Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 6: Bill Dundee vs. Wayne Farris & Tojo Yamamoto (3/7/81)

We know Dundee and Farris by now. Tojo Yamamoto is a Japanese wrestler who played a stereotypical Asian heel. He was a long time Memphis heel. He died many years back, sometime in the 90s I believe.

Dundee is again tagging with Tommy Rich, but Rich can’t be here. Jimmy Hart is the heel manager heel. He gives a promo and turns down postponing the match. It’ll be Dundee defending the Southern tag belts against Tojo and Farris. Another Hart charge, the masked man known as Dream Machine, comes out and leaves the “First Family”, Hart’s faction. To the match…

Dundee’s headlock takedown rules. Every match he does one of those or an arm drag take down second only to the Guerrero Brothers, Chavo and Hector. Dundee working with larger opponents so well reminds me of Danielson’s work with Morishima. Well, perhaps that’s a stretch. It’s great though, as 2 on one you are getting the Bill Dundee babyface show. It’s a clinic; though it dawns on me non of these men could find work in modern major league wrestling. Dundee would be in ROH.

Crowd is very into this two-on-one dynamic. Timing, as most Dundee matches, is strong and the pacing is there. Tojo really does look old. Dave Meltzer recently said something to the effect of “when Tojo was 30 he looked 50” and it’s so true. He’s also not the best to watch, quite frankly, but Dundee carries him well.

Russell mentions at the five minute mark that Dundee better pacing himself and the heels keep switching on and off. This adds a great layer to the match psychology. Also want to mention there’s been A LOT more amateur style wrestling in these matches then I expected out of Memphis, and I have Dundee to thank for that so far. He works on Wayne Farris’ arm a bit to a good fan reaction. Nothing blow away and doesn’t need to be.

This is one of the few times I really see the heel psychology of “gutter wrestling” here, which is a perfect revelation in this match. The heels punch to the stomach and then get the heat from the crowd with punches and stomps to Dundee. There is no technique. He’s the skilled good guy and it takes two “unskilled” bad guys who use cheap cheating tactics to beat him. Still, at times he manages to outsmart them for hope spots. In those moments the angered vocal fans start to cheer. This match is wrestling textbook in action.

8 minutes gone and Dundee toys with them by breaking the count and staying on the floor to rest. He sits with the crowd. AWESOME! He’ll come in for short attacks, but leave again when the beaten heel tags out. The crowd actually loves the stall because the hero is outsmarting the heels and pacing himself.

Boxing spots and Yamamoto sells the punches (not overused so they mean more) very well. Superstar even throws in some Euro technique before selling for more heel tactics. The best part when he stalls is going to the desk to ask the animated Lance Russell how much time is left.

Finally Farris has enough and uses a chain behind the refs back. Dundee is bleeding. Tojo milks the heat here, but also makes Killer Khan look like a great worker at the same time. Dundee makes a comeback on both guys the looks like a real strong worked fight (especially with Latham), but the onslaught gets to him and Tojo blasts him in the eyes then makes the pin. Jimmy Hart celebrates the win huge! New Southern Tag champs.

But wait. The ref sees Dundee has salt in his eyes and reverses the decision. At the same time the bitter Dream Machine comes out and helps Dundee clear the ring of the first family. The crowd of a few dozen in the studio looks like Austin came out at the height of Austin 3:16 mania. What a scene and match. This was like watching Guerrero vs Mr. Olympia or Midnights vs TA/Wrestling II early in the Mid South Diaries. Translation: this was a total revelation. 3 ½ and 7/10.

Match Discussion Here