Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl

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 Stipulations Times
1 Knuckles Nelson defeated The Inferno Kid Singles match [15]
2 Glen Osbourne and Rockin' Rebel defeated Blue Thunder and Harley Lewis via disqualification Tag team match [15]
3 Tommy Gilbert and Dory Funk, Jr. wrestled to a time-limit draw. Singles match 20:00[6][15]
4 The 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 Champions Triangle match [15]
5 Johnny Gunn pinned Tommy Rich Singles match [6][15]
6 Debbie Combs, Kevin Lawler and HW Starr defeated Angel, Twiggy Ramiriez and Rik Ratchet when Combs pinned Ratchet Mixed six-man match [15]
7 Tommy Cairo (c) pinned Derrick Domino Singles match for the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship [15]
8 Ace Darling pinned Kid Flash Singles match [15]
9 Doug Gilbert pinned Jerry Lawler Singles match [6][15]
10 Dan Severn (c) pinned Al Snow Singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship [6][15]
  • (c) – refers to 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 Stipulations Times
1 The 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 [16][17][18]
2 Mr. Puerto Rico defeated Steve Corino Singles match [16][17][18]
3 The Black Scorpion defeated Donnie B. Deviously Singles match [16][17][18]
4 Tommy Gilbert defeated Ian Rotten Singles match [16][17][18]
5 King Kong Bundy defeated Don Montoya Singles match [16][17][18]
6 Lance Diamond defeated Reckless Youth (c) and Cheetah Master Triangle match for the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship [16][17][18]
7 Marty Jannetty defeated Harley Lewis Singles match [16][17][18]
8 Dan Severn (c) and Dory Funk, Jr. wrestled to a double count-out Singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship [16][17][18]
9 I-Con won a battle royal Battle royal [16][17][18]
10 Doug Gilbert defeated Buddy Landell Singles match [16][17][18]
11 Flash Funk defeated Ace Darling Singles match [16][17][18]
12 Goldust defeated Derrick Domino Singles match [16][17][18]
  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match

Third Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl

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

No. Results Stipulations Times
1 Overweight Lover pinned Johnny Rotten Singles match [5][19]
2 Ray Odyssey pinned Patch Singles match [5][19]
3 Brittany Brown (with The Fabulous Moolah) pinned Brandi Alexander (with Fred the Elephant Boy) Singles match [5][19]
4 The Great Caruso pinned Metal Maniac Singles match [5][19]
5 Rik Ratchett defeated Steve Corino Singles match [5]
6 Marlena was declared the winner of an arm wrestling match by forfeit when Sunny did not appear for the match Singles match n/a[5]
7 Lance Diamond defeated Twiggy Ramirez Singles match [5][19]
8 Dan Severn (c - NWA) defeated Franz Schumann (c - CWA) Singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship vs CWA World Middleweight Championship [5][19]
9 Ace 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 [5][19][20]
10 Sid Vicious defeated King Kong Bundy Singles match [5][19]
11 Doug and Tommy Gilbert defeated Buddy Landell and Dory Funk, Jr. when Tommy Gilbert pinned Funk Tag team match [5][19][21]
  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match

Fourth Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl

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

No. Results Stipulations Times
1 Slayer defeated Lizard Singles match [22]
2 Biggie Biggs won a battle royal Battle royal [22]
3 Rik Ratchet defeated Kevin Knight Singles match [22]
4 Twiggy Ramirez defeated Harley Lewis via disqualification Singles match [22]
5 George Steele defeated Jack Hammer. Singles match [1][22][23]
6 The Inferno Kid defeated Judas Young Singles match [22]
7 Trooper Mattola defeated The Shyster Singles match 06:00[22][24]
8 King Kong Bundy defeated Biggie Biggs Singles match [1][22]
9 Tommy Gilbert and Kronus defeated The Public Enemy (Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge) Tag team match [1][22][23]
  • (c) – refers to the champion(s) heading into the match

See also

References
  1. Pro Wrestling Illustrated (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated: Wrestling History". PWI-Online.com.
  2. Dills, Tim S. (2000). "Eddie Gilbert, Page 3". Wrestlers. KayfabeMemories.com.
  3. Moreland, Dan (1999-09-29). "The Ugly Truth". Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. PWBTS.com.
  4. Prodigy Communications (1998-03-04). "Buddy Landell Chat". Interviews. Solie's Title Histories.
  5. "My Breakfast With Bockwinkel". Reports from the Field. DDTdigest.com. March 1998.
  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. "4th Annual Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawl". National Wrestling Alliance Eddie Gilbert Memorial Brawls. ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  23. 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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