Dusty Rhodes vs Harley Race Omni Dusty Wins title

[mjnoir1]

this might have been asked and answered a million times but i have never heard what was that spot or tumor or whatever was on dusty's stomach?

[spinemelter2000]

That crossbody from the top rope was awesome. It's a lot better than the title change I just watched, which was where Harley Race won with a regular vertical suplex.

[DavidFullam]

Curious as to why Dusty's 2 reigns during the old regional days were so short. Was he not a fan of the grueling touring schedule, or were they token runs for a top baby face?

[Sargebri]

@DavidFullam Dusty's reigns were so short because he, like so many others in the NWA, knew the money was in having a heel champion taking on the local babyfaces in order to draw the house. That is why with each of his reigns he was more of the transitional champion. He would hold the belt until the next long term champ was ready. Of course, it was only a few months after this that he lost the belt to Flair.

[DavidFullam]

@Sargebri Thanks for the info!

[Sargebri]

@DavidFullam You are quite welcome. In fact, I think the only real face champion prior to this was Jack Brisco. Also, part of the reason why Flair's first win took place in Kansas City and not Charlotte was because it would have been a babyface vs. babyface match and they were afraid that Dusty would have gotten over more than Flair, who was still a babyface in that area. Also, they didn't have the match in Atlanta was that they didn't want to risk a riot in the Omni.

[DavidFullam]

@Sargebri The history of the NWA title and how the men were chosen to represent it is a fascinating subject.

[anthony1468]

@Sargebri After Terry Funk attacked him BOTH times in those defenses. He broke rhodes arm the first time & went after his leg the second time

[Sargebri]

@DavidFullam I also forgot to mention that there was a plan in place to go against the heel NWA champion in 1986. Magnum TA was going to wrestle Flair at Starrcade '86 and by all accounts he was going to win the belt that night and after that they were going to book him as sort of a NWA version of Hulk Hogan, at least one that had talent.lol. He would go into various territories and deal with uber heels when they go out of hand. However when he had the accident that ended that.

[Willsatx]

Funny how at this time GCW always just had a handheld and someone recording at ringside, this is some of the best footage of an early 80's omni matche.

[HCL808]

Thanks for posting this match.

[lovejava04]

This was a classic match !!! Dusty capturing his second World Title. The crowd went Nuts !!! They went alot cazier than they did when he won his first world tile !!!

[TOCSAHO]

@lovejava04 The reason they went alot crazier is that in Fl the crowds always assumed a "Dusty" finish where the ref of someone would come out and over turn the pin. Here is a bit of trivia at 3pm the very same day Dusty was wrestling Don Muraco at the Lee Civic Center in Ft Myers Fl then flew to Atlanta. I still have the program.

[AlexDCl]

Only one foot?!

[don417]

@AlexDCl In the NWA if a wrestler comes off the top rope it's a DQ. He avoided that technicality by only using one foot. Get it?

[AlexDCl]

I guess so.

[ragingredbull77]

what year was this?

[MNWreckingCrew]

@ragingredbull77 June 21, 1981.

[Sargebri]

@ragingredbull77 1981.

[piercdbruh]

The crown went NUTS!!!

[shoprite118]

WOW!...GREAT CLIP...THANKS FOR THE UPLOAD...