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In Funk's Corner: A World Class Wrestler And His Hairdresser

Posted: Dec 10th 2009 By: CMBurnham

In 1972, Giant Baba sent Jumbo Tsuruta to the Amarillo Territory for training in professional wrestling. Jumbo was a former Greco Roman Olympic Wrestler. Jumbo became one of the most popular and loved professional wrestlers ever in Japan.

In 1976 All Japan Pro Wrestling sent Sumo Wrestling Star, Genichiro Tenryu to the Amarillo Territory to be trained in Professional Wrestling. Nearing the end of his training period I noticed a small Japanese person traveling with Tenryu. The rumor was that it was Tenryu's Hair Dresser.

I wondered why He would have someone come all the way from Japan to fix his hair.

Hereford, Texas (A small town but good draw for professional wrestling) was running on a Saturday night and at the Amarillo Wrestling Office we received word that one of the wrestlers was sick and would not be making his shot in Hereford.

I didn't see that as a problem as Tenryu was still in town and could easily make the shot before leaving for Japan the following Monday. I asked our Assistant / Referee, Ken Farber to give Tenryu a call and have him work the shot in Hereford.

Ken made the call, then informed me that Tenryu's Hair Dresser had already left for Japan and Tenryu couldn't mess his hair up before leaving for Japan.

I told Ken, "Hell he can go to Bobbie's Beauty Shop down on 10th street and I will pay for his haircut. Tell him to make the shot in Hereford."

After speaking with Tenryu, Ken Farber came back to me and explained that Tenryu's Hair Dresser was specially trained in preparing Sumo Wrestler's Hair. In Japan there would be a special Sumo Ceremony of the Cutting of Tenryu's Hair symbolic of the end of his career in Sumo Wrestling and the beginning of his new career as a Professional Wrestler.

Alex Perez was off that night and was happy to work the Saturday night shot in Hereford, Texas.

Genichiro Tenryu became one of the greatest pro wrestlers in Japan forming a very popular team of Jumbo Tsuruta and Genichiro Tenryu.

Tags: Dory Funk, Jr., Alex Perez