All knowing board - I am genuinely curious if “funky” wrestling in the ways of Ben askren, Jayson Neff, etc. is dead, or is it still around and we just don’t call it that anymore? When Iowa was at its peak, one of the things that they struggled with the most was running into a guy that was described as funky, and occasionally, you would see a top ranked Iowa guy lose to that style. I am having a hard time thinking about guys that still wrestle like that other than maybe Brock Hardy…so did it die, or are we just calling it something else now?
What happened to funky wrestling?
- Thread starter FK3JM
- Start date
I would say Jax is the epitome of "Funk" style (as is his, lanky for his weight, teammate Vega.
"Funk" is being implemented more now than ever. Doesn't stand out because the same wrestlers that funk it up also wrestle with sound technique and use the basics. We have wrestlers now that can be Chris Pendleton or Ben Askren depending on the situation they find themselves in
Funk is any kind of counter off an opponents shot that results in a sramble situation - isn't just an ankle. A crotch lock and lift is a funk move..... a Spladle is a funk move for that matter. Tons and tons of Funk Moves - certainly not limited to an ankle grab.
How about when the wrestler who does the "flip" to prevent from getting taken down is hit with a stalling warning IF both grab ankles and a stalemate ensues. That flip has caused more stoppages by stalemates. While incredibly athletic, I think it has created many more stoppages. Once warned, you lose a point if you flip again and the stalemate ensues. I bit "out of the box" but anything to keep the action moving and preventing these long, drawn-out stalemates that serve nothing more than to eat up 20-30 seconds.
they say Askren started funk when it was really Wade Schalles!
Actually it was James Brown.
What made Ben so great is his funk was not only a style but a very intentional approach and strategy. He was a trendsetter and chain wrestling and practicing scramble situations over and over again is now a formal component training and strategy in most programs, except Iowa 
It does seem that Jax is thinking 2-3 moves ahead and it makes a huge difference. I just loved Jason looking for the win dixie. His timing was perfect even if the other guy new it was coming.
This video is definitely worth the watch, pretty fascinating.
It does seem that Jax is thinking 2-3 moves ahead and it makes a huge difference. I just loved Jason looking for the win dixie. His timing was perfect even if the other guy new it was coming. This video is definitely worth the watch, pretty fascinating.
Colin Gaj has funk. He scores alot of takedowns where someone gets to his leg. And he goes into waterfall position and is able to get a takedown and NF with a Winn Dixie. If you want. Watch his tournament matches against Koy from NCST and Jaxon Joy. He scores a Neutral Danger takedown and gets NF in those matches from that position
My point is kids couldn't see Wade so it never became a thing.
Sorry, bootsy Campbell is the correct answer.Actually it was James Brown.
If you come at the king, you best not miss. And, you missed badly. It's Bootsy Collins, not Campbell.
That kid mm wrestled this year in the semis or quarters was funky as hell. Still the wildest match i ever saw with stretcher being brought out then the kid is up and wrestling
Hepner he has 1 more year remaining. He got the free covid year , a RS and a medical. He will be a 7th year guy next year he did 5 at Ohio st before UNC
Before Askren , Rico Chipperelli in the 1980s for Iowa was very funky. I played softball with the Blair Academy Coach Bob Latessa when Rico was wrestling for them. Bob knew I liked wrestling and told me to come to a match specifically to watch him. He nailed a kid with a big throw first period.
Aaggggggh. This is what I get for doing this after finishing a hard bike ride.
