On this episode of the Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast, Gene Jackson, Josh Briley, and Brian Tramel break down another wild week of USWA Championship Wrestling from July 1991, a show loaded with debuts, bizarre booking choices, and escalating chaos.

The episode kicks off with Sabu, who is now billed Samu “The Mystery Man,” raising plenty of questions as Memphis audiences are asked to pretend they don’t already know exactly who he is. Meanwhile, Eric Embry continues his reign of annoying the Memphis babyfaces, lying with confidence, dodging consequences, and drawing out his increasingly heated feud with Jerry “The King” Lawler, which is now barreling toward a lumberjack showdown.

The show also introduces the Barroom Brawlers, a rough around the edges team whose debut includes chair shots, confusion, and one of the most unintentionally funny promos in recent memory. Add in mud hole match insanity, Lawler squashing Judge Dread, and Memphis TV at its most unfiltered, and you’ve got another episode that perfectly captures why this era remains endlessly fascinating.

On this episode:

• Samu (Sabu) debuts (again) as The Mystery Man (yeah, I don’t know either)
• Rob Van Dam’s early Memphis run and unconventional style
• Eric Embry’s greatest hits: lies, excuses, and chaos
• Jerry Lawler asserts control with authority and violence
• The debut of the Barroom Brawlers and chair-swinging mayhem
• Dr. Tom Prichard, Miss Texas, Dirty White Boy & Dirty White Girl collide
• Mud hole matches, questionable promos, and classic Memphis energy

It’s another episode where logic takes a back seat to entertainment but it’s definitely fun, join us!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us cover some of our costs! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

This week on the Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast, we dive deep into an unforgettable episode of USWA Championship Wrestling from June 29, 1991, a show that feels like Memphis wrestling turned up to eleven.

Gene Jackson, Josh Briley, and Brian Tramel analyze a wild hour of television where Leatherface storms the studio with a chainsaw, Eric Embry proves why he’s one of the greatest chickens*** heels ever, and the studio ends up knee deep in syrup, feathers, and absolute madness.

Highlights:

• Why Leatherface works better as a visual threat than a wrestler
• The psychology of Embry being terrified of Lawler despite having every advantage
• The Ta-Gar experiment, the Dr. Doom mask, and why “Lord of the Volcano” quietly disappeared
• Lawler’s masterclass in getting a passable match out of an impossible gimmick
• The "tar and feather" angle dissected discussing history, intent, and why it felt dated by ’91
• Miss Texas, Dirty White Girl, and the fine line between chaos and discomfort
• The overuse of the DDT and whether finishers were already losing meaning by this era
• Rob Zakowski’s upside, near miss spots, and early signs of innovation
• Jeff Jarrett & Robert Fuller’s looping stipulation that backs the booking into a corner
• Jackie Fargo’s return and why it still mattered to Memphis crowds
• Attendance notes, Evansville and Memphis results, and behind the scenes notes

WATCH THE FULL TELEVISION EPISODE THEY ARE REVIEWING, HERE: https://youtu.be/lCcaZbvvhU8?si=R-XijL8tAWsjqKZL

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

This week on Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA, we dive into one of the strongest TV episodes of 1991 , a show where everything revolves around Eric Embry being the absolute worst human being possible… and it works beautifully.

Gene Jackson, Josh Briley, and Brian Tramel break down an episode packed with consequences, continuity, and crowd investment, as the Lawler–Embry feud escalates from Leatherface horror into full-blown studio CHAOS!!

In this episode:

• Why the Leatherface angle exceeded expectations and hooked the crowd
• Embry’s masterclass performance as a cowardly, manipulative heel
• The art of cutting off babyface momentum at exactly the right moment
• Eddie Marlin finally snapping and firing Embry on TV and why it couldn’t stick
• Lawler’s insistence on one more match and how that fuels the feud
• Why the studio chases worked instead of feeling silly
• Rob Van Dam’s early USWA run and a mysteriously missing finish
• Confusing booking, wrong records, and undefeated teams that definitely lost
• Bill Dundee’s repetitive promos and that unforgettable jacket
• Catfights, double count outs, and angles designed to sell Monday night
• Eddie Gilbert quits the company
• Real attendance numbers and live results from Dallas and Memphis

This episode is a perfect example of Memphis wrestling logic: stretch the money feud, keep the crowd angry, and never give them everything at once.

WATCH THE FULL TELEVISION EPISODE THEY ARE REVIEWING, HERE: https://youtu.be/RD_BTvq5Gzw?si=waXI0OVF9TcJzSjK
Here's the fun "BENNY HILL SHOW" style video mentioned on the podcast: https://youtu.be/h9hMPcF4GL4

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

The Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast rolls on with Episode #85, and this week’s episode is a perfect snapshot of early 1991 Memphis wrestling: bizarre gimmicks, Rutter chaos, accidental comedy, and angles that began to turn things around.

Gene Jackson is joined by Josh Briley and Brian Tramel as they break down an unforgettable episode of USWA Championship Wrestling, Eric Embry promises the debut of his next Texas ally, Leatherface, the in-studio debut of Ta-Gar: Lord of the Volcano, a kickboxing experiment straight out of a Jean-Claude Van Damme movie, and one of the most unintentionally hilarious promos in territory history.

On this episode:

• Eric Embry introduces Leatherface by retelling the entire plot of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (complete with clips)
• Jerry Lawler immediately undermines the gimmick by calling it “a guy in a Halloween mask”
• Why the Leatherface angle still worked — and drew nearly 1,000 fans at the Pipkin Building!
• Ta-Gar debuts in the studio, shooting fire from his shield and clawing people with a flaming glove
• The debut of "Pistol: Pez Whatley, including a promo that turns into an unintentional Corey Maclin impression
• Miss Texas, Dirty White Girl, and one of the strangest catfight segments ever aired
• A mysterious “Vietnamese Kickboxing Match” featuring Dong Chao Mang and Rob Zukowski
• Why Chris Frazier deserves a medal for surviving this episode
• Doug Gilbert’s unpredictable Roughhouse gimmick lives for another week
• Real attendance numbers that explain why this madness seemingly actually mattered

This episode is USWA at its most grindhouse — ridiculous on paper, oddly compelling in execution, and endlessly fascinating in hindsight.

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

The Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast rolls on with Episode #84, and this one has a little bit of everything — classic Memphis chaos, unforgettable characters, and the long-awaited return of the King!

Gene Jackson is joined by Josh Briley and Brian Tramel as they break down this week’s episode of USWA Championship Wrestling, where Jerry Lawler finally steps back into the spotlight after a few weeks away, immediately reasserting control and reminding everyone exactly who runs Memphis (both behind and in front of the camera).

On this episode:

• Jerry Lawler’s triumphant return, confronting Eric Embry and physically dismantling both Carl Stiles and the Texas Ranger
• The opening match delivers big heat as Dirty White Boy vs. Tom Prichard explodes — capped off by the shocking return of The Dirty White Girl, who launches Miss Texas over the desk
• A deep discussion on why that opening segment worked and why it mattered
• The debut of Carl Stiles and why his presentation never quite clicks with fans
• Eric Embry’s master class heel psychology (“I ain’t got no beef with you, Lawler!”)
• Jeff Jarrett, Robert Fuller, and the never ending “we used to feud” reminders, EVERY WEEK!
• The arrival of Ta-Gar, Lord of the Volcano whose left hand is on fire, but he seems cool with it
• Multi man tag team chaos, "Roughouse" Doug Gilbert get his character over, and Bill Dundee doing things only Bill Dundee can do
• Real attendance numbers from the Pipkin Building that tell a much darker story about the state of the territory in June 1991

This episode captures a promotion desperately trying to stabilize itself by leaning on Lawler’s star power, throwing gimmicks at the wall, and hoping something sticks.

If you love Memphis wrestling history, honest analysis, and laugh out loud fun with the absurdity of it all, this one’s a must listen.

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

Merry Christmas from the Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast and welcome to our 2nd Annual Christmas Extravaganza, dropping on Christmas Eve and guaranteed to spread good cheer!

Gene Jackson is joined by Josh Briley and Brian Tramel, with a very special return appearance from Richard Mulikin, back on the show for the first time in months. What follows is equal parts holiday celebration, therapy session, territory deep dive, and pure chaos.

🎁 On this special holiday episode:

• Richard opens up about his mental health journey and why stepping away was necessary
• A heartfelt (and important) discussion about medication, mental health, and asking for help
• A full catch-up on everything Richard has missed in USWA 1991, including the Texas vs. Tennessee war
• Eric Embry’s booking highs… and spectacular lows
• Jeff Gaylord as the Texas Ranger, complete with hog tying incompetence
• Corey Maclin’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 1991 debut
• Loser Leaves Town matches where NO ONE ACTUALLY LEAVES!
• Miss Texas, Doug Gilbert’s “crazy” gimmick, and Bill Dundee contract gymnastics
• The return of the Christmas gift exchange, where the gang gives gifts to some of their favorite USWA wrestlers
• BT’s special rendition of “Twas the night before Christmas” recapping USWA 1991 territory chaos so far
• And the triumphant return of Santa Claus, spreading holiday cheer… and bringing the HEAT!

This isn’t just a wrestling podcast, it’s a Christmas hang with friends who love Memphis wrestling, remember it vividly, and aren’t afraid to laugh at how absurd it could be.

Grab some eggnog, settle in, and celebrate Christmas Day, the Retro way!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

The Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast is back, and this week’s episode is loaded!

Gene Jackson is joined by Josh Briley and Brian Tramel, along with special guest Robb Helt, who brings a first hand fan perspective straight from Texas during one of the most chaotic periods in USWA history. Together, the crew breaks down the June 1, 1991 episode of USWA Championship Wrestling and there is no shortage of controversy, history, and jaw dropping moments.

On this episode:

• Jerry Lawler’s shocking slap heard ‘round Memphis as Miss Texas pushes things too far!
• The ongoing Texas vs. Tennessee war and its rapidly crumbling foundation
• Robb Helt recounts being a teenage fan when Dallas wrestling abruptly collapsed, including the infamous locked door Sportatorium night
• The passing of Freezer Thompson and why Memphis missed the boat on a potential special attraction
• The strange, short-lived “crazy” Doug Gilbert / Roughhouse Fargo-inspired gimmick
• Dirty White Boy’s uneasy babyface turn and the slow breakup of the Texas faction
• Jeff Gaylord’s Texas Ranger gimmick escalates complete with post match hog tying
• Eric Embry vs. Jerry Lawler politics, booking philosophy, and business fallout

This is a deep dive episode that goes far beyond the TV screen connecting Memphis booking decisions to real world consequences in Dallas and beyond.

Watch along, relive the chaos, and hear the stories that only longtime fans can tell!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

The Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast is back, and this week the gang tackles the May 25, 1991 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling.

This week marks the quiet debut of Corey Maclin, co-hosting with Jerry “The King” Lawler, while the Texas vs. Tennessee war officially crosses the line into attempted murder territory.

Episode highlights include:

• The surprise arrival of Corey Maclin: no explanation, no buildup, he's just here now
• The Texas Ranger debuts and his identity is no mystery!
• Jamie Dundee’s infamous contract loophole angle takes the term "bait and switch" to a new low
• Doug Gilbert unmasks himself as the Lone Ranger to a huge studio pop
• Eddie Gilbert delivers another top notch babyface promo, and gets some love from Dave Meltzer for it
• Robert Fuller is smothered with a F****** plastic bag on live TV!
• “CPR” is administered by a ring full of wrestlers without an EMT in sight!
• The most awkward follow up ever: an immediate eight man tag match involving the attempted murderers
• Boards, beatdowns, fireballs, rat tails, and Corey Maclin saying “Ree-dick-uh-lus” over and over! "Man oh man!"

Was this brilliant heat? Total madness? Or both?

The guys break down what worked, what didn’t, and why Memphis wrestling always found a way to go just a little further than everyone else.

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade