Long Live The King

Hey yo,

One of the unique facets of weekly pro wrestling is that you grow up with the wrestlers in a way that is not true about athletes and actors. Besides soap opera actors, what actor plays the same character for 40+ years? Nobody, but yet men such as Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan (yeah, there was obvious character development, but at their core they remained the same people) have played their characters for 40+ years. In the case of Ric Flair, that is not a character, the Ric Flair you watch on TV is pretty much the one you get in real life based off all accounts I have read. Athletes have a special connection with their fans, but at the same time how personal does one get with an athlete. Sure we know all the talking points: they want to win the championship, they respect their opponent and they take it one game at a time. Occasionally, a couple of athletes will be more playful, but they only being beamed into your household during the season. I am not trying to diminish the admiration fans have for their favorite idols. I just want to point out the strong connection I have with some men of TV land because they have been a part of my life on a weekly basis for the past 15 years. One man, who has entered my house each and every Monday, was Jerry “The King” Lawler, the color commentator for Monday Night Raw. Last night, Lawler, 62, suffered a heart attack on air and had to be stretchered out of the building and rushed to the hospital. It is one of those moments that separates wrestling so vividly from entertainment. Aside from Broadway (where this event would be very unlikely of happening), no other media of entertainment would this occur as I would hope they promptly stop filming and get this person medical attention. I literally watched a man, who has been a part of my life for 15 years, have a heart attack (the WWE of course tastefully directed the cameras away from him, save for just a brief second). It is one of the most surreal, shocking and hurtful things to undergo.  In the grand scheme of things, I barely know the guy, but it is that odd bond that so many fans have with their wrestlers that have me constantly thinking of Lawler. The show did go on, but without commentary, this eerie silence was coupled with a genuine concern from the Montreal audience with multiple “Jerry” chants breaking out. At the end of the night, Michael Cole, the broadcast colleague, told us Lawler had stabilized, but was still in serious condition, but his heart was beating on its own and he was breathing on his own. I wish for nothing but the speediest recovery for Jerry Lawler.

I have taken Jerry Lawler for granted most these years. Every wrestling fan has taken potshots at Lawler’s commentary. However, just this summer, I stumbled upon an interesting consensus from a certain segment of internet wrestling fans: Jerry Lawler was one of the greatest wrestlers of the 80s and they were saying Ric Flair-great. I was stunned. I knew Lawler ruled Memphis with an iron-fist and was a huge draw there and is to this day. On Sunday, he wrestled in Aruba and keeps a very regular wrestling schedule every weekend even at 62 years old. However, as Hogan has proved, being a great draw and a great wrestler is not mutually inclusive. Yet, there were all these men touting Lawler in the class of Flair, Bockwinkel, Funk and Steamboat as a wrestler of the 80s. I have not explored Lawler nearly as in depth as necessary to make that assertion, but I do know this: in the 1980s, he was really fuckin good. Just two weeks ago, Lawler and WWE Champion CM Punk had one of the best main event angles of RAW inside a steel cage. Just 30 minutes before this tragic event, my brother and I were marveling at the height of his dropkick in his RAW tag team match.

Before there was the Attitude, before there was an ECW, there was Memphis Wrestling. Did you think the first time someone got piledrove through a table was in late 90s WWF? ECW? Maybe you know Terry Funk did to Ric Flair in the NWA 1989? But guess what you would still be wrong. Randy Savage piledrove Ricky Morton through a table in 1984 in Memphis.  Did you think Rock/Foley had the first Empty Arena match in 1999? Nope that honor goes to Jerry Lawler vs Terry Funk in 1981 in Memphis. Did you think the first barbed wire match was between Terry Funk and Sabu in ECW 1997? Nope, Lawler and Dutch Mantell had one in 1982 in where else but Memphis. Memphis was doing Crash TV before Vince Russo even walked into a WWF office. Crash TV, Memphis-style, was using TV studio angles to quickly set up matches for the big shows that weekend at a rapid-fire pace. In most other territories, TV had squash matches, which allowed the stars to beat jobbers in relatively short-order. Then over the weekend the stars would clash and people would pay money to see the better matches. In Memphis, they did things differently, they would often set up an angle to get a huge main event on TV, but then give you only a taste of it. Im going to cover the Ric Flair/ Jerry Lawler angle in my next blog. I am going to cover the Lawler/Mantell angle later in this blog. My point is that in 1982, Memphis was produced like WCW/WWF 1997, a full 15 years ahead of its time. It almost pains me to see Lawler mentioned as a Hall of Fame broadcaster, when he is not just that. He is a Hall of Fame Wrestler. I know from watching interviews with him that is what he always wants to be remembered for.

So I can only yammer about this so much. It is time to produce some evidence. Thanks to good people at Death Valley Driver Video Review, who have been running a project to cull together all the footage of the 80s of each territory and these faithful have it watched and reviewed. This facilitated my ability to at least start with best Lawler feuds and matches. Going into this, save for the much televised Andy Kaufman feud, I really did not know who Lawler faced and who were his major opponents. In case you were wondering, his matches with Bill Dundee were voted the best by this committee of 58. However, I have chosen to watch his matches with Dutch Mantell (2 of 3 matches voted into the top 5) because I have heard of that name. I was very interested in seeing a barbed wire match in 1982. Plus, I will admit I was very intrigued given that Dutch looks like Yosemite Sam come to life. However, first we begin with there No Disqualification

match for the Southern Heavyweight Championship in 1982.

Thanks to the following blog for clearing up why these two men were feuding. Lawler was entangled in his interminable feud with Jimmy Hart and his First Family. He had recruited the Dirty Dutchman to help him wrestle these men in tag team matches. Then one night, the Mantell walks out on Lawler as he is being battered by the First Family. Next week on TV, Lawler calls Dutch yellow and wants to know why he walked out. Dutch noted that it was Lawler’s mouth that got him in trouble and he was tired of fighting Lawler’s battles. Dutch also feels as though Lawler disrespected him by not acknowledging his prowess in the ring. All in all, it is not most unreasonable thing someone has said. Lawler, is pissed because someone he trusted to have his back left him to the jackals. This is when wrestling is at its best, two men who in their own mind have merit to their grounds, but at the same time it is a very contentious issue. The crowd of course sides with Lawler as he instigates the first brawl. So after a month or so of matches, Lawler and Mantell were contracted to square off in Memphis, TN for the Southern Heavyweight Title in a No Disqualification Match.  

Those boots are why I love wrestling.

Southern Heavyweight Champion Jerry “The King” Lawler vs “Dirty” Dutch Mantell
March 22, 1982 Mid-South Coliseum Memphis, TN
No Disqualification

Lawler starts off hot with some beautiful punches and has Mantell rocking. Lawler has some of the prettiest, worked punches ever thrown.  They even work in a spot where Dutch whiffs on a kick when Lawler telepgraphs the back body drop, which is a neat little spot I have never seen before. Lance Russell, the Voice of Memphis, even notes how peculiar this fast start is for Lawler given that he is normally slow-starter. He reasons out that it must due to the nature of this heated feud that Lawler just wants to beat the ever-lovin piss out of Dutch and there is no time like the present. I paraphrased that, but you get the gist. Lawler even busts out an enziguri much to the delight of the crowd. Dutch takes a powder as he attempts to adjust his strategy. Well when in a No DQ, might as well as grab a steel chair. Lawler ends up with the chair and throws outside the ring and hits Dutch in the shoulder. I am a total sucker for chair throws because they always look so damn violent. Then Dutch totally ups him with the Mother of All Chair Throws: hurling the chair across the ring into the King’s knee with pinpoint accuracy and brutality.

Mantell takes over and surprisingly does not attack the knee with as much vim and vigor as I would like instead focusing opening Lawler above the eye. He makes up for his lack of creative offense by keeping Lawler on the outside and busting him over the eye. Lawler’s selling is elicits sympathy from the raucous crowd that try to urge him. A great spot is Lawler whiffing on the desperation right and you feel the end is near for our hero. Dutch gets a two off a vertical suplex and there is all like “Lets quit fuckin around” and pulverizes Lalwer with a chair, BUT Lawler gets his foot on the ropes. Mantell is really hot after Jerry breaks pinfalls off of a knee drop, a PILEDRIVER (Memphis Death Move), and a splash. Lawler Up and Strap Down and Full Steam Ahead. Rights and lefts leave the Dirty Dutchman reeling and then he sends him into the post for retribution. The crowd is feeling it, but Lawler gets greedy and Dutch catches him with knees on his second splash attempt.

Into the finish, we go as they are trading rights and lefts. Their heads collide off a Irish whip spot sending Mantell out onto the floor. Lawler has Dutch at his mercy as he punches repeatedly with Mantell using the ropes to hold him from crashing off the apron. Lawler gets greedy again, playing to the crowd for one more punch, Dutch capitalizes with a  gut shot and then slingshots over for a sunset flip and the victory. Your Winner and New Southern Heavyweight Champion “Dirty” Dutch Mantell

I have to say my biggest hindrance was the poor video quality. Don’t get me wrong I could clearly see who was doing the moves and what was going on. However, I was missing those nuances that really takes a very good match and elevate it to that rarified air of a classic. For instances, I would have known that Lawler had bladed unless Russell informed me. I didn’t see either facial expressions or hear their verbal selling. I think it is a very good match, but I did not think it was an excellent one. I liked that they didn’t run the ropes at all sticking to that real-fight feel that these are two guys that just want to fuck each other up. I like that it was Lawler’s desire to inflict more punishment on Dutch that cost him the match, whereas Dutch was more concerned about winning and thus proving he was the better wrestler. Lawler’s selling was really well done, theatric enough for the live audience to see it, but not so cheesy that it takes you out of the competition. His comeback was well-done. Lawler’s punches at the end are just a thing of beauty. I think the heat segment is where they lost me. Outside the ring, I couldn’t see Jerry blade and hear him yell. Then inside the ring, it seemed like a collection of spots, yes to win the match, but Dutch could have conveyed his frustration better. I would like a better transition from the heat segment to the comeback. All in all, you show me the same match, but with some floor cameras, better lighting and better ring mic’ing Im sure I see why it one of the all-time best. Without that, it still stands the test of time as a damn fine match.

In the TV Studio with one of the greatest announcers, Lance Russel

Southern Heavyweight Champion “Dirty” Dutch Mantell vs Jerry “The King” Lawler
March 27, 1982 TV Studio Memphis, TN
Loser Leaves Town

Recalling what I said earlier, wrestling in the 80s were crafted differently. TV was filled with squashes and promos that were used to set up the big house shows later in the week. Memphis liked to fuck with this mold every once in a while to whet the appetite of the fans. The newly crowned Southern Heavyweight Champion is out with Lance Russel to conduct an interview. He is still hot under collar about Lawler’s disrespectful last week. He has beaten David Price a 100x and if Lawler thinks Dutch is not in his league then he will  have no problem accepting a Loser Leaves Town match for the title right now. Russel display indignation to the statement that Dutch’s emotions are out of control and that a match of that caliber should not happen on TV. Cut to commercial. Here comes Lawler, he tells Dutch he is on and Russel is just flustered. Great, great segment resulting in the following match. Russel was rightfully flustered that his program schedule was being messed with and the inmates were running the asylum. Dutch wanted to use his leverage with the belt to exact the ultimate revenge force the King of Memphis to leave for good. Lawler, who is pissed off a Dutch, was chomping at the bit to get a piece of Dutch and send him out of the territory for good.

Lawler storms the ring and it is on. They tussle for control in very heated fashion. Mantell grabs a couple wrist control holds to slow down Lawler, but Jerry is able to use the jab to force the Dirty Dutchman out of the ring. Russell informs us that Lawler gets retribution for Mantell running a fist into him while he was prone on the apron by doing the same thing to Mantell. The overzealous Lawler finally makes that critical mistake as he charges Mantell, who is able to back body drop him to the outside.

Mantell, promptly, sends him head first into the post and smacks him across the back with a steel chair whipping the studio audience into a frenzy. They do a countout false finish as the crowd urges him on. I know when I am in a blood feud and just want to whip someone’s ass I always grab an abdominal stretch. Pilderiver attempt on the floor now that’s more like it, Mantell. Lawler blocks it with a back body drop. I smell a comeback.

Lawler hits Dutch with  a chair in the back. Lawler’s beautiful punches have Dutch reeling. He gives it one last ditch charge and eats a boot. More punches and Dutch runs for the hills and grabs the mic.

He says this is all stupid because they are beatin the piss out of each other and for what. He starts preachin Mutually Assured Destruction and this is stupid because the First Family and Midnight Express are laughing all the way to the bank as Dutch and Lawler are killing each other. Dutch is willing to concede the belt and team up with Lawler against those teams. Lawler is easily convinced by Dutch’s argument and the crowd is popping like mad for thought of that super team. Just as Lawler turns around, BANG~! Dutch pops him from behind and now wraps a steel chair around his head. He adds a PILEDRIVER and a elbow good for measure. He counts his own pin and then grabs his belt. Hahahahahahah SUCKA!!! THIS ANGLE WAS FUCKIN BITCHIN!!!!

One of the best 15 minute angles I have ever seen. The build-up promos were excellent. The wrestling was hot and intense with great transitions. The one misfire was the ab stretch, but other than that Lawler and Mantell he really sold this as a fight. The post-match promo had the crowd whipped into frenzy with the thought of that super team. The other shoe drops and Mantell pulverizes Lawler. Money, money angle that was brilliant. I have watched that three times and each time, I immediately want to watch the Barbed Wire Match that takes place just two days later in the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN.

Southern Heavyweight Champion “Dirty” Dutch Mantell vs Jerry “The King” Lawler
March 29, 1982 Mid-South Coliseum Memphis, TN
Barbed Wire Match

Interesting reaction at the beginning as there are clearly Mantell fans in the audience and they are vocal. I had been reading that Mantell was not treated as a true heel and many fans agreed with his stance even though he did employ nefarious tactics. Heels fans in 1982??? Shades of gray booking??? Just more proof that Memphis was way ahead of its time.

The barbed wire is not around he ropes ala Funk/Sabu, but rather around the outside the ring in order to keep Dutch in the ring and prevent him from getting chairs or taking it to the outside. The idea at the beginning is to really put over how he barbed wire has changed the complexion of the match. Both men are trying their damnest to avoid the barbed wire and there are a lot of barbed wire teases. This has led to a match that has a more cautious beginning with even some wrestling. I liked that a lot because you can only do a brawl so many ways. Thus by adding a stipulation they forced them to layout a new match. This what so many bookers/wrestlers don’t understand about stipulations they should exist for a reason and then be treated differently. Also, Lance Russell articulates these statements so well for the home viewer facilitating their understanding. They do a nice even-stevens should block sequence, which Dutch surprisingly wins with a Thesz press, which gets two, but gives Mantell control.

Of course, Mantell is able to use the barbed wire to slice Lawler wide open on the forehead in particularly gruesome fashion. Russell informs me that he is wearing the crimson mask. Lawler misses on a desperation, wild right due to his vision being blurred by the blood, good spot. A desperation right boot finds it mark in the corner and Lawler IS UP! He immediately exacts retribution by slicing Mantell open on the barbed wire and then attacks the cuts with a series of right leaving Dutch to beg off. Crowd is going wild for Lawler until Dutch clips him south of the border and the Dutch fans start cheering. Lawler blocks a suplex attempt only to hit one of his own. They trade missed elbow drops. LAWLER SCORES WITH A PILEDRIVER!!! However, the tape clips after the pinfall to Mantell back in control. BOOOOOOO

Lawler comes charging out of the corner and spears Dutch. It sounds like a simple spot, but you have to see the power and velocity that Lawler got this late into the match that really made that spot look so cool. Lawler misses a fist drop and Dutch takes over with lefts and rights. Wait, what is this, Russell notes that Mantell is losing steam on his punches. Has Dutch punched himself out? Lawler pulls the strap down. O, it is one like Donkey Kong. Slugfest erupts and Lawler has a little more behind his punches than Dutch and wins that battle. This fuckin feels like the 12^th round of a heavyweight boxing match, some real good shit right now. Dutch does a less comical Flair Flop. Mantell cant even stand, but still kicks out. Lawler punches Mantell while he is on the ground, but he loses steam and yes Lawler has now punched himself out. They run off the ropes and collide both ending up worst for wear. THIS IS A FIGHT!!! Both punch each other simultaneously sending Dutch down and Lawler on Jell-O legs finally collapses. Both men are selling exhaustion like champs. Dutch tries to bodyslam Lawler, but he is too fatigued to execute it and his legs give way with Lawler on top giving Lawler a 2 count. That was an excellent false finish as I thought it would have been a great ending to this slobberknocker. They tussle over an Irish Whip and they both collide off the ropes. Lawler falls on top of Mantell for the pinfall and the three count.  

This is the definition of slobberknocker. If you are looking for thousands of wrestling moves, this match aint going to scratch that itch. If you are looking for a heated, intense, dramatic fight between two wrestlers then it will be hard to top this. My compliant was similar if there was better video quality then I would have been able to see the bladejobs and hear verbal selling. But even without it, holy fuck, this was such a BITCHIN match with an excellent story and even more excellent performances.

Jerry Lawler has had an amazing career, which has been lost to time due to a myriad of reasons. It matches like these against Dutch Mantell that Lawler had plenty to take pride in. Now Lawler had to focus on recovering. CAT scans show that Lawler has no brain damage from the heart attack, but is not out of the woods yet. Lance Russell always said “We should know better than to count King out of it so soon.”

Long Live The King!