It’s a place mostly known for hosting musicians, but Thursday night Handy Park on Beale Street was the place to be for wrestling.
The event was hosted by Jerry “The King” Lawler’s Hall of Fame Bar and Grille. The free event brought together wrestling fans new and old.
The promise of an action packed night, featuring Hall of Famers and younger wrestlers, drew dozens of people. Many heard about the event through social media. Others were on Beale Street and curious. Either way, the crowd was pumped, cheering for the good guys and booing the bad ones.
“Free wrestling entertainment, a chance to get the kids out and watch some wrestling and go to Lawler’s and eat it’s a win-win,” said wrestling fan Phillip Wolf.
“You know there’s no charge so it brings a lot of people here. The wrestlers they’re into it. The crowd’s into it. There was a good crowd when i got here. I love it. I love it a lot,” said fan Brian Bohannon.
Organizer Lawler says they’re hoping to draw more locals back to Beale Street.
“We draw tons and tons of tourists but we’d love to get the people from Memphis and you know they’re the ones that really remember the Memphis wrestling and the wrestling stars that we’ve got here tonight,” said Lawler.
Once the action wraps up, fans are invited to Lawler’s restaurant on Beale Street for a meet and greet.
Depending on how Thursday’s event goes, Lawler said they may make it a monthly event.
