- Tim Dills

Quotable Memphis/CWA, Part One 

It has often been said that actions speak louder than words. This, no doubt, is true in many instances. In professional wrestling though, and especially during the glory days of territorial TV shows, words were the very essence of what happened from week to week. Many times fans lived to hear the area’s bad guy spewing venomous threats against someone and taking the time to hassle the fans to boot. Other times it was the area’s humble good guy, appreciative of his fan support yet bewildered at the nefarious deeds of someone who wanted to do him harm. Sometimes it was the manager who talked a much bigger game than his body and athletic ability could back up when called out. Often it was the announcer drawing very distinct lines between who should be cheered and who should be jeered while also drawing not so distinct lines foreshadowing what would take place in the future all the time urging each viewer that they were more than welcome at the upcoming card at the local arena. 

Of course, those shows at the local arenas paid the bills and filled the pockets of those involved in the business. While the actions on a TV show often affected the arena shows, those actions were usually driven in one way or another by the interview segment. Interviews often set the stage for friction which would lead to action. Other times, actions occurred only to be followed by interviews that vowed revenge or provided some reasoning for what just occurred. Sometimes it was a handful of words that fit the scene. Other times lengthy discourses set the tone. The pieces were then put together to bring the arena show together. While each part is important, often it was the words that determined the failure or success of what was going on.  

While inflection, emotion, facial and body expression, cadence, accent and reaction also play a part in great interviews they do not always translate well to the written word. So while what follows may be enjoyable to read and remember, it cannot hold up to the moment it took place, where inflection, emotion, expressions, cadence and reaction combined with the words to provide entertaining interviews. With this in mind, this article looks back at the years 1975-1982 in the old Nick Gulas and Jerry Jarrett territories and some of the words, from one-liners to diatribes, that were offered up in the name of a professional wrestling interview.