now THIS is what old school wrestling was all about. 2 legends in the primes of their careers (Funk just turned 33, Race was 34) telling a great story and taking their time- perhaps a bit too much time- to be sure, its slow going early on- telling it- building up the excitement levels as they went back and forth. of course, everyone in the arena knew that a 2 out of 3 falls match would use all 3 falls (I've never seen one that didn't), and that ratcheted up the tension. The 3rd fall was glorious, with both men (both southpaws) giving it their all. some nice bladework- perhaps by Race at 34:25 or more likely by Funk just after that as he writhes on the mat- opens Funk up wonderfully, setting up the bloody finish- Funk's face a crimson mask, to borrow from Gordon Solie. what's more- the ref called the match, so Funk didn't "lose" on his own- pissing the fans off, getting Race the heat, and setting up a return match angle. It's what was expected from the traveling NWA champion during that time, and no one did it better than Harley Race. While Race and Funk would battle for the belt about 10 more times over the next year or so (Race would remain champion throughout), they never did battle for the belt again in Houston.
Umm, how were the Fantastics winners? What did they do to win? Besides gouging the sheepherders with a fork, and attacking 2 against one to beat one of them? There were no falls or submissions, how did they get declared the winner?
Take note of Paul Boesch giving Nick Bockwinkel props for showing up. It's an obvious dig against Harley Race, who twice no-showed cards Boesch booked. Boesch hated no-shows.
Ugh. Wish RU-vid [w|c]ould give us a way to force an aspect ratio so we could squish stretched videos like this back down to their proper dimensions. :/
The Manny Fernandez and Wahoo strap match much better. Manny much tougher and more challenge and more bloody match. Manny was a different level than little Tully.
Bosch and Bruno could've been stand ins for each other at the announce booth 😅 sounded very similar to each other. Bosch is more polished than Bruno though,but sound wise almost interchangeable 🍻
The big lady in the pink shirt? I noticed that a long time ago. If you get what I'm saying, it's one of those instant cameras they used to sell that was more vertical. I think they were made by Kodak. I remember seeing them in the early 80s at the matches in New Orleans. You'd bring the whole camera in to get the film developed. They were like $10 and had like 30 pictures that you could take.
Bout 1987 I was ar6 LaVale, MD KFC in came Big John Studd with his Mom. Shehad a 3 piece chicken dinner n he had 7_ 5 piece chicken dinners 27 biscuits n 7 quarts tea.
