Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 8: Bill Dundee & Dream Machine vs. Dutch Mantell & Wayne Farris (3/14/81)

We’re back in the studio for this match. Dream Machine was a masked wrestler Troy Roland Thompson, who also wrestled without a mask as Troy Graham. He would go on to be part of the New York Dolls tag team a few years later. For this match he’s a babyface on a run after leaving Jimmy Hart’s First Family stable. Every other participant we’ve gone over already in prior Memphis Diaries.

The Angel is subbed out and Wayne Farris in thanks to the heel masterminding of Jimmy Hart. The Angel is still on the split-screen graphic though, which I like. The studio background is now orange, for those who care. Jerry Calhoun is the referee, as he has been for most of these matches. I’ve barely noticed him, which means he’s been very good.

Machine and Dundee appear strong in the early going. Dundee does him normal routine and at times lets the heels fall into each other. Always entertaining. Dream Machine is a generic looking guy with a very basic big guy style of body slams and punches. His upside is he moves well and seems to connect with the audience.

The first five minutes of the match aren’t much to write home about. Fine work but not very interesting or exciting. So far these tag matches are always solid even when not exciting. A lot of little nuance stuff from the faces as far as ring psychology.

First fall ends with a ref bump and a DQ on the heels (Mantell and Farris) at 7 minutes. I didn’t realize we’d be doing best of three falls today. Play on, boys.

Second fall is fast back and forth action. Modern fans will be happy to know these guys only sold momentarily blows just like today’s stars. No big long term selling past the moment in this match, all you “better in my day” memories.

Second fall ends quickly with all the men brawling on the floor. Ref calls it a no contest. So get this: They throw it back to Dave Brown and Lance Russell, who tell us casually they’ll check the time and see if we have TV time for a third fall. Apparently they didn’t, since my DVD goes to the next match. That’s a way to continue the issue without a loser. Nothing but solid, b ut uninspired, stuff here. 2 ½ and 4/10.

Match Discussion Here