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Post by elliott on Dec 4, 2017 1:43:48 GMT -5
Terry Funk vs Jerry Lawler (No DQ - CWA - 3/23/1981)
Two of the greatest wrestlers ever punching the shit out of each other and then bashing each other with a chair. Which results in one of the greatest under 15 minute long matches ever. This is just classic. This starts as an amazing brawl before the chair gets involved and then it turns up a notch. Funk going after Lawler's knee to set up the spinning toe hold and Lawler's selling is just perfect and really makes this stand out from the pack. Stone cold lock to make my list.
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Post by Cap on Dec 4, 2017 19:18:10 GMT -5
Second
Love this match. This is a chaotic sprint/fight that works in limb work and is captivating from start to finish. I know the Empty Arena math is often favored, but I probably prefer this match by a little bit. What this lacks in that singular uniqueness that the EA match has, I think the urgency and energy that comes from the frantic crowd make up for it. These are two guys in their element being great at pro wrestling.
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Post by tetsujin on Jan 8, 2018 19:51:04 GMT -5
A legendary match. Terry's performamce, selling like a madman anda trying to end Lawler's career, is awesome. Lawler's comeback is one of the greatest of his life. Just a total war. It'll be on my list, maybe top 50.
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Post by bossrock on Jan 8, 2018 20:37:18 GMT -5
Third (or fourth)
This is a FIGHT. A knock-down, drag-out brawl. Awesome punch exchanges before Funk and Hart are able to turn the tables, forcing Lawler to make his comeback. I'm a sucker for a good brawl, and this is one of the best. Very strong contender.
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Post by mvz on Jan 11, 2018 22:24:46 GMT -5
This has everything I want in a match: brawling, intensity, drama, heat, innovative spots, limb work, cheap shots. I’m not as high on Lawler as others, but his selling in this match. Funk is great at everything of course and I especially liked his biting and clawing at Lawler in the corner. I have.a lot to watch but this is a strong top 10 contender for me. .
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Post by stunninggrover on Jan 12, 2018 1:15:02 GMT -5
Amazing fight between two all-time great performers. Great punches by both. Great crowd heat. I’m sure this will be high in my top 100.
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Post by puropotsy on May 13, 2018 17:39:43 GMT -5
A classic match that for some reason I am only seeing for the first time. Two of the best having what looks to be an out-of-control brawl that works great as controlled chaos. They get more mileage of their punches and chairshots than anyone ever has from a fluorescent lightbulb.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 22, 2018 17:41:39 GMT -5
Is the Dory Funk Jr match nominated? I might like that one even better. Amazing brawl!
Jerry "The King" Lawler vs Terry Funk - Memphis 3/23/81, No DQ
The entrance of Lawler with the trumpets heralding the arrival of The King was majestic and the crowd heat was awesome. I loved the all-white Lawler attire because you knew the blood would flow in this one and plus all white is a bitchin look.
The battle of the two best punchers in the history of pro wrestling does not disappoint as this is a rough 'n' tumble affair. Funk's bumps in the beginning are very entertaining especially getting caught up in the rope that acts as the boundary between crowd and wrestlers and letting himself be tripped into the ring. They go blow for blow. The King really takes command when he drives Funk headfirst into the bell splitting him wide open. Lawler looked to have this one in hand, but that pipsqueek, Jimmy Hart, came in and hit Lawler with a cane. This annoyed Lawler more than anything else, but Funk was able to go low and then hit a pair of headbutts to turn it in his favor. Funk started gnawing at the forehead and cut him open. Funk fires away with punches to the top of Lawler's head. Lawler is staggered, but still on his feet. Slowly, but surely he seems to be absorbing the blows of Funk. STRAP DOWN! BOMBS AWAY! Huge rights to Funk's jaw and one says him spinning out of control. Fist drop! The Mouth of South introduces a chair and Lawler blasts Jimmy Hart. Funk is able to recover the chair and drive the chair repeatedly into the knee of Lawler. Jerry really sells this all very well. Funk is able to tear the tights and I think he was trying to move the kneepad off the knee to set up his world famous Spinning Toehold, which is he is able to apply. However, as he is leaning over, Lawler blasts him in the head and Funk's staggered selling is money. Hart throws the chair back in to Funk. Funk throws bellbottom-donning Jerry Calhoun. Lawler is able to get a hold of the chair and give Funk a taste of his own medicine destroying his leg. He really did a number on Funk's leg. Funk's selling and the heat for all this is awesome. Funk is crawling away on the outside on his belly and Lawler is relentless. It is a countout!
The beginning was what you expect from a Lawler/Funk brawl with great punches, fun spots and blood, but once the chair got involved the drama went through the roof. Definitely one of all-time great 1980s classics from Memphis. ****1/2
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Post by makaiclub on Mar 30, 2021 14:23:50 GMT -5
Jerry Lawler coming out to ‘Gonna Fly Now’ with loud trumpets was an incredible entrance. If he went all out for his entrance like this regularly, you can see why Lawler was indeed the King Of Memphis for the next decade. The match gets quite a rep for being the first ever 5* rated match. Not by Dave Meltzer, but Norm Dooly (and Jim Cornette). But as well, this is quite a famous match although not as famous as their Empty Arena match. I loved this match the last time I saw it and re-watching it was just as rewarding. This was a classic memphis bloody brawl, at its finest. Incredible heat. Both roles were executed at a very high quality and we just got enough for a rematch. The match started off heated with Funk initially running from Lawler and getting bounced into the corner and ropes. But Funk catches Lawler with some offence before unleashing some immaculate punches. Lawler then replied with punches of his own and busted Funk open by slamming him into the table. Funk’s bumping and selling for so great. Lawler was just as excellent at the selling. Lawler also got the aid of the blood soaking his white attire - it was visually gross, yet it added to the match greatly. Lawler brought tremendous babyface fire with his fired-up comebacks and his decimation of Funk’s knee with the steel chair. The crowd was unglued when Lawler brought the straps down and they were able to keep that heat for the remainder of the match until the match called for a count-out win for Lawler. ****1/2
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Post by puropotsy on Mar 19, 2023 12:10:10 GMT -5
A classic match that for some reason I am only seeing for the first time. Two of the best having what looks to be an out-of-control brawl that works great as controlled chaos. They get more mileage of their punches and chairshots than anyone ever has from a fluorescent lightbulb. Re-watched this today. An all-timer fistfight followed by great psychology with the introduction of the chair into the ring. An opportunity for two master storytellers to do their thing through simplicity. Love this match. |
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Post by lemming on Nov 13, 2023 16:44:38 GMT -5
I voted this #73 this year.
Not sure what to say about this one other than it's Funk and Lawler in a bloody Memphis brawl. Of course this rules hard.
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