Jim Cornette on The First Five Star Match

From Episode 323 of the Jim Cornette Experience
Artwork by Travis Heckel!
Send in your question for the Drive-Thru to: [e-mail]
Follow Jim and Brian on Twitter: @TheJimCornette @GreatBrianLast
Join Jim Cornette's College Of Wrestling Knowledge on Patreon to access the archives & more! / cornette
Visit Jim's official site at www.JimCornette.com for merch, live dates, commentaries and more!
You can listen to Brian each week on the 6:05 Superpodcast at 605pod.com.

[@andykapsar4667]

this is unreal. the match is 38 years old and the excitement in cornettes voice as he commentates is like a child at christmas. itll be a shame when he decides to stop doing this

[@michiganjack1337]

Is that Janet Reno? 😜🤣

[@imnotkevinbrennan5955]

Not enough dead children

[@alexanderwagner4587]

To those confused about the count out in a no dq match, I understand, it was confusing for me the first time I saw something like this, but I eventually figured out that's why later on you had matches that were booked as "no dq, no count outs". Similar instances include no holds barred matches where a wrestler was dq'd for using a foreign object, the reason being that no holds - as in no banned wrestling holds or illegal maneuvers i.e. closed fists or eye gouges etc - were barred, as opposed to a no dq match where you wouldn't be dq'd for using a chair or whatever. Also, some cage matches ended in disqualification before it became accepted that cage matches were automatically no dq, whereas the original intention of the cage was to stop outside interference or the heel trying to escape. Weird I know, but that's why rules (should at least) matter in wrestling.

[@Eternally_Sardonic]

Yep. Speaking of these matches, it has always bothered me when the referee begins to administer the 5 count when one wrestler is, for example, choking or hitting the other in the ropes. Why are you counting? What are you going to do when you get to 5 in a no DQ match? Not disqualify them, so don't even start the count.

[@alexanderwagner4587]

@@Eternally_Sardonic Yep I've noticed that too!

[@amoney315]

Erik o

[@stigrabbid589]

@@Eternally_Sardonic Force of habit could be a legitimate reason, or even a kayfabe reason for a 5 count in a no DQ match

[@user-do2ev2hr7h]

The problem is a lot of those terms have been used interchangeably for so long and even when they haven't been they often meant different things in different promotions.

[@LoganSewell83]

Funk looks like Bob Orton in the background image.

[@Hellwolf36]

Nowadays, to get a Five Star Match, you have to do lots of flippy shit, pass off a performance and forget the rules of your match.

[@Jayce_Alexander]

If you do all of that in the Tokyo Dome, you might even get seven!

[@evrbody]

And kick out of at least three finishers. Bonus if it's a top rope variation of the finisher.

[@FIXTREME]

@@evrbody *GodDAMNIT* pal we don't have "Finishers," we have *FINISHING MANEUVERS* !

[@TOFTS77]

Perhaps, though Cody vs Dustin I would give 5 stars.

[@dawson6196]

@@TOFTS77 great match, but 4.5 from me. Because they didn't follow the rules of a singles match.

[@MilMaska]

"Funk and Lawler both. Unrecognizable in the face" - Lance Rusell

[@thomass789]

I absolutely loved Lance Russell. Amazing job of making the rasslers seem bigger and badder and better than they were, and making the action seem like a big deal. I know this is an old man thing to say (I am in my 40's) but I legit feel sorry for today's audience who doesn't know who Lance Russell was, or didn't get to listen to him. To think that a wrestling fan would think that vanilla Michael Cole (not his fault) is what a wrestling announcer is or should be, is unfortunate, when we had Lance Russell.

[@Unlitedsoul]

@@thomass789 He and Gordon Solie are absolute legends that had a similar style and take on how to get the matches and wrestlers over. Russell and Dave Brown together during the Saturday morning shows were incredible. For year or so, WCW would use both Russell and Solie along with Tony Schiavone for major events, but their styles were too similar to work well off of each other. However, he fit well with another legendary announcer Bob Caudle. For the more modern promotions, I really like what Kevin Kelly has done with NJPW. I've always like Schiavone when he hasn't been mostly scripted, and what he's done at AEW has been solid. Pre watered-down Jim Ross was quite good as well. Now, he seems to not even know what's going on half the time.

[@jackgodwin2879]

Memphis born and raised here. 45 years old now, and I am with you. Lance Russell was the key to it all. What a tremendous announcer. Dave Brown the Channel 5 weatherman side kick. Good days.

[@Unlitedsoul]

@@jackgodwin2879 Things changed fast when they brought in Corey Maclin to replace Russell.

[@jackgodwin2879]

It's impossible to follow a legend like Lance Russell.

[@heyokah]

Ah Mid South wrasslin'...having grown up in an era where we had 4 channels on TV to choose from, don't hate, in rural West Tennessee at that time you were lucky to have an antenna large enough to get any reception. So yeah, I grew up on this stuff. Was fortunate enough to witness Andy Kaufman vs the King, along with appearances by Andre and my personal favorite Adrian Street (toughest man to ever appear in drag. Haha) Anyway, thanks for a little stroll down memory lane. Saturday mornings with wrasslin' and Sunday mornings Lawler had an art show... *edit - the best thing about the Mid South Collusium was when tiles would fall from the ceiling...happened quite often. Imagine a huge sheet of drywall crashing down upon the unexpectant masses. Good times.

[@davidholzer4155]

That's not mid-south wrestling. It was the Memphis territory. Mid-south Colosseum does not mean mid-south wrestling. Mid-south wrestling was Bill Watts

[@marqueswilliams345]

Put Jim Cornette in the HOF already should've already been in there

[@Heavy_Controller]

He is in it

[@matthillegas3099]

I agree. He may have been a little too critical of the McMahons and HHH over the years, though.

[@dejuans1328]

Damn straight!

[@thatdude-xj4qe]

Cornette isnt in the HOF?? Im not even a big Cornette fan but he 100% should be in. Top 3 manager of all time IMO.

[@jamirimaj6880]

@@thatdude-xj4qe Vince will put him if he can get big attacking AEW hahahaha

[@poindexterflex3528]

*Takes a break to watch the match.* Edit: No, I'm watching the match with Jim's commentary. I NEED MORE OF JIM REVIEWING MATCHES WHILE WE WATCH THEM! One per experience! Dew it!

[@dildonius]

Have you ever watched Beyond the Mat as Bruce Prichard discusses it while watching it himself, pausing and starting when he does? It sure is neaterino. The episode of STW w/BP is on the KZbin.

[@ivanwesley8182]

I loved the empty arena match, especially Lance Russell smoking before the match 🤣

[@smarkslowplay3512]

Aww Terry looks like your likeable favorite uncle here

[@chrisrandall1366]

To me a 5, or 6 star match would be Jerry Lawler and bill dundee vs. The blonde bombers Wayne Farris and Larry Latham ( Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl)

[@THECOSMONAUT100]

Where can I watch this?

[@pankajpatel1626]

The first ever, would have to be Rick Flair defending the NWA world title against Tommy Rich on Columbus, Ohio in October 25, 1981 and they went for one hour! The first one hour draw of so many Rick Flair had. I would love to get a tape of this match. The best of all time!

[@ivanwesley8182]

I remember all those matches. I watched them all as a kid and was mesmerized.

[@roberthealey7739]

Starrcade 83 Piper vs Valentine 6 STAR! The most violent realistic wrestling match I've ever seen and Piper was legit crippled for life after it. Greg mangled his ear and it was nasty

[@nickclinton5147]

WE NEED MORE OF THESE! I really loved watching along with you guys commentating. Really adds another dimension to these classic matches!

[@gl6996]

This was/is the Thrilla in Manila of professional wrestling. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@iCeeYouP]

I'm a Jim Cornette guy

[@SnoManMayne]

Same

[@HitLeftistsWithHammers]

113458008

[@purplebondsaiyan2987]

Me too

[@mr.mirchenstein6549]

GREAT STUFF! Still holds up today, one of my favorite matches with two of my favorite wrestlers all time!

[@samjerbs]

Cornette is a fucking LEGEND. This was great

[@jasonjimerson7046]

Yes!!! Please, do more of these. This was fun!

[@Maestro..]

I want Corny to review old 90's AJPW matches. Misawa/Kawada, Misawa/Kobashi, the tags. Shit like that

[@arthurdaffos1490]

The problem with those matches is that if you watch them in a vacuum, its getting repetitive. But if you watch them with the story and context behind them, then you Can get really engaged. Personnally im not a fan of that style of matches, its like they were trying to always outdo the last match but there are limits to the human body, american wrestling trumps that with stipulations and gimmicks to add variety without putting the wrestlers in more danger than it needed to be. By all means the ajpw 90's main event scene was tremendous but it kinda was victim of its own success as maybe they felt obligated to the fans to always deliver more action and bumps, with the results that we know

[@sappyfoot]

amazing how lawler was a bad ass in the territories but once in the wwf his character did a 180° becoming a wuss & did everything to avoid fighting

[@thomass789]

Speaks to his versatility as a performer.

[@Unlitedsoul]

Naw, Lawler's first year or so in the WWF was a lot of the same sort of stuff he did in Memphis, AWA, and his limited appearances for the NWA territories. The initial feud with Brett Hart and the Hart Family was rough action, but Lawler got seriously injured back home in Memphis in between WWF tapings (not to mention he required significant time off to deal with some legal stuff). Thus the cowardly heel thing began. He was also used in WWF's plans on pushing Kane's original dentist character by working as his manager/corner man. And in that role, you do kind of have to play a bit of the coward.

[@JordanJ514]

Please do more watch along videos! That was awesome!

[@TheBrettFarrelly]

Weasel Dooley ...only in pro wrestling will a name like that get thrown out and nobody questions it haha

[@davidalvarez2893]

5 Stars is something kind of personal, to me there was 5 Star Wrestling matches way before this match. For example for me the NWA title matches between Dory Funk Jr vs Jack Brisco were also 5 Star matches and this happened before this match. Of course there are also countless other examples from different territories.

[@philtll]

Jim is saying this is the first match that broke his 4-star system, which he says nobody was using before him. That 2nd part is arguable, of course.

[@williamcordier1201]

The video they made to "I'm Winning" with the Hogan footage was awesome for the time.

[@evellegend]

One of my favorite matches ever. Lawler and Funk brought their feud to Florida in 81 and they used clips of this match on CWF TV to push it. I was lucky enough to see many of the Funk vs Lawler matches during that time live in person and they were awesome. On time Terry and Jerry arrived at the arena at the sometime and got into a fight in the parking lot for us fans there. Got to love The kayfabe era..

[@IcarusAtreides]

Or Gogiga Gagagigo, thats a card! XD

[@HypervoxelRBX]

This match isn't 5 stars... It didn't take place in the Tokyo dome

[@sharding14]

HyperVoxel that’s why it’s not 6 stars ✨ ✨

[@brandonp3455]

-_-

[@alanunseld4942]

poor calhoun no respect 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@IanSane]

What really made the match for me was the crowd reaction. A match loses some of its impact when you weren't watching at the time and don't have the full context but a hot crowd will help fill in the blanks for you. Wrestlemania III is one of my favourite shows and part of that is that the crowd is enormous and is hot for everything. It's kind of like how the musical score enhances a movie.

[@franzisaryk5965]

You just know corny has the castle cornette wrapped in a bubble cause he hates germs I can’t imagine what he’s like during this Coronavirus pandemic

[@sankalpsbloodreign]

Looking forward to more of these corny. I didn't even have to watch along. Visualized the whole match on your commentary.

[@Brando-Lee3725]

As much as i LOVE this stuff , as i grew up with it , this would bore crowds now . Todays crowds wouldnt react this way to this . Unfortunately

[@MassAuditing]

What a fight.. 👏 The selling in this match is the best.. Great Match

[@JackBarrett7]

The match was held March 23, 1981.

[@jeffdecker627]

This should have been the way Cody and MJF went. Picture them as you watch the match. Would have blew the crowd up.

[@maddogmarc]

The AEW fanboys would've been utterly disappointed with this match. There are no flips and didn't involve at least 5 DDTs, 15 superkicks and 132 near falls. All you would hear from the crowd would be "boring" chants and a "you fucked up" chant" here and there.

[@richardbishop8666]

I grew up in Memphis and loved wrestling. Lawler was the man but it was Terry Funk who made this so special. I was absolutely convinced that he was crazy.

[@goldenworm]

That looks more like Cowboy Bob then Terry Funk.

[@jayhell53]

They kind of looked a like back then haha

[@dominicomegon4714]

I miss those old brawl style matches. stiff shots, blood everywhere, seemed real because it looked like these guys wanted to eat each others liver.

[@tonyh1718]

Plus those matches will always be good matches

[@woflmanjoe642]

Fantastic match......and love Jim's analysis of it. Jim's enthusiasm and appreciation for the performance of these two legends, at the peak of their careers (or somewhere thereabouts) is inspiring in its own right. He was as much a fan of this industry/sport, what have you, as he was a great participant in it. AEW (or any wrestling company) would do well to have Cornette in a lead position. He knows the business and what makes it work, which is something that has gotten lost since Wrestling's hayday. ....just keep Vince Russo out of the same company. LOL!!

[@christophermarang.3569]

Not even going to lie. Matches from the seventies and early eighties end in such annoying ways that I can never give them 5 stars. But this was a damn good match.

[@maddogmarc]

I started watching wrestling in the late 70s, occasionally. In the mid 80s I started watching every week. The first match I ever saw that I considered to be a 5 star match was the I Quit match between Magnum T.A. and Tully Blanchard at Starrcade '85. Just 2 years later I saw Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat at WM III and thought it was a 5 star match too. I checked out Meltzer's list of 5 star matches and was surprised neither of them made the list. I'm curious to know if Cornette has a list somewhere. I'd like to compare the 2 lists.

[@roberthealey7739]

Piper Valentine Starrcade 83

[@TubiTuesdays]

Now this is the Cornette content I love.

[@kovulion7777]

this has so many stars, nemesis starts going down on wrestling

[@WildBillCox13]

"Resistance is futile".

[@cward91726]

I’ll admit after watching the match, it’s easily the most realistic and sort of fly on the wall feeling match between two dudes actually trying to kill each other I’ve seen in wrestling. And yeah in comparison to modern day wrestling it makes todays work look way wayyyyyy worse by comparison. Modern stuff isn’t awful but yeah certainly not this match

[@dungeon-wn4gw]

I was in the middle of looking at wrestling history and I see this video. Greatly timed. I am most fascinated by the Genesis Era and the very origins of wrestling itself. I'd like to hear Cornette talk about that era if he has anything interesting on it

[@Turismoshepard]

You're In The Right Place!👍

[@thomaskia8441]

You mean the beginnings of Pro Wrestling? Like in the mid 1800s? Or the Wrestling tracking back 15000 years ago. If its the first I can help you with that

[@schmoeschlomo6972]

Wasnt the Dynamite Kid vs Tiger Mask the first 5 star match?

[@Taino77]

5 star match in the eyes of who? Please don't tell me Meltzer!!

[@TheRydog61]

Comply,,, LOL

[@kennymcbair7323]

I Just Was Saying ‘ I Remember when refs don’t take Crap off no One

[@evrbody]

MAH EYE! LAWLER, MAH EYE!!!

[@dominicomegon4714]

"...mahhhh eyyyyee :("

[@HothVeteran]

Here we go again with Lawler vs Funk at the Memphis Mid South Coliseum or whatever Outlaw Mud Show it was on... (I had to put this disclaimer here because idiots can’t take a joke.)

[@user-km8oh1ll5t]

Reeeeee

[@andrewclayterman6230]

@@user-km8oh1ll5t teeeeeeeeeee

[@stephenrogers4537]

5 star matches,¿ " FOR THOSE THAT CAN BELIEVABLE, THEY WILL PERCEIVE, FOR THOSE THAT CAN'T, NO EXPLANATION WILL DO? 🤔

[@wrestlingislife3861]

Wasn't the Dynamite Kid vs Tiger Mask the first ever 5 star classic? Someone please clear my doubt

[@mikewilson8221]

Wrestling is Life Jim Cornette’s first 5 star match

[@tmage23]

Lawler vs Funk was in March of 1981 Dynamite Kid vs. Tiger Mask 1 was May of 1983 Dynamite vs Tiger Mask was Meltzer's first 5 star but as Cornette pointed out, he wasn't the first one to use the star rating system.

[@johnvann7027]

By Meltzer, yes. That match was in 1983. This was rated 5 star by Weasel Dueley, who developed the rating system with Cornette and Dave adopted for his newletter.

[@johnvann7027]

There was also Flair vs Butch Reed in 1982.

[@wrestlingislife3861]

@@johnvann7027 oh! gotcha, but is there any list on the internet of Jim Cornette's 5 star rated matches if this was the first ...

[@nicholasfarrell8403]

Don’t you mean crash goes the territory

[@DARC-87]

Hey, I love this match. But I'm not sure if any match deserves 5 stars if the finish is a count out

[@michaelsingletary4526]

Undertaker /Mick Foley when he took those two huge bumps off the cage.

[@jeffmac9642]

It's not taking a bump. Undertaker threw Foley off the cage. As a fan it was fun too watch. Only nerds use insider lingo

[@ame871022]

To be honest that wasn’t a real match take the the big bumps away, it wasn’t a 5 star match

[@davemeltzers5starFNmullet]

Alan Edwards - that’s like saying, “take all the flips and kicks away from a Young Bucks match and that’s not a 5 star match!”

[@dungeon-wn4gw]

@@ame871022 Yeah there's a difference between a 5 star match and an iconic match

[@jeffmac9642]

@@taisou108 👌 OK drippy. Speak Engwish. This isn't nerd land where we watch wrestling and proclaim " WOW! That was an amazing bump! Mick is a great worker ! Was that KAYFABE?????? " If I was watching wrestling with you and you said that I would just go home.

[@mdhotstuff]

i gotta youtube this - Funk was always awesome.....

[@mrnaji]

The Empty Arena Match?? Its fucking amazing

[@davemeltzers5starFNmullet]

Now this is my type of video!

[@xJasonHatx]

wwe should just pipe in that crowd noise.

[@ews6724]

Oh yeah smarks

[@dejuans1328]

Cornette hot takes. Lol. That is must see. Can't wait.

[@billywilliams8753]

I never saw Lawler in the same league as Funk.

[@patale1640]

Billy Williams Thats because he’s not.

[@billywilliams8753]

@Joe Greene Lawler was a good promo and babyface. Definitely super over in Memphis and yes he maximised his abilities

[@patale1640]

Joe Greene Lawler was a great worker no doubt. He could get over as a Dusty level babyface or a Heenan level heel. Rare talent

[@Maxbear1112]

C'mon Jim....I didn't see one Tope Suicida! How can it be 5 stars. At least throw in a tope con giro for Christ's sake.

[@andrediaz392]

Don't say strap, say championship. These videos are more entertaining than wwe's last ten years

[@jeremydedrick4054]

Strap......as in leotard strap

[@maxfrost5016]

Great match, easily one of my top 10 favorite match of all-time. Not perfect, a no-DQ match ends in a count out?! 4 1/2 stars ... as far as leaving me wanting more? 6+ stars.

[@dominicomegon4714]

Being counted out has nothing to do with no disqualification. If you can't make it back in the ring... you lose. Simple.

[@esleptheslepth4564]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWTVf61ubsybZqc here's the match if anyone wants the link (the 1308 one with intros)

[@stephentrout7879]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGm6mZuufZx3qK8 - This is the video that they're doing the play-by-play on.

[@nuthinnew3881]

Here's the video they are talking about - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGm6mZuufZx3qK8

[@akiespady5176]

Count out in a no DQ match

[@masteroffpeanuts]

Back then , unless specified , count outs were part of all matches.

[@akiespady5176]

masteroffpeanuts I get that, but it’s still kinda weird

[@darrengordon-hill]

JERRY BALBAO

[@neilgoldring4832]

What's Next???? A 6 star match??? Lol ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Corny's always had a "secret man crush" on Lawler. Lol

[@sirlargelot]

For me this match is only punching and kicking....not my kind of ´rasslin

[@sstrykert]

No holds?

[@mrnaji]

Terry Funk and Kurt Angle are interchangeable to numbers 1a and 1b no one else could hold a candle to them and flaiir sucked dont @me

[@cyberpunkgrappling6447]

Idc what anybody says, Mil Mascaras vs Jumbo Tsuruta *(from 77)* is by far the best match of the 70's. And a way better bout than any Terry Funk match

[@RobJaskula]

I just went to and watched this and it's really great by any standard, especially from Tsuruta's suplex near the end of the first fall on. I was getting a little bored with the excellent mat work and perfect transitions, but the guys really kicked it up a notch at the right time and it was great until that lame finish. WAY ahead of it's time, Jumbo is great, I'd never seen him before I don't think.

[@cyberpunkgrappling6447]

@@RobJaskula There is a lot to say about Jumbo. Not only He was a gifted athlete, but according to the Funk brothers he learned Pro Wrestling in just a mtter of weeks, they have trained a ton of wrestlers but never someone like Jumbo In 77 he was still 25 I believe, that's crazy. In the 80's his style changed; he became more of a brawler but in 90/92 his 3on3 tag team matches and his first two single matches with Misawa were arguably the best matches of his career.

[@cyberpunkgrappling6447]

@@RobJaskula Btw I didn't asked you, did you watched the Jumbo/Mil match from 77 or 78 ? The match from 77 is their most important bout

[@RobJaskula]

@@cyberpunkgrappling6447 77

[@yourdagan]

I don't appreciate the lack of wrestling moves in it.

[@muhyee294]

I really want to watch some memphis wrestling with lawler but the quality of the tapes are so bad it almost unwatchable and I lose interest

[@gamechanger700]

To me 5 star matches are those matches who people will remember for a long long time.The matches that I will never forget 1.Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels Mania 25 and 26 2.Undertaker vs Triple H Mania 27 and 28 3.Dustin Rhodes vs Cody Rhodes(don't get mad,I have never seen match with this kind of emotion.The match didn't need any spots,flips and flops to be great) I have seen a lot of takeovers matches but they are just spots they don't make me invested in that spotfest.

[@AniMang1]

There have been some good Takeover matches tho like Revival/DIY and Gargano vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas

[@poindexterflex3528]

This is a garbage list. Also shows that you're just a kid.

[@jamesynfg]

Poindexter Flex not a garbage list by any means, nor does his age have a single thing to do with anything lmao. You weird as hell

[@poindexterflex3528]

@@jamesynfg Absolute garbage response.

[@gamechanger700]

@@jamesynfg thanks man,I am 16 years old.I just stated what I wanted to say.Can't have freaking opinion on the internet

[@JeremyKasperson]

This is a 3.5 star match at best. It isn't wrestling; it's a Texas bar fight. Nostalgia doesn't make up for a poor finish and a lack of serious wrestling moves.

[@mjj6682]

Ok zoomer

[@SPAZZYok]

Corny started by taking pictures of muscular men in short shorts. It's no wonder he "loves" wrestling.

[@TheFreakOnee]

It's so greedy that a fucking millionaire has a Patreon.

[@ChickenParmesan45]

TRUMP 2020

[@je7055]

ahahahahahaha.

[@doctordan9641]

God bless President Donald J. Trump during this global pandemic. We believe in you!

[@TheFreakOnee]

It's so greedy that a fucking millionaire has a Patreon.