NWA World Heavyweight Title: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair © vs. David Von Erich (10/11/82)

 

I loved this match as it had a lot of heat and both men brought it in the ring with Flair being his normal great self and David hanging tough with him. Lots of great back and forth action with a lot of the Flair formula being used but some differences like Flair breaking out a modified Indian Death Lock which I really liked. Kerry would come to ringside on crutches since he has beef with Flair from two months ago and would motivate David to go on the ring and destroy Flair adding some real drama here. Flair would work him over though until David would get an inside cradle for a nearfall before being chunked back to the floor with Kerry back motivating him but David would soon eat a post shot and multiple turnbuckle shots causing him to juice. Flair becomes relentless here and even decks Kerry going for his injured leg prompting David to grab Flair’s belt to smash him in the leg to break it up. David then goes nuts getting Kerry’s crutch and bashing Flair’s head into it for the DQ. David then tries to injure Flair’s left leg by slamming it into the post numerous times as Flair is bleeding profusely. Bugsy McGraw would come out to restrain Kerry & David but Flair would go to them to get some punches thrown at his head before cooler heads would finally prevail. Flair was about to cause a riot here as the fans were going nuts on him forcing a police escort out of ringside. This was some great stuff and a definite nomination.

This is a long Flair title defense against a big name opponent, so I imagine someone is going to nominate this. It just won't be me. David Von Erich has been pretty underwhelming so far. I think this was better than the least of the Flair/Taylor matches, but not as good as the other two. The last five minutes or so where Kerry comes to ringside for moral support through the post-match brawl was pretty awesome. I'll give it that much. If this match as a whole doesn't make the set, that stuff might be worth considering as an extra. But the bulk of this match really just bored me, and when I start caring about 30 minutes in, that just makes me wonder why they couldn't make me care for the 30 minutes prior.

 

[WCCW Ft. Worth/Dallas 1982-83 (Disc 1)]

WCCW Digest: 9/82 - 12/82

 

Ric Flair vs David Von Erich - 10/11/1982 (Kerry at ringside)

 

I dug this. This was a neat old school match that had a good story. The selling was also pretty great from both men. I loved DVE selling of the neck. Flair using the Indian Death Lock was a fun suprise. The finish was what it was. The work was great though. To me this is a slam dunk nomination. The crowd was hot here, and was with the wrestlers throughout the bout. The Taylor match comparisons is fair. I liked the series, and liked Flair/David as well.