And I’m Like… (Going Old School at Starrcade 1983) Part 3 of 3

Tony Schiavone shows Flair walking around looking NERVOUS. Downtown Charlie Brown shows up and tells Tony to ‘Give me a kiss’. “First of all I wanna tell all my brothers and sisters this goes out to you. Second I did it for my brother Jimmy ‘The Boogie Man Valiant’. Third for Charlie Brown WOOO”

Roddy Piper comes in and holy shit. He points at his ear “Look at this, is that all you got?  You say you want to take away all my hearing. What you forgot is you got one more ear to go. I BEAT YOU FAIR AND SQUARE AT STARRCADE 1983! The next thing Valentine THE UNITED STATES TITLE IS MINE!!”

Next to enter the good guys locker room is the new Tag Champions Jay and Ricky. Jay starts talking and sounds a little slow. “That’s right, the first time felt good but this fifth time, beating the world tag team champions for four times.. but the forth.. FIFTH time that’s right, it goes down record books Youngblood and Steamboat Number 1 again. Top of the charts.” Ricky says “what makes a good combination of tag team wrestling is being able to wrestle all different styles and all around the world. You have to deal with these different styles and wrestlers. All combinations have gone against us, we aren’t the biggest wrestlers in the world but we can adapt.”

Gordon and Bob are talking about how excited they are for the Main Event. they are pleased to see that most of the guys they think are upstanding men have one. They talk about how all the fans want Ric Flair. Bob is stoked that Steamboat and Youngblood won’t be closet champions. Solie says he doesn’t think Jim Crockett won’t have to deal with contracts like he did with The Brisco’s. They run down what everyone said tonight and all the matches. Solie puts over Piper as having the most heart.

Bob wants to take us to Barbara and you hear a guy yell “THEY AREN’T READY YET” and Gordon and Bob are trying to fill time. They are thanking all those around the world for watching. They retalk about the card and what happened. This is the second major difficulty in the show.

Dusty is with Susie, Christy, Debbie and Rose?  He says “This is what we all came for, Flair for the Gold. He asked all the ladies who they think they will win. They scream “Ric Flair” Dusty says no matter who it is they gotta face 2 time world heavyweight champion Dusty Rhodes. He starts talking about how great he is and how he will pick the winner but he won’t tell us. Really putting himself over. This is his third interview of the night.

The Star-Spangled Banner is sang by some James Tiny Watts country singer.

NWA World Heavyweight Championship

Ric Flair vs. Harley Race (c)

Ric Flair- I wrote about Ric here Flair broke his back in three places and, at age 26, was told by doctors that he would never wrestle again. Flair conducted a rigorous physical therapy schedule, however, and he returned to the ring just three months later, where he resumed his feud with Wahoo McDaniel in February 1976. The crash did force Flair to change his wrestling technique away from the power brawling style he had used early on, which led him to adopt the “Nature Boy” style he would use throughout his career. Groomed by Jim Crockett Jr. as his future top star, Flair won the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship when he defeated Bobo Brazil on July 29, 1977; and during the next three years, he held five reigns as U.S. Champion while feuding with Ricky Steamboat , Roddy Piper , Mr. Wrestling II , Jimmy Snuka , and Greg Valentine (with whom he also formed a championship tag team). Flair, however, reached elite status when he began referring to himself as “The Nature Boy” in order to incite a 1978 feud with the original “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers , who put Flair over in one encounter. On September 17, 1981, Flair beat Dusty Rhodes for his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship . In the following years, Flair eventually established himself as the promotion’s main franchise in the midst of emerging competition from Vince McMahon ‘s World Wrestling Federation . With his outlandish wit and entertaining interview style, Flair embodied the role of the World Champion—sporting bleached blond hair, elegant jewelry, designer suits, and elaborate custom robes while dishing out his trademark chops and figure four leglock . All the while, Flair taunted his opponents with his “Wooo!” shout while boasting that “To be ‘The Man’, you gotta beat the man!”. In 1982, Jack Veneno and Flair had a series of matches. Veneno defeated Flair for the World title, but the NWA did not recognize this change. Flair also wrestled matches with Ricky Steamboat throughout the year. Another unsanctioned title loss took place on January 6, 1983, this time to Carlos Colón Sr. in Puerto Rico . Flair recovered the belt in a phantom change 17 days later. While this switch was not officially recognized by the NWA, WWE retroactively recognized it. Harley Race won the title from Flair in 1983.

Harley Race- After overcoming polio as a child, he began training as a professional wrestler as a teen under former world champions Stanislaus and Wladek Zbyszko , who operated a farm in his native Missouri. While in high school , an altercation with another classmate led to the principal kneeing Race in the back of the head as he tried to break up the fight. Enraged, Race attacked him, resulting in his expulsion. Already 6 ft 1 in and 225 lb, Race decided to get his start in professional wrestling. Race then became the driver of Happy Humphrey , as he was too large to drive at the time. Race was recruited by St. Joseph wrestling promoter Gust Karras, who hired Race to do odd jobs for his promotion, including chauffeuring the 800 lb (360 kg) wrestler Happy Humphrey . Eventually, Race started wrestling on some of his shows, and some of Karras’ veteran wrestlers helped further Race’s training. At the age of 18, he moved to Nashville and began wrestling under the ring name of Jack Long, forming a tag team with storyline brother John Long. The duo quickly captured the Southern Tag Team Championship. Race was seen as a rising star in the business with a bright future, until a car accident put him out of action, with his leg coming close to being amputated. His pregnant first wife, Vivian Louise Jones, died instantly; they had been married for little over a month. Karras heard about his employee’s condition, went rushing into the hospital, and blocked the planned amputation, declaring it “over my dead body”. In doing so, he saved Race’s leg. Although he recovered, doctors told Race that he might never walk again, and his wrestling career was over. Undaunted, Race endured grueling physical therapy for several months and made a full recovery. Race fought in the WWWF as “the Great Mortmier” in 1963. He returned to the ring in 1964, wrestling for the Funks’ Amarillo, Texas , territory. This time, he wrestled under his own name, after his father told him that he should not work to make anyone else’s name famous. Race never again used a different ring name. In Amarillo, Race met fellow up-and-coming wrestler Larry Hennig (later Larry “The Axe” Hennig and father of “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig ). The two formed a tag team and moved to the American Wrestling Association . In the AWA, Race and Hennig branded themselves as “Handsome” Harley Race (which was actually a moniker given to him by fans in Japan ) and “Pretty Boy” Larry Hennig, a cocky heel tag team with a penchant for breaking the rules to win matches. They quickly became top contenders, and in January 1965, they defeated Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher to capture the AWA World Tag Team Title . Race and Hennig continued to feud with the Bruiser and Crusher and other top teams for the next several years, amassing three title reigns. Verne Gagne , in particular, was a hated rival of the team, and recruited many different partners to try to defeat Race and Hennig during their AWA run. In October 1967, Gagne was credited with “breaking” one of Hennig’s legs, thus giving him some much needed time off from the ring. Race (as the storyline went), was allowed to choose a new partner and retain the AWA tag belts. Harley’s choice was Chris Markoff. The duo lost the title in their first defense of the belts to the babyface team of Wilbur Snyder and Pat O’Connor in November 1967. For the next several months, Race teamed with Hard Boiled Haggerty (Don Stansauk) who over the years presented Verne Gagne with some of his greatest matches. Together, Race and Haggerty often battled Gagne and “Cowboy” Bill Watts . In March 1968, after Hennig’s return to the ring, he and Harley were back together, though the two never recaptured the AWA World Tag Team Title. Despite his tag team success, Race left the AWA after several years at the top of the division to pursue a singles career in the NWA. Race jumped from territory to territory in the early 1970s, renewing his rivalry with Terry Funk in Amarillo and winning a regional title. He was seen as a gifted territorial wrestler, not quite ready for the worldwide spotlight, until 1973. In Kansas City he did very well teaming with Roger Kirby. As a singles wrestler he held the Missouri State title as well as the Mid Atlantic version of the United States title. He also started what would be many tours to Japan where he faced Giant Baba. In 1973, Race faced NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk, Jr. in Kansas City, Kansas . Race emerged from the battle as the new World Champion in what was perceived by fans as a stunning upset. Behind the scenes; Funk had pulled out of losing the title to Jack Brisco , citing injuries in a truck accident; In truth Amarillo promoter Dory Funk Sr. did not want his son losing the title to a fellow babyface. Race, a known tough street fighter, was under orders from the NWA not to let Funk leave the ring as champion that night. The ending was a “work” with Funk dropping the title as planned. A televised title defense from this first reign, held in Calgary against Klondike Bill and aired as the main event on an episode of the promotion’s eponymous Stampede Wrestling program (where Race successfully defended his title), resurfaced during the 21st century as part of the WWE Video Library . Most of his televised matches of this era were squash matches held in television studios. Though Race held the title for only a few months, losing it to Brisco in Houston, Texas in July, he became a worldwide superstar and perennial championship contender. Race was determined to eventually regain the NWA World Championship, often moving between territories and collecting several regional titles, including eight Central States Titles, seven Missouri Titles, the Georgia Heavyweight Championship, the Stampede North American Title in Canada , the Japan -based NWA United National and PWF Titles, and becoming the first-ever holder of the Mid-Atlantic U.S. Title, still defended today as the WWE United States Championship . This kept Race in contention for the World Championship, and Race vowed that he would only need one chance against the champion to regain it. Race finally got his wish in 1977, facing familiar rival Terry Funk, who had become the champion since their previous encounters, in Toronto . Race won the title by submission with the Indian Deathlock, a rarely used submission move but one that put great pressure on Funk’s injured leg. The NWA World Champion once again, Race this time established his dominance, defending the title up to six times a week and holding it for almost 5 years (excluding extremely short reigns by Tommy Rich, Dusty Rhodes, and Giant Baba). Race feuded with many of the legends of the NWA including Dory Funk, Dusty Rhodes, Dick the Bruiser, Pat Patterson and Angelo Poffo. In 1978, he had a series of violent matches throughout the Midwest with the Sheik, culminating in a bloody “2×4 with a nail in it” match in front of 12,313 at Cobo Hall. The NWA, AWA and WWF were on good terms, and Race engaged in title versus title matches with WWF Champions Superstar Billy Graham and Bob Backlund , as well as AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel. Race toured extensively all over the country and the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and many stints in Japan , where he was already well-known from his visits with Larry Hennig. On October 13, 1978, Harley Race body slammed AndrГ© the Giant . Race, after countless victories over many years over Rhodes and other great wrestlers, lost the title to Dusty Rhodes in 1981. Rhodes lost the title to up-and-coming star Ric Flair , though Race was able to defeat Flair in St. Louis in 1983 for his seventh reign as champion, breaking the record previously held by Lou Thesz . What followed was one of the classic angles of the 1980s, which led to the first-ever NWA Starrcade event. Determined not to lose the title again, Race offered a $25,000 bounty to anyone who could eliminate Flair from the NWA. Bob Orton, Jr. and Dick Slater attacked Flair, inflicting what appeared to be a career-ending neck injury, and collecting the bounty from Race after Flair announced his retirement. Flair’s retirement was a ruse, however, and he eventually returned to action, much to Race’s surprise. NWA officials set up a championship rematch, to be titled “NWA Starrcade: A Flare for the Gold”. The match was to be held in Flair’s backyard, Greensboro, North Carolina , which enraged Race.

Flair comes out in complete darkness as his music plays. Once the song is done smoke fills the entrance and a spotlight hits Flair as he comes out to HUGE cheers. He has to get escorted to the ring by police as women and men try and grand and kiss him. He is not showboating or anything really, he is prepared. The only two Flair matches I have reviewed so far have been in cages for the NWA Title. Bob and Gordon are being quiet to add to the atmosphere of the arena.

Harley slowly makes his way to the ring without the huge escort or music. He looks ready and scary. Got that facial hair HHH loves so much too. Race is taking his sweet ass time getting into this ring. Taking it all in I am sure. Still no word from the commentators.

The referee is Gene Kiniski . The announcements happen and the crowd is so ready for this one. I want to know how Flair became so humbled since leaving his feud with Kerry in Texas. There is nothing about him outside the robes that make me think of “Nature Boy”.

Gordon says the winner will exacerbate two things “intensity and execution”. Bob says the tension has built for months and we are seeing it now. We hear that Harley Race says it is demeaning to him as a champion to step in a cage for a match. He is a wrestler not an animal.

The bell rings, Flair “Woo’s” and does that thing where he slaps his own shoulder. Yep, the second the bell rings you can see Flair just gets comfortable. The knife edge chops are coming out and the crowd cheers. Gordon points out that Harley Race has wrestled over half his life time. Solie points out how Flair was an amateur thanks to the University of Minnesota. He says the styles differ because Flair knows the mat basics and Race knows how to fight. This match is gonna be slow because it has started with a good five minutes of headlocks. Race hits his signature spots with a high knee and his falling headbutt. Race is one of a kind with his mannerisms.

Race hits the headbutt but then lays down for a bit to sell the fact that it hurt him too. Gordon says watching Race you are reminded he uses his entire body as a weapon. What’s funny is people think this headlock business is boring. Wrestling before the 1900’s would sometimes be one guy has a hold on the other guy and they lay there for 3 hours. Imagine that, like watching Great Gama and Stanislaus Zbyszko for three hours and a total of 5 moves.

Gordon points out that pro football usually has contact for 14 minutes per game, this match alone would be FOUR full football games. That is quite a remark.

Solie points out that some of Race’s moves are missing because “I don’t know it might be a change in the era.” Starrcade is so out with the old in with the new tonight. They drop Brisco’s and Race for Flair, Steamboat and Youngblood. Poor wrestling from the 70’s, it seems no one really remembers that era. That’s why I want a wrestling history class. Teach me about the Pioneer era, the television era, and we are now in the pay-per-view era.

Harley is working over Flair’s neck, he is piledrivin’ and clubbin that neck. Flair yells out “oh God.” Gordon and Bob are asking if Flair has the killer instinct that Harley Race has. Race hits a neckbreaker to shut the announcers up and simultaneously say “neckbreaker”.

Race throws Flair into the cage and I am pretty sure Flair bladed his head. After a powerslam and a nearfall, Race yells at Kiniski and Flair is able to capitalize off the distraction. It didn’t last long though, Race uses the cage well and was able to regain advantage by using Flair as a battering ram.

This is a match that is so special, think about the odds that were against this match. Harley Race had polio for pete’s sake, and Flair broke his back 6 years prior. This torch passing match means so much to wrestling, we are lucky to have been able to witness this at any year.

Flair is using the cage against Race now and Race gets busted open. The crowd can feel it too. The noise is getting louder. The blood is running out both men more and more. Over half the matches tonight have had blood. It still adds so much to the match. All the blood came at the right time though, not just there to be there.

Flair was hit with a piledriver earlier, so he returned the favor to Harley Race. After that he butterfly suplexed him for two. Gordon says Flair learns quickly, now he has the cage worked out he is not at a disadvantage.

Kiniski is yelling at Flair because he wants these two to wrestle and not use the cage. This match is breaking down, a lot of punches, chops, and elbow drops.

Flair does more of a Jimmy Valiant strut than a Jackie Fargo strut. Flair had the figure 4in, Race reverses it, but Flair rolled through into the ropes. Gordon says he has only seen the Figure Four reversed once.

Flair is headbutted by Race, then Harley goes off the second rope for a headbutt and Race knocked himself loopy. That makes the nearfall that much better! The headbutt slows Harley down but damages Flair, Harley crawling to the pin takes enough time so the countout seems legit.

Harley Race is changing his game plan. Originally he said he was only going for the neck, but Flair is bleeding so much that Harley changed it to beat him to a bloody pulp. Kiniski does not agree with this and pulls Harley off of Flair because Flair was in the ropes. This match has gone on so long that the initial blood has began to dry.

Harley has a headlock on Flair, Flair turns Races body and Harley ends up headbutting Kiniski. I don’t know if that was intentional because he looks dazed and is struggling to get up. Flair does a flying crossbody off the top rope and got the pin for the win.

And I’m Like… I don’t really know what that story was in that match. I know Flair won after getting beat bad. Angelo Mosca runs in the ring and picks up Flair. Race is looking on while the babyfaces hold up Flair on their shoulders. Ricky Steamboat is the one that puts the belt on Flair. That is pretty cool seeing how in 6 years they will have a critically acclaimed series of matches. Some woman, appears to be Flair’s wife ran into the ring and kissed him but then quickly got out. The crowd is chanting “you, you, you” and pointing at Flair.

There it is. The new World Champion.

Gordon Solie points out that Flair has to face Rhodes soon. They cut over to Flair’s wife who has blood on her nose. Flair grabs the mic “Thank you! …. I don’t really know how to say this… god… Thank you very very much. to try and explain what a major part all of you have played in this will take a long time. Each and everyone of you here tonight and at the closed circuit locations, this is the greatest night of my life. I can’t thank you enough. Just like the Flair we know he starts crying. Well deserved tears my man. This is his 3rd reign, but he knows this reign is different. This was Race passing the torch. This was Flair becoming THE MAN. Solie says 1984 will be a very interesting here. Bob says Starrcade 83 was really a happening.

Schiavone says “Ric it started out months ago when we were in your living room, now here you are, worlds champion.” Flair says “ah geez this started long before that, I want to say thank you to all the wonderful people out there that had the confidence and faith in me, when I was down and when I was out. Steamboat, Wahoo, and Youngblood worked out with me. Steamboat said “all it took was a little drive and you owe me one brother.” Dusty walks up and says “one dream left to fill, two times world champion, there is only two of us, long time coming , down the road.” He walks away and Ricky Steamboat says “a toast to the new world heavyweight champion” and we go back to Bob and Gordon.

The announcers put over how great Harley Race is and how he is bloody but unbowed. They say he is seven times a champion but he is probably thinking “is this the final championship for me?” Solie says this is a new caliber of competition, many man are capable of getting that title. Gordon says Race is so successful because he started wrestling at 17.

Barbara says “Harley I’m Sorry” Race says “Not much to say other than I’ve been champion 7 times. Not a man on the face of God’s green Earth that stands in my way of getting it eight times. Except for Dusty Rhodes and the Ultimate Ric Flair. Flair tonight is your night, it was arranged for you. Please, Please believe me , that I am not packing it up and going away and hide. I am gonna hound you like you have never been hounded before in your life. You drove me insane for 6 months, I will guarantee you you will go through hell until you meet me again.”

And I’m Like… LOL Race just said that Flair won because it was arranged and that he is not packing it up and going away. That seemed like a legit threat. Gordon Solie said this is definitely a new era. Schiavone interviews Flair and the tag champs again. Flair says that “your dream when you enter a profession is to be the best.” He said they wouldn’t be able to be here if it wasn’t for a lot of guys in the back standing up for me. I just want to drink a beer.” Steamboat says that “when we came here tonight we set our minds to go home as champion we did it” Jay Youngblood says “that’s all” Schiavone is standing there in a wet t-shirt.

Gordon says MLB brings us the World Series, NFL brought us The Super Bowl and now Jim Crockett Promotions brings us Starrcade.

And I’m Like…. What an event. This took me three days to cover and get all of the research and stuff done. Longest blog I have ever done, and I don’t feel like it was much work at all. This was something that changed the game. Thank you WWE Network for letting us watch it. Thank you readers for reading. Thank you to my wife for being patient.

Next week on Old School we head to the WWF to see a man named Hulk Hogan win his first World Title. The Rock-and-Wrestling Wars begin. I don’t know what it is really called but we had the Monday Night War and this one seems forgotten about but more important.

Until next time

Have a good one

-Jake