Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 23: Bill Dundee vs. Sweet Brown Sugar (2/3 falls, Scaffold Match) (6/21/82)

As a rule I don’t usually enjoy or like scaffold matches. I find it an antiquated gimmick that’s short on action and usually just disappoints while it injures wrestlers. There’s usually little reason for the gimmick storyline wise and the result can be very dull. That’s the type of attitude I’m going to have to fight as I go into this match, which is an elongated two of three falls. Deep breath – begin.
This is from the Mid South Coliseum. Scaffold on either side of the ring and a ladder across the top above the ring canvas. It’s a walkway wide enough for a person to walk, but not really fight on. Dundee exudes charisma as he waits in the ring for Sweet Brown Sugar (SBS for now).

We start out slowly, which does build anticipation and drama – I guess. I just find it really boring. Dundee climbs right up and motions for SBS to come up. The heel, Sugar, hesitates. Russell puts over that Dundee has no fear of heights.

They finally meet up top on the platform. Collar and elbow tie up into a head butt. Smartly they go to their butts and fight sitting. They punch and kick. Sugar eventually sends Dundee down the scaffold, which is actually pretty impressive. Dundee sells well in going down in a fall-like style without actually falling. He attempts to climb back up using the rungs under the platform and Sugar kicks away at his hands. Dundee swings for dramatic effect before finally falling. Good effort and a decently safe bump that looked good. SBS wins fall # 1.

Dundee doesn’t even take the 20 seconds you get on the canvas. He marches back up the scaffold and they tease he’ll be kicked right back down. He hangs upside down and swings around. Impressive. Up kicks to the face of SBS and Dundee makes his way back up. They lay on each other a bit after going the length of the platform. Sugar acts like he gets a chain out of his tights so Dundee takes his boot off. Stalemate. Great choke spot as Dundee shakes the shot out of Sugar. Dundee finally gets his to hang off and the crowd is popping now. Sugar takes the big bump. Dundee wins fall # 2.

They punch at each other in a shoot like manner at the start of the third fall. Sugar gets a sleeper on him. I’m actually enjoying this. Dundee gets some kicks in. Now they’re just laying there, teasing another Dundee fall. Of course Dundee’s not going down. Back and forth until Sugar tries a leverage move and they both almost fall. Dundee hangs onto the scaffold and Sugar has to hang on the rungs below the platform. A few more kicks and Sugar takes the big bump. Dundee wins. Sugar sells. I’m impressed.

A surprising good match that didn’t take forever. In fact, while it’s not my cup of tea as a concept, this was the best scaffold match I’ve ever seen. Both men did their jobs well. It had drama and a good storyline. Well done. 3 ¼ and 6.4/10.

Match Discussion Here