JerryvonKramer

http://placetobenation.com/titans-of-wrestling-47-nwa-western-states-amarillo-in-1979/ The Titans make an unscheduled stop off in Amarillo in 1979 to take a look at the dying days of the NWA territory that was once run by Dory Funk Sr, after Dick Murdoch and Black Jack Mulligan had purchased it from the Funk brothers. On the docket tonight: (April 1979) Ted DiBiase & Larry Lane vs. Mr. Sato & Mr. Pogo Merced Solis vs. Dennis Stamp Tank Patton vs. Dick Murdoch Ron Garfield vs. Blackjack Mulligan Stan "The Man" Lane vs. Dory Funk, Jr. (November 1978) Alex Perez vs. Merced Solis Jim Cook vs. Blackjack Mulligan Grizzly Boone vs. Ted DiBiase Highlights include: - Potted history of the territory and the reasons for its decline - Discussion of Skandor Akbar - Which Japanese team would you take: Fuji / Saito or Sato / Pogo? - Who is Larry Lane? - Mulligan and the subtlest heel turn of 1979

Chad (or Justin) - can you ask any of the panel to explain why they have that perception? Like what performances specifically can they point to in 1990 that puts him over the competition? Just seems like a bizarre pick. I'd put up DiBiase for consideration in 83, 85 and 88. Andre in terms of star power, drawing etc, might get a look in 83-7. Magnum TA in 85-6 maybe. Nick Bockwinkel in general. Rude in 92. Honestly though, Flair kills them all if quality AND drawing are both criteria. If it's just drawing it's Hogan 83-92. If it's both, it's Flair. If it's "whatever we damn well please", then I don't get the whole thing.

One more buy and I run the event!

Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk vs. Riki Choshu and Yoshiaki Yatsu (08/31/86) No play by play on this. I watched it eating my dinner. Really fun and enjoyable to see two of my favourite teams go at it. Terry seemed to be heeling it up here, am I right in thinking Funks were heel in 86? There were some amusing Choshu - Terry interactions here, especially with Terry chanting "CHOSHU" at him. Dory mostly paired off with Yatsu and hit some of his signature offense including the butterfly suplex and a back suplex. Cool little transition into working his leg at one point when he hit a Shinbreaker and they went to work on the leg setting up the spinning toe hold. But then the match peters out with a disappointing count out finish. I guess no one was going to be eating a pin here, it was fun for what it was. ***

Incidentally, my first post in this thread was not a troll. Based on the criteria, I would pick Flair every year from 83 to 92. Only two years there's competition is 87 and 91, where in both years Hogan would be the other contender. I understand wanting to go with different guys, but in the 80s those were your #1 and #2 draws and Flair has Hogan smoked for quality, so it's Flair every year. At a push I could see a case for Savage in 88.

Luger himself had a better year too arguably.

Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk vs. Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen (12/08/84) Meltzer gave this five stars back in the day, the DVDR committee left it off the 80s AJPW set. So this should be interesting at least. I've thought for some years now that Brody brings out a different side of Dory, so let's see if he does here. Hansen and Dory start out, but Hansen is more interested in trying to deck Terry on the apron. Dory is spirited though and hits his elbow smash. Headlock by Hansen into a quick tag to Brody. Bodyslam by him. Headlock takeover. Brody with a headlock, up to a vertical base. Dory is FIP here. Hansen in with a huge drop kick. Knee drop. Good pace so far. Bodyslam by Hansen. Brody in with another big slam. Headlock. Up to a vertical base again. Dory manages to tag out. Terry in with some fire now. Snap mare. Dropkick. Another snapmare. Misses an elbow drop. Hansen in. This has been quite frantic so far. Hansen goes after Terry outside. Kicks him in the gut inside now. Turnbuckle smash. Terry is noodle legged. Brody in. Dory in. European uppercuts. Hansen in. Double backdrop. Dory goes to work on Hansen now. Goes for a slam. Blocked, but Dory gets it anyway. Cover gets 1. Uppercuts. Slugfest back and forth now. Snap mare by Hansen and a big chinlock, Terry breaks. 8 minutes in and barely a pause for breath. Brody in. Some doubleteaming on Dory. Backbreaker by Brody and he holds him over his knee for Hansen to nail. Terry in to break. Hansen misses a kick, Dory snaps off a vertical suplex. Cover get two. Terry in. Double forearm smash by the Funks. High back drop by Hansen on Terry sends him over to the outside. Dory goes over to check on him. Nothing like a bit of brotherly love. 10 minutes in. A lot of action so far. Hansen right on top of Terry. Smashes him into the announce table. Rolls him back in. Kneedrops to the back of the neck. Nasty. Double suplex by Hansen and Brody. Piledriver by Brody?? Terry tries to kick his way out, but no, he hits it. Big reverse knifeedge by Hansen, sends Terry over like a chopped tree. Dory in with elbows. Brody in eats a snap mare. Dory goes for a suplex, no, Brody tries to reverse, no, Dory hits it! Hansen in. Bodyslam. Elbow drop. Stomp from second rope. Brody up to the top. Double axehandle from him. Standing powerslam! 15 minutes gone, no let up in action. Forearm smashes from Hansen. Abdominal stretch. Terry tries to come in the ring. Ref stops him. Gutwrench suplex out of the abdominal stretch by Hansen -- fucking COOL spot! Splash by Brody. Dory looks exasperated. Suplex by Brody. Hansen in for more doubleteaming. Elbow smash. Dory eats the turnbuckle. Brody in for a reverse knife edge. Headlock, but Dory hits a back suplex! Tag to Terry! All four men brawling now. Brody tumbles to outside. Uppercuts by Dory on Hansen who irsh whips him to the outside. Terry dumped by Hansen too. The ref (Joe) takes a tuble here too so he doesn't witness the next few mins. Brody goes after Dory and puts him over the announce table. Hansen grabs a table. Holy shit! They nail Dory who is on the announce table with this table three or four times. Pretty hardcore for All Japan in 1984! Terry makes his way over. Dory is completely fucked, and even registers the pain on his poker face. They roll him back in. Terry slams Brody on the table. Hansen and Brody have Dory isolated now. Elbow drop by Hansen. Brody cuts Terry off and sends him back outside. Ref is barely stirring. Dory is still seemingly out in the middle of the ring as Brody tries to drag the ref in. Hansen is choking Dory (or something). Hansen covers as Brody tries to make the ref count. Terry's back in though and he has a chain. He HEADBUTTS the ref!! And he lays him out. Terry with the chain now whips and chokes Hansen and Brody. He's a wildman. One of the red shirted dudes comes in to try to break this up, but Terry nails him. Snapmare with the chain on Hansen. Terry after Brody. Dory still out of it holding his head and back. Hansen and Brody leave through the crowd but Terry goes after them. Dory still struggling in the ring. Terry is on the floor near the entrance to the locker room. Dory's back looks seriously injured as he's struggling to get up. Terry waves the chain at young boys and fans as Dory gets treatment in the ring. Terry has the chain still. Giant Baba comes out to check on Dory who seems like he's broken his back. This was fucking wild. Really enjoyed it. It's not five stars, but completely don't understand this being left off the All Japan set. I'm sure the committee have their reasons, but I completely disagree with them and would recommend anyone to dig up this classic encounter. It goes 20 minutes but is worked like a ten minute sprint. All four guys full of energy. A lot of high spots, with some epic struggles over suplexes. The Hansen and Terry exchanges are great. Dory plays FIP for the most part and the attack on him for the injury angle by Hansen and Brody is brutal. And Dory was fired up, reminiscent of how he was vs. Sheik and Abby or Brody in the singles matches. I also didn't think Brody did much to bring things down, he sold for The Funks, he hit his spots, he didn't lie around in holds AT ALL. This was really good, and would have been top 20 on my AJ Ballot if I'd have had a chance to vote on it. Would be interested to know how others -- whether you submitted a ballott or not -- would go on this one. ****1/2

Reading back over this reminds me why I'm still so hostile towards a certain poster here. What a total bellend. Anyway, the revision concerns other bombs (that are not suplexes) and how they fit into the hierarchy I outlined.

I may revise this slightly soon.

Week 31 (August, Week 3) We're almost there. Last two shows before Summerslam!! MSG: Gate down slightly, but then this crowd had seen Snuka vs. Koloff three times already in the past month or so. Before the show, this happened: He's living the gimmick!! Thought I'd try Steamboat and Youngblood in a longer match and I'm also thinking of tagging Hansen and Murdoch together for the next month or so as "The West Texas Outlaws". Despite the "4th time repetition" warning, still a B rating from Mr. Consistency. I think Ivan might not have long left as a main event challenger for the title at this point though. In fairness, I have jobbed him out a lot so far this year. His record in all matches for me is 9-8, but look at who his wins are against and who his losses are against: He has another 5 months on his contract, so he's sticking around, but honestly a little time away might do Ivan some good. Let's have a look at how Snuka drew against each opponent in the major arenas: vs. Slaughter (June Week 2) - Philly - 15,558 vs. Studd (June, Week 3) - MSG - 17,656 vs. Hansen (July, Week 2) - Philly - 17,434 vs. Baker (July, Week 3) - MSG - 18,708 vs. Waldo von Erich (August, Week 2) - Philly - 16,490 vs. Koloff (August, Week 3) - MSG - 15,831 Bizarrely, Ox Baker was Snuka's top drawing opponent in the run, but I don't think it's anything to do with Baker himself. The angle was running hotter in July than in August because it was fresher. Anyway, some sad news now: That's right, both Blassie and Vince Sr are retiring in one month. Blassie actually tried to retire earlier in the year, but I talked him out of it, this time he's not for turning. This whole three wise men storyline was my tribute to Vince Sr booking anyway, so this is a fitting way to send him off. I also have a mini-angle at Summerslam itself to ensure that show is a memorable one for all three wise men. Superstars: Some last minute storytelling to tee-off Summerslam. Main story here is that the three wily old managers had been saving Race for last while Snuka was tiring himself out against all the other guys. Murdoch and Hansen get themselves involved in an attack on Snuka and The Road Warriors, who are getting ready for a match, come and make a save -- which sets up their match with Murdoch and Hansen at Summerslam nicely, while putting more heat on the main event (Race vs. Snuka). All the other storylines are ready for the blow offs. Graham: Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest today, accompanied by the Grand Wizard of Wrestling, it's a man known to all wrestling fans around the world: Harley Race! Wizard: Come on, you people, on your feet. Come on Graham, get up, stand up. You are in the presence of a wrestling GOD. You are in the presence of a man that has held more belts, won more titles than anyone who has ever set foot in this building. You are looking -- ladies and gents -- at the next World Wrestling Federation CHAMPEEN. Come on, ON YOUR FEET. Race: We've seen them come and we've seen them go. Jimmy Snuka, you've earned some ... respect from me because you've been a fighting champion and you've taken on all comers. But listen close and listen hard Snuka, you haven't faced a man in my calibre yet. I know a thing or two about world titles, you understand me. I've wrestled in Japan, I've wrestled in New Zealand, I've wrestled in Europe, Canada, you name the town, if wrestling is on the marquee, I've been there and I've defended a title there! You've been keeping that belt nice and warm for me, "Superfly", but it belongs around my waist. Wizard: You see, Superstarrr, when I got together with Classy Freddie Blassie and Captain Louis Albano, this was the plan all along. Ha ha ha ha! Because when Jimmy Snuka has been breaking his back facing off against Spiros Arion, Stan Hansen, Ox Baker, Dick Murdoch, Waldo Von Eric, Ivan Koloff -- we, the THREE OF US, have been taking notes. We know EVERY TRICK in Snuka's book, ha ha ha ha. And in this man Harley Race, we have the wrestling mastermind to whom we can feed that information. We have the wrestling machine that counter each and every manouvre you can do. And do you know what else, Jimmy Snuka? While you've been busting yourself defending that belt, Harley Race here has been training, he's been relaxing, he's been getting himself physically and mentally ready like only he can! Race: I'm ready. But are YOU ready Snuka? Why don't you come out here now? Why don't you come out of here now to see me before our big match you COWARD? Graham: The champion is not scheduled to be here tonight and you two know it. Race: Is he MAN ENOUGH to show his face right here? *Snuka bursts from the back onto the Supershow set* Snuka: You've been saying enough Harley Race! Wizard: Right boys, this is it ... *Blassie sneaks in from the left with his cane which gestures towards Snuka, swooping in from as if from nowhere Stan Hansen NAILS him with a huge lariat.* Blassie: Ha ha ha ha ha! *Snuka is on the floor and Albano sneaks in from the right now. He gets in a couple of cheap stomps of his own before directing Dick Murdoch to take over. Hansen, Murdoch and Race all set to work on Snuka now. Race gets Snuka up for a piledriver. Hansen and Murdoch go to assist the piledriver as all three wise men try to hold Billy Graham back. But Don Muraco runs in and manages to do enough to stave off Hansen and Murdoch. Snuka is able to reverse the piledriver and Race takes a backdrop.* Albano: Face it, Snuka, it's over for you. It's OVER!!! *Graham wearily takes things to commercial break as the chaos carries on behind him.* *Back from commerical break and it's a pier six still. Hansen, Murdoch and Race have Muraco and Snuka out-numbered 3-2 and they are brawling. The Road Warriors, who have come out for their match, go in to take out Murdoch and Hansen. Now it's 4 vs 3, the heels bail. But Hansen and Murdoch seem angry at the Road Warriors* So there it is. Are you ready for Summerslam? Let me run that card down again. There should be at least a feud or something at stake in every match: Pre-show: SD Jones vs. Iron Sheik Pre-show: Samoans vs. Waldo and Baker 1. Andre vs. Killer Khan - Andre still wants revenge on Khan for injuring his leg with the chair. Blow off. 2. Randy Savage vs. Rick Martel - Savage kept catching Martel and Elizabeth in compromising positions backstage and assumed the worse. This will have a "winner gets Miss Elizabeth" type stip. Feud set to run. 3. Road Warriors vs. The West Texas Outlaws (Murdoch and Hansen) - not a feud as such, but just a quick angle and resultant match. Road Warriors will be continuing their 50 and 0 run after this. 4. Don Muraco vs. Ivan Koloff - just another wise men vs. islanders match, filler match 5. The Brainbusters vs. Steamboat and Youngblood (Tag titles) - Steamboat and Youngblood have become number 1 contenders after a string of wins. Feud set to run. 6. Greg Valentine vs. Curt Hennig (IC title) - Hennig has has become number 1 contender for the IC belt after a string of wins for the promising youngster. 7. Ted DiBiase vs. Bruno Sammartino (cage match) - grudge match, blow off to an 8-month storyline. 8. Jimmy Snuka vs. Harley Race (world title) - blow off to entire Snuka vs. wise men story arch, there will be an added (as of yet unannounced) stipulation. Here's some hype material. CAN YOU FEEL THE HEAT?! Will the legendary Bruno Sammartino finally win the battle for his pride and honour against the arrogant Ted DiBiase? Can Jimmy Snuka defeat the final and most deadly obstacle that Blassie, Albano and the Grand Wizard have put in front of him -- the highly respected Harley Race -- or have those three old foxes proved too cunning for the champion? The only way to find out is to ORDER SUMMERSLAM available through Request TV on PPV! SUMMERSLAM. Miss it, miss out! [to "purchase" Summerslam post "I want to see Summerslam" or equivalent in the thread. Once there have been enough, I'll post the show!]

I was doing some research on this earlier Pete. He was billed as a cousin of The Funks because apparently he looked a bit like Dory (I didn't think so, but there we are). He tagged with Dory some, not just in Amarillo but also up in Stampede. I also read he did a "wrestler vs. member of the crowd" gimmick at one point, and was billed as having come from the army.

83 - Flair 84 - Flair 85 - Flair 86 - Flair 87 - Flair 88 - Flair 89 - Flair 90 - Flair 91 - Flair 92 - Flair

I was really tickled by Saad's reaction to the crowd, so I thought I'd share that match:

Matt, you've probably seen it, but did you ever watch the Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson vs. Johnny Weaver and Art Nelson match from the Cornette garbage tapes? I think that's a really neat insight in tag psychology of the period.

Great info, Matt, cheers for that.

How far do you take this though? Strongbow and Putski?

Those boys at Turner did a fine job if you ask me.

Dylan, turns out I'd already upped this, I'm bad at sharing my links: This is the footage I put together for those Titans shows. Saito matches are 53 mins in. Although I'd encourage everyone to watch the awesomeness of that Assassin vs. Wrestling II angle shortly before it. The Assassin is my hero.

Dylan, while it's still up there, here's a whole bunch of Sarge from 81: You'll find the Patterson Philly matches on there, among other things.

Any idea what he was doing working those three dates for Vince Sr? His facial expression is hilarious when the crowd barely murmur a cheer for him. He's like "oh okay, alright then, whatever".

Is there any other Amarillo out there or is that it?

Let me have a look.

There appears to be a complete episode from 1979 and an older one from 1978. I'm going to review it soon. Footage features Ted DiBiase, Dick Murdoch, Akio Sato, Dennis Stamp, Dory Funk Jr, and the Black Jacks.

Yes, I had that Martel match at ****, it's (4/24/85) Then there's the Larry Z match from the Tokyo Dome, 1990. This run of tag matches was all fun stuff I had at ***3/4 in a COOL tag-team with Bock: Nick Bockwinkel, Mr. Saito, and Bobby Heenan vs. Blackjack Lanza and The Fabulous Ones (9/9/84) Nick Bockwinkel and Mr. Saito vs. The Fabulous Ones (9/30/84) Nick Bockwinkel and Mr. Saito vs. Curt and Larry Hennig (11/8/84) From the same set also at ***3/4: Jerry Lawler & Greg Gagne vs. Riki Choshu & Mr. Saito (5/14/88) A lot of people liked the match with Hogan (8/28/83). I watched a clip of him as a youngster vs. Jack Brisco from 2/10/70 in which he looked good (listed as 1969). He had a great little TV match for a $5,000 challenge against Steve Keirn in 1980 in GCW, which we watched on Titans. And one vs. Mr. Wrestling II the following week. He stood out on that footage. I will dig a bit deeper because there is stuff of his from the 70s to see especially in Florida. Looks like high-lights, but you never know what you'll find. He's on the to-do pile. And next week I might actually make some in-roads into said pile.

I should elaborate, in week to week TV and on house shows, he's been fantastic in every aspect of performance as a heel in 1981. Lock for MVP for that year in WWF. The idea that he only has the big greatest hits matches is a misnomer, I think, his case is helped by really good stuff against Rick McGraw, Pat Patterson in the Philly matches (note, not the famous MSG one, which is GREAT), solid stuff against Pedro, Backlund cage match, great opponent for Andre ... I am surely that if you went to watch Mid-Atlantic week by week in 82-3 you'd find similarly very good performances leading up to Final Conflict. I full expect to see Sarge be impressive in 83-4 back in WWF. His AWA run was at least a B+. I'd be interesred to see what he was like on the house show circuit back in WWF in 1990. Point is that based on 81 viewing, it seems to me that there's a lot more meat on the bones than it first appears. I'd encourage Dylan and others to maybe revise that view.