Tommy Rich winning the World Titile

Tommy Rich's victory over Harley Race
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Sports

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• tommy_rich_champion

[Hoodooswamp]

To all that has responded to this, I appreciate it and thanks.

I guess I am slow in responding back , so sorry for that.

[raiderldp]

was that Andre who came n and picked up tommy at the end?

[Hoodooswamp]

@raiderldp Yep!

[Hoodooswamp]

April 27, 1981

[3000BCto1985]

it was intelligent business-minded thinking 2 drop the title n japan, it helped build-up the territory as well as losing the title 2 rich & rhodes, this did wonders 4 both of their careers (especially tommy's) & the georgia & florida areas as well, flair did the same 4 world class wrestling n 1984 when he lost the title 2 the late kerry von erich ... man, i can admit that i'm a dinosaur, but the business was so much better back then

[jarrettlock2000]

Even looking back today, Rich's surprised reaction is cool. Kind of interesting when an ending is scripted but the person winning the belt has no idea it's coming. It lends an air of realism to the situation.

[grantorino2009]

It was scripted. Rich was RED-HOT at the time and Race didn't mind putting him over. The only deficiency I could find in older wrestling like this was that the champions kept their belts FOREVER. I don't mind long reigns, but not for 50 years at a time. This was a great moment. It was all over the magazines, even if it only lasted a week.

[rstryker27]

Somehow I don't think Rich was " supposed " to win the title that night.  At least as far as the NWA big shots were concerned. I think the referee fucked up and they just had to play along. That's why Rich lost the title five days later.

[Freebleepers]

@carlinrulez666 I always call the Miz the "Fiz" and Ziggler a Billy Gunn clone. Yes, CM Punk does has more talent than both of those two combine.

[7mariofan]

Rich is my cousin

[volstar8]

Thanks for posting this match. I have heard Race was not happy dropping the title but who knows for sure? It was unusual to see the belt change hands in a smaller venue and Rich's reign was very short..

[NAYellowjackets]

@mongoose704 you are right on. watch gary hart's shoot interview. he says harley was all about putting younger guys with talent over(rich,von erich,etc..).

[Freebleepers]

I always prefer Tommy Rich as the youngest World Champion... the heck with Lesnar and Orton.

[melbz1266]

@3000BCto1985 WASN'T GREAT!

[brucedavis76]

wildfire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RAV52]

Hahahah... Andre stepping in as the insurance policy at the end tends to make me think that perhaps there was some fear on the promoter's part that Race wouldn't take kindly to the title switch... And we all know that NOBODY on God's Green Earth was gonna challenge Andre to a pissing contest!