The Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl was an annual professional wrestling event held between 1996 and 1999 as a tribute to wrestler Eddie Gilbert and featured talent from the National Wrestling Alliance, World Wrestling Federation and Extreme Championship Wrestling, as well as local and established independent wrestlers.[1][2] Each year, the event would feature the Gilbert family receiving a plaque from promoter Dennis Coralluzzo.[3] In 1998, the show came under some criticism when Coralluzzo was alleged to have used the in-ring plaque presentation to publicly attack Paul Heyman, as did the Gilbert family,[4] provoking a verbal altercation between himself and ECW fans in attendance.[3]

The show was also attended by older veterans who had worked with Gilbert during his career[2] and appeared both during the show and at a special "tribute dinner" and wrestling convention held during the weekend.[5] Mick Foley made an appearance at the first convention[6] and later expressed his regret in not wrestling the first show.[7] Brian Hildebrand was honored at the banquet two years later.[8]

Although the original shows were promoted by Coralluzzo and NWA New Jersey,[6][9][10][11] other promotions have held similar events including IWA Mid-South in 1998[12] and Southeastern Championship Wrestling in 2002.[13] It has been suggested by some in the industry, such as former wrestlers Bob Blackburn and Buddy Landel, that the shows have been used to financially exploit Gilbert's death.[14] Landel, a regular performer for the NWA shows, initially declined Ian Rotten's offer to appear for IWA Mid South's memorial show for this reason.[4]

Show results

First Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl

February 3, 1996 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey (The Armory)

No.Results[15]StipulationsTimes
1Knuckles Nelson defeated The Inferno KidSingles match
2Glen Osbourne and Rockin' Rebel defeated Blue Thunder and Harley Lewis via disqualificationTag team match
3Tommy Gilbert vs. Dory Funk, Jr. ended in a time-limit drawSingles match20:00[6]
4The Lost Boys (Yar and Wolf) defeated The Greek Connection (Gus the Greek and Jimmy Londos) and Bad Attitude (Seek and Destroy) to become the first NWA United States Tag Team ChampionsTriangle match
5Johnny Gunn defeated Tommy Rich by pinfallSingles match[6]
6Debbie Combs, Kevin Lawler and HW Starr defeated Angel, Twiggy Ramiriez and Rik Ratchet by pinfallMixed six-man match
7Tommy Cairo (c) defeated Derrick Domino by pinfallSingles match for the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship
8Ace Darling defeated Kid Flash by pinfallSingles match
9Doug Gilbert defeated Jerry Lawler by pinfallSingles match[6]
10Dan Severn (c) defeated Al Snow by pinfallSingles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship[6]
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

Second Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl

April 12, 1997 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey (West High School)

No.Results[16][17][18]Stipulations
1The Beach Bullies (Ray Odyssey and Inferno Kid) defeated Downward Spiral (Adrian Hall and Twiggy Ramirez) (c)Tag team match for the NWA United States Tag Team Championship
2Mr. Puerto Rico defeated Steve CorinoSingles match
3The Black Scorpion defeated Donnie B. DeviouslySingles match
4Tommy Gilbert defeated Ian RottenSingles match
5King Kong Bundy defeated Don MontoyaSingles match
6Lance Diamond defeated Reckless Youth (c) and Cheetah MasterTriangle match for the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship
7Marty Jannetty defeated Harley LewisSingles match
8Dan Severn (c) vs. Dory Funk, Jr. ended in a double count-outSingles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
9I-Con won a battle royalBattle royal
10Doug Gilbert defeated Buddy LandellSingles match
11Flash Funk defeated Ace DarlingSingles match
12Goldust defeated Derrick DominoSingles match
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

Third Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl

February 28, 1998 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Radisson Hotel)

No.Results[5][19]Stipulations
1Overweight Lover defeated Johnny Rotten by pinfallSingles match
2Ray Odyssey defeated Patch by pinfallSingles match
3Brittany Brown (with The Fabulous Moolah) defeated Brandi Alexander (with Fred the Elephant Boy) by pinfallSingles match
4The Great Caruso defeated Metal Maniac by pinfallSingles match
5Rik Ratchett defeated Steve CorinoSingles match
6Marlena won an arm wrestling match by forfeit when Sunny did not appearSingles match
7Lance Diamond defeated Twiggy RamirezSingles match
8Dan Severn (c - NWA) defeated Franz Schumann (c - CWA)Singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship vs CWA World Middleweight Championship
9Ace Darling and Devon Storm (with Jim Cornette) defeated The Misfits (Derrik Domino and Harley Lewis)Tag team match for the vacant NWA United States Tag Team Championship[20]
10Sid Vicious defeated King Kong BundySingles match
11Doug and Tommy Gilbert defeated Buddy Landell and Dory Funk, Jr. by pinfallTag team match[21]

Fourth Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl

October 2, 1999 in Vineland, New Jersey (Vineland High School)

No.Results[1][22]StipulationsTimes
1Slayer defeated LizardSingles match
2Biggie Biggs won a battle royalBattle royal
3Rik Ratchet defeated Kevin KnightSingles match
4Twiggy Ramirez defeated Harley Lewis via disqualificationSingles match
5George Steele defeated Jack Hammer.Singles match[23]
6The Inferno Kid defeated Judas YoungSingles match
7Trooper Mattola defeated The ShysterSingles match6:00[22][24]
8King Kong Bundy defeated Biggie BiggsSingles match
9Tommy Gilbert and Kronus defeated The Public Enemy (Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge)Tag team match[23]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Pro Wrestling Illustrated (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated: Wrestling History". PWI-Online.com.
  2. 1 2 Dills, Tim S. (2000). "Eddie Gilbert, Page 3". Wrestlers. KayfabeMemories.com.
  3. 1 2 Moreland, Dan (1999-09-29). "The Ugly Truth". Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. PWBTS.com.
  4. 1 2 Prodigy Communications (1998-03-04). "Buddy Landell Chat". Interviews. Solie's Title Histories.
  5. 1 2 "My Breakfast With Bockwinkel". Reports from the Field. DDTdigest.com. March 1998.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rodeo, John (2002-10-14). "Dennis Coraluzzo Tribute". Features. JohnRodeo.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-12.
  7. Mick Foley (2000). Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.262). HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-103101-1.
  8. Magee, Bob (2009-09-07). "As I See It: Brian Hildebrand 1962-1999". Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. Archived from the original on 2009-09-12.
  9. NWA New Jersey (2009-07-21). "Upcoming Shows: NWA New Jersey presents the 2009 Dennis Coralluzzo Invitational on September 26 at the PAL in Wayne, NJ". Upcoming Shows. NWANJ.com. Archived from the original on 2009-07-09.
  10. National Wrestling Alliance. "National Wrestling Alliance News and Notes for 6/30". Bill Behrens' News and Notes. NWAwrestling.com.
  11. Behrens, Bill (2009-06-30). "National Wrestling Alliance News and Notes for 6/30". IndyWrestlingNews.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13.
  12. Martin, Adam (2009-05-11). "Smart Mark Video update for 5/22". Wrestleview.com.
  13. Magee, Bob (2002-03-21). "As I See It - 3/21/2002: Wrestlemania Thoughts, Austin, and an Upcoming Remembrance of Eddie Gilbert". Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. PWBTS.com.
  14. Hartley, Jeremy; Earl Oliver. "Bob Blackburn Interview". Interview. Solie Title Histories.
  15. "1st Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl". National Wrestling Alliance Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawls. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  16. Martinez, Ryan (2009-04-12). "This Day In History: Mike Von Erich Dies, Rock 'n' Roll Express, Wild Samoans, Steiner And Sting Win Tag Gold And More". PWInsider.com.
  17. PWInsider (2009-04-12). "Today in Wrestling History, 4/12: Hardcore House Show Changes". ImpactWrestling.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-15.
  18. "2nd Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl". National Wrestling Alliance Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawls. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  19. "3rd Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl". National Wrestling Alliance Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawls. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  20. PWInsider (2009-02-28). "Today in Wrestling History, 2/28: RAW Triples Nitro's Rating, More". ImpactWrestling.com. Archived from the original on 2009-03-03.
  21. Landel, Buddy (1998-02-28). "Buddy Landel's Action Photo Gallery". My Personal Photo Collection. DDTdigest.com.
  22. 1 2 "4th Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl". National Wrestling Alliance Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawls. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  23. 1 2 Woodward, Buck (2009-10-02). "This Day In History: Booker T Becomes A Three-Time WCW Champion, Psicosis Is Handed A Title, AWA Champ VS. NWA Champ And More". PWInsider.com.
  24. Bauer, Nick (2000-01-25). "SLAM! Wrestling: It's a family affair for the Morgans". SLAM! Wrestling Features. SLAM! Sports.

Further reading

  • Lister, John. Slamthology: Collected Wrestling Writings 1991-2004. Adlibbed Ltd., 2005. ISBN 1-4116-5329-7
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