wRESTle in Peace Cora Combs, Buddy Landel, and Roddy Piper

Cora Combs was not just a legend in Tennessee Wrestling she was a pioneer for the sport. She was headlining cards and traveling the worldat a time women were told "you can't do that". She showed them you can. From her humble beginnings in Combs, KY (Hazard area) she would travel the world wrestling in Cuba, Fiji, Africa, and many other spots around the world. Including being the first "Main Event" girl in the Kingsport territory in the 50s and 60s. 

I met Cora when I was just a teenager and her and daughter Debbie have been a special part of my life. I was honored to be a pallbearer for Miss Cora. She is a big part of my upcoming book about Kingsport Wrestling history. Until we meet again wRESTle in Peace Miss Cora

This one hit home hard. I have known Buddy Landel most of my life. I lived, travel, teamed and wrestled him for years. This picture was taken in the late 90s when I was around Buddy every day. He could make you madder than anyone but in 10 minutes it was over and forgotten lol. Buddy was Buddy as Tracy Smothers says. God Bless his wife Donna and family. So long for now Budhole wRESTle in Peace.

The only wrestling picture I ever knew to hang in Buddy's house. Taken after he pinned Ric Flair in Raleigh NC summer 1985. 

The Southern States Wrestling crew and fans paying tribute to Buddy and Cora with a 10 bell Salute. Below is the SSW TV paying tribute to these two wrestling greats.  

Roddy Piper is the only person in pro wrestling I did not meet or get to compete with that I wanted to. I missed him a couple of times over the years by minutes. If all you know of him is his WWE and WCW work do yourself a favor and look him up from L.A., San Francisco, Portland, Georgia, and Mid Atlantic. 

This is the Piper I will remember from Mid Atlantic wrestling. I saw him live many times including his run with Greg Valentine. Thanks for the memories "Hot Rod" wRESTle in Peace. 

Pictorial Update for July 2015

Sorry for lack of updates in July as it was a very busy month for Misty and I. Our travels in July took us to Ashland, Martin, and Hazard KY, Lafayette and Atlanta GA, Bradshaw, Princeton and Welch WV, and Dublin VA. Plus local events.  Here is a few pictures from our month. Thanks to Ken Cantrell, Donnie Brannen, and Kim Woodyard for the pictures.

Misty and I on the way to the ring July 4th belltime 1pm

choking one of my favorite foes over the years "Fantastic" Bobby Fulton

Boom Boom out go the lights. Getting ready to punch Bobby as he tries to spank Misty with my whip

On the way to the rin in Martin KY July 4th belltime 7pm

doing a little dental work on Bobby Fulton

Bobby worries about Misty to much and it does not work out for him very well

vs. Earl Fields in Hazard KY on July 8th I have watched Earl grow up and I'm very proud of the wrestler and man he has become

Misty dancing in the Funfest Parade with her friends July 10 Kingsport, TN

Southern States Wrestling's Summer Bash at The Appalachian Fair Grounds Gary, TN July 11

Iron Cross giving a message after the matches in Gray over 20 people gave their hearts to The Lord that night. 

Great birthday (July 17) present going to see the Cubs in Atlanta July 18. Misty's first time seeing the Cubs live. It was a Cubs day. Thanks to our wonderful friend Bobby Simmons for the hook on the tickets

Wrestling for a great group of people in Princeton WV July 22. What do you do when the ref no shows? Put your 12 year old nephew in there. I would in no way do that at a regular wrestling event but was glad he was there for this experience. 

Misty refing Eric St. Clair vs. Krunch at Bradshaw Mountain Community Church in Paynesville WV July 24

me giving a message based on David and Goliath after the matches on Bradshaw Mountain

teaching my nephew Tyler some Appalachian history in Welch WV before lunch July 25. This is the sight where Sid Hatfield was shot down. I talk about him and being here in my second book.

After getting to the New River Valley Fair at 2:30pm so Misty could do a meet and greet I went to the ring at 8:30. That is the earliest I have been to an event in 20 years. I teamed with Drake Tungston to face Jimmy Valiant and Ricky Morton. July 25

It never gets old wrestling these two. I have wrestled and teamed with both many times over the years.  The ref is Patric Purdue one of the best out there. 

2 Great events for Calvary Baptist Church

Southern States Wrestling News

Here is upcoming S.S.W. events for the Summer of 2015

Saturday June 27th 

- Calvary Baptist Church's Village Fest at Borden Mill Village in Kingsport

10am - 1 Free Admission - Food , Games, Music, and two live Matches at Noon 

Then That Night at 7:45 PM The Summer Sizzler inside The Farmers Market Downtown Kingsport, TN

A Fund Raiser for Calvary Baptist Church's Missions Team

--------------------------------------------------------

Saturday July 11th 6:45PM - Summer Bash - Wrestling, Music, and Fireworks

at The Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray, TN

------------------------------------------------------

Friday July 24 7PM - Faith Fest 2015 - Food, Games, Music and Wrestling

Free Admission Bradshaw Mountain Baptist Church - Bradshaw, WV

wRESTle in Peace Dream

Very sad to hear of the passing of  "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. He was a three time World Champion when that title meant you were on top of  Pro Wrestling. He created Starrcade, The Great American Bash, and countless other "Super Cards". He was a main event attraction for two decades in every major arena in the Country. He was a true Legend of the Squared Circle. And to many of us growing up in the Mid Atlantic territory he was not only a hero he was hope.

He was born with charisma that I don't think anyone could match, a mind on how to draw money and make wrestlers Super Stars, and a gift of interviews everyone who is or wants to be a wrestler should study.

" This Wednesday Night Ric Flair I'm going to break your leg and give the people of East Tennessee The needs they want and the wants they need. When I leave Freedom Hall The World Champion the people can be proud of I hope you can deal with it Ric Flair, I hope you can........Lord I hope you can. This Wednesday Flair you pay the price"

That 10 second stand up interview 30 years ago and the weeks of TV building up for live events gave Jim Crockett promotions their first of many sellouts in Johnson City, TN at The Freedom Hall Civic Center. In fact they were turning people away 45 minutes before bell time. The match was a 20 plus minute blood bath that I remember like it was yesterday. The Dream did not have the fanciest moves nor did he claim to but his match was the one you talked about for days after you left the arena. He also had the match that drew you back the next time.

I had limited time around Dusty but my first time meeting him is a highlight of my childhood. I tell the story in my first book "Do Ya Wanna Be A Wrestler, Kid". My sister Autumn, my Dad and my uncle Odell made our regular trip to The D-B Dome in Kingsport to see the matches Dusty and Manny Fernandez defended the World Tag Titles against Wahoo McDaniel and Tully Blanchard in the Main Event that afternoon. After the matches we went to KFC. A few minutes after we got there in walked Stardust and The Ragin' Bull. I was 10 years old and I was shaking hands with The Champs. They ended up sitting at the table next to us. My sister and I could not help but stare at them. My Dad told us to eat our food and leave them alone. The Dream spoke up and said "it's ok the kids ain't bothering us". We ended up getting autographs and talking with them. I have crossed paths with Dusty a few times since I have been in wrestling but those are the first memories that come to mind when I think of Dusty. Why? Because he was a hero to many kids like me. I just have been blessed enough to be around my heroes.

My family will be praying for his. Thank you "Big Dust" for all the meories and what you gave to our profession. 10 Bells.

Beau James
kingofkingsport@gmail.com

 

Memorial Day Sale is Back for a 3rd Year and Wrestling News

The Memorial Day Sale has returned for a third year. This year we are offering the following.

DVD Special

 Buy any two Southern States Wrestling DVDs and get a Third DVD for Free. The S.S.W. DVDs are on the left hand side of this page. If you are looking for an event and don't see it listed just ask.  When you make your order just send a note which DVD you want for free.

Book and DVDs Special

Buy one of my books and get two Southern States Wrestling DVDs fro Free. When you make your order make a not of who you want the book signed to and which DVDs you would like,

Books and DVDs Special 

Buy both of my books and get any Three Southern States Wrestling DVDs or A set of Classic Wrestling DVDs for free. The Classic Sets are listed on the right side of the page. When you make your order make a note of who you want the books signed to and which DVDs you would like.

Books are here and ready to be signed and shipped.

Wrestling News

As Always Misty and I are taking Wrestling bookings. Dates for the summer are filling up so if you are interested in booking us for you next event contact me now kingofkingsport@gmail.com

Three BIG S.S.W. dates to make plans to be at now

The Super Summer Sizzler Sat. June 27 Kingsport, TN at the Farmer's Market. A fundraiser for Calvary Baptist Church's Missions team. Come out and support this great cause.

The 23rd Annual Summer Bash will be Sat. July 11th with a 7:00PM bell time at The Appalachian Fair Grounds in Gray, TN. Free admission, food, games, music, and fireworks.

S.S.W./Ministry 29 Wrestling will be apart of Faith Fest in Bradshaw WV Fri. July 25th. Music, games, food, wrestling matches, and wrestlers giving their testimony. 

A few other upcoming events

Fri. May 29th All Star Wrestling - Clinch River Days St.Paul VA 6:00PM Free Admission

Sat. June 13 Mega Wrestling Fire Hall Community Center Racine,WV 7:30PM

Sat. June 20th Georgia more info coming

Sat. July 4th BCW Summer Motion Festival Ashland, KY 2:00PM

Sat. July 25 All Star Wrestling New River Valley Fair Dublin,VA

a lot more dates to be added

Romans 10:9

SSW Looks at East Tennessee Wrestling Main Stays