Written by: Bob Colling
CWA TV
Date: 3/12/1988
From: Memphis, TN
The show is joined in progress, but it would appear only Lance Russell and Dave Brown opening segment is lost.
Opening Contest: Eddie Gilbert vs. Scotty The Body: Gilbert arm drags Body and taunts the crowd. Gilbert sends Body through the ropes to the floor and delivers a stomp from the apron. Gilbert connects with a vertical suplex on the floor. Gilbert rolls Body back into the ring to maintain control of the contest. Gilbert knee lifts Body in the corner and drops Body throat first over the top rope for the easy win. (*. Of course, Scotty The Body would later go on to be known as Raven. This is the kind of booking I’d like to see for Gilbert. Win matches in easy fashion and make him look like a threat to Lawler.)
Lance Russell interviews Tommy Gilbert regarding Eddie Marlin. Tommy agrees there is some fact that Marlin isn’t as old as he is. Tommy recalls always being the guy who took the beatings when they were a tag team back in the day. Tommy does what he wants to do nowadays. Tommy gave Marlin a belt whipping recently. Marlin runs out with a belt and runs Tommy off from the segment. Marlin says that Tommy has no guts and that proved it. There is going to be a lumberjack strap match between the two.
Second Contest: Ken Wayne vs. Doug Gilbert: Wayne avoids a right hand in the corner leading to the fans laughing at Gilbert. Wayne arm drags Gilbert and they have a standoff. Wayne decks Gilbert with a right hand in the corner. Wayne scoop slams Gilbert followed by another arm drag and keeps arm control on the mat. Wayne hip tosses Gilbert and again keeps arm control after another arm drag. Gilbert knee lifts Wayne, but Wayne continues to control the match with an arm bar. Gilbert scoop slams Wayne followed by an elbow drop. Gilbert plants Wayne with a vertical suplex for a two count. Gilbert backdrops Wayne coming out of the corner and maintains control with a front face lock. Wayne breaks free and hammers away on Gilbert followed by a backdrop. Eddie Gilbert slides into the ring and jumps Wayne causing a disqualification. After the match, Wayne is double teamed and dropped over the top rope throat first. (*. Doug didn’t look good in there this week and the booking of having Wayne essentially dominate the match continues to confuse me for the booking of the Gilbert’s. I’m starting to worry they aren’t going to be presented strongly in the coming weeks.)
Lance Russell interviews Jeff Jarrett and Billy Travis regarding an upcoming tag title opportunity. Jarrett says he’s watched Gilbert for many years and says that Eddie has come a long way. Jarrett doesn’t know who Eddie thinks he is for thinking he’ll run Dundee and Lawler out of the area. Travis tells Russell they asked for a no time limit, no disqualification match. Travis wants to address Brother Ernest. Travis asks if the fans would like 1k thrown into the crowd when they beat Payne and Young,
Third Contest: Jeff Jarrett & Billy Travis vs. Rough & Ready: In short order, Travis gets the pin following a middle rope clothesline.
Lance Russell and Missy Hyatt are on commentary for the Renegade Rampage contest. Hyatt doesn’t understand why Eddie Gilbert isn’t in the Renegade Rampage standings. Russell notes that Maxx Payne is still in first place with 70 points and his partner Gary Young is in second place. Russell demands that Hyatt doesn’t ruin the trivia question like she had done the previous week.
Fourth Contest: AWA Tag Team Champions The Midnight Rockers vs. Zebra Warriors: Midnight Rockers win the match easily following a double DDT.
Lance Russell interviews Brother Ernest, Gary Young and Maxx Payne. Payne wants Jarrett and Travis saying they couldn’t even beat an old lady. Ernest says his men are the best because they have the power of the book behind them.
Main Event: CWA Heavyweight Champion Maxx Payne & Gary Young vs. Rikki Nelson & Doug Dancing: Young wins the match following a middle rope knee drop ending the match in two minutes.
Final Thoughts:
Felt like a weak week for me this time around. I really want a stronger presentation for Eddie Gilbert. I’m not invested in Maxx Payne as the top heel largely because he feels like an afterthought and he’s simply not that good.
Thanks for reading.