Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match #3: Bill Dundee vs. Paul Ellering (5/24/80)

Ellering would go on to manage the Road Warriors. Here he’s just a gassed up bodybuilder type who I’ll assume is a power wrestler. Dundee comes into the studio sporting tights that read “Macho Man”.
Considering that Savage is on this set and will always be the real macho man, I just found that funny.
Dundee out wrestles him to start. They give breaks for the fans to cheer and Ellering to glare at him. Good early pace. Ellering was actually a pretty good heel. He pulls the hair twice to gain an advantage off takedowns.

It should be noted that while Dundee out-quicks the bigger stronger Ellering, the heel manager Jimmy Hart pounds the apron on the outside.

For a face Dundee sure did get a lot of offense in these matches. I’m not complaining though, I like his style of match. Dundee sells well when it comes time to do so. Five minutes in the big man takes control and Dundee has to do some of that selling we talked about. Beer hug included.

The timing of when they do the heat and hope spots in this match is really well worked out. It feels very natural. Hart hits Dundee when he gets a sleeper for a hot hope spot.

Great finish as Dundee takes out the ref by accident, Hart tries to interfere, but Sonny King carries Hart to the back. Dundee with the roll up pin for the win. The crowd exploded at this. It was very well done. Ellering explodes after this and screams for Sonny King’s head. 3 stars and 6/10.

Match Discussion Here