NWA World Heavyweight Title Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match: Jack Brisco (c) vs. Dory Funk Jr. - AJPW New Year NWA Champion Series 1974 - Day 5 - 21/01/1974
This begins with a slightly quick pace with quick lock-ups with both getting the better of each other. There was an excellent hammerlock reversal exchange where Funk seemed to out manoeuvre Brisco with a quick step, only for Brisco to shift and spin out of it and apply his own before Funk adjusted on his end too. Jack Brisco found a smart strategy to work with, working Funk’s shoulder and arm joints which was able to keep Funk somewhat subdued, while keeping him in his range. Even when Funk attempted to speed up the tempo, Brisco brought him back to earth thanks to that weak point. Likewise, Funk began working Brisco’s knees, even hooking in a slight proto-version of the STF, before expertly taking the back with body scissors, even knocking Brisco’s arms out from under him to break an attempted escape. Brilliant spot. I can see why some might find this sort of match monotonous, but I think they always keep it interesting and hook the crowd into very simple things like a boston grab attempt or a bearhug (which is sold well by Brisco) and even simple lock ups. They commit to making everything an effort and a contest through their performance. And I think it takes them nearly 40 minutes before they do a move that’s even slightly sloppy, which turned out to be an awkward transition into a cobra twist by Brisco. Brisco seems to have gotten the better of Funk in this portion of the match, dominating Funk enough that Funk is sort of more defensive and less active than earlier in the match where it was like a game of tennis, but finally Dory Funk is able to pull something completely unorthodox to beat Brisco. He jumps and lands like a splash into a seated Brisco’s neck. Gross. That’s the first fall done with. Terrific wrestling. Brisco came out more fiery, throwing more mean uppercuts and forearm strikes, which Funk is more than happy to oblige but it almost costs him a fall after Brisco is able to pin him down for a close two count on a backslide. Brisco finally gets a fall after an excellent figure four leg lock sequence. Dory is left stranded and has no choice but to concede. Only now Brisco has 7 minutes to repeat it. And Brisco knows this, so he goes right for the legs and strikes once again. Funk, like a boss, just hoists Brisco up with his legs and throws him, and almost himself, over the top rope to create space. As the drama should reach its point, they do opt for a comedy small package spot, which was an odd choice. But desperation seems like a key attribute here, more than the comedy. And that’s it for the rest of the match. This was a rare full match by the true masters of the sport, but it delivers to a high level. Not truly as transcendent as Inoki vs Robinson, which had more drama and entertainment, opposed to the stronger nuts and bolts in this, but it's a glorious match. ****1/2
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