Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 49: Jerry Lawler & Austin Idol vs. Jesse Ventura & Stan Hansen (9/25/83) [EWY-10]

Idol is famous in the Gulf Coast and Memphis areas, doing a gimmick based off his body and Superstar Billy Graham. Hansen is a legendary bad ass based much of the time in the AWA, but far more famous in All Japan. Ventura was a bad wrestler, a decent color commentator, and an infamous politician.
Hansen isn’t afraid to show some ass for the Lawler/Idol team, which isn’t how I know him. I know him as a killer from Japan. I guess Hansen/Ventura were in as a trade from the AWA. It’s also noted Austin Idol is the Southern Heavyweight Champ at the time.

Match isn’t much to write home about, but the personalities in the ring allow for the crowd to be vocal past the actual wrestling. Ventura and Hansen know how to play heel. There’s a lot of goading Idol into the ring to distract from a Lawler beating. Idol finally gets the hot tag after Lawler uses a cane to free himself. Idol sells for a while (bear hugs bore me) and then the King gets in to play superman.

Austin Idol has really good dramatic movements. His moves would have found a home in the WWF if he traveled. That’s a whole story in itself. Ventura is worthless in the ring, but did have “the body”.
Hansen chokes out Idol with a rope for the DQ and sets up our next match in the set. Big meelee to close the match with Idol getting to beat Jimmy Hart. The guys go all over Cook Convention Center. It’s far better then the match itself. 2 ¼ and 4/10.

Match Discussion Here