This is one of the best brawls you will ever see. The Mid-South Coliseum was coming unglued. Great stuff between two guys who knew how to tell a story in, and out, of the ring.
The fans legit thought every second of hatred was REAL, so everything sold to them leading in to this series of matches made their enjoyment of it far greater than what some obnoxiously arrogant Iternet smark would derive from it.
The problem is people are looking at this with a modern day eye and comparing it to a modern day product. You have to watch enough of the 70s, 80s and such to get a feel for the type of wrestling that was around back in the day.
Dudes are doing all the moves and missing the soul and physcology. Funk and Lawler could tell a story with two moves a piece. Punches and kicks over flips.
someone sold me copy of this match back in 1996, my first purchase over internet. It quickly became my favorite and 20 years later it remains so. classic feud, wish we could see barbed wire match from 81, pictures of which are shown in apter mags, Funk's head is shown wrapped in bloody gauze, arms bleeding, etc...always thought that only that match might top this!!!
Robert Marinelli+ Crazy, isn't it. I seen this video I don't know how many times and didn't notice him until recently. A whole host of legendary wrestlers, personalities, and announcer in this one video.
Lawler Pre WWE was one brutal champion. Almost every match has a holy shit level spot or lots and lots of blood. Very extreme for his time. most dont realise because he is such a hilarious commentator but my god lawler was a savage ... kept up with the funker and then some.
"Jimmy Hart escapes under the ring, a refuge he uses often." "We're not even ten minutes in and both men are a mess." "Both men are bleeding profusely." "Man Funk has come ready for bear." "Lawler's white wrestling attire is covered in blood." "Both men are almost unrecognizable in the face." "This isn't a wrestling match, just brutality." "Funk may have caught Lawler low. Not caring if he did." "Man Funk is a wild man tonight." "Jimmy Hart getting in his cheap-os." "Funk's hands are heavily taped. Almost like he's wearing casts in there." "Oh man look at this battle." FIVE STAR COMMENTARY BY LANCE RUSSELL FOR A FIVE STAR MATCH.
This was just an absolute amazing rivalry Funk and Lawler over the decades, never forget the awesome promo years later Funk did about Lawler jamming a wood splinter into his eye causing him to lose 20/20 vision, and how Funk's horse (Copus think it was) died in the meantime.
Any time Terry Funk was involved it seemed real. This was great. And Funk was one of the best at being a "tweener", could be fan favorite or a villain depending the situation or how he felt that day.
This feud was something else. Off the charts. This match, empty arena match and an incredibly brutal barb wire fence match that I have only seen in the Apter/Weston mags. One of the color covers shows Funk and Lawler up close trying to press one another's face into the wire. Lawler is bleeding profusely while Terry Funk has a blood soaked gauze bandage wrapped around his head with his arms bleeding from numerous puncture wounds.
It's so crazy Ole Anderson didn't respect Jerry Lawler even though Lawler had had so many memorable matches with former or current champions like Terry Funk, Harley Race, and Nick Bockwinkel.
Bret Hart Vs British Bulldog goes over this any day to me. I can't see Lawler as a Babyface he was always a Heel announcer in my childhood in the 90s so that's what he will remain to me. I'm only here for Cornette talking about it lol
It's not on Meltzer's criteria. It has to do more about how Wrestling evolved over time. For it's time, this was a 5 star match. Obviously with how wrestling has evolved, it wouldn't be rated 5 stars now.
And think about the rivalries Funk had. Against Cactus in Japan and across the globe. Lawler for four decades in Memphis. Flair for the NWA title. Everyone talks about the Hogan’s, Rock’s, Austin’s of the pro wrestling world. What about the Lawler’s, the Funk’s, the Flair’s?
Back when wrestling looked like a shoot. Now it's nothing but gymnastics. 2 guys flipping around. No real fight involves cartwheels and backflips and all the stupid shit they do today. Yes today's guys are talented when it comes to gymnastics. These old schools brawls are what wrestling should be. When Lawler and punk punched each other, their selling made each punch actually mean something. Unlike today where punches and kicks go basically unnoticed. Hell, a moonsault ain't shit anymore. I remember when a suicide dive through the middle ropes to the outside was cool/meant something. Now literally everyone that's not braun strowman or lesnar does that same damn dive every match. And it's gotten incredibly stale.
This is a match that you had to have the build up for, if you want it to be a 5 star match. There is literally 1 wrestling move attempted, everything else is punches, kicks and elbows.
And to think that there are a few people today with less than a year in the ring who think this is a death match. They want to share this all over and say this is a Deathmatch. They have no clue.. who can agree with me that this is not death match wrestling
With all due respect to Cornette, this was not a good match, other than the crowd was hot. In addition to the over sells and no sells for the same punch, the referee shouldn't have been trying to break anything up since it was No DQ. This wasn't even the blow off match and was leading to the Empty Arena Match, which was better. If you want to see a legit 5 Star Match of this era, using the difficult to book No DQ format, just look here: ua-cam.com/video/QrV4XaCuGP4/v-deo.html
Michael Madden - You are wrong in every way. Funk doesn't over sell anything. When Lalwer "drops the strap" usually it's one or tow punches for the other guy to get jacked up. In this match Funk sells his toughness after the strap drop. The crowd, Lance Russell commentating is perfect (you couldn't script this better in a movie). The use of the chair by both wrestlers is brilliant and not just to bust the other guy over the head. My only complaint is it should have lasted longer.
No DQ means just that. No DQ. The referee can't disqualify anybody. The referee is still supposed to attempt to maintain control and prevent the wrestlers from using illegal tactics.
No disrespect but cornette is insane to think this is 5 stars. Most of the match was them exchanging punches with Funk overselling most of them. Also funk took a chair shot to the leg and backflip bumped off of it. Then it ends in a count out? I guess decent match for it's time but cornette is overrating this match like people overrate Omega/Okada.
It's all about working the crowd you know? If you know how the get crowd unglued with punches then it pretty match is 5 stars. It is all about the reaction.
At least that is my take on this. While I like today's wrestling, sometimes we get too caught in the bubble and forget what are the most important things in wrestling.
You gotta remember, for it's time this was a definite 5 stars. Sure they were exchanging punches because they didn't have to do more. The promos and the storyline behind their rivalry took care of the rest. These 2 hated each other (as a work of course). Restholds, a million near falls, table spots, and superkicks were not needed for what these 2 were trying to sell to that crowd. I'm sure today's talent would LOVE to have matches like this so they're not almost trying to kill each other with stupid spots.
Of course Cornette would think this was 5 stars. He was right there in person, taking pictures of the match. It must of been a whole world of difference than viewing the match from our homes. Of course bias plays a part.
Some of the selling is too unbelievable. Over dramatization. Nobody takes a punch, walks for ten feet and then gets in a tangle and falls out of the ring. So, Cornette's idea that it was amazing is also not without flaws. However, great match.
Jim cornette thinks this shit is worth more than Okada vs Omega ? This shit wouldnt sell half way as a decent boxing match rather than a wrestling match. Not even a c list boxing. Also it didnt end in a DQ with eye gouges but ends in a DQ with that shit finish
here cause of Cornette
+Ramone Hamilton me too
Same
What's a Cornette?
fuck him. racist hillbilly
@@mithall4198 go cry somewhere else
Came back here after learning of Terry’s passing. He truly was one of a kind.
Lawler vs Funk...most underrated feud in history
THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is the THRILLA IN MANILA of Professional Wrestling. ALL wrestling training camps must show this match to every student.
These two legends are the textbook example of how to throw and sell working punches. Best ever period.
Jim Cornette Experience Brought Me Here 3/21/2020
This is one of the best brawls you will ever see. The Mid-South Coliseum was coming unglued. Great stuff between two guys who knew how to tell a story in, and out, of the ring.
The fans legit thought every second of hatred was REAL, so everything sold to them leading in to this series of matches made their enjoyment of it far greater than what some obnoxiously arrogant Iternet smark would derive from it.
The term smart mark is so oxymoronic as it is to laugh ...
The problem is people are looking at this with a modern day eye and comparing it to a modern day product. You have to watch enough of the 70s, 80s and such to get a feel for the type of wrestling that was around back in the day.
Dudes are doing all the moves and missing the soul and physcology. Funk and Lawler could tell a story with two moves a piece. Punches and kicks over flips.
It was a great match. I miss that kind of wrestling! My only problem is the finish. A count out?
O'Haire you are totally 100% correct!!
This is nothing how it was in the 50’s
Terry Funk's primal scream was just everything! Just crazy wild!
someone sold me copy of this match back in 1996, my first purchase over internet. It quickly became my favorite and 20 years later it remains so. classic feud, wish we could see barbed wire match from 81, pictures of which are shown in apter mags, Funk's head is shown wrapped in bloody gauze, arms bleeding, etc...always thought that only that match might top this!!!
Good lord have mercy!! That is one of the most exciting matches I've seen in 50 years of watching wrestling! That's how it's done!
Jim Cornette is the ringside photographer .
Robert Marinelli+ Crazy, isn't it. I seen this video I don't know how many times and didn't notice him until recently. A whole host of legendary wrestlers, personalities, and announcer in this one video.
Anybody remember how violent Lawler used to be? Way, wayyyy before Vince ever got his PG lovin’ hands on him. Lawler was pure gold
He was mid R 😂
I learned the word "profusely" at 6 years old thanks to Lance Russell. R.I.P. Lance
Lance Russell: Hart getting in his cheapo's. Great Announcer. RIP Lance Russell.
What an incredible match. Story telling and working. Brilliant
This is the art right here.
Lawler Pre WWE was one brutal champion. Almost every match has a holy shit level spot or lots and lots of blood. Very extreme for his time. most dont realise because he is such a hilarious commentator but my god lawler was a savage ... kept up with the funker and then some.
1st ever 5 star match
'Sometimes better that than another broken leg.' Pure gold there by Lance.
"Jimmy Hart escapes under the ring, a refuge he uses often."
"We're not even ten minutes in and both men are a mess." "Both men are bleeding profusely."
"Man Funk has come ready for bear."
"Lawler's white wrestling attire is covered in blood."
"Both men are almost unrecognizable in the face."
"This isn't a wrestling match, just brutality."
"Funk may have caught Lawler low. Not caring if he did."
"Man Funk is a wild man tonight."
"Jimmy Hart getting in his cheap-os."
"Funk's hands are heavily taped. Almost like he's wearing casts in there."
"Oh man look at this battle."
FIVE STAR COMMENTARY BY LANCE RUSSELL FOR A FIVE STAR MATCH.
Great punches and moves with fluid precision awesome
What a great announcer.
Empty Arena match was the best ever
The crowd was awesome...... man, that would have been fun to be there. Now its pyro and HGH... nobody's a mark. sigh.......
Awesome brutal match. Great storytelling
Jim Cornette brought me here to watch this brawl.
So I'm not the only one
Same
@@theredshadeshow aaaa
Same bro lol did not disappoint. Awesome match
Same.
Terry funk was one of the all time greats!
This was just an absolute amazing rivalry Funk and Lawler over the decades, never forget the awesome promo years later Funk did about Lawler jamming a wood splinter into his eye causing him to lose 20/20 vision, and how Funk's horse (Copus think it was) died in the meantime.
That crowd going crazy. You don't see that these days.
AWESOME KING LAWLER!
This is the Jerry Lawler I grew up watching
man, Terry could really sell a match
Those punches are glorious
Any time Terry Funk was involved it seemed real. This was great. And Funk was one of the best at being a "tweener", could be fan favorite or a villain depending the situation or how he felt that day.
I have both of these guys on my top ten list . Funk #1 Lawler #5
If this was no DQ then Jerry Calhoun had no business taking the chair away. This match just feels like utter chaos. Gawd i miss the old days.
In my opinion the Lawler Funk feud was one of the best feuds ever in Wrestling
Other than the Bobo Brazil feud with the Sheik but that was in Detroit
This feud was something else. Off the charts. This match, empty arena match and an incredibly brutal barb wire fence match that I have only seen in the Apter/Weston mags. One of the color covers shows Funk and Lawler up close trying to press one another's face into the wire. Lawler is bleeding profusely while Terry Funk has a blood soaked gauze bandage wrapped around his head with his arms bleeding from numerous puncture wounds.
One of the best matches in history.
Brian Pace racist
@Daniel Robinson Thanks! 😀
@@SecretGerms boomer
@@abcsin6526 millennial scumbag
2:40 Was Terry using Dori's "rough house tactics"? Or was Terry called "Dori" by mistake? Maybe a reference to Dori Sr (Dad)?
Thank you
#Legends #RIPTerryFunk ++
AMAZING
You spelled match wrong in the main title dude
@1:29 LEGENDARY LOL 😂😝😂
How have I never seen this gem before?
He mopped the floor with him again in this match ,funk leave the king alone son it's not good for your health buster 👊💪🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💪👊💪👊💪👊🔥🔥🔥
Lawler Hulks up, before Hulkimania was a thing.
"this is classic Rasslin "🙌
Boy ol,Terry could over sale with the best of em
His name is Terry not Dory and that was the Spinning Toe Hold not a spinning leg lock. I enjoyed the match though.
It's so crazy Ole Anderson didn't respect Jerry Lawler even though Lawler had had so many memorable matches with former or current champions like Terry Funk, Harley Race, and Nick Bockwinkel.
Bret Hart Vs British Bulldog goes over this any day to me. I can't see Lawler as a Babyface he was always a Heel announcer in my childhood in the 90s so that's what he will remain to me. I'm only here for Cornette talking about it lol
Wow, this is something else
RIP terry funk
That's how it's done...sold it well long before this stupid social media
Back when the fans still believed.
Meltzer criteria have changed a lot over the years. This was his first 5 star match, but I think these days it'd only get 2.5 or 3 stars.
It's not on Meltzer's criteria. It has to do more about how Wrestling evolved over time. For it's time, this was a 5 star match. Obviously with how wrestling has evolved, it wouldn't be rated 5 stars now.
I consider Terry Funk to be the last true cowboy
5:30 Funk slips the blade in Lawler's tights so he can blade.
6:20 Lawler slips the blade back into Funk's tights.
In the View of the 🎥
THAT"S entertainment!
Memphis in the 80s was on par wirh anything out of Atlanta or New York.
Hearing terry funk screaming over the crowd
And think about the rivalries Funk had. Against Cactus in Japan and across the globe. Lawler for four decades in Memphis. Flair for the NWA title. Everyone talks about the Hogan’s, Rock’s, Austin’s of the pro wrestling world. What about the Lawler’s, the Funk’s, the Flair’s?
Funk fueded heavily with Baba in Japan as well
thats cornette taking pics
Jim Cornette is the photographer at ringside....
How fucking obnoxious was Lawler coming to ring to the damn Rocky music? 😒
Nothing like the Memphis Mid South Colisuem on a Monday Night!!
Best match ever
Its good. Probablh amazing for the time but i cant speak on that. I feel like im really missing out on the story line.
Brian Last brought me here
Countout finish was a letdown. I was hoping to see a Lawler Piledriver and 1-2-3.
Countout to make funk still strong he wasnt clean beaten 123 so they can have other matches in the future.
That's the *only way* to beat *Terry Funk!* *_By count out!_* You can beat him *ALL* through *HELL* and _back_ and he'd still *kick out!*
Back when wrestling looked like a shoot. Now it's nothing but gymnastics. 2 guys flipping around. No real fight involves cartwheels and backflips and all the stupid shit they do today. Yes today's guys are talented when it comes to gymnastics.
These old schools brawls are what wrestling should be. When Lawler and punk punched each other, their selling made each punch actually mean something. Unlike today where punches and kicks go basically unnoticed. Hell, a moonsault ain't shit anymore.
I remember when a suicide dive through the middle ropes to the outside was cool/meant something. Now literally everyone that's not braun strowman or lesnar does that same damn dive every match. And it's gotten incredibly stale.
I got two words for ya....KENNY OMEGA....brother!
Some of terry funks Best work was in Memphis
This match is what it suppose to be, it's a feud, so why not punch it out?
Jim Cornette's favourite match!
Y Terry didnt use Indian death lock more us beyond me
great match
When wrestling was Rasslin'
Funny how some consider this the first ever 5 star match when all they did is punch each other for 95 percent of the match.
You’re missing the story the two men were able to tell in this match and keep the fans into the match, doesn’t happen like this anymore
Sorry there weren’t any superkicks every 5 seconds or constant finisher kickouts
Corney sent me
Corny Corny Corny Corny 🤓🏓
Of course Lawler was nit a wrestler, but just a brawler who best weapon was his fist gimmick. Never did even basic moves. Lol
A count out? That sucked.
Jim Cornette brought me here
This is a match that you had to have the build up for, if you want it to be a 5 star match.
There is literally 1 wrestling move attempted, everything else is punches, kicks and elbows.
And to think that there are a few people today with less than a year in the ring who think this is a death match. They want to share this all over and say this is a Deathmatch. They have no clue.. who can agree with me that this is not death match wrestling
I'm a funker
Sorry this blows Kenny vs Okada away. FACT
Im a Funker
Not a super kick in sight!!!
With all due respect to Cornette, this was not a good match, other than the crowd was hot. In addition to the over sells and no sells for the same punch, the referee shouldn't have been trying to break anything up since it was No DQ. This wasn't even the blow off match and was leading to the Empty Arena Match, which was better.
If you want to see a legit 5 Star Match of this era, using the difficult to book No DQ format, just look here:
ua-cam.com/video/QrV4XaCuGP4/v-deo.html
Michael Madden - You are wrong in every way. Funk doesn't over sell anything. When Lalwer "drops the strap" usually it's one or tow punches for the other guy to get jacked up. In this match Funk sells his toughness after the strap drop. The crowd, Lance Russell commentating is perfect (you couldn't script this better in a movie). The use of the chair by both wrestlers is brilliant and not just to bust the other guy over the head. My only complaint is it should have lasted longer.
No DQ means just that. No DQ. The referee can't disqualify anybody. The referee is still supposed to attempt to maintain control and prevent the wrestlers from using illegal tactics.
Maybe wwe could use some lessons
Sell City!
yawn
No disrespect but cornette is insane to think this is 5 stars. Most of the match was them exchanging punches with Funk overselling most of them. Also funk took a chair shot to the leg and backflip bumped off of it. Then it ends in a count out? I guess decent match for it's time but cornette is overrating this match like people overrate Omega/Okada.
It's all about working the crowd you know? If you know how the get crowd unglued with punches then it pretty match is 5 stars. It is all about the reaction.
At least that is my take on this. While I like today's wrestling, sometimes we get too caught in the bubble and forget what are the most important things in wrestling.
You gotta remember, for it's time this was a definite 5 stars. Sure they were exchanging punches because they didn't have to do more. The promos and the storyline behind their rivalry took care of the rest. These 2 hated each other (as a work of course). Restholds, a million near falls, table spots, and superkicks were not needed for what these 2 were trying to sell to that crowd. I'm sure today's talent would LOVE to have matches like this so they're not almost trying to kill each other with stupid spots.
Jordan Newton okada vs Omega is more than this shit.
Of course Cornette would think this was 5 stars. He was right there in person, taking pictures of the match. It must of been a whole world of difference than viewing the match from our homes. Of course bias plays a part.
Some of the selling is too unbelievable. Over dramatization. Nobody takes a punch, walks for ten feet and then gets in a tangle and falls out of the ring. So, Cornette's idea that it was amazing is also not without flaws. However, great match.
Jim cornette thinks this shit is worth more than Okada vs Omega ? This shit wouldnt sell half way as a decent boxing match rather than a wrestling match. Not even a c list boxing. Also it didnt end in a DQ with eye gouges but ends in a DQ with that shit finish
You must be young
The cheating by Jerry the king...