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Post by midsouthratpack on Dec 24, 2018 9:18:17 GMT -5
This is a truly underappreciated Flair title defense and one that I have just recently discovered. For those who remember Koko Ware in the early and mid 80's will remember just how much energy Koko would bring to the squared circle and how he brought a very high paced match with high offense and great displays of athleticism. A drop kick that rivals Okada. No Joke.
Flair was on top of his game and working really well with Koko making him look like a million bucks. The crowd clearly behind Koko and bringing down the house with hope that Koko could pull out a victory. Koko was a clear underdog and played into this during the match with small hope spots that ended up in very close near falls that "hooked" the crowd every time. This is a fast paced mid 80's match and a very quickly paced NWA title match. Besides the Flair-Steamboat matches this is very close to one of the quickest paced Flair title defense. This is a must see match if your fan of Flair and have not come across this match yet. Give yourself a gift and watch this match. This is a top 100 BME. You will not be disappointed!
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Post by superstarsleeze on Dec 27, 2018 17:23:55 GMT -5
I will second this nomination. It wont make my final list, but this is a damn good Flair title defense. I do NOT think this is the best Koko Ware match of all time. Dont sleep on the New Fabs vs PYTs Fall Count Anywhere match from May of 1984 one of the all-time great tag brawls. I should probably nominate that.
NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Koko Ware - Memphis 11/18/85
You forget how big Ric Flair is because he very rarely gets to wrestle people he is larger than. This is a chance for Flair to bully his opponent like he did with Morton. The beginning of the match is all about establishing Koko as a challenger. Lance does a great job narrating this story. Stating Koko is nervous about this opportunity and that he is starting with fundamentals (headlock) to get himself a rhythm and credits Dusty with this advice is fucking excellent. That's what commentary should be! Lance states Flair thinks he has himself a cakewalk, but beware of Koko (pun intended). After the headlocks, Flair tries to intimidate Koko with some shoving, but Koko shoves him right back in a great spot Flair takes a bump. "I think Flair was thinking he was just dealing with another local yokel" - Lance Russell, best commentator ever.
Flair and Koko have an excellent slugfest. Flair chops and Koko hits him with those sweet Mempho punches in an absolutely electric segment. Flair Flop! Koko more punches and another nearfall! Crossbody! Flair tries a different tact, amateur takedowns, but ends up embarrassed falling out of the ring. Flair meets him with a kick to the midsection on a test of strength and BIG chop. Not the best transition to heat, but Flair works an excellent heat segment on the arm. He was really good at arm work. Koko tries punches and chops, but Flair is able to bully Koko in a way he cant with a smaller opponent. I like that wrinkle a lot. Koko gets the sleeper! The more I think about the sleeper is a great way to get out of the heat. It allows the babyface to get his energy back and sap Flair's energy. Smart spot calling by Flair! Flair cuts off again with a suplex into a DOUBLE STOMP! My favorite Flair move. Figure-4, baby! Dusty cheers on Koko and Koko reverses the pressure! Flair was really good dynamic wrestling. It never feels my turn, your turn, but no one has complete and utter control over the other person. Flair is always fighting back and Koko is too. I think that's what makes Flair matches so great. Ok, fun spot even if it is anachronism was when Flair punched Koko's head on the sunset flip and hurt his hand. Flair kneedrop missed! Good setup for Koko figure-4. Koko stays on the leg and starts throwing some serious chops. Fire fight! Koko is coming back and DROPKICK that Lance was hyping. Another dropkick! Here comes Dundee! Flair comes crashing into a distracted Koko with a knee from behind to win the match. Dusty & Koko clear the ring. Really great finish and Flair gets to over.
Great Flair vs underdog match and even though Flair spent so much time as champion we don't have a lot of these matches. The first third is great at establishing Koko as a threat. The middle third is Flair kicking ass, but always letting Koko get his hope spots. I think that is so crucial. Flair never just dominates a segment. His opponent fight back and he has to cheat by grabbing the hair or knee to the midsection to maintain advantage. It is these transient moments that keep the match engaging because there is a real sense of struggle. I loved the set up for each of the figure-4s. I think sometimes Flair just calls them randomly on his own opponent, but this time his timing was great. Koko had just made a decent comeback and he looked to extinguish with his figure-4 and Koko was set up by him missing a knee drop. Perfect finish run with Koko getting two dropkicks right before Dundee fuck finish, but Flair still gets the pin to get us a real finish but protect Koko. Excellent Flair match in a year of fucking greatness. People talk about 1989, but holy shit 1985, what a year for Flair! ****1/2
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Post by elliott on Sept 4, 2023 10:13:00 GMT -5
Feels weird to call a classic Flair title defense one of the coolest matches of the 80s when we have so many examples of classic Flair title defenses. But when his opponent is Koko B Ware it's something different than just another Flair title defense. It's worth the 50 Flair vs Nikita and Flair vs Sting matches to have this one Flair vs Koko match.
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