CHAVO GUERRERO Sr.

　　MAGAZINE　ARTICLES　9　　

CHAVO WHIPS DORY JR. -

THE UPSET THAT ROCKED WRESTLING

( from May 1976 issue of VSS "Inside Wrestling" magazine )

When the dust cleared, rookie sensation Chavo Guerrero was more shocked than

anyone else :　He had just upset former NWA champion Dory Funk Jr.,　

a feat not many wrestlers can say they have done.

　"Who is this rookie they say beat my brother ? " screamed Dory Funk Jr.　"It is impossible for an unknown

　to have beaten Terry.　All I know is this Chavo Guerrero could never beat me.　I don't think he really beat

　Terry.　He probably won because of a fluke.　Or maybe it was because he and Terry wrestled in Los Angeles,

　and that is Chavo's home town, where he obviously had an advantage."

　Chavo Guerrero is not the unknown Dory would like to think he is.　The powerful young grappler has been a

　sensation in west coast wrestling circles for several months.　His popularity is on the constant increase.

　More and more fans are flocking to wrestling arenas just to see the Mexican rookie who recently won the

　Americas heavyweight championship.

　Recently, there has been much talk of promoting Chavo for a world championship shot.　In a very short time,

　the young man has shown he has the ability to be a titleholder as more and more opponents fall victim to his

　skills.　Ever since a small group of wealthy Mexican businessmen put up one million dollars to promote

　Guerrero's skills, Chavo has been trying to prove himself worthy of their trust.　So far, he has succeeded.

　Since his professional debut, Chavo has been undefeated , though he has battled many excellent opponents.

　Among those men he has defeated is Terry Funk.　Guerrero and Funk battled in Los Angeles a month before

　Terry won his belt from Jack Brisco.　Terry's defeat has not made him or his brother very happy.

　Soon after he won the belt, Terry wanted to exact revenge for his loss.　However, he discovered he would not

　be able to have a match scheduled against Chavo,　since he had to assume Brisco's schedule.　Therefore,

　Dory Jr. gladly substituted for his brother.

　At first, Dory believed he would have little trouble defeating the million dollar rookie.　He readily agreed to any

　terms Chavo asked,　including the right to have the match in Los Angeles.　But Dory soon learned to regret

　his lack of caution.　When contracts were signed for the match between Funk and Chavo,　Dory knew very

　little about his opponent.　He was soon enlightened.　He learned Guerrero was a strictly scientific wrestler

　who would tolerate no less from an opponent.　Dory discovered Chavo possessed vast skills and great

　abilitties,　along with a legion of loyal fans.　He learned Los Angeles fans would expect Chavo to wrestle

　brilliantly against any opponent.　Guerrero's reputation was preceding him.

　But Dory wasn't worried.　"Why should I be concerned by what other people say ?　I will have to judge this

　guy's abilities when I wrestle him.　I am not going to run scared because of some hype the promoters put out.

　Words alone can't defeat me.　Only one thing bothers me - Guerrero's hometown advantage.　I have a strong

　feeling the referee will be favoring Chavo over me.　However,　I don't doubt I can overcome this disadvantage.

　I don't doubt I will emerge victorious from this match.　I don't doubt I will be able to avenge Terry's loss to this

　guy.　I don't doubt Chavo Guerrero will be sorry he ever agreed to wrestle me ! "

　When the time for their match came,　it was Chavo who was slightly unnerved.　"This is a different kind of

　experience for me - wrestling a man who was once champion.　I've also never battled a man who seemed so

　intent upon exacting revenge.　I just can't predict how tonight will turn out."

　As Chavo entered the arena,　a tremendous cheer rose from the spectators.　It took five minutes for the

　ovation to die down.　Then Dory Jr. entered.　There was some polite cheers and applause, but no booing.

　Though Funk was battling against their hero,　the fans still respected the former NWA champion.

　The match was a tough though scientific wrestling battle, with each grappler reversing the other's holds.

　Just as Chavo would have Dory in a tight headlock,　Funk would slip out and put an armlock on Guerrero.

　It soon became a battle of endurance - which wrestler would be able to go for the full 30 minutes.

　At 25 minutes into the match,　the two engaged in a furious battle of takedowns.　When the dust cleared,

　it was Chavo locking Dory in a cradle hold.　In a matter of seconds,　the referree awarded the match to the

　Americas champion.　"It was too fast a count !" screamed Dory as Guerrero's hand was being raised in

　victory.　"He didn't win.　It isn't fair !"　But no one was listening to Dory's claim.

　In his dreesing room Chavo was relaxing.　"It was a tough match,　but I won it fair and aquare.　And, to my

　mind, there is no way Dory Funk can dispute this.　The victory is mine !"