I remember when Nick Bockwinkel and Dory Funk Jr went one-on-one at the first WCW Slamboree Pay-Per-View. That was a sight to behold for any pro wrestling fan of any era.
If you enjoy his sharpness in the ring you should hear his promos, one of the finest arrogant heels ever. (Although to be fair Terry in the US is an incredible heel). RIP Terry and Nick
The Funks were super over in Japan. Still love their match with Sheik/Abdullah during the World's Strongest Tag Team Tournament. Reminded me of when the Von Erichs used to be surrounded by fans as they tried to get to the ring. They even had their own ring song, called "Spinning Toe-Hold" by Japanese jazz rock group Creation. The legendary Joe Higuchi refereeing the match.
AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel was also a world champion tag team specialist with partner Ray " The Crippler " Stevens .Lanza , of course , was of The BlackJacks .
I could only imagine these classic Funk Brothers matches. I read abput them in magazines .In Japan wrestlers from different American promotions would meet in the ring . We would not see this in America very often .
@@maruhiroya417 Mulligan left The Blackjacks duo on bad terms with Lanza . Its doubtful they would ever tag again . Mulligan was an NWA wrestler and Lanza was a commited AWA wrestler .
@@nwok.7793 The AWA was an older man's promotion . Most were 20 or 30 year veterans . Young talent would not stay long because the older men dominated embarrassingly.
It is funny how different regions condition their fan base to accept different holds as devastating. As an AWA person I find the toe hold submission to be boring, almost comical. For us it is a preliminary hold on par with an arm bar twist or Irish whip. Yet In Minnesota, I was always conditioned that a jump off the top rope was a devastating instant disqualification, with a likely ambulance ride to the hospital. But somehow it is a daily occurrence in the NWA. One time Snuka came to town and wasn't even able to do his famous splash, until Stanley Blackburn and the rules committee made a special exemption for him.
I'm convinced that spinning toe hold is terrible. Twisting anckel with grabbing opponent's toe & heel gives injuries the ligament of opponent's leg. So Dory could mildly or strongly adjust his power to prevent injuries or chasten his opponent. Quick spin and free another leg of opponent blur formidable pang of this hold. Funk cloud mutilate ligament if he wanted.
This matchup cann't is set at all. 'Cause both are heel. Funk Bros is heel one, being billed as Hoss Funk in US. His beard is essential to play its rall.
@@mets137781 The Funks at this time in Japan were like the Von Erichs in Dallas from 1982-86. Mick Foley used to talk about how fans would not cheer much when Mick would do his big moves (clotheslines over the ropes, dropping the elbow from the ring apron to the floor), but they would mark out when Terry put on the spinning toe-hold.
I think it's a classic mid period pro wrestling hold like how Choshus sasori-gatame (Harts sharpshooter) works. It can be applied in a way that doesn't hurt the victim but can also be applied in a way that it can inflict some serious pain if necessary.
