All Japan Classics 110

 

Kerry Von Erich vs. Ric Flair (NWA Title, 05/24/84)

- Early on in the first fall, really sweet back and forth affair with everything looking good early on. I love Kerry's gorilla press of Flair and jumping from the impact of the slam. Both guys are laying in the strikes and selling them as well. Kerry's head looks really red. I would guess he will be bleeding before too long. After Kerry escapes a Flair knee drop, he applies the claw and gets the first fall. The 2nd fall is all about KErry trying to put the claw on again but Flair finding ways to escape. Kerry is selling his hand as being injured after tumbling out of the ring. In the first fall, he missed a fist drop with the claw hand as well. With Kerry pre-occupied with his hand, Flair is able to gain control, work the leg and apply the Figure-4 to take the 2nd fall. To start the 3rd fall, Kerry is working on a bum leg and a bad hand. Flair goes for the attack but eventually ends up in another claw. Flair escapes but later on he ends up in an abdominal stretch and Kerry applies the stomach claw. I like the story of Kerry's hand being weakened and the claw not having as much effect. During the end run, Kerry forgets to sell his accumulated injuries and that is a little annoying. This ends with a Kerry roll-up reversed into a Flair pin and regaining the NWA title. I am a sucker for 2/3 Falls matches and thisn one was no different. I think the 1st fall and 2nd fall were better than the last fall but the match is strong enough for a nomination.

 

Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen vs. Giant Baba & Dory Funk Jr (PWF Tag Title, 08/26/84)

- Brody and Hansen worked really well as a team here but the same old problems plague this as the others.... Dory a punching bag, no-selling, non-finish. Dick Slater gets busted open on the outside and it ends in a big brawl

2 out of 3 falls for the NWA World Heavyweight Title: "Modern Day Warrior" Kerry Von Erich © vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (5/24/84)

 

This is a legendary match and it's worthy of the praise as both men are awesome here which is no surprise as they are pretty much always awesome against each other. This one is different though since it is 2 out of 3 falls and structure wise this is reminiscent of their Reunion Arena match from August 1982 but the difference was the crowd heat as it definitely wasn't as strong here as it was there plus you had no blood which surprised me a little. Flair having Onita wrap the belt around his waist was something else. This is a definite nomination.

 

PWF Tag Titles: Bruiser Brody & Stan "The Lariat" Hansen © vs. Giant Baba & Dory Funk Jr. (8/26/84)

 

This is so similar to their match 4 months earlier with the only differences being Terry Funk getting bloodied and jumping in for the DQ finish. Terry is awesome here in the post match beatdown and it sucks that he was still "retired" here.