Dory Funk Jr. was a recent guest on “Talk is Jericho”. During the interview, he discussed wrestling Andre the Giant both in his prime and at the end of his career, as well as what it was like to wrestle Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba in Japan. Here are the highlights:
On Wrestling Against Andre In One Of His Last Matches:
I was close to having his [Andre’s] last match, which was a six man tag in Japan. Andre had one more match scheduled, it was a non-televised match, and then he left and went home.
His health was not good at that time. Japanese young boys—rookie wrestlers—had to help him to the ring at the time. It was a very sad situation to watch Andre at the end of his career.
On Facing Andre In His Prime:
You make him look like a million dollars. Keeping with my personality I tried to do it different. Wrestling, strong things that Andre can do. You could have a wrestling match with Andre, at least in those days you could.”
I stuck with the wrestling, because I can’t change my style and become Andre the Giant, or Joe the gimmick man who falls all over, so I got to stay with wrestling.
On The Differences Between Wrestling Antonio Inoki & Giant Baba:
Inoki was wrestling action, and the wrestling fans loved it. Baba was strong style, and wrestling fans loved him, they were split right down the middle.”
You had to be prepared – if Baba was going to hit you with the big chops and the big foot, Inoki was going to scoop your legs and take you off your feet. Working but shooting, it goes together.
You can listen to the podcast below:
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