PWP Featured Columnist Lewis Carlan tells a story about the first time he witnessed the newest members of the WWE Hall of Fame, The Fabulous Freebirds
Back in 1980 while living in East Meadow, NY, my dad announced that we were going to be getting cable TV installed into our house for the first time. Cable TV was still kind of in its infancy back then and having access to various different channels other than the 13 or so we already had was very exciting at the time. We actually had one those very early push button cable converter boxes which I believe was made by Jerrold.
After the cable was hooked up, I can remember just flipping through channels nonstop. It was that first Saturday of having our new channel selections when I came across a program that instantly became my favourite – Georgia Championship Wrestling.
I was 10 at the time and already a huge professional wrestling fan but was limited to only WWWF matches on TV as New York was its territory. A whole new world opened up for me when I discovered Georgia Championship Wrestling on TBS. Up until then I was only able to read about NWA stars in magazines, now for the first time I was going to be able to watch them in action and I couldn’t be a happier kid.
The first episode I ever watched of Georgia Championship Wrestling I saw stars such as Tommy Rich, Kevin Sullivan, and Austin Idol. In addition, I was very fortunate to witness the Georgia Championship Wrestling debut of a new tag team that called themselves The Fabulous Freebirds. The legendary Gordon Solie called them “a new dimension” in tag team wrestling. Michael Hayes took over and delivered a great promo while introducing Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts. Hayes explained that opponents never knew who they would be facing amongst the three giving The Freebirds an advantage. While they were on for about 2 minutes, I knew right away, even at 10, that The Freebirds were going to be a force to be reckoned with.
The first feud that I vividly remember for The Freebirds was against Kevin Sullivan and Austin Idol. I remember The Freebirds, then the Georgia National Tag Team Champions making life difficult for Kevin Sullivan week after week. Finally having enough, Sullivan announced he finally found a partner in Austin Idol to battle The Freebirds. I remember Hayes refusing to grant Sullivan and Idol a title shot despite The Freebirds losing a number of non title matches to them. Eventually, Michael Hayes told Idol and Sullivan they would get their title shot only if they lost one more match which would be against Kevin Sullivan and a wrestler of The Freebirds choosing. That wrestler turned out to be the little regarded jobber Mike Davis. The NWA then put a monkey wrench into The Freebirds plans as they announced the special referee would be none other than Austin Idol.
I remember being happy about this announcement as a kid because, at the time, I hated The Freebirds and figured Idol as referee would even the odds. It made me so upset back then as I knew Idol and Sullivan could beat The Freebirds if given a title shot. I even called them The Chickenbirds a few times out loud. Yeah, I know sounds corny but I was 10.
The time for match had arrived and I remember Kevin Sullivan asking for a bit more time because Austin Idol has not yet arrived. After waiting some more, Idol still hadn’t arrived thus leaving Sullivan and Davis no choice to but to wrestle the match with a regular referee. The Freebirds won the match by destroying Mike Davis.
What happened next was amazing TV. A brawl ensued after the match between Sullivan and Hayes in which Sullivan threw Hayes back into the ring. Sullivan got the better of Hayes which made me happy because the big mouth Hayes was finally getting what he deserved. Gordy and Roberts returned to the ring and triple teamed Sullivan until other wrestlers made the save. Hayes then joined Gordon Solie and cuts a promo on Sullivan when Austin Idol appears and said he is ready to referee the match between Sullivan/Davis and The Freebirds.
Solie informed his that the match already happened as they couldn’t wait because Idol was late. Idol explained he was late because he had to change a flat tire (remember there were no cell phones back then) but he is here now and asked for the match to begin. Hayes stated that it’s not their fault that Idol had to change 4 flat tires to which Idol stopped Hayes and asked him how he knew it was 4 flat tires as Idol only stated he had to change a flat tire.
Austin Idol now knowing that it was the Freebirds that caused the flat tires grabbed Hayes and threw him into the ring much like Sullivan did a few minutes earlier and another wild brawl ensued. Hayes was joined by Gordy and Roberts as they triple teamed Idol until Sullivan made the save. This led to a title match between the two which was won by The Freebirds.
This was such terrific and entertaining TV. It became an unbreakable ritual every Saturday at 6-8 that I watch Georgia Championship Wrestling. I was literally glued to the television screen and The Fabulous Freebirds were a huge part of the reason why. I tuned in every week as I really wanted to see them get their comeuppance. They were truly a very special team, one of the greatest ever. I am very fortunate to have been alive to witness their star making run though Georgia Championship Wrestling in the very early 80’s.
Congratulations on your 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction and thank you for the memories.
