Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 45: Jerry Lawler vs. Bill Dundee (Loser Leaves Town) (6/6/83) [EWY-6]

This match, from the pre-fight build to the execution and finish, is just amazing. Essentially Dundee goes heel on his partner Lawler, though he retains some of his own fans. They disovle the tag team and have a war of words for weeks. That I know of they never touch during the build up to the match. The match itself is promoted as a No DQ, no time limit, Loser Leaves Town match where there must be a winner. The Saturday before the show they spend the whole TV show with these guys on opposite ends of the announcers desk, promoting and arguing, while Lance Russell and Eddie Marlin keep the show flowing.

The feel at the beginning of this match is big time. As in WWE PPV main event feel. This is essentially a Wrestlemania main event for the Memphis market and the buzz in the crowd is palpable. If you think Jim Ross ceases the moment on the mic then you should hear Russell here. He knows this is a moment in history.

Russell: “The bell has sounded for the most important match ever held in the Mid South Coliseum”
Lawler takes a big swing that flusters Dundee early. He gets flustered a few times the first few minutes. Dundee sells the first punch big and they give all the moments time to sit with the audience. The fell out moments here are text book, leading to Dundee hitting a back elbow from hell off of running the ropes. Both guys now know what they’re in for, and it’s hell.

Dundee is pulling out the running bull dog a lot tonight. He finally gets caught on it and send off the turnbuckle. The punches from both in this match are epically good. Dundee as much as Lawler, if that’s to be believed. Dundee keeps trying to pin Lawler, but with each foot on the rope or kick out, the buzz in the crowd grows. Lawler presses him off to the outside on a pin fall. A moment later they collide and Dundee falls on him for a near fall. Awesome. Lawler gets one of his own a moment later. They are selling big and the crowd buys everything they do.

Dundee takes the Harley Race bump over the turnbuckle trying the running knee. Lawler’s timing on when to do big punches is perfect here. He hits a few but misses the Alabama Jam off the top. Near fall for Dundee. Big pop on the kick out. There are guys in the front row who are obviously heel fans rooting for Dundee. They go insane yelling at the ref with every near fall Lawler kicks out on.

Russell does some great commentary questioning the decisions of Dundee at one point, thinking he could have won. Dundee is pulling out a lot of stuff I’ve never seen him do. He really had characteristics of an early high flyer, and he shows them here. Dundee posts Lawler and celebrates, drawing heat. He punches and slaps him in such a shoot way that nothing short of the Necro Butcher today would look that real in wrestling. Lawler is busted open and Dundee is so perfectly tenacious. Even Russell seems nervous. Lawler takes a very WWE Attitude Era bump from the apron down to the announcer’s desk.

Here comes the Lawler Superman comeback. Punches are solid and Dundee’s selling is right on. Lawler comes off the top rope with the diving fist, then does a cocky cover. Dundee crucifixes the arms and rolls through for a huge near fall, catching everyone by surprise. Lawler charges a moment later and hits the post with his shoulder. I love that Dundee is ever the opportunist in this match, going for the pin right away. He’s tried at every turn to finish the match. 20 minutes in.

Dundee takes out the leg with a big body block. Then another. Lawler catches him the third time with an upper cut. A kick to the gut. Pile Driver! 1-2-3 Lawler wins.

Words cannot describe this match properly, but it is everything that is wonderful about pro wrestling and the idea of wrestling as sport in presentation. The closest thing to a perfect match I’ve seen on this set. 4 ½ and 9/10.

Match Discussion Here