Recap and Preview 

1989 saw the longtime promotion owned by Jerry Jarrett and Jerry Lawler hit some bumps in the road. Their long-running association with the AWA ended in January. Lawler, at the time of the dissolving of the association, was AWA champion. After the dust settled the AWA refused to recognize Lawler’s claim. Lawler though continued to work billed instead as Unified world champion. A number of young stars hit the ground running in the area in 1989, many of whom would greatly impact the business in the decade ahead. The promotion also introduced a number of performers into the mix who were patterned after horror movie characters. As the year moved on it saw the ending of a few important long-held traditions. By year’s end, Jerry Lawler would shock fans by becoming a lot like the Jerry Lawler of old. 

July, August and September 1989

The Unified World title remained in the hands of Jerry Lawler during this time period. He turned back a number of challenges during this time including challenges from The Master of Pain and Kerry Von Erich.

Black Bart held the CWA title until losing it in September to the masked man called Texas Dirt. Dirt suspiciously bore a physical resemblance to Dutch Mantel, who had just lost a loser-leaves-town match. Dirt though didn’t sound like Mantel as he sounded suspiciously like Dutch Mantel trying to disguise his voice to avoid being recognized. Bart and Dirt would swap the title again before September ended and Dutch would eventually reemerge in the area as Dirt disappeared.

Billy Travis & Action Jackson held the CWA tag titles. The titles though were held-up after an inconclusive decision Travis & Jackson had against Wildside: Chris Champion & Mark Starr. In the rematch, Wildside would win the titles. Wildside held the belts until being derailed by The Rock n Roll Express: Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton.