Memphis was once a hotbed for professional wrestling.
Studio wrestling was must-see TV for adults and kids alike on Saturday mornings. Some of the veterans from the ’80s and ’90s are still popular and remembered by many: Jerry Lawler, Hulk Hogan, Kamala, and Koko B. Ware.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also has wrestling roots in Memphis. He filmed a couple of seasons of his TV show Young Rock here, and his father, Rocky Johnson, also made a name for himself in Memphis.
Currently, a new group is vying for the spotlight and national stage. Chris Evans and Kevin Bless are the current championship belt holders, while M.J. Davis and Don Montana are the tag team champions. All of them are African American, marking the first time in wrestling history that all belt holders in Memphis are African American.
Evans is a wrestler fans love to hate. He claims to be from a part of Memphis that nobody wants to be from. He is the 1819 Champion and may talk a lot of trash, but he always delivers.
Davis and Montana, the tag team champions, are fan favorites with great chemistry. They consistently put on a show for the fans, leaving everyone wanting more with their high-energy moves.
Bless is the 901 Wrestling Champion, the main event everyone wants to defeat, and the fans want to see him win. Unpredictable both on the mic and in the ring, fans don’t always cheer for him but respect his skills.
Anthony Sain, one of the commentators for 901 Wrestling, has a front-row view of the action. On why you should attend the next public event, Sain said, “Wrestling has deep roots in the city of Memphis. 901 Wrestling will continue that tradition. This will provide a fun family experience where fans will connect to the show. It is straight-up Memphis.”
On Sunday, September 22, 901 Wrestling will return to Minglewood Hall, 1555 Madison Ave., at 5 p.m. Minglewood Hall offers fans the chance to get close to the action—and maybe even snap a selfie with one of the champions.
