Posted November 20, 201212 yr comment_5520555 On paper this has a dream match quality to it, but it doesn't quite hit that level. This does feature some amusing Blackwell posturing, one of the better weeble/wobble Blackwell sell jobs I've seen and a Blackwell dropkick. Blackwell's selling when on the defensive is good and Harley doesn't look bad per se, but the energy in this feels off until Harley hits his suplex and comes up selling his back which results in a near fall that the crowd really buys into. Race does take a big flopping bump of his own when Blackwell makes his comeback and we get the great image of Blackwell laying slouched in he corner after the charge like a morbidly obese guy at sizzler going into diabetic shock. Blackwell his a one armed suplex and sets up for his splash but Race moves out of the way. Race ends up hitting a huge deep slam that looks absolutely awesome and gets a massive pop. Seriously this is one of the better slams I've ever seen in a wrestling match in terms of impact and the near fall off of it is incredible. Harley ends up going for a press, but Blackwell catches him and hits a sick falling powerslam before getting his legs all the way up on the top rope to steal the fall. This was slow evolving but the milking of the big moves was excellent and what they were able to do with so little in terms of time/spots in the ring was really impressive. This is better than some of the Blackwell matches on the AWA Set, though by no means would it be in his top tier.
June 25, 201411 yr comment_5609467 Missouri Heavyweight Title: Harley Race © vs. Crusher Blackwell (11/16/84) This is a very fun match with both men throwing some great strikes on each other as well as some great stalled selling which both men are masters at that craft. Race was impressive at getting Blackwell up for a suplex and slam which popped the crowd big. I also liked the pacing here as both men worked this as a total war of attrition with the selling being just as key as the striking. The finishing sequence was well done with Blackwell resorting to using the ropes to put away the tough bastard Race and I think this is a solid nomination.
