AWA Super Clash '85

Can Magnum defeat Flair for the NWA World title? Will Martel retain the AWA World title against Hansen? How will the Road Warriors fare in their hometown? Does Slaughter stand up for America against Zhukov? Let’s sink our teeth into this delicious supershow!

For those unfamiliar, this show took place at Comiskey Park on the south side of Chicago. Fortunately for all involved, the weather was clear and in the high 60s. If you have lived anywhere close to Chicago, you now that it’s hit-or-miss weather in late September. After all, Rod Stewart told Maggie he’d rather be back in school. Nevertheless, the ballpark was the home for the White Sox who finished third in the AL West going 85-77 with two players I’ve met—Carlton Fisk and Juan Agosto. At this time, I cannot confirm if either is a wrestling fan.

Match 1 for the AWA Light Heavyweight title: “Mr. Electricity” Steve Regal (champion) versus Brad Rheingans

Rheingans leapfrogged Regal and followed with a monkey flip.
When Regal gave Rheingans a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Rheingans cartwheeled away from a monkey flip but missed a dropkick.
As Regal fed him an elbow smash, he got 2.
He slammed Rheingans and followed with an elbow drop for another 2.
After he slammed Rheingans again, Regal attempted a second elbow drop but missed.
Rheingans rebounded with a shot to the midsection, gave Regal a cross corner whip, and elevated him with a back drop for 2.
While Rheingans dealt Regal an atomic drop, Garvin came to the ring and got up on the apron.
Since the anonymous referee was distracted, Rheingans only earned a false pin.
Rheingans nailed Garvin, but Regal rolled him up, hooked the tights, and pinned him at 9:14.

Summary: Not a hot opener at all, but the psychology was strong on both wrestlers’ parts. The crowd woke up when Garvin intervened.

After the match, Rheingans gives him a cross corner whip, but Regal hightails it.

Nelson interviews Regal at ringside who claims a clean victory regardless of anyone else’s opinion.

Since he is adamant about being screwed in the opening match, Rheingans slams Regal on the grass to the delight of the Chicago faithful. HA!

Match 2 for the AWA Women’s title: Candy Devine (champion) versus Sherri Martel

Sherri rang Devine’s bell and tossed her down to the grass.
Using subterfuge, she dropkicked Sherri over the top rope to the grass.
Devine returned Sherri to the ring the hard way and catapulted her across the ring twice.
As Devine hooked a Boston crab, Sherri countered it for 2.
Devine countered with a sunset flip for 2.
As Sherri delivered a leg drop, she botched an inside cradle which Devine escapes out of sheer disgust.

Sherri slammed Devine for 2.
After Sherri tossed her out to the pitcher’s mound, Devine caught her by the leg and rammed It into the apron.
She whacked Sherri’s leg against the ring post and slammed Sherri on the infield grass. Let’s hope Sherri doesn’t encounter any worm burners.
Back in the ring, Sherri botched a back drop.
Why? Because Sherri repeated the spot, and Devine countered with a sunset flip for 2.
Sherri clotheslined and fed Devine a vertical suplex.
While Sherri mounted the top turnbuckle, she connected with a splash albeit sloppily.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Sherri won at 11:24.

Summary: Consider this a foundation match for today’s female wrestling. I’m just glad there weren’t any hare-mares.

Nelson interviews Sherri at ringside, and Sherri cuts a promo like a scorned woman—evil and crazy.

In the next interview segment, Nelson questions whether Race and the Long Riders can secure the six-man titles from the Japanese contingent. Unfortunately, the cameraman does a piss-poor job of covering what Race has to say.

Jokingly, Nelson tries to interview the Japanese contingent but gets nowhere fast.

Match 3 for the All-Asia six-man titles: Jumbo Tsuruta, Giant Baba, & Genichiro Tenryu (champions) versus Harley Race & the Long Riders

When Tenryu reversed a cross corner whip, he hip-tossed Scott.
Tenryu dropkicked Scott who tagged in Race.
As Race leapfrogged him, Tenryu slammed him.
Tags were exchanged on both sides, and Bill put a knee into Tsuruta’s midsection.
After he dealt Tsuruta a back elbow, Bill tagged in Race.
Tsuruta rebounded with a high knee to Race and tagged in Baba.
While he and Tsuruta double-chopped Race, Baba hooked a side-Russian leg sweep for 2.
Tags were exchanged on both sides again as Tenryu fed Bill a back elbow for 2.
When Bill reversed an Irish whip, he hit a bicycle kick to Tenryu.
Scott tagged in and administered a high knee to Tenryu.
As he followed with a knee drop, Scott got 2.
Race tagged in, but Tenryu nailed him with an enziguri for 1.
After Bill guillotined Tenryu with the second rope, Race powerslammed Tenryu for 2.
He piledrove Tenryu for 2 thanks to a save by Tsuruta.
While Race delivered an elbow drop, he got another 2.
Scott tagged in, dropkicked Tenryu, but couldn’t get 3.
When Bill tagged in, the Long Riders bulldozed Tenryu with a double back elbow for yet another 2.
Bill slammed Tenryu, followed with a running knee drop, but only got 2 thanks to a foot on the bottom rope.
As Bill backdropped Tenryu, Scott tagged in but got punted on a back drop attempt.
Hot tag Tsuruta.
Upon dishing out a double noggin knocker to the Long Riders, Tsuruta tagged in Baba.
Speaking of Baba, he gave Bill a cross corner whip that sent Bill over the top rope down to the pitcher’s mound. Fortunately for the Japanese contingent, the resin bag wasn’t available.

Scott assisted Bill back into the ring, but Tenryu tagged in and slammed Bill for 2.
After Tenryu gave him a cross corner whip, he hesitated, so Bill clotheslined him.
Bill rang Tenryu’s bell for 2.
While Bill hit an elbow drop to Tenryu, he got another 2.
All six wrestlers were in the ring, and Baba flattened Bill with a big boot.
1-2-3.
Baba, Tsuruta, and Tenryu won at 10:50.

Summary: Due to the Chicago faithful’s unfamiliarity, the tag formula didn’t stimulate them to root for the Japanese contingent. My best guess is they sought some pizza and Old Style from the concession stand.

After the match, Nelson interviews a very perturbed Bill who’s so frustrated that he doesn’t make a lick of sense.

Match 4 for the NWA Midget title: Little Tokyo (champion) versus Little Mr. T

T chased Tokyo to the apron and brought him back in the hard way.
As Tokyo slammed him, T clubbered him resulting in a Tokyo flop. Perhaps the latter was suffering from Balboa fever.
Tokyo gave him all that and a bag of chips, but T no-sold it.
When T head-butted Tokyo, he got 2.
Tokyo grimaced, so Nelson pointed out Tokyo’s poor dental hygiene.
After Tokyo suplexed T, he got 2.
He backdropped T for another 2.
While the wrestlers halt the match for planes flying to and from Midway Airport, they must have been anticipating a supply drop of some kind.

I bet they were clamoring for Morganna the kissing bandit.

As T fed Tokyo a pair of butt-butts, he missed a dropkick.
Tokyo backdropped and double-chopped T.
1-2-3.
Tokyo retained at 9:30.

Summary: I pity the fools who watch this match as it is neither clever nor funny. OK, no more Mr. T jokes, or you RSG-ites will boot me from your A-Team of internet wrestling journalists.

Match 5 for the IWA World title: Mil Mascaras (champion) versus Buddy “Jack” Roberts

This match was joined in progress. Methinks the ring introductions were botched.

When Mascaras hooked a flying headscissors, he escaped a full nelson.
He applied his own full nelson and released it when Roberts put himself in jeopardy.

As he hip-tossed Roberts, Mascaras ate a boot to the midsection.
Roberts mounted the second turnbuckle and delivered a flying elbow smash.
After he stomped Mascaras south of the border, Roberts got 2.
He fed Mascaras a backbreaker for another 2.
While he dealt Mascaras a swinging neckbreaker, Roberts couldn’t get 3.
He gave Mascaras a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
When Mascaras suplexed him, he followed with a flying forearm.
He gave Roberts a whip into the corner but ate boot on his follow-through.
As he reversed a cross corner whip, Mascaras backdropped Roberts.
He mounted the top turnbuckle, hit a cross body block, and pinned Roberts at 6:26 shown.

Summary: Did you think for a second that Mascaras would lose? While Roberts was nowhere near a luchador, you could count on him to sell extremely well, and he did so in this match.

After the match, Nelson interviews Mascaras who wants “more action” in the US.

Nelson interviews Kerry who dedicates this match to his brother Mike who is in the hospital with toxic shock syndrome. Although I understand making your commitments, family emergencies take precedence over pro wrestling.

Match 6 for the NWA Texas title: The “Modern Day Warrior” Kerry Von Erich (champion) versus “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin (w/ Precious)

According to cagematch, Brian Adias defeated the “Handsome Half-Breed” Gino Hernandez last night for the Texas title in Fort Worth, TX. While this match brings prestige to the WCCW, the title is NOT being defended by the actual champion.
Before the bell rang, the Chicago faithful showered their support by chanting “Ker-ry.”
Their hero leapfrogged Garvin and followed with a pair of dropkicks.
As Garvin tried an ambush, Kerry ducked and delivered an atomic drop.
He obliterated Garvin with a discus punch but only got 2 thanks to a foot on the bottom rope.
When Kerry applied an abdominal stretch, Garvin escaped, yet the Chicago faithful restarted their “Ker-ry” chant.
Garvin put a knee into Kerry’s midsection and tossed him down to the grass.
After Garvin asked the anonymous referee to check the time, he tossed Kerry over the top rope to the infield. SNEAKY!
Kerry re-entered the ring via sunset flip and got 2.
While he fed Garvin a pair of discus punches, Kerry attempted an Iron claw.

Garvin blocked it, but Kerry gave him a cross corner whip.
As Kerry charged, he came up empty and nailed his shoulder on the ring post.
Garvin mounted the top turnbuckle, but Kerry caught and crotched him on it. OUCH!
1-2-3.
Kerry won at 6:49.

Summary: The female contingent of the Chicago faithful LOVED some Kerry in their meal this evening. Meanwhile, Kerry and Garvin entertained without having to break too much of a sweat.

After the match, Precious distracts Kerry so that Garvin can pounce on him. It backfires as Kerry applies an Iron claw much to the delight of the Chicago faithful. Garvin escapes and hightails it quickly toward the dugout.

Nelson interviews Kerry who wants to revisit Chicago as a secondary home. He’d get his chance in ’88.

Thereafter, Nelson interviews Bockwinkel, Stevens, and Zbyszko who promise to give the young guns a “wrestling lesson.”

Nelson interviews Greg, Hall, and Hennig who are pumped to turn the tables on the veterans. In the meantime, Greg borrowed Little Mr. T’s attire.

Match 7 (six-man): Larry Zbyszko, Nick Bockwinkel, & the “Crippler” Ray Stevens versus Greg Gagne, Curt Hennig, & Scott Hall

Jack Brickhouse was the guest ring announcer for this match. “Hey, hey!”

When Bockwinkel hip-tossed Hennig, he followed with a slam.
Hennig rebounded with his own hip toss and slam.
As Zbyszko tagged in, he slammed Hennig but got kicked in the mush.
Hall tagged in and distracted referee Larry Lisowski.
Quickly, Greg guillotined Zbyszko with the top rope showing the babyfaces’ ostentatiousness.
Greg tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Zbyszko.
After Greg leapfrogged him, he monkey-flipped Zbyszko.
He dealt Zbyszko a flying headscissors and tagged in Hennig.
While Hennig mounted the second turnbuckle, he lowered the boom on Zbyszko.
Speaking of Zbyszko, he countered a side head lock with a belly-to-back suplex.
Bockwinkel tagged in and put a knee into Hennig’s midsection twice.
When Bockwinkel distracted Lisowski, Stevens gave Hennig the business in the heel corner. How dastardly!
Stevens tagged in and distracted Lisowski. Menacingly, the heels double-teamed Hennig in their corner. Nefarious!
As Stevens tossed Hennig down to the grass, Zbyszko leaped from the apron and pummeled him.
He slammed Hennig on the infield, and the heels continued their wily tactics.
After Zbyszko tagged in, he hooked Hennig in an abdominal stretch.
A false tag occurred, and the heels took liberties with Hennig.
While Zbyszko suplexed Hennig, he got 2.
To prevent the tag, Bockwinkel guillotined Hennig with the top rope. Clever!
Bockwinkel tagged in, but Hennig scored with a cross body block for 2.
When a mid-ring collision occurred, Hennig made the hot tag.
Greg dropkicked Bockwinkel and fed a double noggin knocker to both him and Zbyszko.
As all six wrestlers were in the ring, Hall and Hennig rammed the heels together.
Greg whipped Stevens into a Hall powerslam.
1-2-3.
Hall, Hennig, and Greg won at 12:26.

Summary: Exciting match that followed the tag formula and electrified the Chicago faithful almost as much as Tom Seaver’s 300th victory.

After the match, Nelson interviews the babyfaces, and Hall appreciates the support of his team.

Nelson interviews the Freebirds who are wearing Confederate makeup to counteract the Road Warriors’ face paint. Gordy just doesn’t give a FUCK about the Chicago faithful.

Match 8 for the AWA World tag team titles: The Road Warriors (champions w/ “Precious” Paul Ellering) versus the Fabulous Freebirds (w/ Buddy “Jack” Roberts)

As the Chicago faithful chanted “go home, Freebirds,” Hayes stalked around foul territory like a mad man.
Hawk reversed an Irish whip and clotheslined Gordy.
When Hawk fed Gordy a knee lift, Hayes tagged in, got reversed on an Irish whip, and ate a back elbow.
Animal tagged in, reversed a cross corner whip, and sent Gordy spiraling.
After Animal slammed Gordy, Hawk tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Gordy.
Hayes tagged in, attempted a sunset flip, but ate a knuckle sandwich from Hawk.

While Gordy tagged in, Hawk reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Gordy suplexed Hawk and tagged out.
As Hayes dealt Hawk a sidewalk slam, he got 2.
Gordy tagged in, and the Freebirds destroyed Hawk with a double elbow smash.
When Gordy piledrove him, Hayes tagged in, but Hawk conducted a meeting of the Freebirds’ minds. Interestingly, nothing of note was conjured.
Hayes clotheslined and slammed Hawk.
After he mounted the top turnbuckle, Hawk caught and slammed him down to the mat.
Gordy tagged in, but Hawk reversed a cross corner whip.
While a mid-ring collision occurred, and it sounded like a pair of coconuts cracking against one another.

OK, perhaps not like that.
Hot tag Animal.
While he delivered an atomic drop, Animal powerslammed Gordy for 2.
All four wrestlers were in the ring, and Roberts jumped on the apron.
As Ellering hauled him down to the infield, he nailed Roberts.
Not to be outdone, Roberts grabbed a steel chair and WAFFLED Ellering.
The Freebirds tried to double-team Animal, but heel shenanigans ensued.
When Hawk stomped the bejeezus out of Roberts near the pitcher’s mound, Animal military-press-slammed Gordy.
He powerslammed Hayes and flew with a flying shoulder block to Gordy.
After Animal tried to pin Gordy, Hayes mounted the second turnbuckle and leveled him.
1-2-3.
Gordy pinned Animal at 10:00, and WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

Summary: Wild match where heel shenanigans allowed the Freebirds to steal the tag titles. But the Road Warriors can’t lose in their hometown, can they?

After the match, Nelson interviews Verne who requests to see the finish again. Due to INSTANT REPLAY, the decision is reversed, and “Chicago’s own” Road Warriors retain. In 1985, replay was a scorching hot topic in sports, but it hadn’t been implemented to change rulings. The AWA took it upon itself to innovate the concept in professional wrestling.

Match 9 for the NWA World Six-Man tag team titles: Ivan & Nikita Koloff & Krusher Kruschev (champions) versus the Crusher, Dick the Bruiser, & Baron Von Raschke

When the Soviets made their entrance, the Chicago faithful jeered them with a “U-S-A” chant.
Although they’re AWA legends, did they have to double their Geritol intake to get them to wrestle for this show?

As the bell sounded, the Soviets ambushed the retirees.
Kruschev tagged in, yet Ivan was already BUSTED OPEN thanks to Dick the Bruiser.
After tags were exchanged on both sides, a LOUD “U-S-A” chant erupted again.
Nikita tried a shoulder block against Von Raschke, but a stalemate transpired.
While Nikita considered another attempt, Von Raschke threatened the claw to change his mind.
Ivan tagged in, but Von Raschke backdropped him.
When Von Raschke put a knee into Ivan’s midsection, Dick the Bruiser tagged in.
Tags were exchanged on both sides again, and Von Raschke buried a knee into Kruschev’s midsection.
As Kruschev delivered a shoulder breaker, Ivan tagged in and fed Von Raschke a leg drop for 2.
Ivan whiffed on a running guillotine, so Crusher tagged in and put a knee into his midsection.
After Von Raschke tagged in, he applied the claw to Ivan.
Kruschev mounted the top turnbuckle, but the Crusher nailed him down near Sochi.
While all six wrestlers were in the ring, chaos arose.
Abruptly, Ivan pinned Von Raschke at 8:59.

Summary: Thank goodness the elder statemen allowed Von Raschke to do most of the work. The Chicago faithful’s animosity toward the Soviets fueled the match despite its lack of anything worthwhile.

After the match, the Chicago faithful rains down a “BULLSHIT” chant about the outcome.

Afterward, Nelson interviews Slaughter who’s ready to get “justice for the USA.”

Match 10 for the AWA Americas title: Sergeant Slaughter (champion) versus Boris Zhukov

Members of the Chicago faithful mobbed Slaughter to get miniature American flags.
As Slaughter gave him a cross corner whip, Zhukov rammed his shoulder into the ring post.
Slaughter grabbed an American flag from the Chicago faithful and taunted Zhukov with it.
When Zhukov gave him a cross corner whip, Slaughter flew over the top turnbuckle down to the pitcher’s mound.
Zhukov joined and slammed Slaughter on the infield grass.
After they returned to the ring, Zhukov guillotined Slaughter with the top rope.
Zhukov landed a pair of forearms to Slaughter’s chest and got 2.
While he connected with a swinging neckbreaker, Zhukov got another 2.
Zhukov sent Slaughter between the apron and the broadcast table.
As he rammed Slaughter face-first into the broadcast table, Zhukov attempted a piledriver on the infield.
On the other hand, Slaughter blocked it and countered with a back drop.
Zhukov mounted the top turnbuckle, but Slaughter caught and slammed him down to the mat.
When he fed Zhukov a back elbow, Slaughter dropkicked him.
He gave Zhukov another cross corner whip and backdropped him for a second time.
After he charged at Zhukov, Slaughter inadvertently mowed down referee Larry Lisowski.

With Lisowski OUT COLD, Zhukov loaded up his elbow pad with a foreign object. Evil!

Slaughter gave Zhukov another cross corner whip but ate a loaded elbow smash during his follow-through.
While Slaughter was BUSTED OPEN, Zhukov made him HIT THE POLE.
Lisowski called for the bell to disqualify Zhukov, and Slaughter won at 8:40.

Summary: Second patriotic match in a row, yet the American wins this time albeit in a schmozz.

After the match, Zhukov mauls him until the bloodied Slaughter has had enough. Slaughter chases Zhukov onto the infield as well as in and out of the ring. This feud is NOT over.

Nelson interviews Slaughter who reminds Zhukov that he has “declared war” upon him. He equates himself to G.I. Joe and symbolizes American patriotism.

Who in the blue hell is this ham’n’egger? Nelson explains that it’s Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissie who accompanies Kamala. Al-Kaissie states he has many surprises in store for us.

Winner receives $10,000 for bodyslamming his opponent.
When he’s introduced, Al-Kaissie sang the “Arabian” national anthem. He won’t win Arabian Idol with this performance.
Wally Carbo joined the broadcast table for this match with the $10,000 check.
As Blackwell clotheslined him, he splashed Kamala.
He attempted to slam Kamala but failed.
After Kamala made his attempt, he failed too.
Kamala beats his stomach like he’s ready for the closest Greek diner.

While Kamala splashed him, he applied a nerve hold.
Members of the Chicago faithful who’ve returned from the concession stands chanted “Jer-ry.”
When Blackwell no-sold Kamala’s “offense,” he gave Kamala a cross corner whip followed by an avalanche.
Blackwell slammed Kamala at 6:47 and won $10,000.

Summary: Popcorn match if there ever was one. I wonder if either of these guys met their sweetheart in a Greek diner. They could buy the owner out from their wrestling fund, but they’d eat away the profits.

After the match, Al-Kaissie jumps into the ring and CREAMS Blackwell’s coffee with a sword. A spoon would have sufficed. Nonetheless, Al-Kaissie steals the check from Carbo while double-teaming Blackwell with Kamala. Blackwell is BUSTED OPEN! Suddenly, Dru Tossel and some other lost soul try to intervene, but Kamala tosses them away like yesterday’s newspaper. Regardless, Von Raschke storms the ring and chases Kamala and Al-Kaissie away with a baseball bat. Before Kamala and A-Kaissie leave, they annihilate the enhancement talent again.

We fast-forward to Hansen who tosses a banquet chair into the ring before attacking Martel.

Match 12 for the AWA World title: Rick Martel (champion) versus Stan “The Lariat” Hansen

Forget your step-over toe-holds and front face locks, this was a BRAWL at the onset.
Martel gave a still dressed Hansen a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
As the brawl meandered to the ringside area, Hansen rammed Martel face-first into a chair.
He BRAINED Martel with a pair of chair shots, but Martel rebounded by making Hansen HIT THE POLE.
When they returned to the ring, Hansen slammed Martel.
Hansen fed him a back elbow, but Martel hooked a sunset flip for 2.
After Hansen gave Martel a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Martel slammed him, and they fought like they were in the school yard.

via Gfycat

While they migrated to ringside, Hansen made Martel HIT THE POLE and clobbered him with another chair.
He WHACKED Martel with a steel chair, but Martel blocked a second attempt.
As Martel WALLOPED Hansen with the steel chair, referee Larry Lisowski called for the bell.
He ruled the bout a double disqualification at 2:21.

Summary: Unquestionably, the show is running long, so the knockdown katie-bar-the-door brawl had to be shortened. Don’t worry, folks, this won’t be the last time Hansen and Martel lock horns.

After the match, Hansen SMACKS Martel with a cowbell. He drags Martel into foul territory with the bull rope around his neck until the brawl continues. Martel slams him on the field, but Hansen tosses him into the dugout. As the camera loses sight of them, they brawl into the clubhouse.

Nelson interviews Magnum who promises if he can hook a belly-to-belly suplex, there will be a new world champion.

Match 13 for the NWA World title: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (champion) versus Magnum T.A.

Flair leapfrogged Magnum but suffered a hip toss.
When Magnum dropkicked Flair, he followed with a gorilla press slam.
He reversed a cross corner whip and backdropped Flair for 2.
As Flair tried to toss him down to the infield grass, Magnum bounced right back in.
He nailed Flair repeatedly and hip-tossed him across the ring.
After Magnum missed a dropkick, Flair administered a knee drop.
He placed a knee into Magnum’s midsection and hooked a double underhook suplex for 2.
While Flair applied an abdominal stretch, Lisowski caught him pulling Magnum’s trunks.

Flair missed a knee drop, so Magnum trapped him in a figure-four leg lock.

When Flair made the ropes, Magnum made another attempt at the figure-four but got rebuffed.
Flair attempted a vertical suplex, but Magnum blocked it and delivered one of his own for 2.
As Magnum secured a backslide, he got another 2.
Flair tossed Magnum down to the infield grass, joined, and rammed him shoulder-first into the ring post.
After Magnum re-entered the ring via sunset flip, Flair countered with a knuckle sandwich.

Flair ensnared Magnum in a rope-assisted hammerlock until Lisowski caught him cheating again.
While Flair hooked a crucifix, he got 2.
Magnum reversed a cross corner whip and grabbed a sleeper.
When Flair fell to the mat, Magnum only got 2 thanks to Flair’s foot on the bottom rope.
Magnum slammed Flair but ate knees on a splash attempt.
As Flair countered a side head lock with a knee crusher, he slapped on his own figure-four leg lock.

Magnum reversed the hold, but Flair escaped.
After Flair made another attempt at the figure-four, Magnum countered with an inside cradle for 2.
Magnum gave Flair a cross corner whip resulting in a Flair flip.
While Flair fell to the infield, Magnum joined and made Flair HIT THE POLE.
With Flair BUSTED OPEN, Magnum dealt him a ten-punch count-along.
Flair tried to stand toe-to-toe with Magnum but ended up taking a Flair flop.
When Magnum earned a 2-count from it, he gave Flair another cross corner whip followed by a second back drop for another 2.
He caught Flair in a second backslide but couldn’t get 3.
As Magnum sprung a belly-to-belly suplex upon him, Flair’s legs knocked down Lisowski.
Magnum earned a false pin, executed an O’Connor roll, and got 2.
After Flair reversed the cradle, he grabbed the trunks.
1-2-3.
Flair retained at 25:48.

Summary: Fantastic main event where Magnum came so close to capturing the title. Flair stays the man before making his customary trip to Rush Street.

Nelson interviews Magnum who questions Flair’s tactics but vows it’s not over.

Conclusion: If you’re an AWA fan, you’ll enjoy this show. If you’re an NWA fan, you’ll also enjoy the show. If you want to introduce someone to 80s wrestling without Hogan involved, this show fits the bill. There may only be a couple of great matches, but it’s a worthwhile show. If you’ve never seen it, mark it on your calendars, RSG-ites.