Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 25: Bill Dundee vs. Bobby Eaton (7/24/82)

Lance Russell lets us know right away there was a special agreement on the time limit so they could fit it into TV time. I like the Memphis structure that everything must fit into TV time instead of the fake “we’re out of time” TBS way of doing things. I just think fitting everything into TV time becomes more realistic as time goes on.

Hart is out doing mic work with Mid American champion Bobby Eaton. Eaton doesn’t like that he doesn’t have all the time he wants to defend the title. He throws the challenge out to everyone while he puts over the belt. Dutch Mantell comes out with his bull whip. Dundee is sick of waiting in the ring so he comes down. Dundee talks sense to Mantell and ask him to watch Jimmy Hart for him. They have each other’s backs apparently. Hart goes ape shit. He’s great.

Opening of the match is distracted by the ringside angle. Eaton has control early. Mantell and Hart are seated next to one another near the ring. I find the match itself competitive and both are competent in there, but it isn’t very fascinating. The match is mostly a backdrop for the angle at ringside, not the other way around.

Eaton controlled almost the whole way through until Hart trips Dundee, and Mantell chokes Hart at ringside. A minute later Mantell trips Eaton, so Dundee gets a near fall. Then the ring breaks. The bottom rope and middle rope break off. No tension. This has become more neat spectacle then a great match. Dundee wins the title a minute later. Mantell, then Sweet Brown Sugar, and then King Cobra hit the ring. Really interesting angle to watch, but not a match or angle that did a lot for me past one viewing. 2 ¼ and 4/10.

Match Discussion Here