BILLY ROBINSON VS DORY FUNK JR, January 16, 1981 (Houston Wrestling)

[@lutherberry1627]

I am from St Louis and I love old school wrestling and this was one of my favorite times love this type of wrestler

[@williamwatson4625]

I love these kinds of matches. There are no high-flying, acrobatic moves like we see in today's wrestling circuit. Just scientific, mat and, at times, brawling style of wrestling where the wrestlers display their repertoire of basic wrestling moves. Yes, I wanna see more of these kinds of matches.

[@jadoc3767]

Even if it's a work, they still competed as if it was legitimate.

[@rl1800]

Two master technicians.

[@fblassie]

Thank you for this great old school match. No ballet dancers or male models. Real men!

[@MrBAMAFANATIC]

So happy to see actual grappling again, please put more of this on if possible, ty

[@michaelrose3101]

Two of the greatest of all time. Dory predominantly NWA and Billy AWA. Both toured Australia in the mid 60s. This is why wrestling later on kept me interested.

[@rickb.9067]

Billy Robinson is probably in the top five wrestlers that's ever been.

[@Batman-wv5ng]

Rick B. I agree excellent wrestler .

[@DerrickMims]

He has a match in Japan ca 1976 or so vs Abdullah the Butcher (whom I find overrated usually). But this match, which is a rematch from a previous cluster vs Abby, is glorious. They do everything right, and Robinson is terrific.

[@davidkeller2832]

@@DerrickMims Is that the 2 out of 3 falls match? If I am correct, that was very enjoyable to see Abby work that style for once.

[@DerrickMims]

@@davidkeller2832 It is the 2-of-3 Falls match.

[@davidkeller2832]

@@DerrickMims Awesome. We are both on the same page on that one. Great match.

[@Babyfaceref]

Would love to see them 10 years earlier together working in Japan! Thanks for putting this up Rob. Never saw them work together before!

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Billy Robinson was a hold master ...you always saw something interesting . His weakness was that he was not good at working with all styles of wrestler . He had one gear . Dory on the other hand was very adaptive though he always strove for realism . He could make a gimicky wrestler look like a real grappler

[@Babyfaceref]

@@georgeelmerdenbrough6906 don't disagree with a word. Excellent analysis.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Both past their primes but still miles ahead of most .

[@kevinknight9950]

Amen.

[@kevinknight9950]

Billy Robinson against anybody was going to be good.

[@kevinknight9950]

Love how Robinson gets out of those grecho roman lock ups.

[@kevinknight9950]

Billy Robinson vs Dan Severn,that would be good.

[@gavan1959]

Grew up watching wrestling in 60s and 70s and lucky to see these 2 here in Australia,along with Brisco,Stevens,Bockwinkle, Sammartino,Race, Kowalski and many more. Love the fact that after their wrestling days were over,many of them trained a lot of superstars of 80s and onwards, passing on their greatness

[@jameslott4606]

a truly great match between two legends......far far far better than that circus side show they call wrestling today.

[@darrenblockersr]

Thank you, give me this over the wwe anytime

[@theantelope5618]

It's unfortunate that most wrestling fans today are incapable of enjoying a match like this, their attention spans are ruined.

[@Batman-wv5ng]

Billy was one of the best technician of all time.

[@MatAK49]

Yes, he was. There were those, however, who refused to wrestle him as he could be painfully rough with his holds with very little mercy. Especially if he did not like them.

[@jonathanelmore9178]

This match is 43 years ago time flies

[@DOLARNICK]

Certainly a different style than you’ll ever see in WWE. Very refreshing to see this style match which in its day was a very solid matchup

[@briankolstee7814]

Great match! This is the wrestling I knew and loved as a kid! Great video quality as well this film was lovingly stored and preserved. I subscribed and I sure would like to see more Classic Wrestling like this.

[@scottwallace4854]

Great old school pro wrestling challenge.love the tests of strengh.great wrestling bout .

[@steveg7534]

What a story.....great match...great build..miss these matches

[@benjaminharrisongray9079]

2:46 to 2:54 , pure Lancashire style smoothness. That's pro right there.

[@Batman-wv5ng]

Benjamin Harrison Gray One of the best Robinson .

[@mkl62]

Thanks for posting. DFJ is in the WWE Hall of Fame. Robinson should also be in there.

[@lucag.lisickza425]

wwe hof is rubbish

[@mkl62]

@@lucag.lisickza425 True. They put Abdullah the Butcher in there, which did not sit well with Superstar Billy Graham.

[@chrischar9428]

​@@mkl62 F GRAHAM

[@johnped63]

Two real pros. The wrestling I remember.

[@rickb.9067]

Dory Funk always look like an old man to me. I'm about to start out wrestling as an old man.

[@michaelguerra5888]

He wrestled in the major scene before my time but watching some old classic matches, he did have that look of the 50 year old veteran would could still get it done when he was in his 30s. Early hair loss. He kept himself in shape though and could still put on a good match late in the game. He didn't look a whole lot different at 58 then he did at say, 36 but still could go.

[@CCozart]

Dory went through a period where I think he suffered from a blood ailment, and lost a lot of weight. Did not look good.

[@davidkeller2832]

@@CCozart Dory definitely looked under-the-weather here. His reaction times were slower than usual compared to other matches I've seen from this era.

[@mda1218]

balding / lanky / sinuous 💪 aged early , but in shape … vocal too: 100% male

[@gopherstate777]

10:06 When Robinson was young in 1972 Edwardo Carpentier tried to kick Robinson as he lay flat on the canvas. Billy split both legs and hooked them and went into a full bridge with just his neck muscles and got the pin on Carpentier. At the time he was like an acrobat on the mat and crazy strong. He tumbled all over the ring and his friend from England, Geoff Portz could do the same. The movie, "The Wrestler" shows Billy at his peak and they talk about a Superbowl of wrestling with all the champs competing. Billy is the favorite and when someone asks "what about Dory Funk" Ed Asner says Dory Funk is bald! Just like a promoter.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

First AWA Champion ?

[@nickk8416]

I was at that match in Minneapolis and it was the best "scientific" match I ever saw. Tumbling and one move after another. Amazing.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Must be the Nebraska version of The AWA ? I know Carpentier was a phantom NWA champion too as were Bobo Brazil and Killer Kowalski

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Oh yeah Billy Robinson was super fit in the early 70s . Then It was as if he stopped caring about his physique or injuries stopped his training .

[@shooter7734]

@@georgeelmerdenbrough6906 injuries definitely hampered his training In his autobiography he said in the later part of his career and later retirement his nervous system was shot to hell, his hips were bad from the flat back bumping and his body was in constant pain Jericho wrote about the daily pain pro wrestlers live with in his first book as well

[@bryannevers4679]

Great old school match between two legends.

[@whydat684]

Billy Robinson was a master

[@danoc51]

Great match! Sounds like Billy Graham is announcing. Thanks for posting this.

[@MrBAMAFANATIC]

That's Paul Bosch

[@joethecabdriver]

Great match!

[@Erich_Von_Erich]

These guys were in incredible shape, I wish I would of wrestled back then.

[@grgmck77]

6:16 “Aww, git outta the way ref, let ‘em rassle!”

[@larryfloyd4993]

give me this , over the wwe freak show ..anytime

[@davidjones6470]

Damn right, this is wrestling!!!!

[@Jay-vr9ir]

Bingo!!!

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Dory's physique is not Mr Olympia worthy or anything but if you look for separation and hardness he is impressive .

[@mda1218]

lean / mature muscle : 100% male

[@angelawheeler7825]

Please do you have any early matches of Dory funk Jr thank you.

[@jeffavalos5061]

Currently Watching on January 16 2022 in Houston Texas

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Both off these guys have that ropey , sinewy physiques . It helps sell that they are straining against each other .

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

I don't feel cheated at all with a draw . It was a see saw battle . Two real champions . Hard to believe this was not the main event , huh ?

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Draws among battles between two very equalky matched opponents only serve to make victory mean much , much more with a rematch .

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

In my opinion , Verne Gagne made a mistake never trusting Billy Robinson with a 1970s AWA World Championship run . He compared well to both Dory and Jack Brisco who were drawing big gates in the NWA . I think he was worried about how to get the belt off of Billy .

[@randyburger5249]

I would have loved to see Vern Gagne Wrestle Dory Funk Jr

[@DidYaServe]

Great old school wrestling.

[@abhijitdas9697]

Those were the days!!!!!

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

Bloody great match.

[@東夷-x5g]

アメリカンレスリングにあるまじき【リアルレスリング】。アメリカの観客には退屈だったでしょうね…私には【ゴールデンエージ】の素晴らしいファイトを堪能出来ました。簡単に【相手の得意技】には掛からないあたり、殆ど【ショウアップ】の無いガチンコでした。懐かしい。

[@lucag.lisickza425]

AMAZING MATCHUP

[@rickgibbs5450]

Billy Robinson and the funk brothers were in a class with likes of lou thez, Verne gagne ,wahoo McDaniel, and most of the time it was a real shoot fight.nick bockwinkle, pompero ferpo in that group too from the 70s.harley race

[@chrischar9428]

Yeah no

[@alanstrong55]

Both men were gutsy. Dory and Terry showed their mean side in the WWF. I had the misconception that only Dory, Sr was allowed to be a heal. Those men might have hit me right in the nose if they heard that from me.

[@tonyroy8293]

Is that a very young Tom Prichard refereeing?

[@michaelwenzel1682]

Kerry Von Eric

[@michaelwenzel1682]

Kerry Von Erich

[@teller1290]

I thought he was taller than that.

[@JayTheAdviceGuy]

7:40. The best part of the match.

[@赤騎士デスカイン]

ロビンソンって本当に熱くなりやすい選手だよね テクニシャンでもあるけどラフファイトも対応できる ドリーよりテリーとの試合のほうがもっと噛み合って面白そうだけどね

[@tercelken]

Wow!!! They had Nike's back then!

[@jlover911]

1981? no way

[@flrpitflrp1965]

Yes they did. I had a pair in either 79-80. White Bruins with grey swoosh

[@chrisbutler83]

Is that a young Bruce Prichard sat next to the commentator?

[@billycarrion475]

Looks like a young Kerry Von Erich as the reff

[@michaelwenzel1682]

It is

[@michaelwenzel1682]

It is

[@bentonmckinney5454]

No the referee is probably Tom Pritchard

[@chrischar9428]

ROFLMFAO

[@jiwarethegreat]

great match！

[@MRHenHen]

I’d take any match Billy Robinson has wrestled then Billy Graham any day.

[@Batman-wv5ng]

MRHenHen 1986 Robinson was class wrestler Graham was steroid pusher .

[@madbrowniac7871]

Kerry Von Erich's equally late and great brother David would later become a Heel Protege of Dory Funk, Junior in Florida and then turn Face when Dory turned against him.🤔🎤🐴🍊🌊☀️🌴🤼‍♂️B.W.

[@tallthinkev]

'Should' have been 2 falls, 2 submissions or a knockout. Submission by Funk and a fall to Robinson

[@oldschool9447]

Not many could have handled either guy

[@phrasesinner]

Which one’s Hoss?

[@sciencefictionsam]

Funk.

[@ChizuYamakawa]

オーソドックスな正統派レスリングを象徴した、昭和のプロレス…！ こういう当時の映像が、オールドファンの楽しみですね❢

[@sin8821]

無闇に相手の技を受けない❕此れが本来のレスリングですね技を掛け合うゴッチ対ロビンソン戦に対して封じ合うドリー対ロビンソン戦、同じ正統的な試合でも対象的な様相を表していますな🎵♥️

[@davidalvarez2893]

The announcer calling Robinson * British Bulldog" LOL Imagine if Robinson would had caught on that and use the "British Bulldog" nickname.

[@トルコオスマン]

セメントでは米国代表ドリーファンクJr.とヨーロッパ代表ビルロビンソン。意地の張り合いプライドのぶつかり合いですね。セメントレスラーとはガチガチに硬いから言うのかな。 ロビンソンのスタミナ切れも目立つけど、技を受ける気のないロビンソンに対しエルボー一辺倒で嫌ほど打ち込むドリーもエグい。

[@川村信二-n5t]

自己中スタイルのロビンソンとミスタープロレス(相手を見せ場を作る)ドリーとの対戦ですね、ロビンソンは攻めるだけでロビンソンのヘッドロックをドリーがニークラッシャー普通ならそこからスピニングトゥホールドなのに離さないわ。ドリーが可哀想思えましたね。でも海外の試合も雰囲気がよいですね。

[@MoondogMooney]

Anyone know the dimensions of the ring?

[@エロガッパ-y6u]

この二人に、ガニア、カールクラウザー、鶴田でトーナメント見たかったなぁ⁉️😊

[@molitareal6204]

When people chant this is wrestling makes me cringe. Because this...is what wrestling supposed to be. Pro wrestling.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

DORY held the NWA championship for over 4 years ...Flair and Race never came close to a 4 year reign . Only Brisco came close . I think Dory should have had a 2nd run .

[@michaelrose3101]

Dory should of definitely had a 2nd run.

[@muletownman6900]

I guess Dory worked “heel”? And who would call the match…one a former World Champion and one of the greatest technicians ever, and a “Champion “ I guess this was Mr. Bosch’s (sp) federation CWA…both are older but still have so much talent.

[@chrischar9428]

He had Houston wrestling

[@youchanyamada7611]

国際プロレスもロビンソンとか、アンドレとか、ホフマンやゴーディエンコとか、いい選手、発掘してるんだよなぁ😩

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

My one serious critique of Billy Robinson is that he was an exhibitionist . Meaning he was of the mind , like many today , of trying to show you all of his holds . He wasted the effort a lot of time as it did not tell a story , it just looked good . Robinson is in my Top 25 but Dory Funk Jr is in my Top 5 . Dory had impeccable timing and crowd psychology .

[@michaelrose3101]

Dory was my all time favourite. Probably he and Flair and Ray Stevens my top 3 ever.

[@heisensperg9264]

I don't know how you can say that Robinson couldn't tell a story in the ring if you actually watched his matches Billy was incredible

[@williamwatson4625]

Dory wasn't yet 40 years old, but he's already balding at the top. Billy was a few years older than Dory, yet he still had his full head of hair. Just an observation.

[@chrischar9428]

Just about 40

[@mda1218]

balding pattern shows high testosterone count : many champs 👊🏼 smooth dome

[@ApothecaryGrant]

Both are past their primes here . What a shame .

[@mda1218]

sagging ass / ball guts … weak 👊🏼

[@doro2067]

ドリーは無駄な動きがない。ビリーは、いつも自分だけを良く見せようとする派手なアクションが多い。一見するとビリーが多くテクニックがあるように見えるが、ドリーはそれを地味な体重移動と確実な技で切り返している。アッパースイングのエルボー・スマッシュは強烈だ。

[@mmzero7732]

そうか？ 切り返すってより、しのいでる、の方が 正確では？ ロビンソンに対して、ドリーにはエルボーしか攻撃出来る技が無い

[@maruhiroya417]

​@@mmzero7732 それすら他ならぬロビンソンからパクってるしな、あのエルボーは正式にはヨーロピアンアッパーというそうです。

[@LazyHomeSchoolDude]

Rip Billy robinson :(

[@大久保和広]

まるでプロレスの教科書のような好勝負

[@Daniel-hn7nd]

Funk looks lean and fit.

[@夜想天神]

ロビンソン格好良いな。

[@坂口カンジ]

これぞ、プロフェッショナルーレスラーャ。

[@StandWatie1862]

Well past their primes

[@mda1218]

but still ALL man !

[@wesfrye5833]

Is Robinson wearing a Muffler?

[@libra42ful]

What's a Muffler?

[@utopiakorea9021]

Dory Funk Jr. is a very very sexy gentleman. I respect him.

[@mmzero7732]

ドリーはロビンソンの自己中ファイトを 制する事が出来なかった

[@erichvonmolder9310]

I guess one of the Funk brothers.

[@jamesmartin6773]

The Fantastic Memories Of Real Professional Wrestling.Not The Dog & Pony Show (wwe) What A Bunch Of Trash That Is.I Haven't Watched wwe Since.But I Did Like The Wwf Wrestling....Till They Pushed The Legends....Thank You & God Bless For This Post,I Really These Memory Matches,It Will Never Be The Same Again.....I Wish They Had More Matches Of The Great Johnny Valentine On Here...............

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

Robinson sand bagged Dory that hip toss block so Dory didn't go over for the headlock takedown ...lol Couple of salty old timers here

[@maxiaoxiao73]

二人の動きの端々から、猪木と鶴田を思い出します。 やはり猪木はロビンソンの先輩であるカールゴッチの弟子で、鶴田はファンクスの弟子だということが分かります。 この試合そのものは、ロビンソンがアメリカンプロレスをやろうとし過ぎて空回りしてますね。 職人同士の見応えのある試合にはなりませんでした。

[@マコマコ-r2k]

引き分けかあ　やはりこの２人だと60分はないと…😮

[@井野貴博-z2o]

ロビンソン、身体たるんでいるな。 途中、ドリーに怯えの表情がみてとれた。

[@shigey.1042]

まさしく日本でいう　ストロングスタイル。

[@keltar4071]

Peak fitness

[@charleshall3372]

20 Minute Broadway

[@MatAK49]

It was hard for me to choose who to root for, so it was a draw!

[@mykvukoich7974]

私はもっと見たいです

[@mda1218]

Robinson’s trunks are stretched out in back ...or else he’s loaded em

[@loudenkliehr3633]

Oh, ho-ho, you just noticed one of Billy's old Wigan secrets! Not only a psyche issue--the mistakes made doing everything possibly to avoid "that" area but you get caught in like a Stump Puller? Crying "Uncle"/tapping out faster than a Hebner brother could call it. Only a few of the old-school Shooters, known as the--yeah, you guessed it, Shh--chooo!! Sorry, sneezed. Anyway they were known as guys who Dumped or Bowel Movers. You know I'd think that Shooters with a pant load, well really funny if the Shh--damn another sneeze--um the Dumpers. Right?

[@wesfrye5833]

Depends

[@abhijitdas9697]

💙The Wrestlers, The Referee, The Announcers, The Commentators, The audiences, Were so very well-dressed/groomed! The ring-stages were harder upto the Nineties, We can tell't,by hearing its sound!!!!! The Wrestlers were,beyond words! The down to earthness,soily sweat/smell'f genuinety,hard work, humbleness,dedication,manliness 'nd no-show-off-attitude were noticed in them!!!!Just give a good Wrestling-Mach, Be the "People's"Wrestler, Be Dark-Monstrous, When needed! Earn your Bread🍞-Butter, Enjoy it with your friends 'nd family type'f attitude!No Mobile Phones 'nd Internet!!!!Pure naturalistic soil-water environmental!!!!! Now,not everywhere,but,in most'f the places, You go to the gym,train some kind'f self defence,do drugs,engage/try to engage in some fights with little patience 'nd zero-logic 'nd for a little cause or no cause 'nd use sexual-oriented yucky languages like f*#k,hom*#,su*# 'nd so on 'nd you're defined as a tough man!!!!This is,how far we have fallen,my dear-ones!!!!!Let's root the productive-seeds in our future generations for a productive/creative future,friends!!!!! Sorry for my too-long comment!!!!! God Bless You All 'nd Your Beautiful Family!!!!! Good Night, From India!!!!! AMEN!!!!!💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙🌙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💜💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@johnsawh6316]

Billy Robinson was a great wrestler, but he was hated because he always took advantage of those who could not defend themselves. Dory Funk Jr. was not one he could bully

[@gopherstate777]

Billy was not a bully. Don't believe everything Jim Ross tells you fella.

[@jonathanturbide2232]

Gopher State Plenty have come forward to say Robinson was a great teacher but that he could also be a real asshole bully at times. Type of guy who took it too far at times by stretching guys too much or that type of stuff...I guess he was trained that way himself and thought it was normal behavior, no idea.

[@williamrennie9331]

@@jonathanturbide2232 Billy was trained by the great Billy Riley in his "Snakepit" in Wigan. Experienced pro's would go there to train and leave saying never again. It was harsh but anyone who survived was fearless and could handle himself against anyone. Billy himself said he had nightmares about the Snakepit for the rest of his life.

[@yaknoff379]

Don't wrestle if you can't wrestle.... that's the point.... stick to wwe....

[@seegetsan]

two great. but they passed their prime time, robinson being fat and funk jr being slow. they, therefore play opener in 20 minutes match.

[@rowds]

Wow, I'm not too familiar with Robinson but judging by this here he had really let himself go. He doesn't look in very good shape at all, embarrassing to say the least.

[@alfonsecoppola5938]

combined age of 125

[@cattree6895]

僕はJR派です。

[@イエローデビル]

プロモーターは、ポール ボーシュ？ドローマッチならロビンソンが、やりたい放題出来る。猪木同様ドリーも嫌だったでしょう。

[@akogare-sp6nu]

ドローだけどロビンソンのレスリングの基本が一枚上手、過去1969/12ドリーファンクＪｒ対Ａ猪木（0-0ドロー）ポイントで言えば5-5位で、1975/12Ａ猪木対ビル・ロビンソン（1-1ドロー）が4-6でロビンソンの勝ち。 ロビンソン対ドリーは、ドリーの衰え（ロビンソンの方が3歳年上）のせいか実力差がはっきりしていた、ポイントで言えば3.5対6.5位でビリーライレージムでヨーロッパスタイルのレスリングが体に染み付いたロビンソンに有り。

[@MaruOjyaru]

レスリング技術ではロビンソンが上なのですが、プロレスとしてはロビンソンは使い物になりませんね。 20分1本勝負でありながら（いつもですが）ロビンソンは己の技術を見せびらかすことばかりです。 アメリカでドリーがシングル20分一本勝負なら、ドリーは勝とうとはしません。 相手にしかけられた技をすぐにお返ししてみまったり、スピニングトーホールド1回目をスピンさせなかったり、 2回目のスピニングトーホールドの抜け方はなんですか？あれじゃドリーもやってられません。

[@Kouki-U1st]

ファンクスとロビンソンが絡むと、どうしたって感情的になりがちな展開になってしまうようですね。 ファンクスは相手ををテクニックでコントロールすることによってマッチメークを成り立たせていたのが、 ロビンソン相手ではそれができない。。。 ロビンソンはファンクスのそんな下げ目線が気に入らない。 そんな互いの苛立ちが浮き上がっているように (^^)∂ には写っています。 しかたないですよね、ビジネスのうえでの立場が違いますから・・・ でもファンクスはシュートに強い相手だと、とくに目の色が変わりますね。 ロビンソンとのシングルはめったにマッチメークされていなかったんじゃないでしょうか ? とても興味深い試合でした。