The match was set: Funk vs. Butcher at the Lubbock Fair Park Coliseum with the added stipulation that the match would not be stopped for blood as it had been the previous week. The coliseum was packed. Other than appearances by the World Champion, I do not recall ever seeing that many people come to the matches in Lubbock. The concession stands even ran out of programs. The crowd eagerly awaited the main event. The bell sounded to signal the entrances of the wrestlers and a cheering roar greeted Funk as he made his way to the ring. The Butcher and Dillon followed. As Abby climbed through the ropes, Funk attacked him. Terry relentlessly pounded the Butcher and managed to take away his foreign object. After carving up the Butcher’s forehead with his own foreign object, Terry continued his assault. Abby mustered no offense. JJ Dillon ended up taking a few lumps as well. The Butcher wound up flat on his back. Terry began to apply the spinning toe hold. The crowd rose to its feet anticipating a submission.  Terry would not only avenge his defeat the previous week, he would hand the Butcher his first loss in the territory.

As Abby was pounding the mat, a wrestler rushed to the ring, dove through the ropes, and attacked Terry from behind. The bell sounded immediately signifying that Abby had been DQ’ed for outside interference. The wrestler’s Arabian headdress gave away his identity. Abby had been saved by the wildest man in professional, The Sheik. The Sheik and Abby, led by the encouragement of Dillon, double teamed Terry until his face was a crimson mask (RIP Mr. Solie). From the dressing rooms poured a few of the prelim grapplers to attempt a rescue. They were quickly subdued by a stab from the Sheik’s pencil or a karate thrust to the throat from the Butcher. Finally Dory, Jr. emerged from the back and the three heels made a quick exit. Just when you thought things couldn’t get any wilder in the area, the Butcher and the Sheik had formed an alliance.

NEXT MONTH:

Could anyone stop Dillon’s nightmare duo? Would the Butcher ever suffer a defeat in the Western States area? Check out my column next month for answers to these questions.