Memphis Wrestling
Date: 3/20/2021
From: Memphis, TN
MATCH #1: JONNY LYONS VS. HUMONGOUS
FINISH: Humongous wins following a chokeslam. After the match, Humongous prevents the Crowleys from getting in the ring.
Bob’s Take: It wouldn’t be Memphis Wrestling without a Humongous character. Lyons is the smallest worker in Memphis, and thus a good choice to be used as enhancement for Humongous. Humongous has a presence that feels like he’s a big deal and a powerful force. Lyons bumped well for the monster. This was simple and effective showcase for Humongous.
Match Rating: *1/2
Dustin and Maria Starr promote the show which will feature the in-ring debut of Derrick King. Brett Michaels will be awarded the Cobra Cup trophy.
Backstage, Mike Anthony is interviewed regarding his match with Justin Cole tonight. Anthony says he’s calling out Cole. Anthony says they are going to fight on his time and that time is today.
Backstage, Nikki Lane cuts a promo about there being a women’s division in Memphis Wrestling for the first time ever. Lane says it is an honor to be part of the division in Memphis. Lane says that they get along mostly and there’s a little bit drama. Lane notes there are some women that prefer to associate by themselves. Lane brings up Queen Kaitlin and how Kaitlin feels she’s better than everyone else. Lane isn’t happy about Kaitlin getting her own locker room. Lane challenges Kaitlin for her crown.
MATCH #2: CHRIS LEXX VS. VAN VICIOUS
NOTE: Derrick King was originally suppose to compete here, but instead Van Vicious stepped in. King went to commentary and says that he can do whatever he wants because he’s a king.
FINISH: Late in the match, Queen Kaitlin distracts Lexx allowing Vicious to hit Lexx from behind with a briefcase to win the match.
Bob’s Take: I honestly wasn’t thinking Vicious would be seen as a viable wrestler as these kinds of switches are usually for a lesser wrestler to stall for the confrontation they’re building to. However, Vicious looked good throughout the match and delivered a nice spinebuster early into the bout. Lexx had strong offense on his comeback as he has a good uppercut, which seems to be the main strike of choice for Lexx. I was not expecting Vicious to win here. I thought this was a decent competitive match. Derrick King is an entertaining character on commentary, too.
Match Rating; **
Backstage, The Posse walk up and see someone laid out, and it was apparently the Skimahorns who did the attack.
Backstage, Salena Dean is interviewed. Dean talks about Nikki Lane and says Lane is trying to overlook her and she’s not a fan of that. Dean suggests Lane know who she is because Lane has to go through her first before getting to Queen Kaitlin.
MATCH #3: PRECIOUS VS. NIKKI LANE
FINISH: Lane avoids Precious in the corner and wins the match with a rollup.
Bob’s Take: It seems as if they are scaling back on the flamboyant persona aspect of Precious, and promoted him as a mauler, which I didn’t hear before. There’s a bit of stalling early on by Precious, but Precious flips the switch and goes on the attack, and I like his ability to turn it on at a moments notice. Precious shows charisma by taunting Lane during the match. Precious is an entertaining character. Lane seems to be positioned as a one of the top women wrestlers along with Cassandra Golden.
Match Rating: *
Earlier this week. King Cobra shared comments saying he’d be honored to award the Cobra Cup trophy to Brett Michaels because he earned it.
MAIN EVENT: MIKE ANTHONY VS. JUSTIN COLE — GRUDGE MATCH
FINISH: Cole manages to avoid a modified Codebreaker attempt and rolls Anthony up for the win. After the match, Anthony is not thrilled about the loss.
Bob’s Take: With only four weeks into Memphis Wrestling, they’ve done a good job at promoting Anthony and Cole as one of their first major feuds. They don’t waste time going at it with Cole hitting a reverse DDT within a few moments of the match. There’s a good level of intensity to the bout. Anthony showed his heel tendency by sending the referee into Cole in the corner allowing Anthony to control the bout. Anthony slowed the match down with a body scissors on the mat. Anthony didn’t get good elevation on a flapjack at one point in the bout. Cole hits a middle rope fisherman suplex slam in one of the bigger spots in the company to this point. I think the finish allows for this grudge feud to continue, so I think for an added layer to the feud this was solid for the beginning of the rivalry.
Match Rating: **1/2
King Cobra comes out to the ring with the Cobra Cup trophy to award the trophy to the winner of the tournament, Brett Michaels. Cobra raises Michaels arm and then simply walks off. Michaels plays to the crowd, but Johnny Dodson comes out to confront Michaels. However, Alan Steel sneaks up from behind and attacks Michaels! Dodson and Steel double team Michaels in the ring. Steel grabs the Cobra Cup and taunts Michaels before stomping on the trophy to break it. Steel pummels Michaels on the mat and chokes Michaels out.
Final Thoughts:
I was honestly hoping that Michaels was going to turn heel and deck King Cobra. Michaels gives me heel energy, but they’re insisting on a babyface push for him. The closing segment was fine, but I’m not familiar with Steel and Dodson, so this will be my first time seeing them from what I can remember. I thought this was a solid show with a good main event and good focus on talents such as Derrick King and Humongous.
Thanks for reading.