Memphis Wrestling
Date: 3/6/2021
From: Memphis, TN
Dustin and Maria Starr promote the show and Dustin notes that a king will be on the show today. For the record, they actually spoil the king part in the opening video package for the show.
Derrick King makes his way out out to the commentary station. Derrick says he’s the real king and introduces Van Vicious as his personal security. Dustin notes that he got a cease and desist over the promotion of a king.
MATCH #1: DJ BROWN VS. NORMAN MEKLAKOV — COBRA CUP SEMI FINAL
NOTE: During the match, there was a lengthy video highlighting what happened last week, which was a bit odd placement. It aired during a commercial break.
FINISH: Norman picks up the win following a full nelson slam.
Bob’s Take: The early approach to the match is DJ using his speed to combat the size difference. DJ is an entertaining wrestler and is more of the style that I tend to enjoy delivering some hard hitting kicks and displaying his agility throughout the match. Norman is a bit more slow and plodding, but his offense is powerful with DJ selling it fairly well. DJ almost landed on his neck doing a dropkick after being lifted into the air by Norman. Norman looked much better in this outing and I’m leaning towards giving DJ the credit for it.
Match Rating: **1/4
Backstage, Dread Head Kev is taking pictures of the tag team Skimahorn, but it appears to get tense. A tag team known as The Posse enter the scene after Kev is shoved.
Pizza Derek is promoting pizza for the fans, but Humongous comes out and delivers a chokeslam to the pizza guy. The Crowleys enter the ring known as Otis and Jackson check on the pizza guy by playing with his arms before departing the ring. They hit each other with his arms. They steal the pizza This is bizarre.
MATCH #2: BIG ACE & BIG JACK VS. THE HOLLYWOOD BLONDES (ADAM SWAYZE & REX)
FINISH: Big Jack pins Swayze following a German suplex/dropkick combo.
Bob’s Take: Big Ace and Big Jack appear to be popular amongst the Memphis fans. The Hollywood Blondes are a bit more flamboyant than the previous version of the Blondes (Pillman & Austin). I wasn’t expecting the Blondes to get the advantage early on on Big Ace. Ace stopped Swayze and kept control after a nice clothesline. Jack and Ace are holding my attention as they come across as one of the more seasoned wrestlers/duo in the company thus far. Rex had a good hot tag delivering clotheslines and a side slam. I’m guessing the Blondes are actually the babyfaces, but I didn’t realize that before. This was a good tag team TV match.
Match Rating: ***
MATCH #3: DIANA TAYLOR VS. NIKKI LANE
NOTE: Derrick King reveals during the match that he’s going to introduce his Queen next week. Her name is Queen Kaitlin. Precious also comes out to watch the bout.
FINISH: Lane picks up the win with a fisherman suplex.
Bob’s Take: I’m not familiar with either woman whatsoever. I didn’t have much interest in this and I actually found myself more invested in what Derrick King was talking about on commentary. Nikki has a good fisherman suplex.
Match Rating: 1/2*
MATCH #4: DA RUSSELL TWINS (ALLEN & KAMERON) VS. THE YUNG GOATS (AARON ROBERTS & ZAY WASHINGTON)
FINISH: Washington picks up the win following a top rope 450 splash.
Bob’s Take: I like Da Russell Twins and their energy. Their action is fast pace and far more unique than anyone else I’ve seen in Memphis Wrestling. Aaron Roberts is much bigger than the other three guys, so his powerful offense looks more devastating. It’s good booking to have Roberts in this match and look like a force. Da Russell Twins have a ton of potential to be a great babyface tag team. Roberts hitting a sit down powerbomb followed by a 450 splash by Washington was a great finish to the match. Another good tag team match on this show.
Match Rating: ***
MAIN EVENT: BRETT MICHAELS VS. JUSTIN COLE — COBRA CUP SEMI FINAL
NOTE: Justin Cole has his ribs taped up due to Mike Anthony’s attack from last week.
FINISH: Michaels wins following the Gun Show Clothesline (discus clothesline).
Bob’s Take: They have a slow start to the match until Cole hit a spinning heel kick to pop the crowd. At one point, Cole offers his hand to Michaels during the match, but is slammed for doing so. Cole refuses a handshake by sending Michaels into the corner face first. I feel like these two will have some kind of respect feud. I didn’t care for this all that much. Michaels doesn’t seem to be connecting with the crowd.
Match Rating: *
Final Thoughts:
A much better episode than episode one. The tag matches were a lot of fun and good action. Aaron Roberts, Zay Washington, Da Russell Twins, Ace & Jack and the Hollywood Blondes are all worthwhile talent. Memphis Wrestling clearly has some good talent in the early stages of their programming and I’m interested to see how they develop over time.
Thanks for reading.