This month I want to take a look at the year 1971. We will look at the arrivals of Bobby Shane and Donnie Fargo, and the introduction of the United States Tag Team Championship in the area. And Dory Funk, Jr. comes in to defend the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship.

JANUARY:

The year started just as the last one ended, with Mike "Hippie" Boyette as the Gulf Coast Heavyweight Champion and former champion, Cowboy Bob Kelly trying to regain the title. Boyette was scheduled to defend the title against newcomer Johnny West (Kevin Sullivan). But on television the Saturday before, Kelly reminded Boyette that he had agreed that if Kelly defeated him in a match for the City of Mobile title, Boyette would give him a title shot. Kelly did just that, and now he wanted a chance to regain the title he once held. Boyette still refused, until Kelly slapped him and broke his sunglasses. An enraged Hippie agreed to the title match. That match ended in confusion, as Boyette was disqualified in the final fall for hitting referee Lynn Sasser. Sasser declared Kelly the winner, but Boyette left with the title belt. This led to a rematch between the two. Kelly also made a challenge to keep Boyette in the ring with him. He would build a wire fence and bring it to the arena to be placed around the ring. With nowhere to run, Boyette was forced to stay in the ring, where he lost the match and title to Kelly. A third rematch between them also took place behind the wire fence with the loser to get his hair cut. Boyette lost this one as well. But when it came time to get his hair cut, he balked. Kelly managed to cut some before Boyette got his hands up to protect his hair. Undaunted, Kelly then proceeded to cut Boyette's beard. A scared Boyette managed to climb over the fence and save the rest of his hair and beard, but was so ashamed of his new look that he left the area.