After Mid South I thought I’d finally gotten away from having to hear “Born in the USA” as agood guy theme. I was wrong. The Fabs are fighting evil New Zealanders, and a cage is the only way to settle it. Someone call Springsteen – they’re playing his song again.

This looks like a handheld shot by a guy at the top of the bleachers in the back of an arena. It’s surprisingly good camera work. Crowd looks pretty big and excited. Starts on the outside with a brawl before we even get into the cage. The Fabs bring the fire and brawl all over. These guys rule as a tag team, and they pull the dull ‘herders along for the ring. The Briscoes is the best modern analogy I can come up with right now. The cage looks like it’s not connected in the corners. It’s about to fall at any minute. Cages have certainly come a long way in wrestling.

The Sheepherders get intense and isolate Keirn in the ring. Good beat down until Lane gets in there with some kicks. Crowd really makes this ten times better. All four men brawl in the ring. Cage shots a’plenty. Fabs gain control again in a way that lets the fans see the advantages and root for them. When the heels start controlling it’s always off a low blow or something similar. USA chants go up from the crowd.

This match really has a knock down-drag out feel to it, which is important in a hopefully compelling violent stips match. Fabs are king sized in the ring and bring the big spots for the time. Well laid out stuff so the fans don’t miss anything important with four men in there. Odd finish as Lane ends up tossing the ref down. He calls for the bell (in a cage match?) and they just bump him over the top of the cage. It worked though. The crowd went nuts for it. Morgan tries to stalk in with a board and he gets beaten down too. This is a great find of a match. 3 ¾ and 7.5/10.

Match Discussion Here

The Fabs are the AWA Southern tag champs. We’ve got the original Fabs here too. The Sheepherders are not Luke Williams and Butch Miller, but a similar team with the same basic New Zealand gimmick. The Fabs do a promo and invite the Sheepherders out for a studio match. CWA official Tom Renesto verifies this is a championship match.

Keirn and Lane use some style in working with the rough team of Boyd and Morgan. Boyd is a decent size, bald head, and a bit of a gut. Morgan is a bigger power/brawler type. The ‘herders force a less flowing style out of the Fabs, which is good because they worked so well with the Moondogs in that type of match. Good pacing at the beginning, though studio matches feel a bit uninspired by now to me.

The ‘herders use the New Zealand flag to gain an advantage, which for the 80s is perfectly fine heel stuff. Pace has gotten a bit methodical and this one is losing me. The ‘herders are working well together. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but it’s a middle of the ballot pick so far.

Keirn been so beat down that Lane is pulling him around the ringside area totally limp. That’s a cool visual and is something different then we see today. Keirn may be bleeding. The heel offense has gotten weak and boring, which is why I think it’s lost me. Rip Morgan isn’t very impressive to me in this match, though Boyd has something about him I like.

The match picks up when the ref misses the tag and then misses a desperation pin by Keirn. Boyd has a cue ball in a sock-type object, they nail Keirn, and take the pin. New champs.

Wait! Eddie Marlin is out and the belts are held up. They show a replay and Russell stumps for a DQ. Some hack heel manager is out to argue for the ‘herders. Memphis really had a lot of crappy heel managers through the years (Tux Newman comes to mind). The refs decision stands. Cool angle at the end of an average match. The end could not save this match, but it bumped it up a bit. 2 ½ and 5/10.

Match Discussion Here

This is the original Fabs, with Steve Keirn and Stan Lane, who I prefer much more then the Gilbert/Rich team. The PYT of Austin and Koko is much more suited for this match up, at least in my opinion, so I’m excited for this one.

This match is for the AWA Southern tag titles. Match is joined in progress with the best possible introductory move. Stve Keirn monkey flips Austin onto his head in a scary but cool looking bump. Crowd is electric for this. PYT gets cleared out of the ring. We’re about 5 minutes in apparently. Whoever is announcing with Lance Russell brings a lot of excitement to the booth.

The Fabs do some comedy while they dominate, and Koko plays their stooge in a fun spot. They focus on the right arm of Austin. I really like the way the PYT gain control and go crazy on Stan Lane. They cheat/double team/cut off the ring so quickly and effectively. It really picks up in the right parts to get me involved as a fan. It slows down at the right part too, and the crowd is insane for this match. They love the Fabs, and you can see the heels milk that reaction. Big reactions for the kick outs and hope spots. The PYT offense isn’t my style, but that’s Memphis, and they do the right things at the right moments for a reaction.

Finish really sucks as the Fabs run wild with the hot tag, beat up the PYT, and Lanny Poffo runs in to beat up the Fabs. That’s it. This was one of those matches where you wish they called an audible in the ring and just said, “Man this crowd is hot for this. Let’s just do a clean finish”. Then again, the point was to keep them hot enough to pay the next week, and I guess they were. I just watch wrestling so differently than the way that it was promoted (single matches where I look for the art and the perfect match), so this doesn’t fall into a nice category for me. Still, a great 15 minute match. 3 ½ and 7.3/10.

Match Discussion Here

I love that Stan Lane’s big secret weapon is a karate kick. My how times have changed.

Austin and Ware stooge for the Fabs, which is pretty high impact in this case. The Fabs do whatever they want, switching in and out, controlling the ref, while doing a leg submission. Of course in these days the subs were to wear the opponent down rather then submit them.

Lots of funny stuff with Keirn shaking hands during the match and then coming in to distract. Ware chases Lane around the ring while Lane pulls Austin around.

Koko Ware comes in and gets the advantage, so it’s Lane doing the selling for the faces. They work on his back for a bit. Just and overall beat down at the 15 minute mark. Lots of heat when they go to the floor. Keirn is constantly over at the floor to support Lane when the heels go two-on-one. The hope is built well and bought by the crowd.

Stan has a karate kick comeback and a tag the ref doesn’t see, so they tease that. Shoulder block put them both down and the place is ready to erupt. As they’re both down Keirn switches out with the badly beaten Lane. Crowd explodes as Keirn beats everyone’s ass. Double DDT gets the pin in almost 20 minutes. 3 ½ and 6.7/10.

Match Discussion Here

This starts out slow and technical; hold for hold. Who am I kidding? As Lance Russell says, welllll, a war just broke out!” Brawling all over the ring. Stan Lane gets a crutch away from the ‘dogs and Keirn uses a rope to choke them. One of the Moondogs gets posted and sent into the announcer’s table. Crazy stuff and the fans are really into this match. Moments later the Moondogs take control with weapons and a table is brought into the ring. This is real ECW before their ever was one. The Fabs get a belt, but they get pile driven.

Lane mounts a comeback and the Moondogs sell for the strong man. The Fabs run Jimmy Hart off for the time being. Then the Fabs run the Moondogs off with their own bones for a count out win. This was actually a satisfying finish for an appropriately short 8 minute intense brawl. These teams are great together. 3 ¼ and 6/10.

Match Discussion Here

The Moondogs took out Steve Keirn in a stretcher match a month or so ago. In the interim Stan Lane went to the man who put the Fabs together, Fabulous Jackie Fargo, and tagged with him in an awesome but short tag match versus the Moondogs. That team was victorious on that night after weapons of every variety were used. Still, the faces need to get their win as a team, so here comes a reunited Fabs team to take on the evil Moondogs.

This one starts out with a huge brawl after the fans go crazy when the Fabs make their entrance. They are superior in every way to the Fantasics, by the way. This brawl, one pair in the ring and one in the stands, is pretty much in my wheelhouse having been a card carrying ECW fan in the 1990s.
You get the sense of a real struggle for the weapons. They all get chairs in the ring and take out the ref. A table gets sent into the ring, but not the pre-cut kind from the 90s. Then, in a clever send up to the Fargo match, they steal the ring bell that is being rung steadily since the ref got taken out.
This match is a consistent upping of the violence and continuation of the story from the last match, and the one before that. Very appropriate stuff here.

Time of the actual match was 2:39, but it’s not about the official match. It’s about the Moondogs beating the hell out of the Fabs and the Fabs fighting back to get their respect. The Moondogs use sticks to wear out the Fabs. Keirn is busted open. He takes a table shot to the back. They double Lane till Keirn saves him. This really at times looks like a really scary fight. That good, and for it’s era, I think it’s great. I also think it’s better than the more famous Concession Stand Brawl from earlier in the voting ballot. They go back and forth, finally spilling into the crowd. The footage ends there.
I gotta say, for a brawl, this is where it’s at. Blood, tables, chairs, emotion. This feud had it. This match was another good one from these guys. 3 ½ and 6.7/10.

Match Discussion Here

Duke Myers is the wild car here, because everyone else I’m very familiar with in this match. Interestingly enough, Eaton and Lane are on opposite sides here, but would go on to form a version of the Midnight Express with Eaton/Myer’s manager tonight, Jim Cornette. Also, Jimmy Hart is out there too.

This one from the arena with Jim Cornette’s hair at stake. Myer’s starts out with brawling offense to take control and the heels jump out in front. I like the quick tags early. Lane’s comebacks always have cool kicks for the time period. Stan Lane leads a face run on offense which busts open Myers. They just kill him to open up the cut. I mean epic shots to the buckle. It’s the best segment of the match so far. The Fabs are dominantly vicious. Out of nowhere 8 minutes in the ref just stops it. Knockout victory and they retain the Southern titles.

Cornette has a fit saying they were never pinned. Eddie Marlin out to restart the match because you need a three count for the stips to go forward. Fabs get on Myers right away and try pins, but Eaton is in to make the saves. The Fabs were awesome in this match. Cornette and then Hart interfere, giving Cornette time to throw Eaton a belt. He comes off the top rope, hits Lane, and Myers rolls on top for the win. Cool booking for me. 3 ¼ and 6.5/10.

Match Discussion Here

A month back First Family members The Moondogs cheated to beat the Fabs at the Mid South Coliseum in Memphis. This is a rematch, with the gimmick being your opponent (one of the two) must go out on a stretcher.

This match is so awesome I’m watching it again to give a better run down. It starts out with The Fabs attacking and going right at the Moondogs – strongstyle. They look like two Benoits with their matching blue tights and kicks to the gut. Keirn works over a Moondog for a bit, and then Lane gets in. These guys make body slams look great. Lane even does a pre-WWE Rock Bottom on a bunched clothsline. Awesome.

They do the Memphis trick where Lane acts like he’s got a chain, but he never actually does. He loses the “chain” when colliding with his opponent, then gets busted with the dog bone from the outside Moondog. Great cheaters moment. Stan Lane is busted open and sells.

The Moondogs constantly bait Keirn, who doesn’t stop fighting the ‘dogs. Lane bleeds heavy from the beating. His hope spot punches get over huge. He’s double teamed several times. Lane gets his leg up on a splash attempt, and the crowd goes bonkers while he searches through the blood for the tag. Keirn comes in heavy as hell with punch/kick stuff on both. The Moondogs sell their asses off and Latham blades. He’s bloody as hell.

Here’s what makes the match. Steve Keirn is beating the hell out of Latham, Jimmy Hart tries to interfere, and while Keirn grabs him the Moondogs flip him over the ropes and catch his head in between the ropes. They “hang” Keirn until he passes out, and the ref awards them the match w/o the stretcher being down there. It’s alright though, as it’s a seriously heated finish. Eddie Marlin and some faces come down. The Moondogs are still trying to attack, so Lane starts swinging chairs. No matter, because once Keirn is loaded on the stretcher the Moondogs attack the Fabs again. Keirn gets dumped off the stretcher. This is nine and a half minutes of awesome. 3 ¾ and 7.3/10.

Match Discussion Here

The Moondogs ripped up the Fabs fancy coats, hit them with the dog bone they carry around, and embarrassed them. Hence, we have this match for the AWA Southern tag titles.

The Fabs come in heavy, take it to the Moondogs in a brawl. The ref just rings the bell. Once it settles down they use some good tag moves and pacing to keep the advantage. I enjoy the skilled selling of the Moondogs but would rather see them unstoppable at first. That’s just my opinion though, and everything is good early on.

Lance Russell claims the Fabs are “sitting on double-ready for this one”, which I take to mean they’re hot going into this one. He also says the Moondogs carry more weight, but “aren’t symmetrical like the Fabulous Ones”. I love Russell

Once the Moondogs take over it gets even better because they are such big mountain men bullies. Lane bumps on a double back body drop and looks dead. The Moondogs could really move for big guys. Lane tries like hell to fight back and the exchanges come off well. His hope spots here and there are quick and fiery. The Coliseum at times doesn’t respond as big as I’d think, but they get loud enough most of the time that it draws you in at home too.

Lane come back and Keirn gets in to clean up. Really great stuff like the double noggin knocker, which seems a lot cooler in Memphis. Keirn wins a punch battle, but the ‘dog on the apron knocks him out with the dog bone. The Hart led Moondogs are your new Southern tag champs. Good 8 minute match that was tough as hell and solid. 3 stars and 6.4/10.

Match Discussion Here

A battle of well dressed men in top hats and jackets, though this time the babyface Fabs come in black, while the heel Dolls wear white. A tag team studio match with a 2/3 falls stip that includes TV time remaining, so we might not see a third fall.

I can’t say for certain, but it looks as if the Fantasics of Mid South owe some intellectual property payments to the Fabs, but I’ve heard a lot of things came out of Memphis in the early 80s. Fabs are to fast for the Dolls early and use good tags and work on the knee to thwarts the Dolls. A double team effort and a cane shot from Jimmy Hart turns the tide. Keirns busted open, but later sends McGraw into a chair held by Hart.

Stan Lane comes in like a wild man after a hot tag and double standing 10 count. First fall ends in a spirited brawl on the outside, and a double count out. You get a sense of how out of control for the time this was, with crazy camera switches and Eddie Marlin running out. First fall was six and a half minutes. Fabs ran the heels out of the studio.

Second fall starts with the same fire. They work really snug, like there’s a real grudge here. It breaks down into a four man brawl almost right away. McGraw busted open too. A lot of rolling around and struggling. The babyfaces are in control a lot of the time, which is an interesting switch. 2nd fall ends on the floor in a pile again, brawling. The Fabs win when Jimmy Hart uses the cane as a weapon on one of the Fabs.

The third fall never takes place. It looked to have some steam and heat going into the third fall, but apparently time ran out. This is the second time that’s happened on this set, and while it adds realism, it does nothing for me watching isolated matches 20 plus years later. Average match which was probably a favorite memory of some kid growing up at the time, but just a decent heated brawl to me. 2 ½ and 5/10.

Match Discussion Here