August 20, 1970
Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Pak Song

Song's loss two months earlier to Junior had done little to diminish his heat in the area. Song defeated Dory Sr. in a match with a stipulation that had Dory risking $2000 to Song's return to Korea. He also defeated Eddie Graham in a match with the same stipulation. Following those victories, Song captured the Western States title from Terry Funk. On August !3, 1970, Song defeated Dory Sr. in Western States title match. With the World Title at stake, Song defeated Dory in the first fall with a stomach claw. Dory came back to claim the second fall with a spinning toe hold. In the third fall, Terry came to ringside. The ref was distracted by Terry's appearance and missed Song attempting a pin attempt which would have won him the match. While song argued with the referee, Dory caught him with a sunset flip for the pin and victory.

October 15, 1970
Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Seiji Sakaguchi

Sakaguchi had come to the area just one week earlier from Japan. His first appearance in Amarillo was quite impressive as he emerged the winner in a four man tournament to gain a title shot at Dory. The other participants in the tournament were Bob Griffin (later known as the Patriot- I learned this from the message board!), Bull Ramos and Thunderbolt Patterson. Sakaguchi took down Griffin with a stomach claw. Patterson prevailed over Ramos with the aid of a pair of brass knuckles. In the finals, Sakaguchi used his stomach claw again to go over Patterson and claim the title shot. A special stipulation was added to the championship bout, as a second referee was stationed outside the ring to watch for the illegal use of karate. In the title match, Sakaguchi captured the first fall with his dreaded claw finisher. Dory rallied in the second fall with a reverse suplex for the pin. Dory got the clean victory in the third fall following a dropkick and press.

November 12, 1970
Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Thunderbolt Patterson

Patterson had originally come to the area in 1967. He returned in 1970. While he had heard some cheers from the fans in his feud with Pak Song, a series of matches with Dory, Sr. for the brass knuckles title had him in the role of the vilified heel for this world title match. Senior and Patterson had a falling out in a tag team match against Song and Sakaguchi which rekindled their feud from days past. On November 5, Patterson won a 17 man battle royal at the Sports Arena to earn his title shot. With the NWA title at stake, Dory took the first fall with the spinning toe hold.  T-bolt came back to even things in the second fall with a head butt. In the third, Patterson went for his brass knuckles, but was caught by the referee. As Patterson and the ref argued, Dory rolled up Patterson for the pin and victory.

December 10, 1970
Dory Funk, Jr. vs. Danny Hodge

What a great scientific match up this was. Hodge, the great collegiate wrestler from Oklahoma, had appeared in Amarillo on several occasions prior to this match to defend his NWA Junior Heavyweight title. I believe he was still junior title holder when he faced Dory in this bout. Hodge won the first fall with a reverse standing figure four leg lock. Dory took the second fall with the spinning toe hold. Hodge was counted out of the ring in the third fall to seal the victory for Dory.

NEXT MONTH:

We'll look back at some great matches from other cities in the territory, including Odessa, El Paso, Colorado Springs and Lubbock.