[1978-03-08-Joint Promotions] Vic Faulkner vs Roy Paul

[GSR]

This match is part of a team tournament where the 'TV All-Stars' (of which Faulkner is a member) are taking on the 'Liverpool Skinheads'.  Paul is not a skinhead, but it transpires that at least he is Liverpudlian.  These tournaments see each team comprise of three men and there are three single bouts before a one final six man at the end of the night.  This is my first time seeing Paul and he is wearing what looks like Daisy Dukes with a pair of braces!

Paul sets the tone for the bout early by healing it up (attacking Faulkner when he's on the ropes, using headbutts), almost admitting that he's is not going to be able to compete with Faulkner is a scientific contest.  Arm stretch by Faulkner before Paul traps him in a headscissors.  Headstand escape and Faulkner turns his attention to Paul's left leg.  Nice single leg into full boston crab but Paul powers out.  Headscissors by Faulkner, but this time Paul starts biting his leg to force the escape.  A closed fist behind the ref's back from Paul and the bell rings to signal the end of Round One.  Faulkner comes straight out with a dropkick at the start of the second but Paul steps out the way and Faulkner just hits fresh air.  More biting from Paul, but this time Faulkner retaliates by biting his hand.  Both become more aggressive (no comedy from Vic today!) before a sloppy criss cross spot.  Paul drags Faulkner's arm along the ropes and Max Ward has had enough, finally giving him his first public warning.  Paul with a headlock and Ward gets trapped in the corner.  As Faulkner breaks he goes to forearm Paul who moves and he hits Ward instead.  For some reason Ward blames Paul and as he admonishes him, Faulkner comes through Ward's legs and attacks Paul.  Into the third and Faulkner is on top.  Paul reverses something resembling a nerve hold with one of his own and as Faulkner gets the escape he backs Paul into the ropes, however he comes back immediately with a bodyslam and covers Faulkner.  Vic's leg is outside the ropes but Max Ward doesn't see this and counts the pin.  Ring announcer Tony Harris then steps into the ring, tells Ward what happens who then disallows the fall and says the match will continue.  Paul goes to argue with Ward and the bell rings to restart the bout.  Faulkner dropkicks Paul who then rebounds back off the ropes and falls over Faulkner who had crouched behind him in a schoolboy.  Folding press and Faulkner gets the pin in just 7 seconds of the restarted bout.

This was an okay 'opener' and supposed served its purpose for the team tournament, but I didn't think much of it and it didn't really do anything for me.  Despite being a supposed six year amateur prior to turning pro Paul wasn't very good.  He was awkward in his movements and it appeared he was trying to combine parts of Jim Breaks and Sid Cooper with his heel tendencies, but clearly wasn't in the league of those two.  Faulkner was fine and worked pretty hard but the issue was with Paul, although he did get the crowd into the bout.  The false finish was a nice surprise, but what came after wasn't as you 'knew' what the end result was going to be.