Mt. Rushmore: Ric Flair's 80s Feuds

By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter Listen to the podcast  Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

Last week, I launched a new concept for the blog with the Mt. Rushmore of Hulk Hogan's 80s feuds. So it only seems fitting that we hop over to the NWA side and look at Ric Flair's top four feuds in the 80s. I found coming up with this list more difficult than Hogans. I also discovered last week that most people agreed with my picks (read them here); however, this week, I expect to get some backlash. 

I'll preface this by saying in the 80s, I despised Ric Flair. He was one of those wrestlers I loved to hate. However, today, he's my all-time favorite. Sometime in the late 80s, I began respecting Flair and becoming a fan. By the time he arrived in the WWF in 1991, I was all-in with Naitch. 

Dusty Rhodes has to be the best foe for Flair of all time and not just the 80s, right? I mean, Rhodes-Flair has to be on the Mt. Rushmore of wrestling feuds. Maybe I'll make that list soon. Their battles in the ring and on the microphone were what made Jim Crockett Promotions so great. Saturday nights at 6:05 (5:05 CST) was where I spent my time taking in all the action.

The bloody battles they had in singles, tag team, six-man tag, and even War Games matches were the personification of intense. Trading the NWA Championship, main eventing the Great American Bashes, and Starrcade kept fans at the edge of the seat time after time. The two even battled it out in the final WCW pay-per-view in 2001 in a tag team match with Dustin Rhodes and Jeff Jarrett as their respective partners.  

Ricky Steamboat had a few runs against Flair. Since I'm sticking to just 80s opponents, I feel justified in this as the two had some great matches in the early 80s before Steamboat heading to the WWF, where he spent the mid-80s and returned to the NWA in 1989 to face Naitch.

At that time, the two put on some highly regarded matches, including the night Steamboat won the big gold belt from Flair. Their trilogy is still talked about to this day. (I know both have acknowledged their non-televised matches in the 70s were even better.) 

Harley Race may be a surprise pick to some, but when I was growing up and watching Wrestling at the Chase, I remember Race calling out Flair and wanting another shot at the NWA Championship. The two traded the belt, and Flair beat Race for the gold in the main event of the very first Starrcade. My buddy Chad Smart has told the story of watching these two battle it out in a high school gym at the first wrestling show he attended. So whether on closed-circuit television or a small house show, these two always seemed to go at it.

Lex Luger is probably the most controversial of my choices. But I'll explain as best I can. When Luger came to JCP and joined the Four Horsemen, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before he'd split off and challenge Flair for the belt. As his nickname implied, Luger was the 'total package .' When he was kicked out of the Horsemen, I fully expected him to beat Flair for the championship.

I was genuinely disappointed when he came up short at the 1988 Great American Bash, and the match was called due to Luger's intense bleeding. Then a few months later, I was certain Luger would beat Flair at Starrcade but again came up short. In the meantime, it seems like the company was grooming Sting for that spot. (By the way, Sting will definitely be on the Mt. Rushmore of Flair opponents in the 90s.) 

Wrestling Under the Influence: Dream Cream Ale & Dusty Rhodes

By Kevin Hunsperger @kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter Listen to the podcast  Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

We all love 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes. And I think most of you will love Hand of Fate's Dream Cream Ale. This beer is pretty damn good. Check out the video on the latest Wrestling Under the Influence. If you try it, let me know what you think! 

 

AUDIO: Wrestling Under the Influence

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Welcome to the first episode of Wrestling Under the Influence this decade! I’m joined by Ryzer, from Stride Pro Wrestling. He and I enjoy the Unfiltered Wheat American Classic by Boulevard Brewing Company. We pair this beer with the ‘American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes and his son, the ‘American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes.

Give it a listen here and don't forget to subscribe!

AUDIO: The Summer of '89

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Oh, what a year! The Summer of 1989 is one of my favorites as a wrestling fan. There's a lot to talk about on this week's My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What was your favorite memory of that year?

Listen here.

Old school opponents for the Old School Warrior

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I remember the first time I saw Ax Allwardt wrestle. It was 2006 and was part of an AAPW show. He and his obnoxious (but awesome) manager Gaylord Stephens stood out to me the most. Ax was dubbed the Old School Warrior and he lived up to that moniker, coming out to Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas. Even though he was a bad guy, I enjoyed what Ax did in the ring. He remind me of the classic bad guys when I was a kid watching wrestling. 

So those memories have inspired a blog today on which 80s WWE Superstars Ax would have been good in the ring against. First up, the most beloved WWF Champion of that era, Hulk Hogan. Imagine Ax and his chain coming to the ring at Madison Square Garden and going toe to toe against the Hulkster. I see Ax, Gaylord and the benefactor of this duo J. Wellington Beauregard using the chain to clothesline Hogan after a ref bump and then Ax piledriving Hogan in the middle of the ring and covering the champ. Of course, there's no ref to make the count though and Hulkster rallies and hits Ax with the big boot and pins his foe. 

The other big babyface in the 80s was the "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. Because Ax reminds me of Harley Race in some of his moves, a match between the former Stride Pro Wrestling heavyweight champion and the Dream would be awesome. This time though, Ax, Gaylord and J. Wells get caught with the chain as Ax wraps it around his fist and busts open Rhodes. The referee calls for the bell and Ax gets disqualified. As he's putting the boots to Rhodes after a postmatch piledriver, the Four Horsemen join the fray until the Road Warriors and Magnum TA make the save. 

Now that Ax and his longtime rival Heath Hatton have buried the hatchet and become the tag team champions here in Stride Pro Wrestling, imagine this duo facing Hercules and Paul Roma, Power & Glory. Hatton and Allwardt are a good guy version of this team. It would become a battle of the chains very quickly. Hatton would hit the Superman Punch on Roma and in his dazed and confused state would fall victim to a boot to the gut and a piledriver from Ax. 1-2-3 Power & Glory succumbs to the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team champions.

Who would you like to see Ax Allwardt face off against from the 80s or early 90s? Weigh in here or on the Stride Pro Wrestling Facebook page. 

Instead of Garvin, how about Windham

Barry Windham & Ron Garvin as U.S. Tag Team Champions

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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In 1986, Magnum TA was a star on the rise. Most wrestling fans thought he was a sure pick to beat Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. I was among those who thought Terry Allen was next in line to 'be the man.' However, a tragic car accident in October of that year nearly cost TA his life. His career in the ring did come to an end.

Magnum TA

Obviously, I don't know what the backstage plans were, but it seemed like, besides Magnum, Dusty Rhodes was the only other top babyface contender for the championship. He and Flair had traded the belt earlier in the summer. I had fully expected Magnum to pick up the win sometime in 1987. 

Ronnie Garvin as champ

It felt like Crockett was struggling for a hero not only to replace Magnum TA but also to not fall back on Dusty again. Nikita Koloff seemed to be that guy as he united with Rhodes and fought in Magnum's honor. But by fall of 1987, Ronnie Garvin was deemed the heir apparent and beat Flair for the championship. I liked "Hands of Stone", but he never struck me as a world champion material, especially in the Ric Flair era.

JR & Barry Windham

However, Barry Windham is one of the all-time greats to never win the NWA (or WWE) Heavyweight Championships. I'd been a fan of Windham's since his Florida days and right before his first run in WWF where he and Mike Rotunda won the WWF tag team titles. It was that experience and his overall look and work in the ring that always made me think Windham should have been considered for the run Garvin had.

At the same time period, Windham was toiling on the mid-card and defending the Western States Heritage Championship. Remember that title? He eventually dropped that to Larry Zybszko and then pursued "Dr. Death" Steve Williams' UWF Heavyweight Championship.

Horsemen

However, Windham had the pedigree as a second generation wrestler. At that time I don't think he'd really been tested with Flair, but the two would have some classic matches prior to Barry joining the Four Horsemen in 1988. Still, a run as NWA Heavyweight Champion was on my shortlist of 'wants' when watching pro wrestling back in the day.

What are your thoughts? Let me know here or head over to the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page and weigh in.

Previous 'Instead of' blogs

Instead of Diesel, how about Bulldog?

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The stars of Starrcade

My Stars of Starrcade
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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WWE is bringing back Starrcade this evening for a house show in North Carolina. And I just listened to the Starrcade 1987 What Happened When podcast with Tony Schiavone and Conrad Thompson. So it's put me in the mood to write about this iconic event presented by Jim Crockett Promotions and later WCW. 

I was always a WWF guy, but I did watch other companies obviously. Starrcade to me was always a big deal but was never really the same after Ric Flair left. Even after returning to WCW, Starrcade had lost its original luster. It may have been because of all the former WWF guys who had come to the company too and the Dusty Rhodes, Tully Blanchard, Nikita Koloff, Rock 'n Roll Express, etc. era had passed us.

My senior year in high school Starrcade '90 came to St. Louis. My buddy Jim and I attended the event which was headlined by Sting and The Black Scorpion in the steel cage. That night was the reveal that Flair was the Scorpion, which most of us figured out when they announced "Nature Boy" was out of the tag team title match with Arn Anderson against Doom. But I digress. Now for a look at who I thought were the Stars of Starrcade.

Flair vs. Lex Lugar: Starrcade 1988
Courtesy: WWE

As I mentioned, I never really felt like Starrcade was the same after that event in '90. Ric Flair had long become the face of the pay per view. He was the main event for Starrcades '83 through '90. He beat Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship that first year and went on to defend it or win it each year that followed (90 is the exception when he was Black Scorpion he lost to Sting). 

After Flair headed to the WWF in the summer of 1991, WCW's product suffered (at least in my 1-2-3 cents). It was clear at that year's Starrcade when a new concept was introduced: Battle Bowl. I didn't hate the idea of Battle Bowl but would have rather seen it at an event other than Starrcade. It drug down the heritage of the show.

Flair vs. Rhodes: Starrcade 1985
Courtesy: WWE

Without Dusty Rhodes, there may be no Starrcade. He was booking for JCP at the time the concept was born. He's credited with being one of the forces behind Starrcade. However, I found it interesting Dusty didn't wrestle on the first Starrcade card. Of course in the years that followed, he became a big part of the show. In 1984 and 85, Rhodes battled Flair for the championship. Naitch won in 84 when the special guest referee Joe Frazier stopped the match due to Dusty's bleeding. A year later, it appeared Rhodes won the gold, but the decision would change and Rhodes won via disqualification instead (a 'Dusty finish' if you will).

My third and final star of Starrcade is probably an unexpected one, but it's Tony Schiavone. With the exception of Starrcade '89 when he was with WWF, Schiavone was a part of each Starrcade either as a host, an interviewer or a commentator. He was the voice for wrestling below the Mason Dixon line as they say on his podcast. I definitely did not appreciate the work Tony did when he was doing it back then. Years later as I look back and rewatch shows and listen to his stories about the way things were, I respect him even more.

There are plenty of other names who were stars of the show. Sting comes to mind immediately, along with Lex Luger. The two of them had quite a bit of staying power with the product. The Rock 'n Roll Express, Midnight Express and Road Warriors all deserve shout outs too along with the Steiner Brothers, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard. Of course managers JJ Dillon, Paul Ellering and Jim Cornette are part of that discussion too.

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Cody Rhodes vs. WWE

Cody Rhodes enters ROH
Courtesy: George Tahinos

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I'm going to start this blog off by stating for the record I am a fan of Cody Rhodes. I enjoyed every incarnation of the man in his time in WWE. From his first break teaming with Bob Holly to Legacy to "Dashing" Cody to Rhodes-Scholars and even Stardust (even though I know he hated it). In my 1-2-3 cents, he was one of the most undervalued members of the roster and I'm happy for the success he's found on the independent scene and as the current Ring of Honor champion. It's also my 1-2-3 cents that his wife Brandi (Eden in WWE) was also grossly misused and should have had a larger role in the company. 

Now that you know where I'm coming from, let me move forward. WWE announced this week it's bringing back the Starrcade brand for the first time since acquiring WCW. The last Starrcade event was in December 2000. The title will be a part of an event planned for Thanksgiving weekend, involving SmackDown Live talent. Legends like Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and The Rock 'n Roll Express are also scheduled to appear.

Dusty vs. Ric Flair
Courtesy: WWE

The announcement of the event drew some criticism from Cody and Brandi, mostly being upset that Dusty Rhodes, who helped create Starrcade, wasn't credited and that Dustin (Goldust) Rhodes isn't scheduled to have a match on the show at this point. I understand Cody's emotional attachment to the situation, but I disagree with his point of view. Of course, if I was in his shoes, I might think differently, but I'd like to think that I wouldn't. Also, I don't disagree with him on everything. 

Tag champs
Courtesy: WWE

He's right, it would be nice if WWE included Goldust on the card. However, if they don't, I understand. Goldy is on the Raw brand and this is a SmackDown Live event. Also, Michael Hayes has extended an invitation to Cody to team with Dustin on the show. That would be amazing and I'd love to see them face the Hardy Boyz (I know they're Raw too), but what the hell... 

In my 1-2-3 cents, WWE doesn't have to give credit to the creator or innovator of each concept they present. Dusty was mentioned in the article for his involvement, but not as one of the creative forces behind it. To that point, I don't know that WWE mentions Pat Patterson every year at the Royal Rumble and I couldn't tell you officially who should be recognized for Hell in a Cell, Survivor Series or King of the Ring.

Dusty Rhodes statue unveiling
Courtesy: WWE

WWE has done a lot to honor the American Dream's legacy. There's a life-size statue of Dusty that was unveiled at WrestleMania Axxess a couple years ago. In 2016, there was a tag team tournament in the Dream's honor. There are a lot of Legends, Hall of Famers and contributors to the success of the business that don't get the credit they deserve. I really don't believe WWE is trying to squash the legacy of the Dream or take anything away from what he did for wrestling.

My hope is that one day Cody finds what he's looking for on the indy scene and is able to once again put his talents on display on the global stage of WWE. I respect what he, Dustin and their father have done and continue to do for the betterment of professional wrestling (and sports entertainment).

Vince McMahon is NOT the Grinch

Santa & John Cena
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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My original intent for this post was to actually be a vlog. I recorded it twice and for an unknown reason, the video cut out halfway through. So I'm sticking to my original roots and writing a blog. I will return to YouTube in the near future though, so don't fret. The topic today, the WWE/USA Network's decision to broadcast a live version of Monday Night Raw on Christmas night. 

It's the first time in the nearly 25 year history of the program that it's aired live on Christmas. Many fans got quite vocal about the decision on social media following the announcement. I feel like I'm in the minority when it comes to supporting WWE/USA Network in this decision. Here are a few of the reasons why.

When I first started watching wrestling in the mid-1980s, Christmas day and Christmas night shows were commonplace. The WWF, Jim Crockett Promotions and World Class Championship Wrestling held shows on Christmas day. Some years there were double shots or as many as three shows on that one day. And it wasn't just the mid-card guys performing. Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, The Road Warriors, Dusty Rhodes and countless other men and women were out on the road. 

Courtesy: ESPN

Other forms of entertainment perform on Christmas and other holidays. Most Broadway shows have a performance. Christmas day is huge for the NBA. There are games all day and evening on ABC and other networks. The movie theaters are open. Disney World and Disney Land are hopping with visitors. In fact, my friend Chad told me the busiest time he was ever at Disney Land was on Christmas. After spending the day cooped up with family, people want to get out and be entertained or distracted with programming on TV that's not a rerun of a Christmas movie.

My sympathy is also low on this subject because I work in an industry where there are no holidays. The news business doesn't take off for Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years or Easter. Granted, I don't work all of these holidays, but there have been years and years where I did.

Christmas unicorns
Courtesy: WWE

Let's not forget it's not just the WWE Superstars who will be away from their fans as critics have pointed out. The production team, commentators, referees, stylists, music and sound operations, etc. will all be on the road this Christmas. It's fair to say there are likely thousands of other people (wrestlers and other talents) who would kill to be a part of that Christmas night Raw.

I'll wrap up with this challenge. If you are truly appalled and upset by this decision by WWE and USA Network, I challenge you to turn off the TV Christmas night. Don't watch the show live and don't record it either. Refrain from watching the recap on YouTube on WWE.com down the road. To truly make a point and hit both companies where it hurts, don't watch. I, however, will be watching. My hope is our Superstars and those putting the show on air will be compensated appropriately for this first-time adventure in the modern era of professional wrestling. 

WarGames turns 30

WarGames 87

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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A decade before Hell in a Cell and 15 years before the Elimination Chamber there was a match called WarGames. Dusty Rhodes is created with creating the cage match concept and introducing it to wrestling fans in July 1987. The Dream got inspiration for the idea after seeing the movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

Dusty vs. Arn
Courtesy: WWE

The concept included two teams, two rings and a giant cage. The match started as a one on one competition and a coin toss would determine who had the advantage when adding members to the match. The brawling continued until all members of both teams were in the ring and then and only then could the match come to an end. Something I'd forgotten though was apparently pinfalls didn't count. The only way to win the WarGames was by submission or knocking out your opponent.

July 4, 1987, saw the very first WarGames match. Despite having the disadvantage at the start, The Road Warriors, Dusty, Nikita Koloff and Paul Ellering beat the Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard & Lex Luger) and J.J. Dillon.

The match concept continued a few times in '87. While the Road Warriors, Dusty and members of the Horsemen were the main staples, other competitors like The Rock 'n Roll Express, Midnight Express, Barry Windham and Big Bubba Rogers had appearances in the early matches.

I don't think I'd ever seen a WarGames match live (on PPV) until 1991. But I saw clips on NWA programming and articles in the Apter magazines. At WrestleWar '91 Flair, Windham, Sid Vicious and Larry Zbysko beat Sting, Brian Pillman and the Steiners. Sid delivered two sick powerbombs on Pillman that looked like they legit knocked out the high flyer. I remember his head hitting the top of the cage before crashing to the match. El Gigante came to the ring and surrendered the match on Pillman's behalf.

The last one happened in 1998 when DDP, The Warrior and Roddy Piper beat nWo Hollywood (Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart and Stevie Ray) and nWo Wolfpack (Kevin Nash, Sting and Lex Luger). 

Courtesy: WWE

WarGames was a great concept. Fans have wanted WWE to bring back the match, but I'd be surprised if it ever happens again. But I'd love to see it happen for old times sake at least once.

Foreign Object Friday: Abdullah the Butcher's fork

Abdullah the Butcher & his fork

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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One of the most sadistic men to step into the squared circle is Abdullah the Butcher. The more than 400-pound Sudanese mad man made a career out of slicing and dicing his opponents. His usual weapon of choice was something we all use every day: a fork.

With a name like "the Butcher", you would expect a violent temperant. Abdullah provided that for decades as he carved up the foreheads of opponents like Bruiser Brody, Dusty Rhodes and Carlos Colon. Gallons of blood spilled in countless rings, not just from Butcher's opponents, but from his own head. It always looked so painful and the scars that were left behind remain. Of course, barbed wire, chairs and other weapons played a role in these infamous feuds for the Butcher.

Hogan gets forked

Until I started doing some background searching for this blog, I didn't know Hulk Hogan was also "forked" by Abdullah the Butcher. The two battled it out in Japan in 1982 and as you can see, The Hulkster (before he was the Hulkster) bled like a stuck pig that night. And one of the few men bigger than Abdullah, Andre the Giant also got a taste of the fork as well.

My fork tie at Hall of Fame 2011

In 2011 I paid homage to Abdullah with my wardrobe choices that night. I secured a fork to my tie for the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony. Fellow Hall of Famer Terry Funk inducted Abdullah that night and I believe it was the first time I'd heard the Butcher speak at a wrestling related event. He always had such a mystique about him, but he's really a gentle giant, or so it seems.

Abdullah the Butcher will be a guest this weekend at the SICW show in East Carondelet, Illinois. That night features the Bruiser Brody Memorial Battle Royal.