Starrcade 84: The Million Dollar Challenge
Date: 22/11/84
City: Greensboro, North Carolina
Commentary team: Gordon Solie & Bob Caudle
Ring announcer: Tom Miller
This starts with a replay of the closing moments of Starrcade 83, with Ric Flair pinning Harley Race to win the NWA Heavyweight World Championship, before quickly going to the ring for our first match
Match 1 - Denny Brown vs Mike Davis (C)
Singles match, 30 minute time limit for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
We start with a title match to kick things off, Denny Brown challenging fan favourite Mike Davis. Brown starts out on top with a couple of arm drags and head scissors, but is sent through the ropes, seemingly hurting his back. Davis works on this with a couple of body slams and a back breaker and gets a 2 count. Brown fights back and after a drop kick gets a 2 count of his own. Davis reverses an irish whip into the corner and hits Brown with a belly to back suplex, and holds onto Brown for the pin. The ref starts counting, and Brown gets his shoulder up, but Davis still has his shoulders on the mat, referee Earl Hebner counts to 3 Brown wins the title!
Winner - Denny Brown (New Champion) via pinfall (escaped pin from belly to back suplex)
The ring announcer says that Davis won but the crowd and commentators seem confused. The ref gives Brown the belt and the announcer corrects himself.
Not a bad opening match, I liked the look of Denny Brown in this one but the match itself was quite short. I liked the ending with Brown taking advantage of Davis' position following the belly to back suplex and thought Brown's moveset was refreshing considering not many others around this time were using Japanese style arm drags and head scissors. Davis never really got going in this, but I'd say Brown's performance just about makes this a 3/5
We now go to Tony Schiavone in the dressing room, just like last year (this got boring quickly). He says this will be happening again this year (ugh) before going back to ring announcer Tom Miller for the next match
Match 2 - Mr Ito vs Brian Adidis
Singles match, 20 minute time limit
Adidis gets a big cheer when he is announced, however Gordon Solie on commentary believes Mr Ito to be the favourite. Bob Caudle says Adidis is pretty quick and agile and thinks he has a good career ahead of him. Adidis takes the upper hand after a few back and forth reversals and gets Ito into a wrist lock. Ito tries to reverse this by body slamming Adidis, but Adidis keeps hold of Ito's wrist and rolls through to keep the hold in. Shortly after Adidis whips Ito into the ropes and hits him with what I think is his finishing move, the Aeroplane Spin (picks Ito up onto his shoulders, spinds round and drops Ito down) to pick up the win.
This match was really too short to start getting anywhere. I didn't like that rather than slamming Ito to the ground after hitting the Aeroplane Spin his just dropped him, making the move come across as a bit shit to me. I can't give this match anything higher than 2/5
The commentary team watch a replay of Adidis getting the win and quickly go back to the ring for the next match
Match 3 - Mike Graham vs Jesse Barr (C)
Singles match, 30 minutes for the NWA Florida State Heavyweight Championship
Another championship match and the event is less than 20 minutes old! This wasn't classed as a PPV back then, just another CCTV event.
Both Graham and Barr got cheers from the crowd in this one, but Barr also got a share of boos too when being announced. Graham is a former Florida State Champion and wants the belt again, however Barr will be a tough opponent. Barr seems to be focussing on Graham's arm, getting him in a hold which Graham struggles to get out of. Barr is on top and tries to whip Graham from one corner to the other, but Graham reverses, sending Barr into the corner and gets him to the ground with a drop toe hold. He puts Barr into a variation of the Indian deathlock and tries to put him into the figure 4 leg lock but Barr escapes.
They then go into a test of strength which Barr dominates, but Graham gets in a quick headbutt to the mid section, uses a fireman carry takedown and puts Barr into an arm lock. He later gets Barr into the figure 4 leg lock, but Barr quickly shuffles to the ropes. Barr uses this to again take control and gets Graham in a looooong headlock take down. Graham takes an age to get Barr to release the hold, and eventually does by performing a shin breaker. Graham attacks Barr's knee and gets him in the figure 4 again, this time for longer, but Barr gets to the ropes once more.
After a 2 count fall, Barr shoves Graham into the ref, knocking him over. The ref misses a small package roll up, but I don't think it would have got to 3 anyway. The ref then recovers, and both get 2 count pins. Graham uses an atomic drop and Barr heads into the corner. Barr takes down Graham and quickly pins him, but uses the ropes for leverage which the ref doesn't see, and this time he gets the 3 count.
Winner - Jessie Barr (retains) by pinfall (Feet on ropes)
Not a bad match this. I'd not seen either of these guys before but they put on a decent show. Barr was the type of guy who would work his opponent down with holds, while Graham seemed to focus as much as he could on Barr's knee so he could use the figure 4 leg lock. Graham also had the crowd behind him and seemed to do all he could to generate a bit of atmosphere. I'll give this a 3/5
After this match a clip of another event shows Ricky Steamboat and (I think) Dick Slater getting attacked by 3 other guys and a manager. Slater is tied into the corner while Tully Blanchard, Cowboy Ron Bass and Black Bart attack Steamboat. It goes back to the commentators who explain Steamboat was injured from that attack but he will be competing later that night (which is always a good thing). After looking at a replay of Jesse Barr winning the last match, we go back to the ring for match number 4
Match 4 - The Zambuie Express w/Paul Jones vs The Assassin 1 & Buzz Tyler
Tag Team Elimination match, 30 minute time limit
The stipulation is whenever someone gets pinned they must leave and go back to the locker room. This is the first time someone from last year has featured in a match, and I wasn't overly impressed with the Masked Assassins, but this time it's just one of them (Masked Assassin 1 is a guy called Jody Hamilton, who would have been in his late 40's at this point). Never heard of the Zambuie Express or Buzz Tyler. After reading up on it, the Zambuie Express are Kareem Muhammad & Elijah Akeem, again, never heard of them.
The match starts with the Zambuie Express on the back foot. Tyler is on top of Muhammad and sends him out the ring. Both teams tag but this doesn't change anything. Both teams tag again but Muhammad fights back, briefly. Eventually all 4 men are in the ring, but legal men Buzz Tyler and Akeem are knocked out of the ring. They brawl outside but both men are counted out. Back in the ring, Muhammad whips The Assassin into the ropes, but both men knock into eachother. Muhammad falls to the mat but The Assassin is tied up in the ropes. Paul Jones comes to the apron and the ref tells him to get down, but Buzz Tyler frees the Assassin from the ropes. Assassin pins Muhammad and gets the 3 count.
Well this was crap. It didn't really do anything or bring anything at all to the event. I'm quite generous when it comes to scoring, but even though the crowd loved the outcome, I can't give this match anything other than 1/5
After the commentators re-cap on the night's events so far we go to Tony Schiavone in the dressing room who speakings with Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes gives a promo saying the time for talking is over and he's going to win the match later on. We then go back to the ring
Match 5 - Ragin' Bull vs Black Bart (C) w/James J Dillon
Singles match, no time limit for the NWA Brass Knuckles Championship
Wow. There was a belt called the Brass Knuckles Championship. Amazing. I guess this is some kind hardcore/no DQ title. The announcer said "Anything goes" so I'll see what happens.
Ragin' Bull is one half of the current Tag Team Champions, and Black Bart was one of the guys who was attacking Steamboat in the clip they showed earlier. I've heard of James J Dillon but not seen him involved as a manager before. Black Bart gives Dillon a rope just before the match starts.
Ragin' Bull starts off the stronger, using martial arts strikes against Bart, but Bart slowly gets back into it. The champion manages to cut Bull open only after a few minutes and begins to take control, but Bull fights back and eventually gets Bart out of the ring over the top rope. Solie says in commentary that usually throwing someone over the top rope would result in a disqualification - what a shite rule that is - but seeing as it's a no DQ match it's allowed in this one.
Bull gets back in the ring and taunts Bart up with him. Bart is cut at this point and Bull uses a snapmare to take Bart down before punching him on the ground and gets a 2 count. After an axe handle off the second rope he gets another 2 count. Bart turns the tables with a low blow and after some strikes and an elbow drop goes for the pin but only gets a 2 count. He then picks Bull up and drops his neck onto the top rope. Rather than go for the pin again he shoves the ref out the way and gets the rope from JJ Dillon, but Bull gets up and rolls Bart off the ropes into a pin and gets the win.
Winner - Ragin' Bull (New Champion) via pinfall (roll up)
For a no DQ match this was terrible. They got cut open early on, then just punched eachother a lot. Things could have gotten interesting if the rope was put to use but it wasn't. Again, seeing as the gimmick in this match was no DQ, it really didn't need to be as the only real DQ would have happened with the low blow and ref shove. Due to the total lack of imagination I give this 1/5
Solie and Caudle watch a replay and feel JJ Dillon could have cost Bart that match giving him the rope. After this we go to a replay of how Starrcade 83 ended (again), and the Ricky Steamboat attack (again) and Tony Schiavone is inteviewing Steamboat. They say Steamboat has put up $10k to wrestle his match later tonight against Tully Blanchard for the US Title, even though he is injured from the attack he suffered. We go back to Solie and Caudle who talk about Steamboat for a while, before going back again to Tony Schiavine. He now has Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon with him. Dillon says the last match ended with the wrong decision, and both he and Blanchard declare Tully the better wrestler, and then saying after tonight's match he will be going after Flair amd Dusty Rhodes for the heavyweight title. We then go back again to Solie and Caudle, Caudle saying Steamboat will be running on adreneline which will remove any pain he feels. The next match is starting, and we have ring entrances!
Match 6 - Paul Jones w/ Kareem Muhammad vs "The Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant w/ Masked Assassin 1
Tuxedo Street Fight Loser Leaves Town Match
This is the first time ring entrances have been shown. And they're literally just walks to ring to music. Paul Jones is an electric guitar one while Jimmy Valiant is a more upbeat piano piece. Valiant is introduced as the Boogie Woogie man so at least his music makes sense.
Valiant is the clear fans favourite, and they lap it up when he starts chasing Jones around the ring. Valiant ties Jones to the top rope, removes his own jacket and then starts forcing the flower Jones was wearing into his mouth. He then starts to remove Jones' jacket and shirt. He rips off Jones' pants and shirt, which lets Jones escape from being tied to the rope. He attacks Valiant briefly but Valiant whips Jones against the ropes and locks in a sleeper hold. Jones is also bleeding at this point. Before Jones can submit Kareem Muhammad comes to the apron, which causes the ref to stop the count. Valiant breaks the hold and shoves the referee into Muhammad, causing the ref to go down. Muhammad comes into the ring but is attacked by Valiant and the Masked Assassin. They knock Muhammad out of the ring, but from nowhere JJ Dillon comes to the ring and hits Valiant with a weapon of some kind, leaving Jones to pin him for the win.
Winner - Paul Jones via pinfall (outside interference from JJ Dillon)
The crowd absolutely loved this. Valiant certainly played up to them as best as he could, and Jones was good at acting like a weasily character. The crowd alone push this up to 2/5
Another replay is shown of JJ Dillon interfering in the match before we go to Tony Schiavone who is interviewing Ric Flair. Flair gives an interview saying he's the best around and he's ready for the match later on. We go back to Solie and Caudle who talk about how the Championship match on later tonight between Flair and Rhodes is for the championship and the winner also gets $1m. The next match is coming up.
Match 7 - Dick Slater vs "Cowboy" Ron Bass (C) w/ James J Dillon
Singles match, 45 minute time limit for the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship
Dick Slater was in a tag team match as a heel in the last Starrcade. He's now a fan favourite in this match against Ron Bass. Bass is also the co-holder of the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team championship and is dressed with a waist coat and chaps, like a cowboy...
Slater gets the first knock down of the match and then jumps out the ring to go for JJ Dillon, just as the commentators say Slater can get out of control during matches. Dillon runs away and Slater gets back in the ring. After a minute or two he runs after Dillon again, who runs across the ring again and escapes. Bass taunts Slater, Slater taunts back and gets Bass into a headlock. After a brief escape Slater locks it in again, but Bass breaks out. Slater uses an atomic drop on Bass, and takes control. He has Bass on the ground near the ropes and is about to stomp him, but the ref grabs Slater's leg, preventing him making the stomp. This breaks his momentum and gives Bass the chance to get back into it. Slater is caught in the ropes allowing Bass and Dillon to attack at will. After a suplex Bass gets a 2 count. He also hits Slater with a bulldog, but Slater swings and hits Bass in the stomach. He beats Bass down, gets a 1 count, then stands on Bass' forehead, causing it to bleed slightly. Bass throws Slater through the ropes and distracts the ref, while JJ Dillon goes to work on the outside. Slater is thrown back in and Bass works Slater into the corner. Slater tries to escape and get the crowd up. Eventually he turns Bass into the corner and attacks him, then throws the ref out of the way when he tries to break it up. With the ref down, he belly to back suplexes Bass who is down for the 3 count, but no one is there to make the count. Dillon runs into the ring, breaks the pin,but is then body slammed and punched out the ring by Slater. Bass is now on his feet and gets body slammed. Slater hits the leg drop and pins Bass. The ref now appears but instead of counting for the pin, disqualifies Slater. Bass wins by DQ.
Winner - Ron Bass (Retains) by DQ (shoving the referee)
Slater isn't happy and then attacks both Dillon and Bass knocking them out of the ring before posing to the crowd. I didn't like this match too much, and didn't like that Slater kept going after JJ Dillon during the match. Not the worst match you will see but not a lot to remember either. 2/5
Solie and Caudle explain that the decision was unpopular but correct in the last match, but they feel Slater could be the next champion due to him having Bass pinned for 3 when the ref was down. We then go to a trumpet rendition of the star spangled banner while a flag is lit up in the arena, and then back to the ring.
Match 8 - Ole Anderson & Keith Larson w/Don Kernodle vs Ivan & Nikita Koloff
Tag Team Match, 45 minute time limit
Anderson and Larson are fan favourite for this 'special grudge' match. I think Caudle tries to explain it's a grudge match due to injuries suffered by Don Kernodle.
Larson and Anderson run from their corner to the Koloffs and go on the attach from the off. Larson keeps Ivan Koloff in his corner and a few tags are made with Ole Anderson keeping the upper hand early on.
Ivan Koloff is being dominated and can't get any moves in. Larson and then Anderson get a 2 count each and don't let Ivan anywhere near Nikita Koloff. Larson is tagged back in and focusses on Koloff's shoulder. He whips Koloff into the corner, but Koloff starts to fight back and raises his knee when Larson charges towards him. Koloff goes on the top rope, rather than going for the tag, but Larson recovers and throws Koloff back into the ring, getting a 2 count. Larson and Anderson keep tagging eachother and focus again on Ivan Koloff's shoulder. Anderson works Koloff's arm round a rope and delivers a few blows, but Koloff is able to turn round and thumb Anderson in the eye, giving him the chance at last to make a tag.
Nikita Koloff comes in and whips Anderson into the neutral corners, delivering shoulder thrusts in each one. Anderson tries to fight back but then gets trapped in a bear hug. Ivan Koloff starts to climb to the top rope from the outside, Larson attempts to come into the ring but referee Tommy Young stops him, leaving Ivan Koloff free to hit Anderson with a double axe handle while he's still locked into the bear hug. Anderson tries to gether crowd momentum and breaks the bear hug by hitting Koloff in the ear. Ivan Koloff is tagged in but Anderson is stopped from tagging in Larson. Anderson is pinned for a 2 count and Nikita is tagged back in. Anderson is put in another bear hug. He struggles but is eventually able to break the hold by performing some kind of chin breaker. Anderson makes a hot tag to Larson.
Larson comes in and attacks both Koloffs, knocking both their heads together. He whips Nikita against the ropes and knocks him down with a high elbow. Nikita is whipped again while Larson does a drop kick, but Nikita Koloff holds onto the ropes making Larson drop kick the air. Koloff starts to choke Larson and Ivan is tagged back in. Ivan drops Larson's neck onto the ropes and brings him back up to perform a body slam, but Larson counters into a small package, but they're too close to Nikita Koloff on the outside who makes the save.
All four men are in the ring, Larson and Ivan Koloff exchanging blows, and Ole Anderson hits Nikita Koloff outside the ring. The ref tells Anderson to get back to his corner, but Nikita Koloff slowly moves round the ring on the outside and attacks Don Kernodle. Anderson doesn't like this and attacks Nikita Koloff again, which distracts the referee. Meanwhile in the ring, Ivan Koloff is able to attack Larson with a chain while the referee's back is turned. He pins Larson and gets the win.
Winners - Ivan & Nikita Koloff via pinfall (Ivan Koloff chain shot on Keith Larson)
The Koloffs then set up to beat down Anderson and Larson with the chain, but Don Kernodle comes into the ring and attacks the Koloffs with his crutch, breaking it into pieces. The crowd love it.
Not a bad tag team match really. Everyone played their part and the crowd seemed to really enjoy it. Good spells for each team dominating and a good finish for the heels. 3/5
Solie and Caudle watch a replay of Kerndole attacking the Koloffs with his crutch, and then start to talk about the Steamboat vs Blanchard match coming up next.
Match 9 - Ricky Steamboat vs Tully Blanchard (C)
Singles match, 60 minute time limit for the NWA TV Championship
Title can change hands on a DQ or time out
Both Steamboat and Blanchard have put up $10k for this match so the winner will get a nice bonus as well as the belt. Steamboat gets a massive ovation from the crowd as he makes his way to the ring. Blanchard makes his way down to some pretty bad 80's rock music, and is booed mercilessly when the announcer reads his name out.
Steamboat comes into this match with an injured ribcage, which Blanchard targets early on, but Steamboat fights back trading blows of his own. After a snapmare and attack while he's on the ground, Blanchard escapes to the apron, but Steamboat catches him and suplex him back into the ring. He gets a 2 count after dropping his forearm onto Blanchard while he's still on his back. Steamboat gets Blanchard into a chin lock but Blanchard is able roll over into the ropes. Blanchard tries to take control but a knee lift from Steamboat keeps momentum in his favour.
Blanchard backs off, and attacks Steamboat's ribs and back, giving him the upper hand. Steamboat is backed into the corner and is able to lash out and fight back. After some chops Steamboat goes to work on Blanchard and gets a 2 count. He puts Blanchard in abother chin lock but Blanchard gets to the ropes and falls onto the apron. This gives him a bit of space which he utileses by kicking Steamboat through the ropes into the ribs. He gets back into the ring and performs a back suplex before punching Steamboat in the kidneys. He gets a 1 count and tries to get a hold locked in, but Steamboat reverses and gets another quick chin lock on Blanchard. They're right next to the ropes so it's broken up.
Blanchard now starts to back away from Steamboat once more and this dance carries on for a while, before Blanchard spits at Steamboat, which turns his head and forces Steamboat on the attack. He whips Blanchard against the ropes, leaps over him twice and launches into a powerslam. This gets a 2 count but Steamboat keeps on attacking. He throws Blanchard headfirst into the turnbuckle then hits him with a double chop to the head to get another 2 count. After a strike Blanchard is in the corner and Steamboat goes to work on him from the second rope. Steamboat moves out of the corner and Blanchard falls to the floor. After a knee drop and some strikes he gets another 2 count. Blanchard swings wildely at Steamboat and misses. Blanchard is cut open at this point and Steamboat picks him up and spits back at him, getting retibution from earlier in the match. Steamboat chops Blanchard in the corner then hits him with a swinging neckbreaker and gets another 2 count. Steamboat then lifts Blanchard up into a suplex position, but instead of performing a normal suplex, he bounces Blanchard off the ropes instead to perform it. The crowd love it and Bob Caudle explains that this is one of Tully Blanchard's favourite moves being used on him. It gets another 2 count. Another 2 count happens after a dropkick from Steamboat. He strikes Blanchard with a chop and Blanchard rolls out the ring to the apron.
After a couple more strikes Steamboat backs away and Blanchard is able to take something from his trunks and hide it in his hand. He swings at Steamboat who ducks, and lifts Blanchard into a back suplex position. Blanchard is able to hit Steamboat in this position, but the suplex still happens leaving both men down while the ref starts a 10 count. They're both up by 8. Blanchard puts his weapon back in his trunks (haha) and hits Steamboat with a running cross body, which gets a 2 count. After a few strikes Blanchard sets up Steamboat in the corner to perform a superplex, but Steamboat counters and pushes Blanchard away. He climbs to the top rope and lands a body splash on Blanchard. The crowd love it and think this is it, but Blanchard somehow kicks out. Blanchard reverses a whip against the ropes and tries to set up Steamboat for a back body drop, but Steamboat sees this coming so goes for a sunset flip, but he can't bring Blanchard down for the pin. Blanchard then gets the weapon out of his trunks again and punches Steamboat with it in his hand, pins him and gets the win. All that in front of the referee.
Winner - Tully Blanchard via pinfall (weapon attack)
Another good match here. Really good infact. Steamboat sold his injured ribs well and delivered plenty of offence, and I liked that he taunted Blanchard using one of his favoured moves on him. Blanchard played his heel role well and attacked with a concealed weapon to turn things round, however I didn't like the execution of the ending, as the referee is literally in the right place to see Blanchard pull out his weapon, hit Steamboat with it and put it away but doesn't look up at it happening. I think the ref may have been too eager to get into position for a possible pin. I'll give this match 4/5, it could have been higher but the ref's position made the ending too hard to go along with. However that isn't the wrestler's fault, they put in a great effort.
Solie and Caudle praise the match but feel that Steamboat will continue this feud with Blanchard, especially after how that match ended and him being $10k lighter.
Match 10 - "Superstar" Billy Graham vs Wahoo McDaniel (C)
Singles match, 60 minute time limit for the NWA USA Heavyweight Championship
Wow, Billy Graham's arms are huge! McDaniel was in a decent match at Starrcade 83, so this is the second match I've seen from him.
The match starts with a text of strength, and McDaniel surprisingly wins, putting Graham into a wrist lock, but Graham powers through, shiving McDaniel to the canvas. They tie up a couploe of times and shove eachother. After another tie up McDaniel ends up in the corner, but thumbs both of Graham's eyes. He chops and slaps Graham into the corner, but Graham reverses a whip, sending McDaniel into the corner. Graham uses this advantage to get McDaniel in a Full Nelson. McDaniel is stuggling but stumbles into the ropes to break the hold. Graham whips McDaniel and knocks him down. He locks in the Full Nelson again, but this time McDaniel is on his knees so can't move as freely. Graham works this down and McDaniel is pinned for a 2 count. Grham knocks McDaniel down and again elbow drops him to get another 2 count. McDaniel is struggling and tries to get back into it with a couple of strikes, but Graham knocks him down again with a shoulder block after being whipped off the ropes. McDaniel gets up and Graham runs at him again from the ropes, but McDaniel sees this coming and chops Graham in the throat, pins him and gets the win.
Winner - Wahoo McDaniel (Retains) via pin fall (Tomahawk Chop)
Totally pointless match that wasn't carried out well. Billy Graham dominates throughout but one chop to the neck is enough to keep him down. The match is barely 4 minutes old before it ended. Awful. 1/5
Just the one match left now. Solie and Caudle watch a replay to the ending of the last match but quickly move on to talk about this. Anothe replay is shown of Flair beating Harley Race at Starrcade 83 as they build up to the match against Dusty Rhodes. I'm quite looking forward to this match, between of the industry's best. I've seen a few Flair matches and he's a natural, just an excellent performer. I've not seen many Dusty Rhodes matches but I've read a bit about him and know he's loved and seen as one of the best of the 70's & 80's. Plus his charisma makes you root for him.
We go to Tony Schiavone in the back who has 3 guests with him, including special guest referee Smokin' Joe Frazier. Schiavone explains that the other 2 people are judges who will decide who the winner is if the match goes the distance. One is an old wrestler who I don't know and the other is a NASCAR racer with a bad muzzy. We go back to Solie and Caudle. An indoor firework is set off (my guess is this would have been amazing for the time) and the wrestlers make their way to the ring.
Match 11 - Dusty Rhodes vs Ric Flair (C)
Singles match, 60 minute time limit for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Dusty comes down in his boxer's gown to some laid back music, and Flair comes in to his classic "Also Sprach Zarathustra" piece. The crowd love it, and to be honest it suits Flair perfectly. The Announcer calls this the $1,000,000 challenge and introduces the judges. Dusty is a former 2 time champion at this point and gets a lot of boo's, but Flair gets a few as well but a lot more cheers.
Dusty gains the upper hadn early on after a shoulder block and elbow attack to Flair, and puts him in a headlock. Flair struggles to escape buit forces Rhodes to the ropes to break the hold. This gives him a bit of time as he backs off, and after a grapple with Rhodes forces him into the corner after a knee lift and a chop. Rhodes fights out with some quick boxing style puches and showbiz knocks Flair to the ground. He puts Flair into another headlock but is pushed away into the ropes. Dusty knocks Flair down again and goes off the ropes once more, with Flair jumping over Rhodes before getting knocked down with an elbow. Rhodes goes for an elbow drop but Flair quickly rolls out of harms way before crawling over to Rhodes and delivering another knee lift and chop into the corner. He beats on Dusty and then delivers a snapmare and running knee drop to get a (very fast counted) 2 fall. Rhodes' head is smacked into the turnbuckle, and Flair does another snapmare, but Dusty is able to roll out the way of Flair's next running knee drop and gets Flair in the Figure 4 Leg Lock!
This is in place for a long time and Flair goes down for a 2 count in the process a couple of times, but Flair eventually makes it to the ropes. Rhodes focuses on Flair's weakened knee and drops an elbow to it before putting it in another hold. Flair is able to get on too of Rhodes and get in a couple of punches. They back off eachother and Flair reverses a headlock into a wrist lock, before Rhodes counters with a wrist lock of his own. Rhodes keeps the hold in place but Flair forces him into the corner and delivers a few shoulder thrusts. Rhodes reverses positions and after they trade a few blows, Flair runs against the ropes and Rhodes gets Flair with a press slam. Flair is in trouble and Rhodes hits Flair again with a Bionic Elbow. Flair tries to fight back but Rhodes whips Flair from one corner to the other which makes Flair bounce off the turnbuckle out the ring.
Flair slowly crawls up to the apron. Referee Joe Frazier tries to stop Rhodes from coming over, but Rhodes is able to suplex Flair back in to the ring and roll on through for a cover. Flair is down for a 2 count. Blows are traded again, shoulder and elbow blocks are traded off the ropes and Flair climbs to the top rope. He plays to the crowd for a brief moment but Rhodes is up and he throws Flair back to the mat. Flair rolls out the way of an elbow drop. Rhodes blocks a running strike from Flair, but after a couple of whips and reversals Flair puts a sleeper hold on Rhodes. Rhodes runs and falls to the ropes while Flair falls through them to the outside.
Flair manages to pull Dusty outside the ring with him. They trade blows and Rhodes gets Flair in a headlock and charges towards the ring post. Flair is able to counter this by pushing Rhodes head first into the post, crashing him to the ground. Flair gets back in the ring and the camera goes to Rhodes who has a deep cut close to his right eye. Rhodes comes back into the ring but Frazier gets between them as he wants to check the cut on Dusty's eye. Rhodes wants to carry on, he does and Flair gets Dusty to the ground and pounds away at his bloodied head. Rhodes is able to fight back at little with a few punches of his own and hits Flair with an elbow. Flair gets Rhodes into the corner and again pounds away at Rhodes' head, but Frazier intervenes again. Frazier stops the match and awards the win to Ric Flair.
Winner - Ric Flair (Retains) via referee stoppage (Dusty Rhodes bleeding)
The crowd don't like the ending but cheer Flair when his hand is raised. Dusty goes mad and tries to go for Smokin Joe but is held back by a few other wrestlers. Flair leaves the ring with the belt and collects his $1million cheque. Rhodes is treated in the ring and has a towel wrapped round his head. Solie and Caudle say that maybe Frazier's boxing background came into it when finishing the match early because of a deep cut. Tony Schiavone interviews Flair, who says he will be back next year and that he's delighted to be world champion. He leter interviews Dusty and Manny Fernandez. Dusty is fuming Joe Frazier ended the match and cost him $1million. He says he will get Frazier one day, Flair shouldn't count this as a victory and that the American Dream still lives.
I really liked this match up until the ending. While there wasn't too many grappling moves taking place and it was mainly brawling, both guys flowed with eachother and gave eachother momentum at the right moments. The figure 4 on Flair was a great moment and Flair went along with it and sold it for the rest of the match, while Dusty went along with everything Flair threw at him. I'm going to give this a 4/5, it could have been much better if not for the ending.
Overall based on the matches, this would score 26/55. The title match, and Steamboat vs Tully Blanchard were the stand out bouts, but the other matches couldn't live up to the standards set in those two. There were at least 3 truly terrible matches on this which dragged a lot of things down. This PPV went from the sublime to the rediculous a bit too often. Despite the efforts of Flair, Steamboat, Rhodes and Blanchard I can't give this PPV anything higher than 5/10 due to there being too many stinkers and average matches that were quickly forgettable.
The next PPV I review is one I've seen before, and I'm looking forward to it. Because the next one that happened was the first CCTV event for WWF. Yep, the next PPV is Wrestlemania I!
