can call himself whatever he wants.

I've heard all about how perfect he is. I've heard about how he's better than everybody else.

But I've never backed down from a challenge in my life.

And I'm not starting next week.

Curt Hennig, you're coming to Knoxville looking for a fight?

You've got one.

BRAD:
You can bring the attitude. You can bring the confidence. You can even bring that perfectplex.

But when that bell rings, you're going to find out that Brad Armstrong doesn't scare easily.

See you in Knoxville!

COMMERCIAL

 

Smoky Mountain Tag Team Champions Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett walk to the interview area carrying the championship belts.

LES:
There they are, your Smoky Mountain Tag Team Champions—TNT, Shawn Michaels and Jeff Jarrett.

DUTCH:
Two kids with championship belts.

SHAWN MICHAELS:
That's right, Dutch.

Kids.

Too small.

Too young.

That's what everybody said.

JEFF JARRETT:
Everybody doubted us.

They said we couldn't hang with the bigger teams.

They said experience would beat youth.

They said we'd never become champions.

SHAWN:
But here's what happened.

We won.

JEFF:
And then we won again.

SHAWN:
And we're still holding these belts.

SHAWN:
Next week in Knoxville, we've got the Dirty White Boys.

They're big.

They're rough.

They're mean.

JEFF:
And they probably think they're going to take these championships away from us.

SHAWN:
But we've heard that before.

JEFF:
So have we.

SHAWN:
The Dirty White Boys can bring everything they've got.

Because next week, TNT is going to do what TNT has always done.

BOTH:
WIN!

DUTCH:
You boys better enjoy those belts while you can.

SHAWN:
Dutch, you seem to forget something.

You're wrestling Stunning Steve Austin next week.

JEFF:
I'd worry about yourself.

[Dutch looks irritated.]

---

LES:
Fans, we are joined by the Freebirds, Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy. And Michael Hayes, next week you face the West Texas Outlaws.

MICHAEL HAYES:
Les, let me tell you something.

Everybody keeps talking about next week.

Dory Funk Jr.

Dick Murdoch.

The West Texas Outlaws.

Well, they better understand one thing.

This ain't Texas. This ain't the place where they can walk in here and run over the Freebirds.

This is Smoky Mountain Wrestling.

And wherever the Freebirds go, the Freebirds take over!

HAYES:
Have we've been stopped before?

No!

Have we been beaten before?

No!

Have we been chased out of town?

No!

So why in the world would anybody believe that Dory Funk Jr. and Dick Murdoch are going to be the first two men to stop us?

They won't!

Because next week in Knoxville, the West Texas Outlaws are going to find out what everybody else already knows.  Freebirdmania Rules!

We'll run right through Dory Funk!

We'll run right through Dick Murdoch!

And when the dust settles, Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy will still be standing with all the pretty girls from Tennessee who will be volunteering their …time with us. 

LES:
Terry, you've also got Irwin R. Schyster coming up tonight.

TERRY GORDY:
That's where my focus is.

IRS is a different kind of wrestler. He's smart, he's technical, and he's got that bad man Ron Wright in a wheelchair in his corner.

But IRS better watch himself.

Because tax men in these parts of the country?

They've been known to have short life spans.

 

MAIN EVENT:  SMOKY MOUNTAIN  CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

TERRY “BAM BAM” GORDY (C) with Michale Hayes vs. IRWIN R. SCHYSTER with Ron Wright

Ron points toward Hayes.

RON WRIGHT:
That man doesn't have a manager's license! He can't be at ringside!

HAYES:
Fine! I'll watch from right here with Les!

As for the match,

Gordy uses his power early, but IRS surprises him with technical wrestling, holds and counters.

LES:
IRS is wrestling a very smart match.

DUTCH:
He's not trying to outmuscle Gordy. He's trying to outthink him.

IRS repeatedly targets Gordy's leg and uses every opportunity to bend the rules.

LES:
He's also using some questionable tactics.

DUTCH:
Questionable to you. Brilliant to me.

Gordy begins to fight back.

He catches IRS with a series of hard shots and takes control.

LES:
Now we're seeing the Terry Gordy that became Smoky Mountain Champion!

Gordy pounds IRS from corner to corner.

Ron Wright begins shouting instructions.

RON:
IRS! Get up! Get up!

DUTCH:
Ron Wright is earning his money tonight.

Gordy hits IRS with a tremendous clothesline.

LES:
IRS is in trouble!

Gordy whips IRS into the ropes.

LES:
Gordy setting him up!

Gordy lowers his shoulder, preparing to drive IRS down with the spear—

HAYES:
COME ON, TERRY!

Hayes suddenly moves toward ringside and grabs the top rope.

LES:
Wait a minute!

[Hayes pulls the top rope down.]

IRS goes sailing over the ropes and crashes to the floor.

LES:
HAYES PULLED DOWN THE ROPE!

Referee immediately calls for the bell.

RING ANNOUNCER:
The winner of the match by disqualification—Irwin R. Schyster!

LES:
IRS wins by disqualification, but Terry Gordy RETAINS the Smoky Mountain Championship!

LES:
Look at Gordy's face! He doesn't look happy at all!

DUTCH:
Hayes just saved his friend from losing the championship.

LES:
Or he cost Gordy the chance to beat IRS decisively!

[Hayes retrieves the championship belt and tosses it into the ring.]

HAYES:
Terry! Get your belt!

[Gordy catches it.]

HAYES:
Come on! Let's go!

[Gordy stares at Hayes for a moment, then looks down at the championship.]

LES:
I'm not so sure the Freebirds are all on the same page after what we've just witnessed.

LES:
Well, fans, we've seen a lot tonight but if your anywhere near Knoxville next Saturday night, get yourself a ticket to the Civic Center.  It is sure to be a great show.  I'm Les Thatcher.  Until next time, So long from the Smoky Mountains!

[ErictheDragon]

Hennig had a relatively easy match against Smothers, let's see if Brad can give him a challenge.

The Stud Stable pull off le switcheroo and put a beating on Garvin.

The Bullet announces SMW's next big event, the Battle for Kentucky. 5 grand and a SMW title shot are certainly gonna have people tripping over themselves to get into that tournament.

Good News, Dutch doesn't have to face Horner next week. Ba News, he's in there with Austin.

Okay, Hayes is seriously not picking up in the pretty clear signals Gordy is sending out.

[spaldoni]

Man, the promos were top notch tonight. Great job capturing all the different personalities. 

Hennig's win over territory favorite Smothers was damn impressive. We'll see if he can do the same to Armstrong 

Wright's men are ready to take all the gold 

Loved the masked angle with Fuller and Golden. This puts even more heat on Fuller's title bout with Garvin 

Dutch thought he had a way out with Horner but it backfires in a big way because he's got Austin now. Bundy's in beast mode right now

Armstrong and Rich will always give these fans something to cheer about 

Not sure Gordy's happy about Hayes being here. He costs him the match and also made enemies with Funk and Murdoch. 

The commentators are such a huge part of the show and really hyped up the upcoming events well. 

 

[Control21]

I'm enjoying the new format. The focus on the commentators telling the action and the story makes transporting you to the place and time so much easier, especially for a show like SMW.

[kevinmcfl]

Knoxville Civic Center

September 12, 1991

Episode #22

 

LES THATCHER:

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Smoky Mountain Wrestling here at the Knoxville Civic Center! Tonight may very well be one of the biggest nights we've ever had! We've got championship implications, bitter rivalries, some of the greatest athletes in this sport, and a main event featuring the Smoky Mountain Champion, Terry Gordy, teaming with Michael Hayes against Dory Funk Jr. and Captain Redneck, Dick Murdoch!"

DUTCH MANTEL:

"And don't forget, Les, we've got the Nature Boy Buddy Landel, King Kong Bundy, Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig, IRS, and the Dirty White Boys! This isn't a wrestling card. This is a collection of people who don't like each other!"

LES:

"That's one way of putting it."

DUTCH:

"It's the correct way."

 

MATCH #1:  "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel vs. "Jumping" Joey Mags

Joey Mags comes out to a strong ovation.

He plays to the crowd before entering the ring.

Then the music changes.

"NATURE BOY" BUDDY LANDEL makes his entrance.

Landel stops at the top of the aisle, looks around at the crowd and gives them an exaggerated smile before slowly walking to the ring.

DUTCH:

"Look at him, Les. That's a man who knows he's better than everybody in this building."

LES:

"Buddy Landel is a tremendous athlete, but his arrogance is going to get him in trouble someday."

The opening minutes are fast-paced.

Joey's speed gives Landel problems.

Mags hits several arm drags and a dropkick and nearly catches Landel with a quick roll-up.

ONE!

TWO!

Landel kicks out.

Joey tries another quick pin.

Again, Landel escapes.

Landel becomes frustrated.

He eventually cuts Joey off with a knee to the stomach and begins slowing the match down.

Landel works the back and neck.

Mags makes another comeback and catches Landel with a flying bodypress.

ONE!

TWO!

Landel barely kicks out.

The crowd believes Joey might actually pull the upset.

Landel rolls outside.

Joey goes after him.

Landel catches him coming around the corner and rams him face-first into the ringpost.

Back inside, Landel takes control.

Joey attempts one final comeback.

Landel catches him.

He hooks the leg.

FIGURE FOUR!

The crowd comes alive.

Joey refuses to submit.

He reaches for the ropes.

Landel pulls him back toward the center.

Joey tries to turn the hold over.

Landel uses the ropes for leverage when the referee isn't looking.

Joey screams in pain.

Finally, Joey has no choice.

Winner: Buddy Landel by submission via the Figure Four Leglock

Landel releases the hold and arrogantly raises his arms.

 

MATCH #2:  King Kong Bundy vs. Eric Embry

Eric Embry comes out ready for a fight.

Bundy looks almost bored.

The bell rings.

Embry fires punches at Bundy.

Bundy barely reacts.

Embry tries to whip him into the ropes.

Bundy reverses.

HUGE CLOTHESLINE!

Embry goes down.

Bundy picks him up.

Embry tries another flurry.

Bundy cuts him off.

Bundy backs Embry into the corner.

AVALANCHE!

Embry crumples.

Bundy drops on top of him.

The referee begins counting.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Bundy doesn't get up.

Instead, he keeps his weight on Embry.

FOUR!

FIVE!

Winner: King Kong Bundy

Bundy stands over Embry.

 

MATCH #3:  Stunning Steve Austin vs. Dirty Dutch Mantel

Dutch enters carrying Shoo Baby, his bullwhip.

The crowd rains boos down on him.

Stunning Steve Austin receives a tremendous ovation.

Dutch spends the opening minutes antagonizing the crowd.

Austin finally has enough.

They begin exchanging punches.

Dutch repeatedly attempts to use Shoo Baby behind the referee's back.

Austin catches him once.

The referee warns him.

Later, Dutch tries to use the bullwhip again.

The referee sees it.

He grabs Shoo Baby and takes it away.

Dutch screams at the referee.

DUTCH:

"That's my property!"

STUN GUN!

Austin hooks him and drops him across the top rope.

Austin covers.

ONE!

TWO!

Before three, King Kong Bundy's is seen heading to the ring. 

Bundy gets halfway to ringside.

Suddenly—

AHMED JOHNSON CHARGES OUT!

Ahmed tackles Bundy.

The two begin brawling.

Punches are flying.

Bundy tries to get past Ahmed.

Ahmed grabs him again.

Meanwhile, Austin turns his attention back to Dutch.

STUN GUN #2

Austin hooks the leg.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Winner: Stunning Steve Austin

Ahmed continues brawling with Bundy as officials rush out.

 

MATCH #4:  Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig vs. Brad Armstrong

THE WRESTLING MATCH OF THE NIGHT

Brad Armstrong enters to a tremendous ovation.

Then Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig appears.

Hennig slowly walks to the ring, confident and smug.

DUTCH:

"There's your winner."

LES:

"The match hasn't even started."

DUTCH:

"Doesn't matter."

The bell rings.

The first several minutes are pure wrestling.

Arm drags.

Headlocks.

Wristlocks.

Counters.

Neither man can gain an advantage.

Hennig catches Armstrong with a dropkick.

Brad responds with one of his own.

Both men get back up simultaneously.

The crowd applauds.

Hennig offers a handshake.

Brad considers it.

Hennig pulls his hand away and laughs.

The crowd boos.

The match gets increasingly physical.

Armstrong hits a beautiful dropkick that sends Hennig through the ropes.

Hennig lands hard.

Brad follows him outside.

Hennig suddenly grabs Armstrong and drives his shoulder into the ringpost.

LES:

"That's the difference between these two men! Brad wants to beat you in the middle of the ring. Hennig wants to beat you any way he can!"

Hennig works the injured shoulder.

Armstrong absorbs punishment.

Hennig repeatedly tries to pin him.

ONE!

TWO!

Brad kicks out.

Hennig gets frustrated.

Brad finally starts fighting back.

A series of punches.

Clothesline.

Dropkick.

Arm drag.

Powerslam.

ONE!

TWO!

HENNIG KICKS OUT!

The crowd explodes.

Brad pulls Hennig up.

He attempts another big move.

Hennig pokes him in the eye.

The referee admonishes him.

Brad staggers backward.

Hennig grabs him.

PERFECT-PLEX!

Hennig bridges perfectly.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Winner: Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig

Hennig immediately rolls away from Armstrong.

He stands outside the ring and points to his head.

 

MATCH #5

Irwin R. Schyster vs. Tommy "Wildfire" Rich

Tommy Rich gets a huge ovation.

IRS enters with his manager.

Rich takes control early.

IRS retreats repeatedly.

Eventually, Rich catches him.

Rich begins hammering IRS with punches.

The crowd gets behind him.

IRS' manager gets on the apron.

Rich turns his attention toward him.

The referee tries to get the manager down.

While the referee is distracted—

THE MANAGER SLIPS A CHISEL TO IRS!

IRS hides it.

Rich turns around.

WHAM!

IRS drives the chisel into Rich's forehead.

Rich drops.

Blood immediately pours down his face.

LES:

"GOOD LORD! TOMMY RICH HAS BEEN BUSTED WIDE OPEN!"

IRS hides the chisel.

The referee turns around.

Rich is barely standing.

IRS grabs him.

AIRPLANE SPIN/SAMOAN DROP!

IRS covers.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Winner: Irwin R. Schyster

IRS and his manager quickly escape.

Tommy Rich remains seated against the ropes, blood streaming down his face.

 

MATCH #6:  Southeastern Title Match

Ron Garvin vs. "The Tennessee Stud" Robert Fuller

The atmosphere changes completely.

The crowd is firmly behind Ron Garvin.

Garvin walks toward the ring with one thing on his mind.

Revenge.

LES:

"Twelve years, Dutch. Twelve years Ron Garvin has waited for this opportunity."

DUTCH:

"That was twelve years ago, Les!"

LES:

"To Ron Garvin, it was yesterday."

Fuller enters.

The bell rings.

Garvin immediately charges.

RIGHT HAND!

Fuller goes backward.

Fuller fires back.

They begin brawling.

Punches.

Forearms.

Eye rakes.

Headbutts.

The referee can barely maintain control.

Fuller gets Garvin down.

FULLER LEG LOCK!

Garvin refuses to submit.

Fuller leans back, putting tremendous pressure on the leg.

Garvin crawls toward the ropes.

He grabs them.

The referee forces Fuller to break.

Later, Fuller gets the leg lock again.

Garvin refuses.

Again.

Garvin refuses.

Fuller becomes increasingly frustrated.

Garvin catches Fuller with a huge right hand.

Fuller goes down.

Garvin follows with another.

And another.

GARVIN STOMP!

Fuller is seemingly out.

Garvin covers.

ONE!

TWO!

FULLER KICKS OUT!

The building explodes.

Garvin can't believe it.

Fuller tries to get up.

Garvin nails him again.

Fuller collapses.

Another cover.

ONE!

TWO!

FULLER KICKS OUT AGAIN!

Fuller desperately grabs Garvin's leg.

FULLER LEG LOCK!

Garvin screams but refuses to submit.

Garvin fights his way toward the ropes.

He gets there.

The referee breaks the hold.

Both men slowly get back up.

Fuller swings.

Garvin ducks.

Fuller turns around.

SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!

Garvin hooks both legs.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

WINNER: RON GARVIN!

The Knoxville Civic Center erupts. Ron Garvin is the new Southeastern Champion!!!

 

SEMI-MAIN EVENT

SMW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

TNT — Shawn Michaels & Jeff Jarrett

vs.

The Dirty White Boys with Ron Wright

The champions receive one of the biggest reactions of the night.

The Dirty White Boys enter with their manager, Ron Wright.

Wright screams instructions from ringside.

The match is classic tag-team wrestling.

TNT rely on speed and teamwork.

The Dirty White Boys use power and double-teaming.

Michaels gets isolated.

DWB #1 traps him.

BUCKSNORT BLASTER!

Michaels is crushed.

DWB #2 covers.

ONE!

TWO!

JARRETT BREAKS IT UP!

The crowd erupts.

Ron Wright is furious.

The Dirty White Boys continue working Michaels over.

Finally—

TAG!

Jarrett explodes into the ring.

He cleans house.

Clotheslines.

Dropkicks.

Hip tosses.

The crowd comes alive.

The match breaks down.

DWB #2 catches Jarrett.

Michaels comes flying in.

SUPERKICK!

DWB #2 staggers.

Jarrett climbs the ropes.

DOUBLE LEG DROP OFF THE TOP ROPE!

Michaels and Jarrett hit it simultaneously.

Jarrett covers.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

WINNERS AND STILL SMW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS:

TNT — SHAWN MICHAELS & JEFF JARRETT

The champions celebrate.

Ron Wright is furious.

The Dirty White Boys retreat toward the back.

TNT stand in the center of the ring holding their championships high.

Then—

Suddenly,

Two men wearing black masks suddenly sprint down the aisle.

LES:

"WAIT A MINUTE!"

They slide into the ring.

TNT never see them coming.

DOUBLE ATTACK FROM BEHIND!

One masked man grabs Jarrett.

The other grabs Michaels.

They smash the champions into the turnbuckles.

Jarrett tries to fight back.

He gets knocked down.

Michaels comes off the ropes.

One masked man catches him.

DOUBLE TEAM!

Michaels crashes to the canvas.

The crowd is furious.

The two masked men continue the assault.

TNT are completely laid out.

The masked men stand over the fallen champions.

Then...

MUSIC HITS.

The crowd suddenly goes quiet.

SENSATIONAL SHERRI MARTEL appears at the entrance.

She is dressed elegantly and confidently.

She slowly walks toward the ring.

She doesn't look concerned.

She looks pleased.

Sherri enters the ring.

She looks down at Michaels and Jarrett.

Then she turns toward the two masked men.

She points.

SHERRI:

"Take off your masks."

The crowd buzzes.

The men hesitate.

Sherri points again.

SHERRI:

"I said... TAKE THEM OFF."

The first man reaches up.

He removes the mask.

THE CROWD ERUPTS.

THE "DOCTOR OF DESIRE" TOM PRICHARD!

The second man removes his mask.

ANOTHER MASSIVE REACTION.

"HOTSTUFF" EDDIE GILBERT!

The Knoxville Civic Center goes absolutely wild.

LES:

"OH MY! TOM PRICHARD! EDDIE GILBERT! WOW…  I WAS BEGINNING TO BELIEVE THERE WAS NO TEAM.”

Sherri smiles.

She walks between them.

She looks down at the fallen champions.

Then back at Prichard and Gilbert.

SHERRI:

"Meet the future of Smoky Mountain Wrestling."

The crowd rains boos down.

Sherri raises both men's arms.

TNT slowly begin to move.

Prichard and Gilbert step toward them.

Sherri stops them.

SHERRI:

"No."

She smiles.

SHERRI:

"Let them get up."

Sherri points toward the championship belts lying on the canvas.

SHERRI:

"Because we're coming for those."

Sherri, Prichard and Gilbert leave the ring.

TNT are left sprawled in the center.

 

 

MAIN EVENT

THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP IS ON THE LINE

Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes

The Fabulous Freebirds

vs.

Dory Funk Jr. & "Captain Redneck" Dick Murdoch

The crowd comes alive when Dory Funk Jr. and Dick Murdoch enter.

Then the music hits.

THE FABULOUS FREEBIRDS!

Michael Hayes comes out first.

He poses.

Then Terry Gordy follows with the Smoky Mountain Championship around his waist.

Gordy looks focused.

Hayes looks much more interested in playing to the crowd.

LES:

"There's an interesting dynamic here tonight. Terry Gordy is the Smoky Mountain Champion, and he's taking this match very seriously."

DUTCH:

"And Michael Hayes is smart enough to let Terry do the heavy lifting."

The bell rings.

Dory Funk and Gordy start.

Gordy explodes.

He throws Dory across the ring.

Murdoch tags in.

Gordy destroys Murdoch with power.

Hayes watches from the apron.

Gordy tags Hayes.

Hayes enters only long enough to stomp Murdoch.

Then he immediately tags Gordy.

LES:

"Michael Hayes doesn't seem terribly interested in wrestling tonight."

DUTCH:

"He's conserving his energy."

Gordy does most of the work.

Gordy dominates both opponents early.

Dory and Murdoch eventually begin double-teaming him.

A quick tag.

Another.

Another.

Gordy is trapped in their corner.

Murdoch and Funk work him over.

Hayes reaches out.

Gordy finally gets close enough.

TAG!

Hayes comes in.

Dory and Murdoch are both down.

Hayes gets excited.

He stomps Dory.

Then tags Gordy.

DUTCH:

"See? That's teamwork."

LES:

"That's tagging a man who has already done all the work!"

Gordy gets back in.

But the double-teaming continues.

Dory and Murdoch begin wearing Gordy down.

Gordy is eventually trapped in a corner.

Murdoch lands a series of punches.

Dory follows.

Gordy falls.

The crowd begins rallying behind the champion.

"GORD-Y! GORD-Y! GORD-Y!"

Gordy slowly gets back up.

Dory hits him.

Murdoch hits him.

Gordy absorbs it.

He stands.

Another punch.

Gordy barely moves.

LES:

"Wait a minute..."

Another.

Gordy doesn't move.

DUTCH:

"He's getting mad."

Gordy suddenly explodes.

He throws Murdoch across the ring.

He turns and levels Dory.

He grabs Murdoch.

HUGE SLAM!

Dory attacks.

Gordy turns around.

BIG BOOT!

Gordy is suddenly on fire.

He begins battering both men.

Murdoch gets thrown into the corner.

Dory gets clotheslined.

Gordy hits Murdoch.

Then Dory.

Then Murdoch again.

Michael Hayes is standing on the apron watching.

Gordy grabs Dory.

HUGE SPEAR!

Dory crashes to the canvas.

Gordy stands over him.

The crowd is going crazy.

Hayes is smiling.

Gordy grabs Dory.

He looks like he's about to finish him.

LES:

"Terry Gordy has got them both! He's got this match won!"

Gordy turns toward Murdoch.

Murdoch is barely moving.

Gordy goes after him.

Then—

WHAM!

MICHAEL HAYES NAILS DICK MURDOCH WITH A STEEL CHAIR!

The crowd explodes in boos.

Murdoch collapses.

The referee immediately calls for the bell.

WINNERS BY DISQUALIFICATION:

DORY FUNK JR. & DICK MURDOCH

But Hayes doesn't care.

He looks extremely pleased with himself.

He drops the chair.

He points at the fallen Funk and Murdoch.

DUTCH:

"Brilliant!"

LES:

"Brilliant?! Michael Hayes just cost the Freebirds this match!"

Terry Gordy turns around.

He looks at Murdoch.

Then Dory.

Then at Hayes.

Gordy's expression changes.

Hayes is still smiling.

Gordy walks toward him.

LES:

"Wait a minute..."

Hayes extends his hand as though expecting Gordy to congratulate him.

Gordy doesn't take it.

Hayes pats Gordy on the shoulder.

Gordy brushes his hand away.

LES:

"Terry Gordy thought he was about to win this match!"

Hayes shrugs.

Gordy points at the chair.

Then points at himself.

He mouths:

"I HAD 'EM."

Hayes responds:

"NOW WE GOT THEM BOTH."

Gordy shakes his head.

The crowd realizes there may be trouble within the Freebirds.

Hayes picks up the Smoky Mountain Championship belt.

He looks at it.

Then looks at Gordy.

He hands it back.

Gordy takes it.

But the tension is obvious.

Dory and Murdoch are still down.

Hayes walks toward the back.

Gordy remains behind, staring at him.

LES THATCHER:

"Michael Hayes may have just created a problem for himself with Terry Gordy!"

DUTCH MANTEL:

"Problems? Those two are the Freebirds! They'll work it out!"

LES:

"Maybe. But tonight Terry Gordy wanted to beat Dory Funk Jr. and Dick Murdoch, and Michael Hayes decided the win wasn’t important!"

[ErictheDragon]

Landel struts his stuff.

Bundy smushes Embry.

Austin finally puts down Dutch.

Hennig and Armstrong put on a clinic.

Wrights chisel gives IRS a bloody win.

Twelve years of waiting pays off as Garvin finally claims the Southern title.

TNT retain but all the attention goes to Sherri as she reveals her team....Tom Prichard & Eddie Gilbert!

Gordy is quickly running out of patience with his Freebird brother.

[spaldoni]

Budro got a bigger fight than expected but ends up with the W 

Poor Embry. There's just no stopping Bundy right now 

Maybe I'm wrong because Ahmed going toe to toe with Bundy helps Austin FINALLY take care of Dutch 

Hennig vs. Armstrong in 91 rocks! Hennig pulls it out but Brad looked pretty damn good 

Rich always was a great bleeder and tonight was no exception as IRS carved him up bad. 

Loved the Garvin/Fuller match and the creative story behind it. After 12 long years Garvin gets his moment 

TNT retain but the story was the aftermath. Sherri comes through and Hot Stuff and the Doctor have arrived. These two were made for each other. 

Hayes is really on thin ice with Gordy. It's only a matter of time before Gordy runs out of patience. 

Great job with the match write ups. I liked the format 

[LastStopTour]

Is this written using AI?

[kevinmcfl]

No.  I used AI to try and make the poster that I recently put up but really struggled to get pictures to look anything like the real guys.  I did use AI to make a format of a 1-hour show and then copied it into word to save time with each show.  This way, I don't need to keep filling in Les and Dutch and Commisioner Armstrong, etc and it also helped me to just fill in my 5 match format each week.

So, I guess in a way, I did use it but not to write the show.