They may have had an understanding before going out there:
Butch wouldn’t use any forks, etc. if Robinson promised not to shoot.
It’s hard to say who respected who more in that match.
Billy could cripple guys for real, and Abby could also mess you up quite easily.
I forget who he worked with, but during a match in Japan, his opponent picked up Abby overhead and walked towards the ropes with the intention of throwing him out of the ring.
Although Butch was a bit lighter at the time, he wouldn’t have exactly dropped like a feather.
Anyway, Abby used to cut & file his fingernails into razors.
While overhead, Abby wrapped his hands around his opponent’s neck, digging his nails into the flesh, and said softly, “Put me down, champ.”
The guy placed - not dropped, but PLACED - the Butcher down in the ring.
