1977

Jerry Jarrett and Nick Gulas had been promotional partners since the early 1970s. Jarrett promoted in Memphis, Louisville, Evansville, Lexington, Tupelo and Jonesbor, while Gulas ran Birmingham, Chattanooga, Nashville and Huntsville. The two fell out when Jarrett discovered the 50% of the business he thought he owned was only an option to buy and that the option had just expired. He broke away to form his own promotion, taking key figures like star wrestler Jerry Lawler and broadcast team Lance Russell and Dave Brown with him. While the longterm home of Gulas' TV show, Channel 13 dropped the program due to concerns over a lawsuit between the warring factions, rival station WMC-5 not only picked up the high-rating wrestling program but Channel 13's weatherman Brown and program director Russell. Once Brown and Russell were free of their Channel 13 contracts and reformed their broadcast team the show became a ratings success, helping the station jump from third to first in the local area.

The new promotion was part owned by Jarrett's mother Christine (35%), Jerry Lawler (10%), and local promoted Buddy Fuller.  At first, Jarrett was unable to run shows at the Mid-South Coliseum as it was still loyal to the Gulas promotion, but soon found his way to Memphis' most famous wrestling arena. Stripped of his television exposure, Gulas lost the attendance battle for the first week of the Memphis contest 8256 to 2002. Gulas would never come close to beating Jarrett, but soldiered on in Memphis for several weeks before pulling out. Gulas' last two cards at the Mid-South Coliseum drew 1474 and 484 respectively. Abandoning the exclusive deal with the Coliseum allowed Jarrett to move in. It became the home of his promotion until 1996.

In March, both promotions fronted the National Wrestling Alliance and asked for their support. With Buddy Fuller as a part owner, son of long-time NWA board member Roy Welch, the alliance declined to take sides, letting the strongest promotion win. By now it was clear that would be Jarrett, a backhanded way of the NWA supporting him against long-time member Gulas. Alliance president Eddie Graham even supplied Jarrett with wrestlers, including Jack Brisco and Dusty Rhodes. Atlanta promoter Jim Barnett, who had employed Jarrett as his booker in 1973, also helped, broking an appearance by NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race.

The year's top feud involved Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee, who had an 11 week run of Monday night main events, the best attendance in the city since 1974.

All shows at the Mid-South Coliseum unless otherwise noted. Attendance figures differ between commission filings  and reports published in newspapers. These discrepancies are noted in individual event pages.

## Events

### March

* Saturday 19 March, 1977 (TV)
* Sunday 20 March (Event) (Cook Convention Center)
* Sunday 27 March (Event) (Cook Convention Center)

### April

* Sunday 3 April (Event) (Cook Convention Center)
* Monday 11 April (Event) (Cook Convention Center)
* Monday 18 April (Event) (Cook Convention Center)
* Saturday 23 April (TV)
* Sunday 24 April (Event)

### May

* Sunday 1 May (Event) (Cook Convention Center)
* Wednesday 11 May (Event)
* Wednesday 18 May (Event)
* Monday 23 May (Event)
* Sunday 29 May (Event)

### June

* Sunday 5 June (Event)
* Sunday 12 June (Event)
* Sunday 19 June (Event)
* Monday 27 June (Event)

### July

* Monday 4 July (Event)
* Monday 11 July (Event)
* Monday 18 July (Event)
* Monday 25 July (Event)

### August

* Monday 1 August (Event)
* Monday 8 August (Event)
* Monday 15 August (Event)
* Monday 22 August (Event)
* Monday 29 August (Event)

### September

* Monday 5 September (Event)
* Tuesday 13 September (Event)
* Monday 19 September (Event)
* Tuesday 27 September (Event)

### October

* Monday 3 October (Event)
* Saturday 8 October (TV)
* Monday 10 October (Event)
* Monday 17 October (Event)
* Saturday 22 October (TV)
* Monday 24 October (Event)
* Sunday 30 October (Event)

### November

* Monday 7 November (Event)
* Saturday 12 November (TV)
* Monday 14 November (Event)
* Monday 21 November (Event)
* Monday 28 November (Event)

### December

* Monday 5 December (Event)
* Sunday 11 December (Event)
* Saturday 17 December (TV)
* Sunday 18 December (Event)
* Saturday 24 December (TV)
* Monday 26 December (Event)

## References

1. ↑ *1977 - The War for Memphis* by Mark James
2. ↑ Tennessee Athletic Commission Memphis Filings - 1977 to 1980 by Mark James