This Day in Wrestling History: 5/9/18

It is hard to put into words the impact that certain talent had on the wrestling business and the legacy they have left behind. One of the most difficult names to explain the impact they had on the wrestling business is Eddie Graham. The main cog in the Florida wrestling machine who lead the way for many of wrestling greats getting into the business and or learning about the backstage work. Starting with the talent who got started in Florida with Eddie having a major part in their careers the names include Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, Jack Briscoe, Barry Windham, Lex Luger, and a variety of others.

As I mentioned Eddie also played a part in teaching some of wrestling's top bookers like Kevin Sullivan, JJ Dillon, and Dusty Rhodes; and it doesn't stop their as the line keeps going with Sullivan teaching Paul Heyman then Heyman teaching Gabe Sapolsky. Keeping it going Dusty had his protégés as well with one of them being Triple H and look no further then NXT to see Dusty's influence on Hunter.

​For this reason it is very difficult to explain the impact that Eddie had in wrestling but it is also the reason the NWA went onto honor him following his passing. Though I could point out the lackluster card and the odd fact that Dory Funk Jr competed in two matches on this show back to back mind you that isn't the point. The point of this show was to remember one of the smartest minds in history of wrestling. Just to share a useless fact one thing that Eddie would always make sure is that he would make sure to mention why his top star wasn't on the show normally this would be done for the World Champion to explain his absence. Imagine if the WWE did this every week that Brock Lesnar wasn't on the show they would need a lot of excuses.   

NWA Eddie Graham Memorial Show 

Bob Armstrong & Brad Armstrong def. (pin) Basher & Spike
Steve Armstrong & Tracy Smothers def. (pin) Krusher Kruschev & Ron Bass
Jimmy Garvin def. (pin) Teijho Khan
Mike Graham def. (DQ) Dory Funk, Jr.
Barry Windham & Ed Gantner def. (pin) Dory Funk, Jr. & The Tahitian Prince
Mike Rotunda (c) def. (DQ) Kevin Sullivan NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship
Animal (c) & Hawk (c) def. (DQ) Manny Fernandez & Rick Rude NWA Tag Team Titles
Dusty Rhodes def. (DQ) Ric Flair (c) NWA World Heavyweight Title