#terry funk

It appears that Terry Funk is truly assaulting jobber Davey Rich. The best pro wrestling is rooted in the fantasy of possible danger and destruction, as if the wrestlers are legit being physically harmed -- tortured actually -- while in the ring. Our excitement in watching it requires it to feel dangerous and scary.

Thanks to Davey's dramatic selling, this match does a good job tapping into my youthful fantasy that his punishment could be real. (Also, it doesn't hurt that he looks damn hot in his yellow trunks and boots!)

Funk's variation of the Pile-Driver involves falling backward rather than dropping on his knees. This version seems more devastating, as in less secure for the victim. And that is what makes it more exciting to watch -- like, Oh wow, did he just break my dude's neck?!