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Funk's Corner - NWA World Championship in
St. Louis
Dory Funk Jr. vs Waldo Von Erich (NWA World Championship
Information credit
Larry Matysik - From the Golden Era, St. Louis
Wrestling Record Book
January 24th 1969 I faced Waldo Von Erich in St.
Louis in a match that ended with Von Erich being
disqualified.
February 22nd, 1969 a return match between Waldo and
Myself was scheduled to take place in St. Louis
under "Texas Death Match Rules."
However, February 11, 1969, in Tampa, Florida I
became NWA World Champion with a victory over Gene
Kiniski.
As a result of My winning the NWA World
Championship, Sam Muchnick, Promoter in St. Louis
and President of the National Wrestling Alliance
changed the card.
The match between Waldo and I would not be a Texas
Death Match but would be changed to an NWA World
Championship Match.
With tickets already released for sale at regular
prices, the wrestling fans would get a bargain, an
NWA World Championship Match at regular prices.
The wrestling fans would get "More than their
money's worth, resulting in a capacity crowd at Kiel
Auditorium for my first appearance in St. Louis as
NWA World Champion.
(Best 2 our to 3 falls) While losing the first fall
to Funk, Waldo Von Erich injured his shoulder and
could not continue.)
My next NWA Title defense in St. Louis - April 11,
1969, Best 2 out of 3 falls vs Black Jack Lanza
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Funk's Corner - NWA World Championship in
St. Louis
Dory Funk Jr. vs Black Jack Lanza with Bobby
Heenan.
Information credit
Larry Matysik - >From the Golden
Era, St. Louis Wrestling Record Book
My second NWA World Title defense in St. Louis came
Friday April 11, 1969. My opponent was Black Jack
Lanza managed by Bobby Heenan.
On March 7th in Kiel Auditorium, Black Jack Lanza
was disqualified in a handicap match against Terry
Funk and Whipper Billy Watson when Lanza's manager,
Bobby Heenan interfered in the match.
St. Louis had never had an active manager and
Heenan's interference generated incredible heat.
Black Jack Lanza, and Bobby Henan were "Hot" in St.
Louis.
April 25, 1969 Black Jack Lanza with Bobby Heenan in
his corner beat Pat O'Connor setting up the next
match for the NWA World Championship.
April 11, 1969, Dory Funk Jr. vs Black Jack Lanza
with Pat O'Connor as special referee for the NWA
World Championship best 2/3 falls, 1 hour time
limit. Attendance 10,850 (Sell-Out)
Lanza was arguing with O' Connor when Funk scored
with a drop kick and cradle for the pin in the third
fall. Lanza and Heenan blamed O'Connor and jumped
him after the match generating tons of heat on
Heenan and Lanza.
Next NWA World Title Match in St. Louis Saturday
June 14, 1969 Return Match Dory Funk Jr. vs Black
Jack Lanza with Bobby Heenan.
********************************
Dory Funk Jr. - Coach of the Funking
Conservatory Wrestling School and Trainer of
WWE, TNA, NXT and Japanese Wrestling Talent.
For training schedules at the Funking
Conservatory Wrestling School and tickets to the
next !BANG! TV Taping, Call 352-895-4658 or
visit
http://www.dory-funk.com
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Funk's Corner - NWA World Championship in
St. Louis
Dory Funk Jr. vs Black Jack Lanza with Bobby
Heenan.
Information credit
Larry Matysik - >From the Golden
Era, St. Louis Wrestling Record Book
With victories over Pat O'Connor (Arpil 25) and Edouard Carpentier, (May 16) Black Jack Lanza with Bobby Heenan were ready for a second try at the NWA World Championship.
Saturday June 14, 1969, at
Kiel Auditorium, (att. 10,850 sellout) NWA World
Champion, Dory Funk Jr. won from Black Jack
Lanza with Bobby Heenan. Funk won the first fall
with a spinning toehold after Lanza missed a
knee drop from the ropes. Lanza was injured and
the referee stopped the match giving the
decision to Funk.
Sam ran a tight ship in St. Louis. No abuse of
the officials was allowed, there was a medical
examination before participating, no foreign
objects in the ring, no two men on the floor at
the same time, wrestlers were instructed to keep
it a contest and work for the pin fall, and to
top that off the ring in St. Louis was one of
the hardest in the business. Everyone received a
lecture on what was expected of them prior to
the show from either Bobby Bruns or Pat
O'Connor.
Next NWA World Championship Match in St. Louis - October 17 Dory Funk Jr. vs Gene Kiniski |
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Funk's Corner -
NWA World Championship in St. Louis
Dory Funk Jr. vs Gene Kiniski
Information
credit Larry
Matysik - From the
Golden Era, St. Louis Wrestling Record Book.
October 11,
1969, The Arena in St. Louis, for the NWA World
Championship Dory Funk Jr. vs Gene Kiniski (att.
15,099)
One week before the St.
Louis Arena show on television at Wrestling
from the Chase, an interview with Gene
Kiniski and Dory Funk Sr. ended with Kiniski
attacking Funk Sr. and battering him. Dory
Jr. came to help, but Kiniski pounded him
too and threw Dory Junior out of the ring.
Arena St.
Louis - NWA Champion, Dory Funk Jr. beat Gene
Kiniski 2/3 falls. Lou Thesz special referee.
Kiniski won the first fall and Funk won the
second. Thesz stopped the bout and awarded the
decision to Funk when Kiniski could not continue
after hurting his knee and being caught in the
spinning toehold to end the second fall.
Gene Kiniski was a football
player and amateur wrestler from University
of Arizona. Kiniski was trained by Dory Funk
Sr.
Gene Kiniski
saved my career in professional wrestling in
1963 in Vancouver BC when I severely injured my
knee. I was scheduled for surgery but Kiniski
intervened, telling me to show up for the show
with athletic tape, tough skin and long tights.
Over the next month, Gene taped my leg every
night before I put on the long tights and
entered the ring.
Throughout
my wrestling career, I have never since had
surgery or trouble with my knees.
****************
Next NWA World
Championship Match in St. Louis - January 7,
1970 - Dory Funk Jr. vs Dick The Bruiser.
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Funk's
Corner - NWA World Championship in St.
Louis Dory Funk Jr. vs Dick The Bruiser
Information
credit
Larry Matysik
- From
the Golden Era, St. Louis
Wrestling Record Book.
On December 5th
1969, Dick The Bruiser was a
huge babyface as He won a Texas
Death Match over Black Jack
Lanza with Bobby Heenan in Lanza's
corner.
January 9, 1970
Kiel Auditorium, (att. 11,434
Sellout) Dory Funk Jr, NWA World
Champion won over Dick The
Bruiser. Bruiser took the first
fall and appeared to have a
three count on Funk for a second
straight fall before referee Joe
Schoenberger saw Bruiser using
the ropes. The referee reversed
the decision and disqualified
Bruiser for the second fall.
Bruiser went berserk, punched
Shoengerger, hit Funk with a
chair and was then disqualified
for the third fall and the
match. Afterward, Athletic
Commissioner Eddie Davidson
suspended Bruiser indefinitely.
(Larry Matysik's
thoughts - Fans in 2007 and 2008
talk about the mixed reaction to
John Cena, but this one was
completely unique. Dory Funk Jr.
was a favorite, and The Bruiser
definitely was the "People's
Choice," especially after his
fued against Lanza and Heenan.
The crowd was totally split, in
a constant uproar, and
completely beside themselves
when Dick's outburst led to his
disqualification).
Next NWA World
Championship Match in St. Louis,
Dory Funk Jr. vs Baron Von
Raschke.
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Funk's
Corner - NWA World Championship
in St. Louis / Dory Funk Jr. vs
Baron Von Raschke (Stories
archived at
http://www.dory-funk.com)
Information credit
Larry Matysik - From
the Golden Era, St. Louis
Wrestling Record Book.
Baron Von Raschke worked the
"Sly Foreigner" part claiming to
be from Germany, wearing the
Iron Cross, doing the Goose Step
and using the Brain Claw for a
finish. The real Jim Raschke may
have been even more imposing.
Jim Raschke was a two time All
American Amateur Wrestler from
University of Nebraska.
Baron Von Raschke began his
charge for the NWA World Title
Match with a victory over Dory
Funk Jr. in a six man
elimination tag team match on
KPLR's Wrestling from the Chase
on January 30th, 1970. Dory Funk
Jr., Jack Brisco and Tommy
Martin vs Baron Von Raschke,
Crimson Knight and Roger Kirby.
Brisco beat Kirby, Knight beat
Martin and Raschke beat Funk.
The 20 minute time limit expired
leaving Brisco against Raschke
and Knight.
February 20th, 1970, Kiel
Auditorium (att. 11,077 Sellout)
NWA World Champion, Dory Funk
Jr. beat Baron Von Raschke 2/3
falls. Whipper Billy Watson was
the Special Referee.
Outside the ring I remember in
the mid 80's, Marti and I
sipping champagne with Dick
Murdoch and Jim Raschke. Raschke
kept making a toast to Marti and
I, finishing off his champagne
and slamming his glass to the
table each time breaking off the
slender pedestal off his
Champagne glass then ordering
another in a new glass. And
another in a new glass And
another in a new glass etc. etc.
Next NWA World Championship Match in St. Louis - April 3, 1970 - Dory Funk Jr. vs Pat O'Connor |
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Funk's
Corner - NWA World Championship
in St. Louis / Dory Funk Jr. vs
Pat O'Connor (Stories
archived at
http://www.dory-funk.com)
Information credit
Larry Matysik - From
the Golden Era, St. Louis
Wrestling Record Book.
April 3rd, 1970 Attendance 11,581 (Sell Out) Dory Funk Jr. beat Pat O'Connor, Funk winning the only fall at 54:20 and the match continuing to the one hour time limit. ******************* June 12, 1970 Kiel Auditorium Attendance 10,344 Dory Funk Jr. beat Gene Kiniski best 2 / 3 falls, Whipper Watson Special Guest Referee. ******************** October 2nd, 1970, Attendance 12,071, Dory Funk Jr. beat Dick the Bruiser 2 / 3 falls with Pat O'Connor Special Referee. Dick The Bruiser submitted the third fall to the Spinning Toe Hold. ******************* November 20th, 1970, Attendance 12,515, Dory Funk Jr. beat The Crimson Knight who turned out to be Dr. Bill Miller. (In St. Louis no masked man could wrestle for the NWA World Championship without first identifying himself and removing his mask before the match. ******************** January 1st, 1971 Attendance 11,587, Dory Funk wrestled Jack Brisco to a 1 hour draw with each man winning a fall during the one hour time limit draw. ******************** February 19, 1971 - Kiel (Att. 8317) Dory Funk Jr. won 2/3 falls from Baron Von Raschke. ******************** April 2, 1971 - The Arena (att. 11,033) NWA Champion, Dory Funk Jr. won 2/3 falls from Black Jack Lanza. The ring was surrounded by a 7-foot high chain-link fence to keep Bobby Heenan, who was allowed back at ringside, from interfering. Pat O'Connor, special referee. **************** June 18, 1971 - Kiel (att. 11,259) NWA Champion, Dory Funk Jr. won 2/3 falls from Johnny Valentine. ******************* NWA Champion, Dory Funk Jr. won 2/3 falls from Harley Race. Lou Thesz was the special referee. ********************** November 29, 1971- The Arena (att 12,614) NWA Champion, Dory Funk Jr. won from Jack Brisco. Funk tooke the only fall achieved within the one hour limit at 19:15. ***************** Saturday, Jan. 1, 1972 - Kiel (att. 11,305) NWA Champion, Dory Funk Jr. beat Rufus R. Jones 2/3 falls ****************** April 7, 1972 - Kiel (att. 9,301) NWA Champion Dory Funk Jr. beat Jerry Brisco two straight falls when Brisco could not continue after losing the first fall to Funk's spinning toehold. **************** June 2, 1972 - Kiel (att. 9,331) NWA Champion Dory Funk Jr. beat Johnny Valentine 2/3 falls. Each man won a fall but Valentine could not continue in the third fall after losing the second to Funk's spinning toe hold **************** October 13, 1972 - Kiel (att. 10,881) NWA Champion Dory Funk Jr. won 2/3 falls from Gene Kiniski. ************* Dec. 1, 1972 - Kiel (att 9,702) NWA Champion Dory Funk Jr. draw with Rufus R. Jones as each man won one fall within the one your limit. ***************** January 5, 1973 Kiel (att. 11,116) NWA Champion, Dory Funk Jr. beat Harley Race 2/3 falls as Race was counted out outside the ring for the fall. ***************** February 3, 1973 Kiel (att 10,544) NWA Champion Dory Funk Jr. beat Johnny Valentine 2/3 falls. **************** |
Meet and greet all of the characters in the following
story at wrestling legends on tour.
*********************
Terry Funk was standing on top
of the seats in the front row of the Japan Airlines 747 cursing
and swinging with both fists at Buck Robely. Some punches were
landing and some were missing, but one thing for sure there was
a fight going on and 300 plus Japanese people on JAL Flight 001
(Tokyo to Los Angeles) had a ring-side seat.
At Narita Airport Tokyo, Terry and
Buck Robely, who were best friends from their early days in the
Amarillo territory, were in the bar having, "more than a
few drinks" before boarding JAL 001.
Buck Robely learned the wrestling business in Amarillo. Two towns ran on Sunday nights, Albuquerque which was a great town and Clovis New Mexico, a small town ninety miles west of Amarillo. The wrestlers all wanted to work Albuquerque. Buck came in the office and volunteered to book Clovis and go there every week. He wanted the opportunity to prove himself as a booker. Buck made a great town out of Clovis even though it ran opposite of Albuquerque, one of the best towns in the country.
By the time we boarded the plane, Terry and Buck had put down quite a bit of alcohol. They were sitting together, but an argument was building. Buck had become the new booker in the Louisiana territory working for Bill Watts and Leroy McQuirk. His comment to Terry was, "To get over in Japan, you have to get over the Funks and he and his boy, Bruiser Brody were going to do just that."
After take off, more drinks were ordered and the argument became louder. As the booker in Louisiana, Buck informed Terry that he was going to put a wrestling video tape in Odessa, a long-time Amarillo territory town. Terry told him not to cross that line and furthermore not to cross the line he drew between the two seats they occupied. Later in the flight Buck must have crossed the line.
One of Terry's punches landed just above Buck Robely's eye and blood splattered everywhere. Ted Dibiase and I were sitting about six rows back. I couldn't believe my eyes. I told Ted, "We had better do something or we are all going to jail and this one maybe for a long time."
We got there as quick as we could and pulled Terry and Buck apart. There was foul language and an attempt by both of them to continue the fight even though Buck was in horrible shape to continue. Buck's pride was at stake and he would fight to the end, even if it meant getting the shit kicked out of himself. Terry was in a rage and fought me to get back at Buck Robely. Somehow Buck escaped from Teddy for one last charge at Terry with me in between. I can remember flailing arms, the smell of gin and vodka, and blood spurting out of the cut over Buck's eye.
I kept waiting for someone to take control but that was not going to happen. The Japanese people on JAL 001 were being treated to professional wrestling at it's best in the front row of the 747 Jumbo Jet.
No one came from the cabin, especially not the Captain. He must have known what was going on in the main cabin of the plane. There was no law enforcement and no control thousands of miles out over the Pacific Ocean.
It was up to Teddy Dibiase and myself to keep these two apart for the last four hours of the flight and it was not easy. I had Terry at the back of the plane and Teddy kept Buck in the front. I tried to tell him that if he didn't knock it off the police would be waiting when we landed in Los Angeles. I told him we would never make it through customs.
As we approached Los Angeles, Teddy and I were exhausted from physically restraining these two for the last half of the trip across the Pacific. When we touched down, Buck looked a mess. He had on a white T shirt with blood spattered all over it. His hair was a mess and his clothes were torn. He looked like a terrorist.
As we lined up to disembark the plane, Buck reached into his pocket and pulled out a big wad of hundred dollar bills, his pay for the last four weeks. He said in a graveled voice, "Well if they see me in this kind of shape coming through immigration, they will surly confiscate my cash." I guess I had better give this to somebody to carry through to the other side." Buck stood there with cash in hand and looked as we were leaving JAL 001.
Who did Buck Robely pick to carry his cash through U. S. Customs and Immigration????
Dory Funk Jr.
Ted Dibiase
Captain of JAL 001 Mr. Tanaka
The head stewardess Ms. Suzuki
A stranger
An Idiot
Terry Funk
Scroll Down for the Answer
Terry Funk carried Buck Robely's Money through U.S. Immigration!!!!