First Round: Los Angeles - Randy Orton vs. Terry Funk

[klunderbunker]

This is a first round matchup in the Los Angeles Subregion. The ring and arena are universal throughout the first round and the organization is not a factor. There is a 20 minute time limit. Vote using any criteria you like. Most votes in the poll at the end of the time period wins. In the case of a tie we will go off of the number of written votes. In the case of a second tie, both are eliminated.

Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California.

Randy Orton

Vs.

Terry Funk

Voting is open for 4 days.

 

[ScreaminNormanSmiley]

i had to give this one to terry funk. orton is one of the best currently but at this point in his career he cant match up to funk. funk held the nwa title for 14 months, while ortons longest reign was only 6. funk put on very entertaining matches for 40 years. funk could also adapt his style better than almost any other wrestler ive ever seen. he was incredibley succesful at a traditional style of wrestling and an innovator of and one of the all time if not the greaest at hardcore wrestling.

 

[D-Man]

First and foremost, I totally understand what Terry Funk has done for the business of pro-wrestling. I also know how tough he was, is, and always will be, even if he's a near-crippled old man by now. I've also studied up on his earlier work with Ric Flair, Barry Windham, the Briscoes...

But over the past 3 years, Orton had showed me that he is truly going to be one of the greats in this business. The guy is smart, quick, tactful, calculated, and merciless. If he stood toe-to-toe with the Terry Funk of the 1980's, I don't think I'd see Funk's hand getting raised.

So I'm voting for Orton.

 

[Alex]

I honestly feel this could be a draw. Randy Orton is cold, calculating and knows exactly when to strike, Terry Funk could take and would keep coming back for more meaning Orton would have to pull out all the stops, and there's no guarantee that it would be enough

 

[Uncle Sam]

Terry Funk is from a time of serious-looking knee pads. He's from a time of simple, catchy nicknames. He's from a time when everyone wore blue briefs to the ring. He's from a time when a scoop slam ended a match. He's from a time when men would boldly show off their forearms, and women would be shunned for doing so. He's from a time when every punch thrown at your foe was a punch thrown against communism. Red bastards. What a man. What a man.

Also, he did some barb wire matches and shit. I think The Undertaker might have choke slammed him once.

Orton's not bad, but look at his picture. Wrist tape? Are you fucking serious? You either show the whole forearm or you have the decency to put on a t-shirt and refuse to retire. Bag-shitting prick.

 

[GenMe]

This match here is even for me. Terry had done a lot in the wrestling business he's a Hardcore icon, But Randy Orton is young and he had accomplished a lot as a young wreslter in the WWE. Randy Orton is the legend killer, So I say Orton goes for the Punt kick and destroys Terry Funk. Winner: Randy Orton

 

[The People's Peep]

great match up here. Funk is one of the biggest legends in the world of wrestling. orton still has many years ahead of him. Im voting for orton mainly because i think he will be regarded as a legend similar to SCSA by the time he's done. for that to happen, he has to beat funk.

 

[Scotty]

Terry Funk is at an immediate disadvantage because this isn't some bat shit crazy match. It is just a simple one on one submission or pinfall to a finish. I could see Funk dishing out some punishment to Orton, but ultimately, that RKO can come from no where. Keep in mind that Funk is a legend, but Orton is a Legend Killer. I see an RKO ending Funk's tournament bid early.

My vote goes to Orton.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

I voted for Funk.

I think a lot of people will overvalue the victory Randy had in the hardcore IC Title Match against Mick Foley, which I grant you showed Randy's toughness. But Funk is one of the most versatile men to ever grace the squared circle. He was one of the true breakout world-wide stars who cut his teeth in the territory system, and the more I read the books of men such as JJ Dillon and Eric Bischoff, the more I realize how critical Funk has been to the world of professional wrestling.

Both men come from great wrestling families. Both have been champions at high levels. Both have careers marked by classic feuds. Both were ruthless heels and both have mentored the youth movement.

I give the nod to Funk due to experience. He's seen it all. He won the ECW Title (the original ECW title) in his 50's, thanks in part to his amazing experience. I just think after Orton has used up all his dirty tricks, Funk will have just one more to use. After all, Funk came up with Ric Flair - so he knows a thing or two about dirty play.

 

[JGlass]

Reading through a few of these posts, I get the feeling people think Funk is good for nothing more than doing hardcore shit.

Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.

His hardcore matches just show how much more of a man he is that you, just in case his beard wasn't enough proof.

In the beginning of his career, Funk was one of the most respected and well known wrestlers in the business, which lead to him holding the NWA World Heavy Weight Championship for over a year. To win it, he had to beat Jack Brisco, who had held the title for a little over a year himself.

The old dude can brawl, the old dude can be technical, and of course, he can get hardcore.

You may think Funk's hardcore ability doesn't come into account in this match, but it's just a testament to how much damage he can take before he's out for the count. He can be thrown through a table that's wrapped in barbed wire and still kick out of a pin. He's probably up there on the all time chairshots to the head list, and he's still wrestling to this day. Let Orton try to kick him in the head, I can guarantee you the Funker has survived FAR worse.

Finally, vote for Funk because he seems like a solid guy. If you've ever seen Beyond the Mat, you'll see that Terry Funk is among the most humble wrestlers that the director talks to. He lives at a ranch with his wife and kids, says a prayer before he starts his day, and kisses his wife goodbye before he heads off to work. When he puts on his "final match" (turns out it's not his final match) he begs an old friend of his to referee the main event, and it sounds like Terry would be genuinely saddened if this guy was not involved. Furthermore, Terry and his brother Dory have trained tons of the wrestlers we watch today.

A vote for Terry is a vote for a good, honest, hardworking man. Emphasis on man.

 

[RVDgurl]

Randy Orton is probably one of the best in the business over the past 2-3 years. He's good. He's really good. But he's not yet on the level of a Terry Funk. Alot of people see Funk as nothing more than a hardcore wrestler- look a little deeper at the entire career of Terry Funk:

All Japan Pro Wrestling
World's Strongest Tag Team League (1977, 1979, 1982) – with Dory Funk, Jr.

Cauliflower Alley Club
Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2005)

Championship Wrestling from Florida
NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Dory Funk, Jr.
NWA Florida Television Championship (1 time)
NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (1 time) – with Dory Funk, Jr.
NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (2 times)
NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Eastern Championship Wrestling / Extreme Championship Wrestling
ECW Television Championship (1 time)
ECW World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
Hardcore Hall of Fame (2005)

Georgia Championship Wrestling
NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Dory Funk, Jr.
NWA Georgia Television Championship (1 time)

International Wrestling Association of Japan
IWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

Juggalo Championship Wrestling
JCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling / World Championship Wrestling
NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (1 time)
WCW Hardcore Championship (3 times)
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
WCW Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)

NWA Hollywood Wrestling
NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA International Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Dory Funk, Jr.
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles version) (1 time) – with Dory Funk, Jr.
NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version) (2 times)
NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship (7 times)
NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Ricky Romero
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (2 times) – with Dory Funk, Jr.

Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling
3PW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
PWI Feud of the Year (1989) vs. Ric Flair
PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1997)
PWI Wrestler of the Year (1976)
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Class of 2004

Southwest Championship Wrestling
SCW Southwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
SCW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Dory Funk, Jr.

St. Louis Wrestling Club
NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame

United States Wrestling Association
USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment
WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Cactus Jack
WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009)

National Wrestling Alliance
NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2009)

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
Best Brawler (1989)
Best Heel (1989)
Best on Interviews (1989)
Feud of the Year (1989) vs. Ric Flair
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

I hate listing accomplishments, but this list is so astounding that I had to include it. Randy Orton is good, and he may someday have a comparable list of accomplishments, however, at this point in his career he just isn't on the level of Terry Funk.

If Orton goes over here, it will truly be a tradegy.

 

[Ferbian]

My vote is going for Orton, simply because of the fact that while I know Terry is able to put on some proper matches, I will always think of him as a hardcore wrestler, in ECW, and I think that's one of the things that's gonna make Orton go over him, because I think Orton is able to put on a better overall wrestling match.
I mean Orton as of late, in the past year's time has been absolutely golden, and has been winning world titles here and there, as opposed to Terry Funk who, while he has the accomplishments superior to Randy, hasn't held as many world titles.

From a Kayfabe view, I see Randy pulling this one off in a grueling match, but will have a superiority solely because of the fact that there's no hardcore rules involved.

 

[Tastycles]

Randy Orton has started to grow on me recently, but in all honesty, as a heel, I think he's one of the most boring wrestlers of all time. People talk about him being calculated, but that would imply singling out an area of the body and working on it. People bitch and moan about the current state of commentary, but it is commentators and a natural dislikability that has made Orton what he is. Funk is one of the all time legends of the business and even if he has sullied his good name with ridiculous flamethrower semtex barbwire matches, he was still a world champion at a time when John Cena getting injured wasn't the primary driving factor. That's a little unfair, but Funk is a better wrestler.

 

[Mr. TM]

Have to give it to Terry Funk here. The man has been a huge part of wrestling for like, 75 years nowish.

Nah, Funk however has been a big part of a lot of promotions, from Texas to Philly. The man played one of the meaniest heels ever, and one of the most beloved faces. Randy Orton has heel written all over him, but has been a horrible heel his entire career. Hes a face that shouldnt be, but thats all he is good at.

 

[DirtyJosé]

Kayfabe: Funk = Legend. Orton = Legend Killer. Funk has made many mens careers by destroying them. Orton has been THE success story of the post-attitude era WWE. Funk is a hard man to beat, but Orton is up to the snuff; he's been training for it his whole life.

Performance: Funk holds the edge here, on sheer number of years experience. But Orton comes from wrestling pedigree, and has the look, the style, and the performance chops to be the biggest star in the business. Funk can hold his own outside of gimmick matches, but Orton should be able to match him one-on-one.

Personal: Funk is legend, but Orton is quite possibly the reason I started watching this stuff again in the first place. It's a tough call to make, but I'm leaning towards Orton.

Orton for the win. RKO FTW.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

Funk should win this going away and it's a shame that he isn't because Orton is the definition of average.

This match here is even for me. Terry had done a lot in the wrestling business he's a Hardcore icon, But Randy Orton is young and he had accomplished a lot as a young wreslter in the WWE. Randy Orton is the legend killer, So I say Orton goes for the Punt kick and destroys Terry Funk. Winner: Randy Orton

Randy Orton's Legend Killer gimmick was the most overrated one in recent memory. Who the hell did he kill? He beat Flair in 2004 and Flair was still wrestling for four years. What happened when he went up against Hulk Hogan? He lost.

great match up here. Funk is one of the biggest legends in the world of wrestling. orton still has many years ahead of him. Im voting for orton mainly because i think he will be regarded as a legend similar to SCSA by the time he's done. for that to happen, he has to beat funk.

Orton will be lucky if he gets to touch Steve Austin than be considered one of the greats. Orton wouldn't even crack the top 20 in my opinion. I don't care that he has many years ahead of him. We're not talking three or four years down the road. We're talking right now and as of right now, Funk is a legend and Orton isn't.

Terry Funk is at an immediate disadvantage because this isn't some bat shit crazy match. It is just a simple one on one submission or pinfall to a finish. I could see Funk dishing out some punishment to Orton, but ultimately, that RKO can come from no where. Keep in mind that Funk is a legend, but Orton is a Legend Killer. I see an RKO ending Funk's tournament bid early.

My vote goes to Orton.

Already making the first mistake by assuming that Funk is at a disadvantage because this is an one-on-one match. Have you watched Funk's early work because he was damn great at what he did and Orton on his best day couldn't come near that. Where are Orton's great one-on-one matches because I venture to say more than half of his matches in the WWE have been gimmick matches. I can't forget how he was made to be HHH's bitch time and time again and true the RKO can come from anywhere but he's lost to every main-eventer so why would it be any different for Funk?

My vote is going for Orton, simply because of the fact that while I know Terry is able to put on some proper matches, I will always think of him as a hardcore wrestler, in ECW, and I think that's one of the things that's gonna make Orton go over him, because I think Orton is able to put on a better overall wrestling match.
I mean Orton as of late, in the past year's time has been absolutely golden, and has been winning world titles here and there, as opposed to Terry Funk who, while he has the accomplishments superior to Randy, hasn't held as many world titles.

From a Kayfabe view, I see Randy pulling this one off in a grueling match, but will have a superiority solely because of the fact that there's no hardcore rules involved.

Second mistake. If you have that mindset then you really shouldn't be voting at all because you're not looking at the whole man's body of work which is much greater than Orton's. Orton lost the title two times in almost two months. That's real impressive right there.

Kayfabe: Funk = Legend. Orton = Legend Killer. Funk has made many mens careers by destroying them. Orton has been THE success story of the post-attitude era WWE. Funk is a hard man to beat, but Orton is up to the snuff; he's been training for it his whole life.

Performance: Funk holds the edge here, on sheer number of years experience. But Orton comes from wrestling pedigree, and has the look, the style, and the performance chops to be the biggest star in the business. Funk can hold his own outside of gimmick matches, but Orton should be able to match him one-on-one.

Personal: Funk is legend, but Orton is quite possibly the reason I started watching this stuff again in the first place. It's a tough call to make, but I'm leaning towards Orton.


Orton for the win. RKO FTW.

Ted DiBiase has the wrestling pedigree and look but do I think he can beat Hogan? Not in my or his wildest dreams. Again I ask since you're bringing kayfabe into this, who did Orton kill? Flair was still wrestling after he beat him and he lost to Hogan.

 

[JGlass]

I just think after Orton has used up all his dirty tricks, Funk will have just one more to use.

Exactly

Spoiler

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If you watch this video, you'll see exactly why Funk will beat Orton. In this short clip of his NWA Title match with Brisco, Funk takes most of the abuse. He hits a few key moves, but mostly Brisco brings the hurt. Terry Funk, being the man he is, takes the abuse, and manages to reverse the figure four into a pin, and gets the 1-2-3 for the win.

Tricky.

This one doesn't display his trickiness, but I think it might win the Funkster some votes. You can pretty much skip to 5:30 if you want.

Spoiler

[YOUTUBE]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8OFyTnL9JT4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8OFyTnL9JT4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

He gets stabbed in the head. Yes, you read that right, he gets fucking stabbed, not cut, stabbed in the head, and he keeps fighting. Not only does he keep fighting, but he gains the upper hand. Unfortunately, I don't know how this match ends because I don't speak Japanese, so if someone could fill me in that would be awesome.

What am I trying to prove here? Terry Funk has all the tools he needs to survive a match with Orton. He's tricky, he's smart, and he's tough. If you can withstand Orton's offense and catch him when he makes a mistake, you can win, and I believe Terry Funk will be able to do just that.

 

[Hulkamaniac]

Wow, how is Randy Orton winning? he hasn't accomplished enough or shown enough to show he can hang with the Funker yet. Funker was a World champ just like Orton, only he was better at it. Funker is ridiculously versatile, and he is incredibly wily. To top it off, Funk has shown he will do WHATEVER it takes to win, including a fucking moonsault at age 60, whereas Orton tapped out to John Cena within 3 seconds of being locked in the STFU.

Maybe by the end of his career, Orton will be an enough to hang with Terry, but certainly not right now. Do the right thing, fools. Vote Funk.

 

[Theo Mays]

Terry Funk is a tough son of a bitch and would brawl with anyone until he couldn't brawl. Orton is a future legend and has lived off killing legends and the quickness that is his RKO. Throw in Orton's new added viper like prowess and that sick boot and we got a battle of wits here. There is no doubt in my mind that Randy Orton will one day win this thing, but I think that day will come at another time. In all likelihood this could be a draw. But I still think the Funker will get it done and live another day. With his toughness the boot and RKO aren't going to play much effect. Funk wins the match and probably nearly dies in the process.

 

[ZeroVX]

This is not an easy vote at all. Both guys are former world champions, and are good in terms of in-ring abilities. I think I have to give it to Funk, though, due to the versatility of his wrestling styles. In his prime, he could wrestle with the absolute best. He proved that by winning the NWA title when the title was in its prime. He proved to be an excellent tag team wrestler as well when he was working with his brother. And he's well-known for his hardcore wrestling, so that speaks for itself. Randy is good, and in a few years, he could probably be held up with the best, but for now, he can't compare to Terry.

 

[jmt225]

I'm a HUGE fan of Randy Orton. I think the guy is an incredible worker, and to me he has been one of the very few bright spots of WWE the past few years.

However, I cannot vote for him over a legend like Terry Funk. And make no mistake about it, while once upon a time Randy Orton was billed as 'The Legend Killer', Terry Funk is not a legend Orton would ever be able to kill, or even put down longer than 3 seconds.

Terry Funk is THE toughest motherfucker to ever lace up a pair of boot. THE toughest. The guy for nearly 3 decades worked the territorties, traveling up and down the roads, causing havoc where ever he ended up, kicking plenty of asses in the process.

Then, come the mid-nineties, Terry Funk is over 50, and wearing down. He's having trouble keeping up with the times, so what does he do? He becomes the most hardcore motherfucker in the business, to let everyone know that no one could or ever would upstage the Funker. The shit he was able to do, withstand, and accomplish in the mid-nineties still blows me away to this day.

No other wrestler could ever accomplish what Funk has throughout their career. When you look at the complete picture, you really could make a legitimate argument that Terry Funk is the greatest professional wrestler to ever live. Like I said, I love Randy Orton, but he does no deserve to advance in a tournament like this against a legend like Funk. No way.

 

[Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra]

My vote went to Orton, don't get me wrong I absolutely love Terry Funk, but Orton is my hometown boy and the reason I started watching wrestling again a few years back. no disrespect for Funk from me I love the guy, but I can't bring myself to vote against a hometown boy.

 

[FightOwensFight]

I am voting Orton here (I know, big shocker with my avatar) but not just because I am a fan. We all know how much of a tough SOB (to borrow a line from JR) Funk was so it follows that you would need to be willing to go to extreme lengths to keep him down.

Orton, in his truly "evil" incarnation would do whatever it took to beat Funk. He is a better technical wrestler and has the mean streak. Orton wins.

 

[X]

What the fuck people? Why is Randy Orton winning this poll right now? I like Orton as much as the next guy, but to even insinuate that he's on the same level as Funk let alone superior to Terry Funk is absolutely ridiculous to me. Funk was one of the most successful professional wrestlers on the planet in the 70s and 80s, an era when it was odd if a title match didn't go 60 minutes and it was strange if the champ didn't defend his belt all across the globe, as Funk did. He was a true WORLD champion, traveling to Japan, Europe, Mexico and abroad to wrestle the best of the best, and he usually came out on top. For those that think he was only good as a brawler or a hardcore wrestler, shut the fuck up and hand in your credibility card because that shit is getting torn the fuck up and we'll never be taking your opinion on wrestling seriously again, thanks.

Orton is good, but he's not Terry Funk. Not even close. God damn shame this is tied right now, Funk should be winning. If he could beat Ric Flair, Harley Race, and Jack Brisco, he sure as fuck could beat Randy Orton.

 

[JGlass]

I am voting Orton here (I know, big shocker with my avatar) but not just because I am a fan. We all know how much of a tough SOB (to borrow a line from JR) Funk was so it follows that you would need to be willing to go to extreme lengths to keep him down.

I'm posting this again, partially for effect, partially because it helps refute this argument.

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I've never seen Orton do ANYTHING as extreme as this. I don't think it's actually legal to do anything as extreme as this. I'm doubtful the punt is even enough to keep Terry Funk down for the three count.

Orton, in his truly "evil" incarnation would do whatever it took to beat Funk. He is a better technical wrestler and has the mean streak. Orton wins.

And Terry Funk wouldn't do the same to Orton? Like X said, he has beaten Jack Brisco, Harley Race, some of the biggest legends in the history of wrestling, I think... no, I know he can handle Randy Orton.