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In Funk's Corner: Return Match NWA World Championship In St. Louis

Posted: Mar 15th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Information credit Larry Matysik - From the Golden Era, St. Louis Wrestling Record Book

Sam Muchnick ran a tight ship in St. Louis. No abuse of the officials was allowed, there was a medical examination before participating, no foreign objects in the ring, no two men on the floor at the same time, wrestlers were instructed to keep it a contest and work for the pin fall, and to top that off the ring in St. Louis was one of the hardest in the business. Everyone received a lecture on what was expected of them prior to the show from either Bobby Bruns or Pat O'Connor.

With victories over Pat O'Connor (Arpil 25) and Edouard Carpentier, (May 16) Black Jack Lanza with Bobby Heenan were ready for a second try at the NWA World Championship.

Saturday June 14, 1969, at Kiel Auditorium, (att. 10,850 sellout) NWA World Champion, Dory Funk, Jr. won from Black Jack Lanza with Bobby Heenan. Funk won the first fall with a spinning toehold after Lanza missed a knee drop from the ropes. Lanza was injured and the referee stopped the match giving the decision to Funk.

Next NWA World Championship Match in St. Louis - October 17, 1969 - Dory Funk, Jr. vs Gene Kiniski

NWA World Title in St. Louis Stories are archived at - http://www.dory-funk.com

Tags: Dory Funk, Jr., Pat O'Connor