Retro Wrestling Bonus Episode: The Death of Memphis Wrestling a.k.a. The Larry Burton Debacle
2026 · Wrestling · Wrestling
Retro Wrestling Bonus Episode: The Death of Memphis Wrestling a.k.a. The Larry Burton Debacle
Retro Wrestling Bonus Episode: The Death of Memphis Wrestling a.k.a. The Larry Burton Debacle
2026
Wrestling
What(or who) really killed Memphis Wrestling? In this special bonus episode of Retro Wrestling, Gene Jackson tells the story of "Larry Burton", the businessman who walked into the USWA in the mid-1990s with a plan to “modernize” the territory… and instead became forever tied to its collapse. Gene breaks down: • How Burton entered the USWA through Jerry Lawler • The risky business deals, investor money, and the idea of flipping the company for millions • Why the plan was built on projection instead of reality • The lawsuits, legal chaos, and total collapse that followed And ultimately… Why Memphis Wrestling didn’t end with a bang but quietly disappeared, leaving behind decades of history with no farewell, no final moment… no closure for generations of fans. Was Larry Burton the villain? Or was Memphis Wrestling already dying before he ever showed up? This is the story of how it all ended as we prepare to begin reviewing the show that tried to fill the void that was left by the USWA. Also, on a future episode Robb Helt will join us with an even deeper dive into the legal aspects of this story and how it all unfolded in court over the course of several years. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ (https://www.patreon.com/retrowrestlingarchive)