Bill Dundee vs Bobby Eaton - Memphis 7/24/82

 

The ideal Southern 80s TV match that is just so much fun. Eaton & Hart are out to talk some smack about the Aussie Midget. The Dutchman was going to have none of that. Dundee asks him to watch his back and neutralize that twerp, the Mouth of the South. Eaton is consummate heel. Just so good at stooging especially little details saying his tights were yanked on a hiptoss, the way he goes for the ropes to break up a fall or how he asks Dutch how he likes it when he is choking Dundee on the ropes. Dundee missed a splash from the top rope and that's your transition. They don't give much a way in this because they are on TV, but they are doing so much with little. Does anybody have a better elbow drop than Bobby Eaton? Dutch fails at his one job as Hart trips Dundee up during his mini-comeback, but Eaton only gets two. Whats good for the goose, is good for the gander and Mantell trips up Eaton, but that only gets two. The middle rope breaks, which I think was a shoot. Lay off the twinkies, Dundee. Dundee hits a cross body for the three! The First Family hits the ring, but Dutch with the whip and King Cobra chase them off as the bloody Dundee is awarded the title. Just a fundamentally sound fun TV match. ***

A young Eaton! He’s as super good as well. All of his offence looks good as well. Before the match, he and Jimmy Hart are upset by the appearance of Dutch Mantel so they spend the segment complaining before Dundee shuts them up and starts the match. The match is fast paced and filled with simple wrestling. Loads of punches and strikes. The ring even starts to fall apart towards the end due to the velocity of their bumping. Dundee scores the win, popping the studio audience which sparks a melee. Cool match. ***