NWA World Heavyweight Title: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair © vs. Kevin Von Erich (4/1/83)

 

It’s Kevin’s turn now at Flair and this is a rare head-to-head match between these two because Flair would always get either David or Kerry for the big matches. Some early highlights was Kevin using his MUGA style leg-scissors work on Flair leading to a great flying headscissors spot then using some good looking knee strikes in the corner. Flair would then hit some of his signature spots before eating the iron claw after doing his patented corner bump but he would soom break out of it. Kevin would later hit a cross body block for a nearfall with Flair throwing him on top of Bronko Lubich then as Flair tries to drop an elbow on Kevin, he hit Lubich instead. Flair then decided to throw Kevin over the top rope then posted him shoulder first. Lubich then puts the count to Kevin and almost counts him out but Kevin would come back in the ring. Flair would go to work on Kevin but Kevin would fight back before hitting Bronko Lubich again after ducking under a leapfrog. Lubich went to the floor this time and this time Kevin throws Flair over the top rope but he comes back into the ring so he decides to throw him over again this time in front of David Manning who was with Lubich on the floor. Kevin then posts Flair who juices as the battle goes back to the ring with Manning taking over as referee. Kevin would then hit a fucking swank reverse cross body block off the top rope on Flair as Manning counts the fall. The fans go nuts as David jumps in the ring to celebrate with Kevin but Bronko Lubich comes back in the ring and says that Kevin threw Flair over the top rope and would be DQed. The decision was overturned and the Von Erich finish strikes again. This was a very fun match although not on the par of other Flair matches this still deserves a nomination.

Ric Flair vs Kevin Von Erich - 4/1/1983 (NWA title)

 

The opening headscissors spot was great fun.Kevin is one fired up face. I loved how Kevin was selling a broken nose. Both wrestlers work this like a tough man fight. This was a blast. It had a total different feel than a normal Flair bout. It's nice to see Flair get out of his comfort zone. Nomination.

I have been waiting a while to see these two match up, and they did not disappoint. Definitely one of a growing number of matches that people should be forced to watch "Clockwork Orange"-style whenever they say that Flair could only work one match. As shoe noted, he looks great working outside his comfort zone, his work in Kevin's headscissors early on being a great example. Kevin looks great as usual, and these two really bring the fight to one another. Great finishing stretch, I had forgotten how this match ended, and I really thought that Kevin was going to get counted out. When he made it back in, I totally lost my shit. After that, you can see the Dusty Finish coming about a mile in advance, but this may have been the best executed Dusty Finish ever. Both guys keep chucking each other over the top rope while Lubich is out. Watching these matches, the over the top rope DQ is looking more and more wrong to me. It's a rule I could get behind, but when guys get thrown over the top rope, they don't really sell it as being something that serious. You see guys get thrown over the top rope, get back up, and then rush the ring ready to keep fighting. It doesn't come off as something that merits a DQ. Here, Flair and Kevin keep coming back, but each time they do, it's obvious that they've taken a big hit, and the final minutes of the match are almost like the final rounds of a great heavyweight title fight (well, that is what this is supposed to be, right?), with both guys clearly worn out in a way that adds weight to every move they hit. The finish itself is spectacular, too. Kevin wasn't eloquent on the mic, but he was really and truly charismatic. Seeing him celebrating with his newly won title, and his brothers rushing out to celebrate with him...and then watching his face just sink when he's told that Flair retained the belt is incredible. And Flair, wearing the veritable crimson mask, being given his belt back and yelling "IT'S MINE!" over and over in the over the top, psycho manner that only he could was the cherry on the sundae of this match. Oh yeah, this baby moves forward.

 

[Lynch Texas 2.2]