The Amarillo Territory: Japanese Invasion

Dan Black is a wrestling fan who grew up in Amarillo, Texas attending the matches at the Amarillo Sports Arena from 1969 - 1979.  Here are some of his memories;

Japanese Invasion 

On December 7, 1971, Terry and Dory Funk, Jr won the NWA International Tag Team Championship from Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki in Sapporo Japan. However, on May 18, 1972 Giant Baba brought the feared Seiji Sakaguchi to Amarillo to escort the belts back home. This title match was promoted several months out. 

Seiji Sakaguchi

It would be Baba's first appearance in Amarillo, however, "Big Saka" had given Junior a scare in the Amarillo Territory in the fall of 1970 and he was no stranger to the area. Japanese wrestlers had terrorized the local boys for years as the feared team of Pak Song and Al Kim nearly "killed" Terry Funk and Ricky Romero something the fans had not forgotten. This was about more than defending a championship.

A sold out historic Amarillo Sports Arena was nervous and buzzing at bell time. The Funks struggled with there bigger opponents early, both had attempted the dreaded double arm suplex but couldn't get either off the mat. Finally about 20 minutes in, Terry and Dory double teamed Baba with the suplex and Junior got the first fall. Big Saka used a knee drop to the throat to get the pin in the second. Around 40 minutes it appeared Dory was about to falter, he finally got the tag with Terry and suddenly the ring was full. 

Terry was flipped out the ring and Dory and Saka collided. Baba was covering Dory and Terry snuck in behind to drape Saka. Ref counts 1..2,Terry screams and referee Ken Farber, he's the legal man and Farber leaps over Baba/Junior and hits the mat for the three count on Saka. Titles secured!!! 

Hometown Boys prevail and National honor defended. It was a crazy night. Probably the most exciting tag match I ever seen in person. Of course, the next night the Funks lost the straps in Los Angeles, as I found out decades later. That match in LA is on YouTube in it's entirety. 

Dan Black

The Last Match: Wrestling Promoters

Joe Blanchard
December 17, 1984 Southwest Championship Wrestling, San Antonio, Texas
was defeated by Johnny Boyd

Before entering wrestling Joe Blanchard played football in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders.  Calgary is where he made his wrestling debut for Stampede Wrestling in 1953.  He traveled around the territories until 1978 when he founded Southwest Championship Wrestling in San Antonio Texas.

He would run the promotion until April 1985 selling it to Fred Behrend.  He became the president of the AWA in 1989 holding office until the promotion folded in 1991.  He is the father of the legendary Tully Blanchard and grandfather of Tessa Blanchard.  He died March 22, 2012 at the age of 83.

Bill Watts
August 17, 1986 Universal Wrestling Federation, Tulsa, Oklahoma
with "Dr Death" Steve Williams & Ted Dibiase battled The Fabulous Freebirds: Buddy Roberts, Michael Hayes, & Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy to a no contest

"Cowboy" Bill Watts debuted in 1962 traveling the territories and All Japan Pro Wrestling.  In 1965 he headlined three consecutive cards at Madison Square Garden against Champion Bruno Sammartino.

In 1979 Watts bought out Leroy McGuirk and began promoting Mid-South Wrestling based out of Oklahoma.  In March 1986 he rebranded the promotion the Universal Wrestling Federation when he attempted a to gain national exposure.  He sold the promotion to Jim Crockett in April 1987.  He became a Executive Vice-President of World Championship Wrestling for a short time in 1992 - 1993.  He wrote and excellent book "The Cowboy and the Cross" that I highly recommend.

Eddie Graham
January 21, 1980 Championship Wrestling from Florida, West Palm Beach, Florida
with Manny Fernandez & Mike Graham defeated Bugsy McGraw, Ernie Ladd, & Leroy Brown

Trained by Cowboy Luttrall Graham debuted in 1947 in Texas at the age of 17.  At one time he competed at Rip Rogers to "brother" of "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers.   He first headed to Florida in 1960 the promotion his trainer owned.  In 1970 he took over booking and promoting the Florida Territory.  Under Graham CWF became one of the most prominent territories of the NWA where he served as President from 1976 to 1978.  Tragically Graham committed suicide January 21, 1985 at the age of 55.

The Sheik, Ed Farhat
May 5, 1995 FMW, Kanagawa, Japan
defeated Damien

The Sheik began wrestling in 1949 in Chicago touring around the territories.  The Sheik was primarily a heel and was known for his dirty and wild man tactics, a forefather to the hardcore style that such promotions like ECW and FMW became known for.

He promoted NWA Detroit from 1964 - 1980 while still touring as a multi-time United States Champion, the top title in his promotion.  He died January 18, 2003 of heart failure he was 78 years old.

Dory Funk Sr. 
February 26, 1973, WWWF, Madison Square Garden
defeated by Victor Rivera

The father of NWA World Champions: Dory and Terry Funk Dory Sr the only brothers to ever hold the championship.  He debuted in 1943 and started running the Amarillo Territory in 1953 until he died April 26, 1973 from a heart attack at the age of 54.

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The Amarillo Territory: Bob Roop

Dan Black is a wrestling fan who grew up in Amarillo, Texas attending the matches at the Amarillo Sports Arena from 1969 - 1979.  Here are some of his memories;

Some of the top heels in the Amarillo Territory in the late 60's to mid 70's had to be Harley Race, Jack Brisco, hard for some to believe, but the Brisco's were hated here, and of course Cyclone Negro.
One individual that arrived on the scene as a face, was Bob Roop. He beat Cyclone Negro soon after he entered the territory and was very popular with the fans. 

Bob Roop

However the tide would change on August 26, 1971 when Roop challenged Dory Funk Jr for the NWA Worlds Championship and frustrated late in the match would turn heel.  Over the next several months he evolved into one most hated wrestlers in the territory. 

He would later have two epic Texas Death Matches with Junior, one of which he get a stunning non-title victory. That Fall, Roop was part of a double Main Event in which he faced Dory Funk Sr. and Terry Funk went against Cyclone Negro in a Russian Chain Match. In the match with Senior he got the upper hand and was about to jump off the top rope onto his head. Terry rushes from the baby face locker room, but Roop cowardly heads to the heel's locker room where Terry chases him inside. 

Cyclone Negro

Seconds later Funk is lying a few feet from the looker room door in a pool of his own blood. If Roop's intentions were only to get under the skin of the NWA Champion there was no turning back now, it was all out war. 

Even though Roop made his way to the ring to offer to take Terry's place in the Main Event Chain Match against Negro, battle lines had been drawn. As Terry explained the following Saturday on TV

Terry Funk

"THE FIRST THING I REMEMBER AS I ENTERED THE LOOKER ROOM DOOR WAS BOB ROOP HITTING ME AND THE LAST THING WAS BOB ROOP HITTING ME". Even then, Terry could sell the promo, and far as the Amarillo fans were concerned, there was no turning back. 

Dan Black

The Amarillo Territory: Dory Funk Jr vs. Lord Alfred Hayes

Dan Black is a wrestling fan who grew up in Amarillo, Texas attending the matches at the Amarillo Sports Arena from 1969 - 1979.  Here are some of his memories;

NWA World's Heavyweight Champion: Dory Funk Jr. 

"Lord" Alfred Hayes

2 out of 3 Falls - 1 hour time limit  

Amarillo Sports Arena, Amarillo, Texas

June 8,1972

Lord Al Hayes came to the Amarillo Territory in late 1971 and quickly won the hearts of the fans when he upset hated villain Cyclone Negro and captured the Western States Title the area's top prize at the time. He had two disputed draws with favorite son and World Champion Dory Funk, Jr in early 1972. With the exception of Ricky Romero previously and Dick Murdock after Funk's reign never had someone come into the area with such popularity.

The match was billed for a month out and Hayes had promised he would break the famed spinning toe hold and counter it with his own devastating submission. Both men received astounding cheers upon their introductions, this was before entrance music practically ruined wrestlers introductions. Long time ring announcer Steve Stack always did it right.

Ken Farber was the referee, Junior removed his belt as he always did, with supreme confidence. They shook hands before the bell. I should preface as you read this, that my account has a different interpretation than Bill Apter's as he told it in THE WRESTLER magazine. I honestly never saw him there, I can't say for sure that he wasn't, I can tell you that I was only a few feet from ringside and this is what I saw and recalled.

Both were respectful and cautious of each other after trading holds and counter maneuvers. After around 15 minutes Funk locked Hayes up in a full nelson. Twice Hayes slip out only to have the champ locking him back up, however on the third try Junior cradled his legs for the pin and claimed the first fall. Hayes quickly jumped up to shake his opponents hand. It would be as warm and fuzzy as the two would get the rest of the match.

The second fall was evenly contested, to add a interesting twist Dory Funk, Sr. appeared and started filming Hayes with his home movie camera from various angles inside the arena. Funk starts to take control as he set up his famous finishing maneuver the spinning toe hold!  The crowd is at a roar and as promised the challenger swiftly breaks the hold, stunning the champ!  Hayes looks to the crowd for approval and somewhat to his surprise he gets it.  Could this be the end of Juniors run?  Quickly back on his feet Junior moves in again and reapplies the hold this time Hayes answers with a counter, a variation of the Indian Death Lock and Funk submits!

Tied 1-1 doubt suddenly crept in to a stunned crowd. The fans loved the Funk family to have competition, however unseating their beloved champion was a different story.  As the bell sounds for the final fall a look of focus crosses the champs face, or could it be desperation?

In an uncharacteristic fashion Funk becomes more physical looking more like his father or brother's style when suddenly Hayes catches the Champion in a counter hurling half way across the ring slapping on backside cradle locking it in tight near the ropes.  Referee Ken Farber goes in to count 1..2..3, however Juniors legs are drape in the ropes...the crowd goes silent.

Senior jumps to the ring apron in an attempt to let the ref know he missed Dory's foot in the ropes, he seems angered as he grabs a hold of his collar, as he does so Hayes reaches for the movie camera and rips the film from it. Senior responds with a hay maker across his jaw. Immediately Junior clamps on the double arm suplex, he covers for the pin and Farber counts to 3 awarding Junior the title.

Apter said that the Funks needed an escort out of the arena, all I know is that there was a line to pat Junior on the back as he made his way back to the dressing room as I was one of them.

For years I've tried to get answers on what the work was on the finish.  I even made several inquiries to Junior himself with no reply.  No surprise really as he always stayed pretty close to the cuff with Kayfabe. It's doubtful that that kind of finish was planned, the territory was never known for screwball endings and it had to hurt Funks credibility.

The most plausible explanation was Hayes had been known to go into business for himself and later on he feuded with Senior in which Funk out foxed him for the Western States Title, which could have been payback for trying to swindle Juniors belt. Who knows?

Dan Black