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Post by elliott on Dec 4, 2017 1:46:58 GMT -5
Terry Funk vs Jerry Lawler (Empty Arena Match - CWA - 4/6/1981)
"MY EYE! MY EYE!" This is one of those matches that just absolutely has to go on the list. One of the greatest things to ever happen in recorded civilization.
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Post by Cap on Dec 4, 2017 19:14:48 GMT -5
I want to start by saying this is likely going on my list. It is probably a lock, but I don't want to overstate that stuff too much before i get into the process. I love the match. It is - in my opinion - objectively great pro wrestling. However, I am probably lower on this than some other people. I prefer the no DQ match between the two on the whole. I am going to be really interested in the discussion about those matches and how people line this up to other matches in general. I think most of my hangups are on the fact that it isn't a match and in turn lacks some of the tropes and characteristics I tend to enjoy from a match. As such, my first watch on this I thought it was great fun, but I didn't buy it as an all time great match. The second time I started coming around. The third time I watched it (at this point I was trying to figure out what I thought of it) I really started to appreciate its singularity. I don't want to take anything away from Lawler, but this is such an all timer for Funk, who top tier funking (a term I will be using a lot during this process).
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Post by Grimmas on Jan 2, 2018 18:52:44 GMT -5
This is pro-wrestling baby! Upon first watching this years ago I kind of thought of it more like an angle than an actually match, but my views on wrestling have changed over time. This match is unique and an all out war. It's almost perfect in it's mix of hate and comedy.
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Post by tetsujin on Jan 4, 2018 20:48:08 GMT -5
I know I'll be in te minority here, but I don't like this match. Yeah, Terry's performance rocks with all the crazy trashtalking, screaming etc, but the ringside brawl was kinda 'meh' and the ending is anticlimatic (I like the whatever-that-thing-was in the eye spot, though).
I LOVED their No DQ match (which easily could make my list), but I don't see any greatness in this one. Lawler does nothing but to sell, and that's something he's good at in all of his matches, so why would it be special here? It's just a generic too-short brawl and a few Terry screams. What am I missing?
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Post by stunninggrover on Jan 6, 2018 20:40:20 GMT -5
One of the greatest things to ever happen in recorded civilization.
I agree.
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Post by bossrock on Jan 15, 2018 16:45:15 GMT -5
Not so much a match as it is a segment, but yeah there's no way this doesn't make my list.
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Post by puropotsy on May 13, 2018 18:02:58 GMT -5
This is an absolutely classic moment and a great match. I know Mick Foley wrote in his book that everyone forgets that other than the finish the match sucked and the footage shows this isn't true. It isn't a bad match with a great finish, it is a great match with an epic finish. How it stands against everything else to be watched for this list remains to be seen but I am glad to have re-watched this.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Jul 22, 2018 17:39:28 GMT -5
Tough match to rank. I'm pretty sure it will make it, but it is difficult because it feels more like an angle than a match.
Jerry "The King" Lawler vs Terry Funk - Memphis 4/6/81, Empty Arena
Probably the most famous wrestling match in Memphis wrestling history is the unusual Empty Arena match pitting Lawler and Terry Funk together to blow off their feud. Funk having complained of homerism in the Funks' recent matches against Lawler wanted to an old fashioned mano y mano shootout. It is hard to say who is more valuable in this segment Terry Funk or Lance Russell. This may be Russell's brightest moment as he just knocks it out of the park presenting this as a unique, unnerving happening in pro wrestling. Terry Funk is raving mad in this match swearing up a storm. He is the perfect psychopath. First he is happy to prove Lawler is a coward counting him out after demanding Lance do it. Then he switches gears is totally pissed Lawler did not come and made him out to be a fool. A total lunatic. Just as he is about take his frustration out on Lance Russell out walks the KIng in all his regal splendor as if the Mid-South Coliseum was packed to the rafters. This leads Funk to get in the awesome dig "Don't you know that is not anybody here...you JACKASS!" The actual match is short and sweet as a shoot bar fight would be and thats what they were going for. Throwing each other into chairs, flailing punches, and hey it is pro wrestling so we get a PILEDRIVER on the floor by Funk. Terry deperately wants Lawler to say I Quit on TV. He goes to stab Lawler in the eye, but The King fights back and kicks the stakes into TERRY FUNK'S EYE! MY EYE! MY EYE! DOCTOR! I CAN'T SEE! MY EYE! Amazing, amazing selling. It is visceral, scary and disturbing. More of an angle than a match, but fuck it, this is an all-timer through and through. ****1/2
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Post by makaiclub on Mar 30, 2021 14:24:42 GMT -5
“My Eye”. Bloody hell, this was a very gross match by the end. Lawler bloodies Funk’s eye up badly and Funk’s panicked squealing made the finish very uncomfortable and disturbing to watch. Funk desperately calling for the Doctor and Lance Russell (aw) was horrifying but the perfect finish to an incredible match. I never realised just how big the Mid-South Coliseum was until the lights go on and you see a sea of seats. And they made great use of the space, brawling in the crowd seats, using the empty chairs to their advantage. I loved the contrasted tempo of emotions from the two. Funk starts off the match with Lance Russel blowing his lid, itching to face Lawler who came out calm and focused. And the match was the same. The brawling was erratic and aggressive but Lawler was able to calm the storm and use that to win the match. Funk’s trash talking was awesome (yet another good use of the empty arena setting). ****1/2
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Post by elliott on Mar 30, 2021 15:08:31 GMT -5
Interesting that sleeze and makai both rate this 4 1/2 stars. I feel like this sort of match is either 5 stars and you love it or no stars you hated it.
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Post by Kadaveri on Mar 30, 2021 15:23:26 GMT -5
It's weird to 'rate' because it's... not really a match is it? It's more of a skit. I do absolutely love it though.
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Post by elliott on Mar 30, 2021 15:42:34 GMT -5
It's weird to 'rate' because it's... not really a match is it? It's more of a skit. I do absolutely love it though. Its definitely a match. There's a beginning, middle and end. |
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Post by elliott on Mar 30, 2021 16:23:59 GMT -5
I think if you want to say the concession stand brawls are angles or not really matches, thats totally fair. But I think this definitely is. There's an entrance from Terry Funk who cuts a promo. An entrance from Lawler. Then they essentially have an I Quit (or an Eye Quit [sorry I couldn't resist]) or Last Man Standing match with no referee. Lawler has the advantage, then Funk has the advantage and then the finish and Jerry walks out.
Its absolutely a match.
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Post by makaiclub on Mar 30, 2021 18:44:46 GMT -5
I forget if there was a bell or not, so that could be the deciding factor whether it was a match or not. But never did I once not feel like I was watching a match. Its a very unique match, but one nonetheless. It was structured like one and told a story in that way. And yes, comparing it to the concession stand brawl makes this feel even more like a match. There is a big difference in watching the two, I feel
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Post by elliott on Mar 30, 2021 19:29:38 GMT -5
There is not a bell so that would be a fair thing to point out. I'm certain we could find other examples of "Matches" happening without a bell, but I feel like many of them would be in ECW or Vince Russo booked companies and so I'm not volunteering to do that research  |
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