Memphis Memories with Randy Hales

This week we go into something that really ticks Randy off - the historic lack of respect for Memphis wrestling. He talks about the negative reputation the territory had in the 70s/80s from old school promoters who considered Memphis to be a phony, silly style of pro wrestling. He talks about Bruce Prichard's comments on Jerry Jarrett. Randy talks about everything Memphis contributed to the world of wrestling, including an incredible list of names of guys who worked the territory on their way up.

This week we take a close look at the differences between classic territorial wrestling and the modern wrestling style. We view it through the lens of a match that Randy was heavily involved in putting together, the PG-13 vs R'R Express match from USWA A Night to Remember to in 1995. Randy breaks down what made that match and style great, and contrasts it with today's modern approach. Also, in honor of his new book, we take a look at the history of wrestling books, talking about our favorite and least favorite books and the genre in general.

This week Randy and Sean dive into a list of the most controversial figures in the history of pro wrestling. They go into detail on Vince, Hogan, Punk, Gilbert, Onita, Brody, and many more!

This week Randy remembers a legend of the wrestling business, the great Tracy Smothers. Randy and Tracy were friends going back decades, and Randy has great stories and recollections of Tracy and his entire career. 

We have a big one this week as Randy recaps one of the most significant weeks of his life! His book, Living the Dream, was released, and he had a book signing in his hometown of Jonesboro. Randy gets emotional talking about the significance of this milestone to him, and all the people who helped it become a reality. A great touching show!

In this go-home show for the release of Randy's big book, we go with a spicy topic and delve into the history of wrestlers who at one time or another had issues with Randy. Several of these relationships have since been reconciled, but hear about pretty much everyone Randy ever had heat with in his career, from Mick Foley bashing Randy in his best-selling book, to issues with Eric Embry, Manny Fernandez, Jimmy Hart, and others. We have some stories here that somehow haven't been told yet that are highly entertaining!

This week is a fun one as Randy has just gotten back from Jerry Lawler's 50th anniversary show, and has all sorts of stories to tell. He got to reunite with many of the biggest members of Memphis wrestling history, and hear his stories on how everyone is doing and how they handled a reunion during Covid times. Lots of great behind the scenes stories from the show, as well as a recap of the event itself, Memphis fans will love this episode!

Randy and Sean are back. Hear all about what Randy's been up to, including writing a book! They catch up on everything happening in wrestling, talk old school Memphis, and Randy has a crazy story about nearly having to break up a bloody brawl in real life like he was back in the Memphis TV studio!

Randy Hales is back with the 80th Episode of Memphis Memories Podcast and, as always, he tries to educate you and entertain you with Memphis Wrestling Memories.  Our guest is the grandson of Christine Jarrett, Brennon Martin.  He is the author of a book that is a tribute to his Grandmother, called Teeny Professional Wrestling's Grand Dame.  Hear stories on Christine Jarrett Living a Real Life Rags to Riches Story, stories about Nick Gulas, Roy Welch, Pat Malone, Jerry Jarrett, Koko Ware, Jerry Jarrett, Jeff Jarrett. Eddie Marlin, Vince McMahon and the Death of Kay Fabe and much more.  Fantastic show loaded with Memphis Wrestling History.  

Randy Hales does a huge Q and A podcast.  Thanks to all who sent in many great and thought provoking questions.  Randy talks about so many great Memphis Memory Questions including who would of replaced Jerry Lawler as top star if Memphis Wrestling was still around, Can Memphis Wrestling Be Revived, How was it to do commentary with Lance and Dave, Best Memories of Eddie Marlin, James wants Juicy Scoops, Rodney Elwood wants to know why Gordon Solie hosted Memphis TV when we still had Lance and Dave, Mark wanted to know about when Robert Fuller did a heavy interview with Nick Gulas, Adan Parson wants to know why Robert Fuller left in 1979 and took his crew with him. What did cit take to put Monday Night Memories Together, how long did Tommy Rich hide under cage,questions from London, Paris and much more.

Derrick King Returns to Co-Host with Randy Hales This Week.   This is a Memphis Wrestling Podcast but not this show.   Very powerful episode as we talk about this year, Being a Wrestler without Wrestling Shows, Derrick talks about being the single parent of a 13 Year old mixed child, surviving in the world of a pandemic, politics, Racial Tensions in this country,we talk all important it is for all of us to get behind Black Lives Matter,  Randy asks if Derrick has ever experienced racial profiling or police brutality, we talk about Linda Hogan and Drew Brees recent social media comments, we discuss a recent Dwayne Johnson showed how a leader really acts and much more.   This is a must listen as a mid aged black man and a older white guy gets real.  

We continue to look back into the history of Power Pro Wrestling as Randy talks with two stars of the promotion - Bulldog Raines and Lance Jade! Lots of never heard stories from behind the scenes of the last Memphis TV-5 wrestling.

This week, Randy welcomes Lance Russell's son - Shane! They talk all about the greatest announcer and his time in the Memphis territory!

Show 76 is more like a Power Hour than any episode we have ever done. Bulldog Raines and Lance Jade both start their respective interviews with their old catch phrases. Bulldog is a great storyteller and this is his first ever podcast interview. Lance reminds Randy of a time he went into business for himself. Randy resorts back to his Owner days as he has a few words for Lance at the end of the interview, in good fun. Its all Power Pro Memories starting with Bulldog Raines and then Lance Jade.

We continue the Most Memorable Moments of Studio Wrestling as we focus on Power Pro Wrestling Most Memorable Moments and the True, No-Holds Barred story of the WWE's First Developmental Territory.  Beau James talks about the wildest PPW Show ever on Labor Day Weekend 1998.  Derrick King, a PPW Mainstrean from day one joins us for three hours.   We talk Lawler. Dundee, Idol, Jackie,Brian Christopher, Jim Cornette, Freebird Michael Hayes, Kurt Angle, Daniel Bryan, Jimmy Valiant, Brandon Baxter and many more.  The most in depth coverage of PPW Ever.  Beau, Derrick and Randy do the most emotional close ever in the history of the Memphis Memories Podcast.

Packed Memphis Memories Show this week as Beau James returns to co-host, We discuss the recent passing of Scott Bowden, we return to the series on Studio Wrestling Most Memorable Moments including early Lawler vs Dundee, Terry Funk calling Jim Cornette a sissy, The Jimmy Hart Era, The Dream Machine, The Greatness of Lance and Dave, Joe Leduc Cutting his arm with a AX, Kimala Debut on TV, Dundee vs Lawler Loser Leaves Town Hype Show, Tojo Painted Yellow, Landel and Dundee beats up referee Jeff Jarrett and Lawler Returns, Randy Savage Debuts in Studio, Monday Night Memories Hype Show and the return of Lance Russell, SMW Invades USWA, Jeff Jarrett Returns In a Box and More Memories, Randy talks to Beau about the very last Power Pro Show and tells the true story for the first time why Power Pro went away with details on last show. This is a cant miss show!  

This week Randy goes back to the era that made him fall in love with pro wrestling and that lead to him living a life in it - the 1970s. Hear great stories about the glory days, including stories on Jerry Lawler, Tojo and Jerry Jarrett, Don and Al Greene, Hickerson and Condrey, visitors like Harley Race, Jack Brisco, and Terry Funk, and much more!

This week Randy again goes into detail on his relationships with major players in pro wrestling, including some never heard Jim Cornette stories! Hear what Randy really thought of people like Kevin Kelly and Bruce Prichard from when Power Pro Wrestling was a WWE developmental spot. Also, a time Randy was ready to use Kurt Angle to shoot on someone to solve a major problem at a TV taping!

This week Randy looks back on his relationships over the years with some of the biggest names in the history of the industry. Hear a hilarious never told story about him running into Vince McMahon backstage at a show and Road Dogg intervening, Shawn Michaels trying to get him fired, Mick Foley ripping him in his book, trying to stop a shoot with Scott Steiner from happening in a Memphis ring, and much more!

This week's main topic is looking at Vice's "Dark Side of the Ring" series, specifically their last episode, looking at the Benoit family tragedy of 2007. We also talk about what's going on in modern wresting, including the divisive Hardy/Jericho segment, and Wrestlemania being moved into a two night event at the Performance Center.

This week we present a more light-hearted show as Randy reflects on the coronavirus and remembers times from his wrestling career when real life altered plans. 

Sean returns to the show and catches up with Randy on a crazy modern wrestling scene. They talk about AEW Revolution, including the Bucks-Omega/Hangman match being called one of the best ever, as well as their thoughts on Orange Cassidys' big night. They also talk about WWE's Mania build.

Randy Goes Back 40 Years to discuss Jerry Lawlers broken leg, Jimmy Hart becoming the biggest heel in the territory, surviving the year, Lawler's Return, The Debut of Dream Machine and Randy tells story on how on Feb 9, 1981, the Memphis Main Event was Lawler vs Hulk Hogan.  Randy tells the story of how February 9 was the saddest day of his life.  

On the 25th Anniversary of his death, Justin Case joins me to Tribute Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert.   We try to do justice to the life and times of a all time great.   I answer questions from his fans and tell what I think Eddie's legacy is.   We also discuss the Major League Baseball Scandal and review the latest AEW Show.   Very proud of this episode. 

Packed show today as Beau James Returns to co-host.  We hope Sean Reedy will return next week.   Randy tells a classic story about a radio call Brandon Baxter received from a fan who thought Randy was dead.   Randy talks about a recent incident that scared him to death as a man broke into his hotel and Randy feared for his life and had to fight the guy off.  Beau and RH review the most recent AEW TV and we talk heat in wrestling drawing money.   We also compare 1979 Memphis and Knoxville Wrestling as we dive deep into history of Wrestling.  One of our favorite podcasts yet, full of untold stories Wrestling Fans will enjoy,

We have a loaded show this week as Pat Trammel returns to talk about his trip to the Royal Rumble, Beau James returns by popular demand to talk classic Memphis, and he and Randy reflect on the passing of Kobe Bryant and talk about the major tragedies of wrestling history.

Longtime wrestling fan Pat Trammel makes his first appearance on Memphis Memories. We talk about the good ole days and also get in an interesting discussion about starting a territory. Pat has a bunch of great questions for Randy about Memphis. Fun show!

We lost a Memphis wrestling great this week with the passing of the legendary Rocky Johnson. Rocky had a great run feuding with Jerry Lawler in the mid 70's in a boxer vs wrestler feud that was revolutionary in its time, and made appearances into the late 80s. Randy Hales enlists the help of his good friend Bill Dundee as they pay tribute to Rocky.

This week Randy talks all about AEW's tribute to Memphis wrestling on last week's Dynamite. He talks about his role in how the whole thing came together and unfolded, and has a bunch of funny stories about again hanging out with some of the Memphis wrestling's crazy characters.

This week Randy tells us about the various times he got more physically involved in the action side of the wrestling business. Hear about his first angle where he was slapped by David Schultz, being attacked by Barry Horowitz, the famous fire angle with Eddie Gilbert, teaming with Jerry Lawler to headline at the Mid-South Coliseum and feuding with him in Power Pro Wrestling!

This week we welcome back our friend Scott Mason, a huge Memphis fan, as he and Randy have a wide-ranging conversation on all things classic Memphis.   Check out Power Pro Wrestling DVDs available at www.randyhalesmemphiswrestling.com!

Inspired by the wrestling battle that erupted on Twitter this week, we take a look back at famous wrestling promotional wars of the past as well as today. We talk about ones Randy was directly involved in, such as going against Randy Savage's ICW, or Power Pro vs MCW, as well as famous ones such at the wars in Atlanta, Knoxville, or on Monday nights!

This week Randy takes us behind the scenes addressing all of the famous controversies that occurred in the Memphis territory from the 70s through the 90s. From the Gulas/Jarrett split to tensions with Randy Savage to backstage fights and promotional wars, he goes through them all here with his first-hand perspective!

Randy and Sean celebrate their one year anniversary! They go over their favorite moments from the first year doing the show, as well as their all-time favorites in a wide variety of Memphis wrestling categories. Its a party, join in!  

This week Randy has some things to get off his chest, as he responds to his online critics on a variety of topics. Also, he talks about his own inner circle, the people that have supported him most through the different phases of his life!

Randy takes another very honest look at his time running Power Pro Wrestling this week, as he discusses things he would have done differently to keep the promotion alive. The infamous Gilberts parody and fallout is discussed, as well as issues with Jerry Lawler, WWE, and many obstacles he tried to navigate.

In an extremely honest and introspective episode, Randy decides to use his booking skills to re-book his life. He talks about regrets, mistakes, things he would have done differently, and decisions he wouldn't change for anything.

This week we look closely at May 1999 Power Pro Wrestling. Again, Randy is able to take us behind the scenes with a very unique perspective as the booker and owner of the promotion. May was another wild month, with the return of the Fabulous Freebirds, as well as Memphis mainstays like Doug Gilbert and Wolfie D. Also, Jerry Lawler is considering running for mayor for real! Kurt Angle continues to develop, Rikishi is in as JR Smooth, Vic Grimes tries to make Memphis hardcore, and much more.

This week Randy takes us behind the scenes of a wild period from when he was booking Memphis Power Pro Wrestling. In the spring of 1999, the promotion was red hot, with Michael Hayes having his last run as a full-time wrestler, Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee feuding with the Fabulous Ones, Kurt Angle debuting as the WWF relationship was in full swing, and much more! Hear never heard stories about this very unique time.

This week Randy takes behind the scenes of early 1999 Power Pro Wrestling. The pro wrestling world was red hot, and Memphis was no exception as the time featured some wild angles involving Jerry Lawler, Brian Christopher, Shawn Stasiak, Bruce Prichard(!), Jim Cornette, Michael Hayes, and Randy himself. Hear exclusive never told stories.

This week Randy dives into the formation and first year of Power Pro Wrestling! Hear about everything that went into creating the company after the chaotic demise of the USWA, how the deals were made, their first Mid-South Coliseum show with a Jerry Lawler vs Kane main event, Randy turning heel and feuding with Lawler, and tons of behind the scenes stories that only Randy can tell about the last Memphis morning studio wrestling!

This week Randy takes a personal look at a life spent growing up in the wrestling business, as he interviews talent like Reggie B Fine and David Oswald, as well as family members and friends who have watched his journey.

We complete our look at the traditional Jarrett/Gulas/Welch Memphis territory, as we dive into the chaos of 1997. Randy goes into great detail on the behind the scenes happenings that led to so much disruption and eventually the end of the company. Hear all about the changes in management, wrestlers and announcers quitting, booking changes, and the fallout.

This week we take a look at the final full year Randy spent working for the classic Memphis territory - 1996. It was another eventful year, with a controversial feud featuring Bill Dundee and PG-13 (later the Cyberpunks). Of course there was the rookie appearance of that Flex Kavana guy, who went on to become The Rock. The debut of the Mankind character happened in Memphis. Jerry Lawler turned heel for the first time in a decade. And much more!

It was a difficult week for the Memphis wrestling family as we lost our patriarch, the legendary Eddie Marlin. Randy pays an emotional tribute to a man who meant so much to his life, from breaking him into the business in 1973 to the last year they spent living together. Also, Randy conducted several interviews with people touched by Eddie Marlin's life, including Bill Dundee. 

This episode features an extremely touching tribute to Eddie Marlin from two men whose lives he impacted so much, Randy Hales and Jerry Jarrett.

This week Randy dives into a great year of Memphis history, where he was the booker, 1995. This year was highlighted by the big USWA vs SMW inter-promotional feud. This started with a program between the R'R Express and PG-13, and lead to a full-blown invasion by the wrestlers of Smoky Mountain. The year featured appearances from an array of talent - Sid, Jim Cornette, Road Dogg, Bob Armstrong, Buddy Landel, the Heavenly Bodies, Tracy Smothers, Brian Lee, Kanyon, and Scotty Riggs. Hear about the dramatic return of Jeff Jarrett in a shocking angle. Also, the story behind Ricky Morton being fired by both SMW and the USWA, and much more!

This week we talk about 1994 in Memphis, with the area revitalized by the Monday Night Memories card and talent like Eddie and Doug Gilbert, Sid, Tommy Rich, Dream Machine, the Eliminators, alongside mainstays like Jerry Lawler, Brian Christopher, and PG-13. Hear Randy explain how the famous Monday Night Memories show of March 1994 lead to his return to booking the territory, and inside stories from his perspective of this year.

This week we take a frank and honest look at a period that Randy Hales does not remember fondly - the Memphis territory from 1989-1993. As you will hear in this episode, tensions were mounting and Randy left the promotion for several years during this time. This is a very authentic look at the difficulties of trying to maintain a historic territory while the industry was changing so rapidly. Still, there is plenty to talk about - a young Undertaker debuting in the territory, Sid, Dustin Rhodes, yes we talk about Freddy, Eric Embry's run, the Lawler/Jarrett-Moondogs feud, the WWF relationship and creation of the Mr. McMahon heel character!

We cover a lot this week, as Randy does a tribute to Jerry Lawler and then continues his historical deep dive by going into 1988 Memphis wrestling. Hear about Jerry Lawler's entire career from the perspective of someone who worked with him and has been friends with him for decades. There a lot of interesting stories told. Then, we continue into another big year in Memphis history - 1988. This included the end of a 14-year storyline with Jerry Lawler finally winning the AWA Title from Curt Hennig. Also, Randy gets hit with fire by Eddie Gilbert, which Randy says is still the wrestling incident mentioned to him the most. Additionally, appearances in the territory from Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, Scott Steiner, Yokozuna, and so many more!