A WORLD CLASS WRESTLER AND HIS HAIRDRESSER
By Dory Funk Jr. on 12/9/2009 10:36 AM
Dory Funk's Corner - A World Class Wrestler and His
Hairdresser
In 1972, Giant Baba sent Jumbo Tsuruta to the Amarillo Territory for
training in professional wrestling. Jumbo was a former Greco Roman Olympic
Wrestler. Jumbo became one of the most popular and loved professional
wrestlers ever in Japan.
In 1976 All Japan Pro Wrestling sent Sumo Wrestling Star, Genichiro Tenryu
to the Amarillo Territory to be trained in Professional Wrestling. Nearing
the end of his training period I noticed a small Japanese person traveling
with Tenryu. The rumor was that it was Tenryu's Hair Dresser.
I wondered why He would have someone come all the way from Japan to fix his
hair.
Hereford, Texas (A small town but good draw for professional wrestling) was
running on a Saturday night and at the Amarillo Wrestling Office we received
word that one of the wrestlers was sick and would not be making his shot in
Hereford.
I didn't see that as a problem as Tenryu was still in town and could easily
make the shot before leaving for Japan the following Monday. I asked our
Assistant / Referee, Ken Farber to give Tenryu a call and have him work the
shot in Hereford.
Ken made the call, then informed me that Tenryu's Hair Dresser had already
left for Japan and Tenryu couldn't mess his hair up before leaving for
Japan.
I told Ken, "Hell he can go to Bobbie's Beauty Shop down on 10th street and
I will pay for his haircut. Tell him to make the shot in Hereford."
After speaking with Tenryu, Ken Farber came back to me and explained that
Tenryu's Hair Dresser was specially trained in preparing Sumo Wrestler's
Hair. In Japan there would be a special Sumo Ceremony of the Cutting of
Tenryu's Hair symbolic of the end of his career in Sumo Wrestling and the
beginning of His new career as a Professional Wrestler.
Alex Perez was off that night and was happy to work the Saturday night shot
in Hereford, Texas.
Genichiro Tenryu became one of the greatest pro wrestlers in Japan forming a
very popular team of Jumbo Tsuruta and Genichiro Tenryu.
Now on !BANG! TV, From Japan - Giant Baba and Dory Funk Jr. facing two of
his best students, Genichiro Tenryu and Jumbo Tsuruta. Click on the !BANG!
TV Logo at
http://www.dory-funk.com.
ALL MATCHES INSIDE A STEEL CAGE.
The next !BANG! TV Taping, Support Your Troops 47, "Hell's Bells" comes
to the Funking Conservatory Sound stage Thursday December 31st.
For ticket information to !BANG! TV and training schedules at the
Funking Conservatory, call 352-895-4658.
Dory Funk Jr. is a WWE Hall of Famer, Coach of the Funking Conservatory
Wrestling School and trainer of WWE Developmental Talent.
http://www.dory-funk.com
