In 1949, the Funks moved to the Amarillo area permanently. Dory not only became the focal point of the wrestling promotion, he became a recognized leader in the community. From 1950 to 1953, he served as the superintendent and football coach at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, a home for wayward young men. He also had a local TV sports show. Though he had many professional commitments, he was always active in numerous charitable organizations.

Wrestling thrived in Amarillo and the West Texas Region during the 1950’s. Dory Detton promoted the matches in Amarillo; Sled Allen promoted in Lubbock. The Region’s prominent titles were the Southwestern Junior Heavyweight Title, the Southwest Title, the North American Title, and the Southwest Tag Team Titles. The decade saw Dory hold the Southwestern Junior Heavyweight Title eight times. He feuded with many legendary wrestlers for the belt, including Wayne Martin, Frankie Murdoch, Bob Cummings, Tony Morelli, Ivan Kalmikoff, Roy Shire, The Great Bolo, Nick Roberts and Iron Mike DiBiase. Dory held the Southwest Title briefly in 1956 before it was replaced by the North American Title in 1957. Dory held the North American Title on seven different occasions from 1957 to 1960. His title reigns saw him defeat the likes of the previously mentioned Bolo, Shire, Roberts and DiBiase as well as Buddy Rogers and Antone Leone. With respect to the Tag Team Titles, Dory partnered with Cowboy Carlson, Bob Geigel, Ricky Romero and Dick Hutton to hold Southwest and North American belts.

The 1960’s saw Funk, Sr.’s continued prominence in the region. He held the North American Title on ten more occasions, defeating Nikita Mulkovich, Danny McShane, Fritz Von Erich, Kinji Shibuya, Clubfoot Inferno, and Buddy Colt. His main tag partner became Ricky Romero, with whom he had an additional four North American Tag Title championships. Funk and Romero defeated a number of teams, including Gene Kiniski and Fritz Von Erich, Nelson Royal and the Viking, and Fritz Von Erich and Mike DiBiase. The 1960’s also saw the debuts of two future NWA World Champions in Amarillo. Dory, Jr. had his first match in 1963 against Jack Dalton, while Terry’s initial match took place in 1967 against Sputnik Monroe. As the decade closed, Dory, Jr. captured the NWA World Title. He held the title for over four years and frequently defended it in the region.

As the 1970’s began, the territory was as hot as ever. A hometown boy was still World Champion and Dory, Sr. and Terry remained top draws in singles and tag bouts. Dory, Sr. also entered into an agreement with Shohei Baba to exchange talent between Japan and the U.S. This move would solidify the Funks as international superstars.

Dory, Sr. continued to wrestle until his death in 1973. His last match in Amarillo occurred on May 24, 1973. That night, Dory, Sr. and Terry defeated Cyclone Negro and King Curtis Iaukea. The following week, Terry and Curtis battled it out in a Russian Chain match, with Terry prevailing. However, after losing, Curtis attacked Terry with the chain, tied him to the ring post, and gave him a solid chair shot to the head. Not willing to tolerate such treatment of a family member, Dory, Sr. challenged Curtis to a Texas Death Match. The match was booked for Amarillo on June 7, 1973. Additionally, Dory put up a "$10,000 side bet," and the following stipulations were added:

1) Each wrestler would forfeit $100 for each fall lost; and,
2) Falls could be scored outside the ring.
The added stipulations were a trademark for Amarillo.

Unfortunately, Dory Funk Sr. passed away on June 3, 1973 at the age of 54. With all due respect to Dory, Jr. and Terry, he was the most significant figure in Amarillo wresting history. In the ring, he epitomized the phrase, which he coined: "Meaner than a rattlesnake, tougher than shoe leather." Away from the ring, he was devoted to his family and community. The Funks could have cancelled the matches for June 7, 1973, in Amarillo and the fans would have understood. However, the matches were held as scheduled. I’m sure that’s how Mr. Funk would have wanted it. He was never one to disappoint the fans.

Even after the passing of the patriarch of the Funk family, the territory remained strong. Dory, Jr., Terry, Ricky Romero and Dick Murdoch were the top faces in the 1970’s. Their main rivals were Cyclone Negro, the Super Destroyer (Art Neilson), the Brisco brothers, Harley Race and many others. Terry won the NWA title in December of 1975 and routinely defended it in the area. After Harley Race claimed the title in 1977, he also regularly appeared to defend the belt.

As the 1970’s ended, so, too, did the promotion. The Funks were international stars and wrestled more frequently away from the region. Dory, Jr. took a position with Eddie Graham in Florida. The promotion was sold to Bob Windham (Blackjack Mulligan) and Dick Murdoch who continued to run it until roughly 1980. After that time, Jack Adkisson’s group moved in to basically promote World Class Championship Wrestling.

The Amarillo promotion was way ahead of its time in many ways, especially with respect to the hard core style of wrestling. It featured "extreme" style matches before Paul Heyman was even born. Texas Death, Russian Chain, and Steel Cage matches were common place, with the participants regularly getting a little "color." Do you think Public Enemy or the Dudleys invented the table spot? If so, think again. I saw Cyclone Negro put Terry Funk through the TV announcer’s table in 1975, with Terry returning the favor a week later. Did death match tournaments originate in IWA Japan or Big Japan? Nope. Amarillo had a death match tournament in 1972.

Another factor, which made the region unique, was the presence of West Texas State University. If Penn State is Linebacker U.; West Texas State is Pro Wrestler U. Professional wrestling alumni include Dory, Jr. and Terry Funk, Frank Goodish (Bruiser Brody), Bobby Duncum, Tully Blanchard, Merced Solis (Tito Santana), Ted DiBiase and Stan Hansen. Most of the aforementioned made their ring debut in Amarillo.

There is so much more to tell, and I look forward to going into greater detail about specific matches, feuds and titles. 

NEXT MONTH:

We’ll go back to 1972 and try to answer the question: Who is King of the Texas Death Match?