Been watching 86/88 CWA (Memphis) and still in the early quarter of the year for both and I love the simple, effective, episodic format of the territories.
86's first major storyline involves Buddy Landell/Bill Dundee running roughshod on Memphis forcing the owner to bring back Jerry Lawler who teams up with Dutch Mantel. Great promos and Jeff Jarrett as a ref who then begin his rookie year as a pro wrestler later on. The Fantastics were the main tag team in Memphis during the time and are pretty good from the footage I see of them.
88 is AWA incorporated into the fold with the Midnight Rockers as heels dominating the tag scene and get a small glimpse into heel Shawn Michaels who would become one of the best heels of all time later on in his career. There's also the likes of Jimmy Jack Funk and Teijho Khan causing havoc. Lawler/Dundee are re-feuding over the title. Also, the 'Renegade Rampage' tournament is on very similar to the Bound for glory series that TNA done in the past is also happening in this time.
This is only early part of the respective years, but by 88 it looks like the talent took a drop in quality. To go from Landell/Dundee/Lawler/Mantel to Lawler/Dundee/Jimmy Jack Funk/Teijho Khan is a bit of a drop for now. Perhaps the talent quality improves later on in the year I might see eventually. Also,a young Scott Hall is in Memphis despite being green shows the potential he grow into as he comes into his prime later on.
Skip 87 but will get back to it once I go through 86/88, tend to skip a year when watching old school wrestling as major changes tend to be more evident over a 2 year gap than 1. There is always a transition year in every promotion which sees a steady influx of new talent and the easing of old which makes for interesting viewing to see how it effect the promotion and if it was more entertaining with the new changes.