10. Randy Savage Vs. Jerry Lawler (Loser Leaves Town) - Memphis - 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJWzuCvcaDk By 1985, Randy Savage was already pretty amazing at the art of professional wrestling. Whereas 99% of pro wrestling had already zigged in the direction of steroid-fueled behemoths who moved at a glacial pace but had impressive physiques, Savage had already zagged, and was the prototype for the wrestlers of the 1990s, smaller and more athletic performers able to leap, fly, duck, dodge, jab, and taunt, as well as brawl with the best of them. For everything that everyone will ever say about Jerry Lawler, he's an incredibly convincing brawler-as-hero. He's a redneck everyman with a superstar ability to take punishment, dish it back in equal measure, and ultimately win the fight. This blends their skillsets perfectly, and as a close to an era of Memphis wrestling where largely on the back of Savage, Angelo Poffo's ICW promotion and Jerry Lawler's CWA promotion were able to merge and do oftentimes incredible business together. Of course, Savage lost, left Memphis, moved onto the WWF, and the rest is hall-of-fame history.
Marcus K. Dowling
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Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.
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