[1979-01-07-Houston Wrestling] Terry & Dory Funk Jr vs Jose Lothario & Mil Mascaras

[Jetlag]

Ha, Dory is so lazy he almost forgets to bump for a Mascaras armdrag during the opening exchanges. This was worked like one of those AJPW 70s tags, but a really efficient one and none of the stuff they did came across as dated. The Funks are a heel duo here and really good one at that. Christ, can you imagine running this match in 2016? If it happened today Terry would come in with a MAGA trucker hat and tell Lothario to go back while patting him on the shoulder. Terry was really great here like I expect a guy I placed in my All Time Top 5 to be. He came across as a hotheaded bull even during the hold sections and he was a total prick to the babyfaces all the way through. Feels weird to wish for a 30 minute match to go longer but this could've gone a little longer. The Lothario v. Terry boxing section in the 3rd fall was everything you are hoping for from seeing this matchup. Terry was dancing around Jose and waffling him with punches, but he just withstood the assault, came back and just clocked Terry. Mil and Dory, thankfully, stay out of the way for most of this match. Nifty finish to wrap it up and fuck the Last Battle of Atlanta, Terry vs. Lothario is my new most wanted match.

[JerryvonKramer]

Dory is not lazy! He was just of that more shoot-y sort of school, like Bob Backlund whereby he doesn't always look as vulnerable as he might because he was meant to be legit. In a match like this, against a guy like Mil who is sometimes known for being uncooperative, he's going to stamp his authority a bit on his opponent and ensure he knows that he's going to have to struggle in order to get anything from the match. He might lean on a guy like Mascaras a bit with his bodyweight.

 

It's a different way of working, not lazy, just a different mentality from a time when guys had to struggle for every move. It's why I've said Dory was one of the last of the 60s-style workers whereas Terry is very similar to Harley Race or Ric Flair in that he works a more action-and-movement orientated style.

 

All that said, while I've seen Dory and Terry work Mil a fair few times, I don't recall seeing this match. Is it new on NWA Classics?

[Jetlag]

It is on NWA Classics & please spare me of your lectures when you haven't even seen the match in question. I'm more than familiar with both workers.

[JerryvonKramer]

I just strongly object to anyone calling one of the hardest working NWA champions of all time "lazy", that's all.

[peachchaos]

I've been watching a lot of Mascaras from 1979 and am failing to see why his work is so hated. He has a great look and shows some flash in the ring. A better special attraction than Dusty for my money.

 

Dory is someone who literally works his ass off in every performance so I don't see that complaint either. Sure, he's a black hole of charisma in terms of personality, but he's stone cold in the ring.

 

Crowd is a bit subdued for this one but it's an awesome match.

[Matt D]

Mascaras has looked pretty good in Houston. I think the big problem is that 80s AJPW tag matches suck.

[JerryvonKramer]

The reason people dislike Mascaras is just cos he's selfish and never drops a pinfall. I think he has a lot of good performances in the 70s though.

[soup23]

Biglav loves Mascaras

[goc]

The reason people dislike Mascaras is just cos he's selfish and never drops a pinfall. I think he has a lot of good performances in the 70s though.

He will drop a fall if it's the first or second fall in a 2/3 falls match.