From USWA television, June 19, 1993.
Jerry "The King" Lawler, the biggest babyface in Memphis destroys Bret Hart after the Hitman won the 1993 King of the Ring Tournament. This began a big feud in Vince-land but also a lesser know series in the USWA. Before it was over, WWF babyfaces Bret and Owen would be headlining as heels at the Mid South Coliseum and Vince McMahon himself would make his heel debut (more than 4 years before the Mr. McMahon character was born). Here's where the Lawler/Hart feud startes on Memphis TV with the famous King of Ring angle. This clip also includes Lawler's post angle interview where he explains his heel antics "up North" for the hometown fans.
From the June 26, 1993 edition of USWA wrestling.
The Rocket Owen Hart comes to Memphis a week after the Lawler attack on Bret at King of the Ring. Here Owen wins the USWA title from another WWF wrestler Papa Shango at the Mid South Coliseum. During the match, manager Bert Prentice turns on Shango to join Hart. He explains his actions during an interview from the WMC studio.
Clip of a match from the USWA at Memphis' Mid-South Coliseum between heel referee Paul Neighbors and Jerry Lawler. Owen, fresh over his USWA title victory over Papa Shango jumps the King and lays him out over the ring steps the same way Lawler did to Bret at King of the Ring. Great angle. Worth mentioning that Owen was a face in the WWF at this point and hadn't really worked heel like this before.
June 26, 1993 from USWA TV.
Jerry Lawler give a great intense interview promoting his upcoming match against Owen Hart. Lawler again explains his heel status in the WWF while remaining lead face in the USWA.
Jerry the King Lawler vs Owen the Rocket Hart for the USWA title at Memphis' Mid South Coliseum. This aired on the July 3, 1993 edition of USWA. Following the match you get comments from both Lawler and Hart.
Rematch of Jerry the King Lawler against USWA Champ Owen the Rocket Hart. From Memphis' Mid South Coliseum on July 5, 1993. Owen's reign comes to an end as Jerry Lawler wins the USWA champtionship. In response the Harts and manager Bert Prentice recruit the Vampire Warrior. Vamp was - of course - better known as Gangrel during his WWF run.
Jerry Lawler interview from the July 10, 1993 in response to Bert Prentice and the Vampire Warrior
from the July 10, 1993 edition of USWA wrestling. Jerry Lawler takes on real life son Brian Christopher (although that was still a secret in Memphis at this point).
Conclusion of the Lawler vs Christopher match from July 10, 1993 USWA television.
David Vampire Warrior Heath - the future Gangrel - shows up at the end of the match and the King does a rare blade job.
Clips from the Jerry Lawler vs Vampire Warrior (Gangrel) match at Mid South Coliseum in Memphis. This aired on the July 17, 1993 edition of USWA wrestling.
Vamp steals the belt after loosing the match via DQ. After this Vampire was moved into a program with Jeff Jarrett as the Harts would soon be returning to Memphis. Lawler got his revenge on Warrior two weeks later but that match didn't air on television.
From the July 24, 1993 edition of USWA wrestling. Lawler's promo for the upcoming return match against the Harts' hired gun the Vampire Warrior. Warrior stole the belt during their last meeting and the King vows to get it back. Jerry Lawler in Memphis is a completely different person from Jerry Lawler in the WWF.
from USWA TV, July 24, 1993. The finish of a match between Owen and Lawler from Wrestling Challenge. This is shown as part of the promotion for "The Big Match" at Mid South Coliseum between Bret and the King. Again, compare Lawler's mic work in Titanland versus Memphis. He's almost a completely different character. I also remember watching this match when I was a boy.
This was SHOCKING in it's day. From the July 24, 1993 USWA show. One of the WWF's lead babyfaces, Bret Hitman Hart delivers a scathing promo against Lawler and the Memphis fans. Keep in mind this is 1993, almost four full years before Bret's big turn in '97. ANYONE who actually thinks Bret Hart had bad mic skills should watch this clip!
July 24, 1993 USWA TV. Jerry Lawler promotes his match against Bret Hart at the Mid South Coliseum
A music video of Jerry Lawler vs Bret Hart from Mid South Coliseum. The match was on August 2, 1993 but this actually didn't air on USWA TV until August 14, 1993. Curt Henning returned to Memphis in the interim. However this is shown to promote Bret & Owen, as heels, against Lawler and Jeff Jarrett. Music is Bon Jovi's King of the Mountain.
The Hart Brothers, Bret and Owen heel it up on the August 14, 1993 edition of USWA television.
Lawler and Jarrett promote the Mother of All Matches against the Hart Brothers on the August 14, 1993 USWA show.
Just an indication of how odd things were in the USWA at this point. Randy Savage a face "up North" is a heel here rooting for the Harts. Bam Bam Bigelow and Mr. Fuji are both pulling for Lawler and Jarrett. Yes Mr. Fuji is a face by default in this promo. This aired as part of the August 14, 1993 USWA program.