[1969-02-11-NWA-Tampa, FL] Gene Kiniski vs Dory Funk Jr

[paul sosnowski]

This is available on the Network.   It's an 8 minute segment narrated by Gordon Solie.   About 4 minutes of the match is shown.

Go to Vault, Hidden Gems, drop down to 1969, NWA Title Funk Jr vs Kiniski

[cactus]

Dory Funk has never looked young. It's hard to believe that he's only 27 here. The highlights of the match are very brief, but we do get to see a great bit of psychology when Kiniski crumples to mat after failing to hoist Funk up for a backbreaker. This is beginning of the end for Kiniski as Funk locks on a stepping toe hold and eventually gets the win, much to the approval of the crowd.

After the match, we go back to the studio where Gordon Solie is interviewing Dory Funk. He jokes about how he's nowhere near his retirement (50 years later, he still wrestles the occasional match), and comes across as very humble. I love how this is presented like pro wrestling is a legitimate sport, something that's missing in today's age.