NWA World Heavyweight Title: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair © vs. Terry “Bamm Bamm” Gordy (1/11/85)

 

This is a rematch from almost two years ago where Gordy has grown more as a worker so this should be a good matchup. Mercer before the match says that Gordy is a “friend of the small boy” which isn’t an endearing term. Billy Jack Haynes comes out before the match and challenges the winner for a shot at his title which Flair dances around that idea then says that he wanted Sunshine for 2 years and wants a kiss. Flair then kisses her and she slaps him in the face and Flair was so awesome here. Gordy takes advantage of this and really takes it to Flair but he would fight back of course. This would become a solid back and forth match with both men looking good with both men doing stuff not normal for them like Flair with a piledriver and Gordy with the figure-four. Gordy would get the edge and locked in the Oriental Spike but Flair would get into the ropes. Flair would get Gordy in a backdrop suplex hold with Gordy springing his feet off the top rope with Flair having his shoulder up and foot on the rope to put Gordy away. This was a very fun match and moves forward.

Ric Flair vs Terry Gordy

 

Flair on the stick was gold. He gets a 10 for his interaction with Sunshine.This was cool. I dug Flair's 2nd rope elbow smash. I also liked that Flair worked over Gordy's neck. Sure the piledriver was the shits, but at least it was a twist to the normal formula. Of course Gordy carried his end of things by laying it into Flair. Gotta give Flair props for his bumps. That ring looks like it has no give. I also liked the finish because you can work rematches out of it. Overall, this was enjoyable, and a nomination.

This was Flair vs. Gordy. Shouldn't be too hard to sell it to people. Great, great match, just a step below the Christmas '82 Kerry match and the first defense against Adams in terms of quality Flair title defenses I've seen in World Class. Loved the opening angle. As established in the first Adams match, Flair and Sunshine are really great foils for one another.. Really gets you hyped up to see Flair vs. Billy Jack Haynes, but also gets you hyped up for this match, because after he tries to charge Sunshine, you want to see him catch a beating, and who better to deliver a beatdown than Gordy? This was Flair at his Flairiest and Gordy beating a dude up, you really can't go wrong with that combination.

 

[WCCW TV 1984, #2]

Terry Gordy vs. Ric Flair (Use this version)

- Damn, Flair is getting some height on those bumps including a press slam and back body drop. Gordy goes for an early pin after the Flair Flop but the foot is on the ropes. Early moments are all the signature Flair spots until he gets caught in a Gordy sleeper. Flair rakes the eyes and pounds Gordy in the face. Nice. Gordy gets tossed outside and Flair takes over. Not for long as Gordy punches Flair in the face a few times for a close count. These two battle back and forth, each trying a different strategy when the previous strategy won’t work. Flair takes advantage with a front facelock using the ropes for leverage so Flair works on theneck before trying to set up a Figure Four. Later on, after Flair misses a knee drop, Gordy applies his own Figure-Four. Oh man, Gordy attempts the Oriental Spike later on and Flair is in full panic mode. A back body drop pin bu Flair results in a pin. This had some sloppy spots (botched small package, final pin) But I enjoyed the match. No complaints with a nomination here. I may have to revisit the 1983 match.

 

McAdam 2142 Disc 1