This was a pretty good match. It was also one of the longer ones that didn't include Flair is Mid-South. This is a babyface match for Murdock's N.A Title. Early in the match Reed was using a headlock to control Murdock on the mat. Murdcock would roll Reed on to his back for different pin attempts and vice versa. Reed was really cranking on that headlock. Dickie reverses out of it and had Reed in a hammerlock. Reed gets out and does a nice dropkick and Murdock is bleeding out of his mouth or nose. Murdock in this match does just a wicked belly to back suplex. The work in this match is really tight. Tempers begin to flare around the 18 minute mark. Murdock had this hammerlock bear hug combo that was really well executed. At the 24 minute mark, Reed throws a big soup bone. Murdock's 1st punch was just incredible. Murdock switches out his game plan by now going after Reed's neck. They were eventually throwing bombs from their knees. They did some cool Rocky/Apollo creed spots. Reed does a figure 4 on Murdock. After Murdock escapes Reed does some cool leg work on Murdock. The finish was a bit flat after such a long bout, but the postmatch brawl really helped heat up a rematch. I feel this match deserves a nom. Both guys worked hard and I thought the work was engaging. Both of the guys brought a lot to the table and worked a really tight match. I thought Reed and Murdock at times did some stuff that didn't make sense with the story they were telling, but overall it was an excellent match that deserves a nomination.

North American Heavyweight Title: “Capt. Redneck” Dick Murdoch © vs. “Hacksaw” Butch Reed (9/22/85)

 

Their disagreements have already started on TV but they shake hands before the match starts. The first 15 minutes of this is all scientific back and forth wrestling but it starts picking up when Murdoch delivers a brutal backdrop suplex on Reed for a nearfall. Reed then has to fight himself from punching Murdoch to break from a wristlock with the crowd ready for something to happen but it doesn’t. Reed decides to use forearms instead but Murdoch still retains control of the hold. Reed’s forearms finally get the upper hand on Murdoch and he is free with both men ready to start throwing punches, which the fans want badly. Murdoch gets the advantage again and goes back to work on Reed’s left arm sending Reed to the floor where he is ready to start fighting so they have a standoff again but Tommy Gilbert demands they not throw a punch. Reed continues to throw his forearms and they look awesome with Murdoch responding with his great elbows before going back to work on Reed’s left arm. Murdoch gets the first punch in as he punches Reed in the kidneys when Gilbert isn’t looking and then sneaks another one in driving Reed to the mat. Reed is pissed now and starts throwing the soupbones and now the match truly gets going. Murdoch starts laying the punches in and the fans are on his case as well as Gilbert so Murdoch decides to use his knees and really pounds on Reed. They do rolling inside cradles 5 times for nearfalls before Murdoch drops a knee on Reed’s head. Reed finally catches Murdoch proper with a soupbone knocking him completely out of the ring. Reed takes it to Murdoch on the floor but Murdoch pulls Reed back to the floor when he gets in the ring and bodyslams him right on the concrete.

 

Reed returns to the ring with 30:00 gone in the match and Murdoch continues his onslaught with a great looking piledriver for a nearfall with Reed getting his foot on the rope. Murdoch keeps the control on Reed and whines to Gilbert about slow counts getting the fans to boo him more. Reed then gets the advantage back with a knee to Murdoch’s face as he was running towards him in the corner that Murdoch sells like death then follows up with a big-time soupbone to the skull. Reed just starts killing Murdoch banging his head on all the turnbuckles and putting the boots to him. Murdoch just keeps getting punched and starts acting punch drunk by throwing small jabs to the air but he starts connecting while on his knees but Reed fires back and this was an awesome exchange. Murdoch gets the advantage and then hits a soccer kick to the side of Butch’s head that would make Randy Orton proud. Reed once again gets the advantage back and starts working on Murdoch’s back with two atomic drops for a nearfall. More awesome punches are displayed here by both men as now it is quite the war of attrition as they can barely stand on their feet with them holding each other up by leaning on each other before throwing punches at the same time knocking each other down. Murdoch tries to slam Reed but falls backward for another nearfall and the fans are really getting into this now as Reed puts Murdoch in the figure-four leglock that Murdoch tries to turn over a couple of times before finally getting it but Reed gets in the ropes. Reed continues working on the leg kicking it many times then dropping knees at the 45:00 mark of the match then tries again but Murdoch kicks him right in the face with his other foot but Reed even while down on the mat continues working on the leg with kicks and punches. Murdoch gets up though and tries to slam Reed but his momentum carries them both over the top rope for a double countout finish, which sucks. Reed continues his attack on Murdoch after the match and bangs his head on the title belt. Reed keeps pounding on Murdoch then hits Gilbert but Murdoch comes back now and it’s a slugfest until both men fall down due to exhaustion. They roll on top of each other still punching each other as Gilbert & Grizzly Smith try to pull them apart but to no avail as they continue to beat the fuck out of each other. Grizzly gets on the mic and demands they quit fighting then Gilbert tells them if they throw another punch it’s $500 for each one and both get off one more but still want to continue fighting. Reed gets on the mic and talks shit to Murdoch setting off the brawl even more with punches thrown now costing $1,000 a piece. They fight like motherfuckers with Gilbert & Grizzly in the middle and Grizzly has to pull Murdoch out of the ring to end it.

 

This match was kingsized and the post match may have been even better. This is a definite Top 10 on this for me right now and a slam-dunk pick if there ever was one.

Another match I have seen several times in the past that deserves to be on any Best of the 80s set.

Stands as good a chance as any match of being the #1 pick. Great stuff, maybe THE shining moment for both guys.

 

Yes.

I thought the opening headlock stuff was a little underwhelming, but after that it was spectacular. Some of the best punch exchanges I have ever seen, seriously Lawler v. Dundee level awesome. Murdoch isn't afraid to kick someone right in the face. Plus the post match pull apart was epic. Beyond great slam dunk pick, could end up as my number one.

This is easy yes vote.