Funk immediately interrupts Solie and says something like "The Grahams?  Uh, Gordon, Eddie Graham is a legend in Professional Wrestling and I have great respect for the man............. but the Kid..... Well, The Kid Just Doesn't Have It (shaking his head). 

Solie is stunned. Funk continues on about how Mike Graham doesn't have any talent and doesn't belong in the business. Mike Graham comes out to the desk to confront Funk and challenge him to get in the ring. Funk in a cocky manner decides to accept the challenge and "Teach the Boy a Lesson". 

For the next several minutes Mike Graham tosses Terry Funk around the ring like he's wrestling a rank amateur. Funk gets frustrated and starts throwing punches.  Graham answers every shot with one of his own giving Funk a lesson in brawling.  Funk exits the ring and heads for Solie's desk complaining in classic Terry Funk "crying mode" - He wants to punch and kick, I wanted to wrestle........ I wanted to wrestle.. Ya Think The Man Would Wrestle ME?" 

Solie responds, "Well, it appears he sure as heck did Mr. Funk!  Mike Graham still waiting in the center of the Ring for Terry Funk....... We'll be back."  Classic CWF material. 

One of Dory Funk, Jr.'s most memorable feuds in Florida was with Billy Jack Haynes. Billy Jack was one of the most popular wrestlers in the Florida region during the early 1980's.  While Gordon Solie is interviewing Dory Funk, Jr., Billy Jack comes out to shake the legendary Funk's hand. He tells him that he believes Funk is the greatest wrestler to come out of the state of Texas, other than Dusty Rhodes! Funk slaps Billy Jack across the face for the huge insult and the feud is on.  

Over the next few weeks Dory Funk, Jr. storms in during Billy Jack's matches attacking him with a leather whip on one occasion, generally trying to torment him as much as possible. Of course when they square off together, Billy Jack always gets the better of him. 

Solie announces that Dory Funk, Jr. has asked for some time on the program.  Funk knows Billy Jack is not anywhere near the building as he's off doing some charity work. He starts complaining - "I've got a signed contract right here Gordon, I'm challenging Billy Jack to wrestle on Television right here today but the challenge isn't being answered. Where's Billy Jack?? Where is he?  I'm ready to wrestle! Where is Billy Jack!" 

Mike Graham comes out to stick up for Billy Jack. He tells Dory, Jr. "You're out here challenging the guy when you know he's not even in the building, you wanna wrestle somebody, wrestle me. Funk responds that "I'm here to talk about Billy Jack...." Graham again reminds him that "Billy Jack's not even here today but I'm right here! I'll wrestle ya right now!" 

Dory Funk looks at Graham's Jacket that has a 'USA' emblem on the front.  He says, "What's that say USA?" while brushing his hand across the front of Graham's jacket. Then he quickly slaps Graham across the face. Graham returns with a right hand of his own knocking Funk off balance. They exchange blows again, Funk points to the ring and says "Get in there". 

They engage in a competitive wrestling match with both men having near pinfalls.  About 8 - 10 minutes into the match the referee is knocked unconscious.  Just a few seconds later Graham applies the figure four leglock and has Funk in trouble. Dory's banging his hands on the canvas, holding his head trying to wart off the pain, when Jesse Barr (an up and coming 'Good Guy') moves toward the ring.  

Gordon sounds quite relieved when he sees Jesse Barr flying toward the ring.  He says, "Well there's Jesse Barr ....."  Barr begins stomping on Mike Graham much to Solie's disbelief.  Solie continues "WHAT'S HE DOING! WHAT IS HE BLIND?  THAT'S MIKE GRAHAM HE'S AFTER! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO JESSE BARR?????

Jesse Barr and Dory Funk, Jr. give Graham a solid beating and leave him laying in the ring. Gordon Solie and Buddy Colt are at the desk and Jesse Barr comes over to talk. Gordon is upset and confronts Jesse Barr upon his arrival to the desk

Solie (yelling): JESSE, WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU!

Barr: There isn't anything the matter with me.

Solie: WELL WHY DID YOU (Barr interrupts)

Barr: Listen, when I got to Florida, Dory Funk told me to cover his back. If he got into any trouble and I got him out of it, I could write my own ticket!

Solie: Whaaaat Are You Telling Me?

Barr: ARE YOU HARD OF HEARING. I said Dory Funk told me if he got in trouble and I got him out of it I could have anything I wanted!

Solie: Well, Jesse, what you just did was absolutely disgusting, and if you don't mind, just leave this set!

Barr grabs Gordon by the collar and starts shaking him, screaming at him "WHO DO YOU THINK YER TALKIN' TO! HUH! Buddy Colt tries to step in to help but Barr lets go with his right hand, delivering a backhanded fist to the jaw knocking him to the ground, yelling, "I DON'T NEED SOME WASHED UP 'HAS-BEEN' PUTTIN' THEIR HANDS ON ME!" He quickly returns his grip on Gordon's collar and barks out "FROM NOW ON WHEN YOU TALK TO ME YOU BETTER USE RESPECT!  I'M A MAN!! YOU BETTER TALK TO ME LIKE A MAN!!!

Barr storms off the set, Gordon Solie has a look of total shock on his face.  Buddy Colt slowly gets to his feet holding his jaw.

NEXT MONTH: 

Tragedy Strikes: Bobby Shane killed as Shane and 3 other Wrestling Stars Crash into Tampa Bay. 

Until next time, "So long from the Sunshine State."