THE BELT BELONGS TO THE TERRITORY
- 12/28/2005 (12:23:56 pm)
- Dory Funk, Jr.
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The Belt Belongs to the Territory
Wrestlers lost in 2005:
I read on the Gerwick Report that the following wrestlers passed away in 2005.
Eddy Guerrero - I watched my father Dory Funk Sr. wrestle Eddy's father, Gory Guerrero in El Paso in 1947. We became friends of the family. In the 60's and 70's Gory Guerrero and was the promoter in El Paso working with the Amarillo Territory as booking office. I wrestled Chauvo Guerrero for the NWA World Title in 1971. Eddy was a great performer and close friend.
Ray Vilmer - I watched as a good babyface in Florida in 1963.
Pez Whatley - He worked the Amarillo Territory and I worked with him many times.
Roger Mackay - I watched him wrestle my father in the Amarillo Territory in '49. He took the first back body drop I ever saw. It was the finish of the match. I will never forget on the backdrop he went high in the air and looked up as he was falling head first into the mat. Then he tucked his head and landed flat. That was the finish, for the three count.
George Culkin - I watched him work in the Amarillo Territory as George Curtice and then had the opportunity to work for him as promoter in Jackson Mississippi. He did a unique move in wrestling. He would grind his fist into the mat before making a come-back. The fans would go crazy, then he would kick ass.
Black Angus Campbell - He was a big strong man. I once took his "Tombstone" Pile Driver in Kansas City. He promised he would take care of me however he dropped me on my head and I felt an electric shock shoot down my spine. Fortunately I was okay and finished the match.
Chris Candido - I wrestled Chris in Japan in a match I will never forget. He was a great worker. I took his Hurracaranna from the top rope. It really got him over with the Japanese wrestling fans.
Guy Brunetti - I heard stories from my father Dory Funk Sr. who worked with him in Vancouver, BC. He was the one with the ripped stomach muscles. The Outlaw (Dory Funk Sr.) climbed a ladder to jump on his stomach but landed on his neck instead. It was a hot angle in the pacific northwest.
Miquel Perez - I worked with Miguel in Puerto Rico.
Lord Alfred Hayes - My father got his visa so he could come to the United States. I worked with Lord Alfred in Amarillo, Texas in 1971 for the NWA World Title.
Chris Tolas - Worked the Amarillo Territory for my father, Dory Funk Sr.
Gene "Mr. America" Stanlee - Worked the Amarillo Territory in the late fifties.
The Crusher - I knew well but never had the opportunity to work with him.
Don Evans - He was the first "One Man Gang" I watched Don Evans work with my father, Dory Funk Sr. in North Bay Ontario Canada. My father won the North American Championship from Don Evans in 1955. I laid the belt on the table in our apartment and thought how proud I would be to show it to my friends in Amarillo, Texas. My father then lost it back to Herb Parks the last day before we left for home in Amarillo.
In the tradition of the wrestling business, the belt stays with the territory.
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"Opportunity Knocks" is the name of our show January 29th at the Funking Conservatory in Ocala, Florida. Opportunity does knock as WWE and TNA will be doing shows in Florida. WWC Owners, Carlos Colon and Victor Jovica will be at the Funking Conservatory to scout talent for their territory. For more information, Call 352-896-4658 or visit our website at www.dory-funk.com. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]. Ask about our three week program leading to an appearance on !BANG! TV
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