by David Chappell
Mid-Atlantic Gateway
Raleigh Fri. 9/22 Spartanburg Sat. 9/23 Don't miss it this weekend! |
When I think of Terry Funk and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, visions of the spectacular United States Heavyweight Title Tournament on November 9, 1975 in Greensboro, North Carolina come immediately to mind where Terry bested “Number One” Paul Jones in the tournament finals, and took the coveted U.S. belt back to Amarillo, Texas with him, to the chagrin of the Jim Crockett Promotions faithful.
However, Terry’s United States Title reign lasted only 18 days as Paul Jones brought the Title back to the Mid-Atlantic area in a magnificent rematch on Thanksgiving Day back in Greensboro. Undeterred, Funk came back with a vengeance and captured the World Title on December 10, 1975 defeating Jack Brisco in Miami, Florida. Funk’s ascension to the top of the wrestling world made Paul Jones the immediate number one contender for the World belt, as he only two weeks before had knocked Terry off in Greensboro and Paul could say with conviction that he had Funk’s number. And the great Chief Wahoo McDaniel was also lurking in the Mid-Atlantic area as a top challenger for the new Champion.
BIG TIME WRESTLING IN THE CAROLINAS
Raleigh, NC - Dorton Arena - Friday, September 22 - Tickets
Spartanburg, SC - Memorial Auditorium - Saturday, September 23 - Tickets
Terry Funk Kevin Nash Jerry Lawler Sgt. Slaughter Tommy Rich
Jimmy Valiant George South Rock & Roll Express Magnum T.A.
Many others!
Terry returned to the Mid-Atlantic area with the World’s Heavyweight Championship in tow at the beginning of February 1976, and gave a memorable interview on the set of the Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling television show. “Fans, in every sport there’s one at the head of the class and in professional wrestling right now that man is Terry Funk, World’s Heavyweight Champion, and it’s a pleasure always to welcome the Champion to Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, Terry,” announcer Bob Caudle exclaimed.
Terry continued, “What does this belt mean to me? By golly, whenever I was five years old, I wasn’t like most kids; because most kids had a dream…they usually dreamed of being a doctor, a lawyer, a fireman or something like that. My father was a professional wrestler, and I dreamed of having this belt around my waist sometime. And I tell you what, two dreams came true because Dory Funk, Jr. became World’s Heavyweight Champion for four and a half years, then I went ahead and took the belt…now this is something in professional wrestling to have one family hold the belt.”
There is no question that Terry Funk will put on a can’t miss performance when he steps into the ring later this week in Raleigh and Spartanburg, but his special appearances in the Carolinas in a few days will also spark great memories of Terry wrestling as NWA World’s Champion in 1976, stepping foot into the lion’s den he called Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.