Who would win? Jim Ross, in his never ending efforts to plug all things associated with Big 8 football, referred to Gaylord on UWF TV as the “6' 3" Missouri Tiger football All American.” Gaylord’s most memorable UWF match was an absolute thrashing at the hands of the One Man Gang during the opening round of the UWF/Pro Wrestling Illustrated Tournament. Later, he went on to some modest mid card success in World Class Championship Wrestling and the United States Wrestling Association.  Today, Jeff Gaylord is prominently featured as an object of derision on the Wrestling Classics message board.

Anyone wondering about Art Crews is recommended to check this out his stories right here on KM. 

Despite his placement on the card, Crews was no stranger to championships, having previously won the Central States TV title in a tournament in Wichita, Kansas by defeating Scott Ferris in the first round, Marty Jannetty in the second round and "Crazy" Luke Graham in the finals. Art also holds the notoriety of having been Shawn Michaels’ first opponent in 1984. So, if there was justice in Bill Watts’ Universe, Art wins in a squash, right? Unfortunately, no. Gaylord was receiving the aforementioned college football linked push, and he pinned Crews for the victory. Well, to quote Willie Nelson, I guess we can’t always keep “Insisting that the world be turnin' our way.”

The next match pitted Gary Young against the Lybian. Young was one of several wrestlers who had left WCCW for the UWF. Young had also wrestled previously in Houston during the late ‘70s-early ‘80s. He was initially the wrong side of the won/loss ledger in the UWF, dropping decisions to bad guys such as Wild Bill Irwin and the Angel of Death. Ultimately, Young made quite a reputation for himself in the UWF. He inadvertently knocked out the hapless hippie Mike Boyette with a simple arm drag take down during a televised bout. His “Rookie of the Angle” angle in 1987 was funny without being pandering or inane—i.e., like today’s WWF. He conducted memorable interviews interviews with Jim Ross where he would list all of his accomplishments as a campaign pitch.  Young’s favorite claim was "having run Chavo Guerrero out of town" as a result of their feud in 1987.  Despite Gary’s efforts, Steve Cox eventually won the award. As a result, Young dressed in drag (a la Jim Cornette a few Mid South years earlier) and attacked Cox from the audience. Young left Cox and bloody mess and destroyed the award. After the UWF folded Young would eventually return to WCCW after the UWF was shut down. He would also wrestle in the USWA, tag teaming with a wild looking youngster by the name of Cactus Jack. He also had a few matches with a true rookie calling himself Steve Austin. Around this time, Young and Jeff Gaylord would renew their UWF tag team partnership under the nefarious guidance of General Skandor Akbar.

The Lybian? Well, if you’re reading this you are well aware of Bill Watts’ political leanings. Mr. Lybia was the typical Arabic heel, albeit one who seemed to be constantly smoking a cigar. Mr. Lybia was on UWF TV usually doing the honors for guys like Savannah Jack and The Missing Link. His most memorable UWF moment was getting the 3 point spear from Hacksaw Jim Duggan , then being pinned, all the while with the crushed cigar still inserted in his semiconscious mouth. The Lybian was a comic heel, but he could still work, a requirement necessary for any of the UWF’s enhancement talent.

The match’s result was predicatable. Gary Young was the guy the crowd could rally around and the Lybian didn’t stand much of a chance. I can’t recall El Lybia ever winning a match. Young pinned the Lybian in rather short order, but his night was not over. He would be involved in two more bouts later in the evening… 

“Long ago we laughed at shadows
Lightning flashed and thunder followed us
It could never find us here
You're my witness
I'm your mutineer” 

Well, that’s it for this time. Thank you for reading. As usual, feel free to e-mail me with comments or suggestions at CL11@swt.edu

To the gentleman who e-mailed me about Mick Foley’s UWF connection, he did in fact wrestle in both Bill Watts’ UWF and Herb Abrams’ promotion of the same name. Mick talks about it in “Have a Nice Day!,” the perfect Christmas reading gift for any wrestling fan.

May all of us have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Day.  And, as always, please keep the troops who are serving our country in your thoughts and prayers. Until next time, take care. 

“I was born to rock the boat
Some may sink but we will float
Grab your coat - let's get out of here
You're my witness
I'm your mutineer” 

The Christmas Edition-more Superdome Extravaganza!