Really excited to check this one out after watching last week’s Starrcade 83. I believe this one is headlined by Dusty against Flair but like last week I’m going in with as little knowledge as possible.
We start with a recap of the finish between Race and Flair in the Cage at Starrcade 83. The Main Event is the NWA World’s Title AND $1 Million between Dusty and Flair.
𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗩𝗦. 𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗦 – 𝗡𝗪𝗔 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗬𝗪𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
It is 1984 but I can still tell instantly that referee is a Hebner and most likely Earl. Just his walk is so unique. And yup it is announced to be Earl Hebner.
Danny Brown starts off quick against the champion before setting into a rest hold. Classic Jr Heavyweight matches seems to be a couple fast paced moves followed by rest hold and repeat.
That was the most awkward fall through the ropes by Denny Brown before having Davis come get him and let him back in the ring but Brown is selling a hurt lower back after going to the outside.
Both men are selling so good as they are getting slower and sloppier but in a way one would expect for people going at a faster pace.
Davis hit a suplex on Brown coming out of the corner into the pinfall but it appears Brown got his shoulder up while Davis had both his shoulders on the mat. Earl loves his screwy finishes, doesn’t he? Brown is the new champion.
𝐌𝐑. 𝐈𝐓𝐎 𝐕𝐒. 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐒
Haven’t seen either Ito or Adidis before and haven’t heard of them so will be interesting to see as Gordon Solie is building up Adidis like he is some American master of the British Strong style.
Earl is once again the referee.
Adidis is getting the early advantage with some fast paced moves and some rest holds.
Nice spot where Ito tried to escape the arm hold by a body press and Adidis held on back into the arm hold.
Great fast paced action leading to Adidis doing an airplane spin on Ito. And get that leads to the pinfall victory by Adidis.
𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗠 𝗩𝗦. 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥 – 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗣 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
Graham and Barr are fighting over the Florida State Championship. It is nice to see the regional belts highlighted on the major events.
Graham appears to be submission wrestler. I like Graham’s personality so far as he is loud and really communicating to the crowd in different ways.
Both men are doing a lot of Submission rest holds. Really good catch as catch can style match.
Both men have done really good at playing their roles to the crowd and getting them into the match.
Graham almost had a Figure Four locked in but Barr got out of the ring as fast as he could to escape the hold really selling the move as one to be feared.
Really liked the interaction between Barr and Earl over Barr breaking or being very liberal with the rules and Barr being offended of any accusations while saying Graham is breaking the rules.
Graham finally escaped the and he started working on Barr’s leg and got the Figure Four locked in but Barr got to the ropes.
Ref bump and Earl is missing Graham having the pin on Barr. Earl gets up before Barr can do any rule breaking.
Barr gets the win by Pinning Graham with help from feet on the ropes to retain his championship.
no we are seeing Tully, Dillion and the Long Riders tieing slater while attacking Ricky Steamboat.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗭𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 (𝗞𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗠 𝗠𝗨𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗗 & 𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗝𝗔𝗛 𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗠) 𝗪/ 𝗣𝗔𝗨𝗟 𝗝𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗩𝗦. 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗡 𝟭 & 𝗕𝗨𝗭𝗭 𝗧𝗬𝗟𝗘𝗥 – 𝗧𝗔𝗚 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
Never seen a 2 on 2 elimination match before so this should be interesting.
Tyler and Assassin 1 get the early advantage sending both of Zambuie Express to the outside. A lot of crowd work to start the match.
Buzz Tyler reminds me of how Bully Ray wrestles when he is a Bubba Ray Dudley Face version.
Assassin 1 gets the pin on one member of Zambuie Express as the other got counted out but the announcers seemed confused about that at first.
Back to Tony with an interview with Dusty Rhodes who is a lot more laid back then what you see from Flair when getting ready for a match.
Great promo as always from Dusty putting over Flair as the flashy rich guy and him as just the regular joe.
Best line of the interview “Ric Flair you are going to be yesterday’s newspaper.”
𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗡’ 𝗕𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗩𝗦. 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗪/ 𝗝.𝗝. 𝗗𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 – 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗞𝗡𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
Apparently this is the 80s version of the Hardcore Championship with anything goes.
Black Bart doesn’t know what to make of Ragin Bull doing some karate like stances towards him.
Amazing that this is the only time we see guys with taped hands as it seems illegal at this time in the NWA with it being normal practice now.
Ragin Bull is busted open pretty quickly after just punches selling that seriousness of punches to the head.
Ragin Bull is able to take advantage and send Black Bart to the outside but decided to wait for Bart to get back in. Why is the referee counting him out if anything goes? Sounds like someone booked this match AND the Empty Arena AEW match.
Both men have been busted open now as they just keep punching each other in the head.
Black Bart asks for the Rope from Dillion and has to push the referee away who doesn’t want to allow it. That gives Ragin Bull the chance to come from behind and get the roll up victory to get the win and the championship.
Intermission time with another highlight of the finish of Race and Flair from Starrcade 83 before going to Tony with Ricky Steamboat in the back.
They’re talking about the attack by Tully and the crew. Ricky Steamboat is one of the greatest in the ring but at this point he is not the greatest promo.
The announcers put over that Tully can lose his championship to Steamboat by a DQ or countout as to take the heel champions advantage away.
Back to Tony with J.J. and Tully to get their points in on the feud and the upcoming match. The main point is Ricky is making only excuses on why he will lose.
I kind of popped when Gordon Solie pronounced Karate almost in the same fashion as Question Mark does.
𝗣𝗔𝗨𝗟 𝗝𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗪/ 𝗭𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗩𝗦. 𝗝𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗬 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗪/ 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗡 𝟭 – 𝗧𝗨𝗫𝗘𝗗𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
Paul Jones gets an actual entrance to the ring which no one has to this point tonight.
This is being built as the only Tuxedo Street Fight they have seen.
Paul Jones is starting off on his knees not wanting to get involved with Valiant who now is chasing him around the ring. Valiant is choking Jones with a rope and tied him to the top rope.
Valiant is slowly ripping off the Tuxedo while basically humiliating Jones for the Crowd.
Jones has been stripped to his underwear.
Distraction on the outside led to Jones finally getting untied but only gets advantage for a quick period until Valiant regained control.
Jones has been busted open now and when the distraction started again Valiant accidentally hit the referee leading to Dillion running in to help Jones knock out Valiant leading to the pin for Jones.
Time for Flair to be interviewed by Tony in the back. Nice to hear the Flair I am more accustomed to hearing in this promo compared to the Flair in Starrcade 83.
𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗩𝗦. 𝗥𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗪/ 𝗝.𝗝. 𝗗𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 – 𝗠𝗜𝗗 𝗔𝗧𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗬𝗪𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
Everyone appears to be getting entrances now. This will be my first time seeing Dick Slater in some fashion other than his side piece role with Colonel Parker in the matches against Madusa on WCW Saturday Night.
Slater looking to go after Dillion on the outside as well as Bass on the inside of the ring.
Bass seems t be getting frustrated as Slater was waiting for Bass to come to him instead of the other way around.
Slater is really playing the crazy loose cannon face role really well here. Right down to the crawling like a dog into a headbutt of Bass while he was trying to come in.
JJ gets some cheap shots in as Slater is hung up in the ropes after Referee gets involved causing Bass to get advantage of the match.
Ron Bass’ forehead looks almost as bad as New Jack’s.
Slater pushes the ref out of the way after getting invovled again allowing Dillion to get in the ring and Slater finally gets his hands on JJ.
Ref comes back in and announces Bass as the winner by DQ because of Slater throwing the ref away.
Slater decides to keep the beating going on Bass and JJ to send them running.
Time for the National Anthem now.
𝗞𝗘𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡 & 𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗩𝗦. 𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗡 𝗞𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗙𝗙 & 𝗡𝗜𝗞𝗜𝗧𝗔 𝗞𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗙𝗙 – 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗥𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
How smart of them to have the National anthem played right before the Russians come to the ring? Get the patriotism up to boo the hated russians.
Larson and Anderson go after the Russians right at the bell to get the early advantage.
Ole and Larson have held the advantage the whole time at this point.
Russians finally make a tag and letting the fresh Nikita in the ring and have taken advantage for now.
Ole doing a great job at selling the bear hug by Nikita Koloff.
Russians doing tags now to keep Ole Anderson from his corner to build for an eventual hot tag.
Really liked the move Ole used to break the bear hug from Nikita and was able to finally get the hot tag because of it.
FIghting on the outside lead to Ivan getting the pin but Don Carnoble attacked the Russians with his crutches to save Larson from the post match beatdown.
𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗧 𝗩𝗦. 𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗 – 𝗡𝗪𝗔 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
Ricky Steamboat is out first for the next match. Police were having a lot of trouble keeping fans away from him as it shows just how popular he was at this point.
Really fast paced match as Steamboat has control at the start with Blanchard on the run.
Ricky is really selling the nagging back injury very well and it looks like it is going to be the rest of the matches story as Blanchard slowly closes in and now is concentrating the attack on the injury.
Steamboat is still selling but now has the advantage and circlining Blanchard but nice that Blanchard seems to be getting cockier the longer Steamboat takes to come to him.
Ricky did not like getting spit on by Tully Blanchard and it leads to a massive powerslam by Steamboat after some fast paced action.
Tommy Young was counting a five count on Steamboat while he was giving fists to Blanchard in the corner. When did that cahnge to allowing the ten punches instead of using the five count break?
Tully is all busted open now but keeps kicking out at two after multiple pin attempts by Steamboat.
Blanchard was able to hit Steamboat with something to get the advantage but Ricky was still able to kick out at two.
Tommy missed Blanchard hitting Ricky with the foreign Object right in front of him. Makes Tommy look bad but Tully has retained his championship in a really good match.
𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗠 𝗩𝗦. 𝗪𝗔𝗛𝗢𝗢 𝗠𝗖𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟 – 𝗡𝗪𝗔 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
Billy Graham doing his best karate skills as he comes to the ring.
Graham definitely has a great looking physique and he is not afraid to show everyone.
It is seeming that Wahoo McDaniel is the heel in this match and Billy Graham is the face based on the cheers and what the announcers are saying.
Superstar has the Full Nelson on and making it look like a million dollars until Chief gets to the ropes to break the hold.
Chief Wahoo got the pin with a tomahawk chop into the pinfall out of nowhere.
Intermission again before the main event and they are showing the same highlights of Flair and Race at the previous years Starrcade that they showed twice already before in the show.
Tony is in the back now with Joe Frazier who will be a Judge for the main event. The guy has taken a lot of hits to the head based on how he is talking. Kyle Petty is there as one from Nascar as another Judge.
𝗗𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗬 𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝗩𝗦. 𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗥 – 𝗡𝗪𝗔 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗬𝗪𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛
Actually getting pyro for the main event entrances now. Really moving up as we get to the main event. Dusty Rhodes is first out in the most flashy looking ring gear I think I have eve seen him wear.
Dusty’s outfit is so purple and with that music I actually thought it was Velveteen Dream coming out for a second.
No mistaking who is coming out when that familiar music hits for the Nature Boy!
Nothing better than seeing Sweet Charlotte around the waist of an all time great.
Kyle Petty got one of the biggest reactions of the night. Joe Frazier is the referee for the match.
Flair was still being introduced from Minnesota at this point. Will be interesting to start hearing him billed from Charlotte as I watch more of these classic shows.
Always funny when you see Dusty in the ring since he moves faster than guys the size of Flair inside the ring.
Joe is counting real fast as opposed to the referee in the main event of Starrcade 83.
Dusty has got the figure four on early and Flair is selling it like the million bucks on the line in this match.
Joe Frazier definitely is not good at being in the right position and knowing the rules enough for a match of this level.
So weird to see Flair hit a chop without hearing the crowd do the Woo.
Joe Frazier is definitely taking me out of this match with how he is getting involved in the match just like in the main event of Starrcade 83.
Fight spills to the outside with Dusty going to the ringpost but definitely did a blade job right after as he went down right to the ring apron.
Flair taking advantage of the match now but Rhodes keeping up with Flair holding off but Flair is still concentrating on the busted open head.
Joe Frazier actually stopped the match because of the busted open head of Dusty which has led to Dusty going after Joe for stopping the match and Flair getting the victory. Really disappointed with the match.
Dusty is very pissed off for his interview backstage with Tony threatening Joe Frazier and Ric Flair saying nothing has been settled.
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