Before I begin my column, I wish to send my get well wishes to the legendary Chief Wahoo McDaniel. Wahoo has been suffering from kidney problems as of late and is in dire need of a transplant. Sometime last week Wahoo suffered a stroke. The thoughts and prayers of the Kayfabe Memories readers and staff go out to him and wish him a speedy recovery.  ( And Chief Wahoo... I'm a friend of Sue's from Countryside Cafe's husband... thank you and your son for the autograph.) Get well soon my friend.

In the Summer of 1994, two new comers debuted for Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Their names were New Jack and Mustafa, collectively known as the GANGSTAS. I remember reading an interview with New Jack a few months ago where he recalled his start with SMW. New Jack said Jim Cornette told him to say and do anything to upset  white people. From the very start, that's what they did. Several television stations dropped SMW from its TV productions due to the racist remarks made by the Gangstas, but fans in the SMW area couldn't get enough of watching the top babyfaces in the area fight the Gangstas on a nightly basis. New Jack and Mustafa had the entire SMW federation against them and their presence formed some really awkward alliances.

The Gangstas caused Jim Cornette to manage the Rock and Roll Express. Oy vey, even I cant believe THAT one. Corny managed the Express to a title win over the Gangstas at the Christmas 1994 show. Cornette was so dead set against the Gangstas that he even brought back the greatest tag team in the history of SMW, the Heavenly Bodies ( Prichard and Del Ray). The Bodies thrashed the Gangstas in Freedom Hall and the Knoxville Coliseum. Give the Gangstas credit... they were STILL talking trash. Then Corny gave an interview that sent a shiver down the spine of New Jack and Mustafa.