RIP Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda)

jdoggivjc

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Without Terry Funk and Mankind putting over Jesse James and Billy Gunn in the early run of the New Age Outlaws (they both started out as having competing Country gimmicks, if anyone can remember that) by being thrown in a dumpster and then the dumpster being thrown off stage... New Age Outlaws probably doesn't get as big as they do, certainly not in time to join the reformation of Degeneration X the night after WrestleMania XIV (the result of Shawn Michaels semi-retiring due to his back injury and Rick Rude returning to WCW)... and the WWF never gets its group that counters the New World Order and the Monday Night Wars play out very differently. And while I think HHH was always destined to become a main eventer, his work as lead of DX is probably what catapulted him to the main event scene in 1999 and why The Game gimmick was so effective.



(and remember that New Age Outlaws were technically the heels in this feud - but that stunt really put them over)
 

JimmyChitwood

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When I was a kid my late father used to love to go the rasslin matches.
I've been witness to Terry's greatness about a half dozen times.
He played the heel so good but was actually very good to the kids after the matches.
He and Ric Flair along with Dusty Rhoads had amazing matches. Then Mick Foley took over for those two and went to another level.
I guess it's YouTube time to watch some Funk matches.
 

KnappShack

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When I was a kid my late father used to love to go the rasslin matches.
I've been witness to Terry's greatness about a half dozen times.
He played the heel so good but was actually very good to the kids after the matches.
He and Ric Flair along with Dusty Rhoads had amazing matches. Then Mick Foley took over for those two and went to another level.
I guess it's YouTube time to watch some Funk matches.

The Flair "I quit" match comes to mind and that probably isn't at the top of his work.

Just listened to Funk on Stone Cold's pod. Funk said he'd go act for a few weeks a year so he could get health insurance. It covered himself and his family.
 
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Gonzo

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One of the all-time greats. Ugh. Talk about a guy who went all-in on his sport. I'll always remember him as a heel, but some of those all-time great heels are the ones I love to remember... Funk, Piper, Sheik.
 
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Kinch

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His matches with Harley Race were legend. One NWA title match was won by Race with an “Indian death leg lock”, my favorite name for a wrestling hold. My second favorite was the Iron Claw (Baron rushkie).
 
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BigTurk

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I would like to know how much money he actually made. yes, the barb wire match with Sabu is legendary but how many people paid at the gate to see that? How much money did he make from such a match? Whatever it was was it worth the abuse to his body. IDK, maybe to him it was because he knew of nothing else.
 

1UNI2ISU

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I would like to know how much money he actually made. yes, the barb wire match with Sabu is legendary but how many people paid at the gate to see that? How much money did he make from such a match? Whatever it was was it worth the abuse to his body. IDK, maybe to him it was because he knew of nothing else.
You've just explained exactly what's wrong with the indie scene having a mainstream outlet in AEW. These guys are doing all sorts of unnecessary stuff and it's nowhere near worth it financially for them or the promotion.
 

EnkAMania

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His promos were the best, I'll try and do it justice here.

"Hogan has size and strength on his side. I have jealousy and hatred on my side. Which side to which do you tip the scale? You tip the scale to me, allow me to explain."
 

KnappShack

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I would like to know how much money he actually made. yes, the barb wire match with Sabu is legendary but how many people paid at the gate to see that? How much money did he make from such a match? Whatever it was was it worth the abuse to his body. IDK, maybe to him it was because he knew of nothing else.

I saw Sabu live back at a WCW show.

I wasn't really aware of him beforehand, but that ****** was a wildman.

I've never seen anything like it before or since. Just crazy ****. Dangerous ****.

I'm past my wrestling fandom prime, but give me the Minnesota Wrecking Crew working over Ricky's arm while Robert waits for the hot tag.

I don't need to wince every match because some ****** is doing a 360 to the floor
 
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NorthCyd

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