NWA Champion Dusty Rhodes in Key West

"Wrestler Dusty Rhodes in the ring for his NWA wrestling match with Harley Race - Key West, Florida."

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory

Website Location https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/90520

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Toronto Ad: Funk vs. Race

This is the newspaper ad for the February 6, 1977 match where Harley Race defeated Terry Funk for the NWA world heavyweight championship at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens.

Although former NWA champion Pat O'Conner is billed as special referee, he was not the referee in that match.

It is part of a great collection of clippings on the excellent Maple Leaf Wrestling Pictorial website spotlighting NWA title defenses in Toronto from 1950 - 1984.

A Classic Newspaper Ad from Florida (1975)

A great looking ad from "Championship Wrestling from Florida" featuring NWA Champion Jack Brisco and "the ten pounds of gold."

What a loaded 10-match card! Not only was Jack defending the title against Terry Funk, but two former world champs were also meeting in the semi-final as Terry's brother Dory Funk, Jr. met Harley Race. Plus Eddie Graham, Jim ("J.J.") Dillon, Johnny Weaver, Bob Backlund, Bob Armstrong, Danny Hodge, and others.

The card was held at the beautiful Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. For my money on of the most beautiful arenas in the most perfect setting of any venue in Florida.

Belltime 8:30!!

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FUNK EARNS TITLE SHOT
St. Petersburg Newspaper

ST. PETERSBURG—Wrestler Terry Funk. brother of former world champion Dory Funk Jr.. has won the right to meet current world champ Jack Brisco for the title and will tonight in the feature match at the Bayfront Center.

That will be the final match on a card that begins at 8:30 p.m.

In another big match, Dory Funk Jr. will meet the man who took his title away from him, Harley Race. Eddie Graham will take on the Mongolian Stomper and then Bearcat Wright in a special five minute match.

In other matches: Johnny Weaver will meet Jim Dillon in a Florida TV title match; Mike Graham and Tiger Conway will wrestle Doug Somers and Joe Soto: Bob Armstrong will wrestle against Roger Kirby: Danny Little Bear faces Dutch Mantel; Danny Hodge battles Jon Foley and in the opener Bob Backlund comes up against Pat Barrett.

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RESULTS
Jack Brisco defeated Terry Funk
Dory Funk Jr. defeated Harley Race by DQ
Mike Graham and Tiger Conway defeated Joe Soto and Doug Somers
Dick Slater defeated Chris Markoff
Jim Dillon defeated Johnny Weaver
Eddie graham defeated the Stomper

"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes Passes Away

It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. A 3-time former NWA world heavyweight champion, he was one of the eight champions who wore the famous domed-globe version of the NWA belt.

Our condolences go out to all his friends and family.