Jump to content
Pro Wrestling Only

[1982-03-20-CWA-TV] Dutch Mantell vs Jerry Lawler (Loser Leaves Town)


Superstar Sleeze

Recommended Posts

Southern Heavyweight Champion “Dirty” Dutch Mantell vs Jerry “The King” Lawler

March 27, 1982 TV Studio Memphis, TN

Loser Leaves Town


80S wrestling TV was filled with squashes and promos that were used to set up the big house shows later in the week. Memphis liked to fuck with this mold every once in a while to whet the appetite of the fans. The newly crowned Southern Heavyweight Champion is out with Lance Russel to conduct an interview. He is still hot under collar about Lawler’s disrespectful last week. He has beaten David Price a 100x and if Lawler thinks Dutch is not in his league then he will have no problem accepting a Loser Leaves Town match for the title right now. Russel display indignation to the statement that Dutch’s emotions are out of control and that a match of that caliber should not happen on TV. Cut to commercial. Here comes Lawler, he tells Dutch he is on and Russel is just flustered. Great, great segment resulting in the following match. Russel was rightfully flustered that his program schedule was being messed with and the inmates were running the asylum. Dutch wanted to use his leverage with the belt to exact the ultimate revenge force the King of Memphis to leave for good. Lawler, who is pissed off a Dutch, was chomping at the bit to get a piece of Dutch and send him out of the territory for good.


Lawler storms the ring and it is on. They tussle for control in very heated fashion. Mantell grabs a couple wrist control holds to slow down Lawler, but Jerry is able to use the jab to force the Dirty Dutchman out of the ring. Russell informs us that Lawler gets retribution for Mantell running a fist into him while he was prone on the apron by doing the same thing to Mantell. The overzealous Lawler finally makes that critical mistake as he charges Mantell, who is able to back body drop him to the outside.


Mantell, promptly, sends him head first into the post and smacks him across the back with a steel chair whipping the studio audience into a frenzy. They do a countout false finish as the crowd urges him on. I know when I am in a blood feud and just want to whip someone’s ass I always grab an abdominal stretch. Pilderiver attempt on the floor now that’s more like it, Mantell. Lawler blocks it with a back body drop. I smell a comeback.


Lawler hits Dutch with a chair in the back. Lawler’s beautiful punches have Dutch reeling. He gives it one last ditch charge and eats a boot. More punches and Dutch runs for the hills and grabs the mic.


He says this is all stupid because they are beatin the piss out of each other and for what. He starts preachin Mutually Assured Destruction and this is stupid because the First Family and Midnight Express are laughing all the way to the bank as Dutch and Lawler are killing each other. Dutch is willing to concede the belt and team up with Lawler against those teams. Lawler is easily convinced by Dutch’s argument and the crowd is popping like mad for thought of that super team. Just as Lawler turns around, BANG~! Dutch pops him from behind and now wraps a steel chair around his head. He adds a PILEDRIVER and a elbow good for measure. He counts his own pin and then grabs his belt. Hahahahahahah SUCKA!!! THIS ANGLE WAS FUCKIN BITCHIN!!!!


One of the best 15 minute angles I have ever seen. You could complain about bait and switch, but you would be missing the point. The build-up promos were excellent. The wrestling was hot and intense with great transitions. Lawler and Mantell he really sold this as a fight. The post-match promo had the crowd whipped into frenzy with the thought of that super team. The other shoe drops and Mantell pulverizes Lawler. Money, money angle that was brilliant. I have watched that three times and each time, I immediately want to watch the Barbed Wire Match that takes place just two days later in the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN. ****1/4

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 1 year later...

Watched this last night while going through the 1982 Yearbook. Still fantastic stuff.

 

I always get tripped up on the Memphis vs. Louisville dates. I prefer to watch this stuff with the Memphis air date since that's when it aired first even though there are promos for shows at the Gardens. The highlights of the No DQ match from 3/15 are pretty spectacular as well.

 

TV – March 20, 1982 (aired in Louisville 3-27-82)
– Southern title: Jerry Lawler (ch) vs. Dutch Mantell (No DQ) (JIP) (3-15-82, MSC)
– INT Dutch Mantell
– INT Jerry Lawler
– Southern title: Jerry Lawler (ch) vs. Dutch Mantell (Loser Leaves Town)

 

I strongly suggest watching this episode before viewing the 3/22 MSC No DQ match between the two is what I'm getting at.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • GSR changed the title to [1982-03-20-CWA-TV] Dutch Mantell vs Jerry Lawler (Loser Leaves Town)

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...