A scandal is erupting in the National Football League over the New Orleans Saints’ bounty program. The organization allegedly paid bonuses of $1,000 to $1,500 to any players who injured an opponent. This is so outrageous and savage– to encourage your players to deliberately hurt other men for cash! But as a life-long pro wrestling fan, I’m not that shocked really. It’s the same kind of violence and despicable cruelty I grew up on (and believed was for real.)
Before the Internet was created, wrestling magazines were used to further develop the personalities of the wrestlers, often through outrageous (but exciting) stories of savagery. The magazines allowed fans to learn more about these colorful brawlers and their lifestyles, to help us decide whether to love or loathe each particular wrestler. Articles such as this one about Terry Funk were used to establish his cruel, sadistic nature — his lack of compassion for his fellow athletes.
The shocking story alleges that Terry Funk may be accepting payments from some unnamed source to cripple other wrestlers like the beloved Jerry Brisco! THIS is how the classic Heels were packaged and sold — using propaganda that portrayed them as vicious bastards.
And what was the Sonuvabitch’s reaction when accused of this nasty behavior?? He YAWNED! He snarled at the Commissioner and refused to answer any questions without his lawyer. What audacity! What arrogance, to thumb your nose at your boss!!
The readers, I’m sure, were all enraged by Funk’s fuckery, but at the same time, they had to admire his spunk. A great Heel should be both hated and envied, and this article helped achieve that balance.
However, to eliminate a favorite wrestler — to remove the Baby-Face from the broadcast — was a also a form of punishment for his fans. After all, we tuned in each week to root for the Handsome Hero, to cheer when he wins, to swoon over his beautiful physique and colorful gear. So if Funk is actually injuring our beloved Good Guy on purpose, then he’s taking away our pleasure, our eye candy, and directly harming us as well. This was all the more reason to despise him.
Next the author describes Jerry Brisco’s reaction to the rumors. As the Baby-Face, he is too honest and trusting to accuse his opponent of wrong-doing. What a CHUMP! He is wary of the potential injury that the “gangster” may be planning to inflict, but he bravely (and perhaps foolishly) will face the danger and try his best to win.
The magazine perfectly depicts the reaction of the doomed Baby-Face: optimistic, non-confrontational, wary but naive. This Polly-Anna is about to be crippled deliberately, and he doesn’t even see it coming! He’s going to wrestle a clean match while Funk is doing everything possible to hurt him — what a SUCKER! Part of us can’t wait to tune in and see what Funk will do to hurt this gullible fool!
The description of the violent war implies that the accusations may be true — that Funk is probably trying to injure Brisco on purpose to earn the bounty!
Provocative terms are used to sell the merciless savagery of the battle: “going for blood,” “outraged animal,” “onslaught,” and “furiously attacking.” (These old magazines and the titillating language they used are what inspired this blog in the first place.)
One question not answered by this article is WHO exactly is the un-named sicko paying up to $350,000 to see Jerry Brisco injured? Is it some rich, heartless One-Percenter with tons of money and twisted morals? Does the donor get off on seeing Good Guys in agony? Why is someone spending his own money to put poor, innocent Jerry out of the sport he loves??
So this isn’t the most informative or accurate journalism. The article never resolves whether Funk is truly crippling other men for pay, nor the motives driving the sick bastard(s) who may be paying him to cause these injuries. It’s all just fuel for fantasy, something to think about the next time you’re alone and bored, something to maybe expound on in your day-dreams if you find this over-the-top scenario exciting.
