[1982-08-14-CWA-TV] Ric Flair vs Jerry Lawler

[Superstar Sleeze]

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs Jerry Lawler - Memphis Wrestling 8/14/82

 

"You are not trying to put on any country jive on me" - Ric Flair, one of my favorite lines from the classic promos surrounding this match.

 

Flair takes some time out of his busy schedule (Orlando the previous night against Dusty, Ohio for GCW against Dicky Slater that night, and the classic Kerry Von Erich match in Dallas the next night) to show this podunk, redneck town what big time pro wrestling looks like. Jerry Lawler, the master of persuasion, sees the champion's hubris as opportunity to exploit to wrangle a championship match on TV when Flair was scheduled to wrestle a jabroni. Flair actually does agree to a 10 minute TV match with the NWA World Championship on the line. This is an all-time great TV angle and everybody should watch it. I actually mentioned the schedule on purpose because it explains the match to a degree.

 

When in seven days, you have to wrestle wrestlers as different as big bumping Harley Race, charismatic Dusty Rhodes, power wrestling Kerry Von Erich and technical wrestler Jack Brisco, party all night long with pretty women across the country, do 500 free squats a day, you don't have much time to come up with a totally unique match for every wrestler, brutha, Unfortunately, Lawler did get the short end of the stick in terms of match layout. It is clear when it came for the big time championship defenses against the Von Erichs, Flair made each match unique, but he simply did not have the time to do this for everyone. Instead what he did was bring one helluva template and 110% effort to every match. The big Flair vs Lawler match did not materialize, but if I was watching that on TV I would be hooked. Now having seen a ton of Flair especially recently, I could call the spots ahead of time, but we have to be cognizant that people in Mempho were not getting Dallas TV so this was not a real issue. This is one who is working smart not unnecessarily hard and taking a template that works. Now if I am Lawler, I would be disappointed that I was the proverbial broomstick in this match. He was stuck doing the hammerlock switches, working a headlock, and doing the sleeper reversal out of the suplex. I think his lack of effort showed selling for Flair, I may be reading too much in this, but I would imagine it was either because it was TV thus did not want to give too much away or he was not happy with Flair, which I swear I read. I have noticed this in some other matches, Lawler does deadfish on people. He just lets the moves happen to him rather than struggling. When Flair is on against Von Erichs, Flair is always struggling and forcing the Von Erichs to overcome his shortcuts. It is not too bad with Lawler because he does sell well, but in this match he was just taking moves and doing none. He barely flinched when the figure-4 was slapped on. The cool thing was we got to see a Ric Flair offense showcase, which seems rare, so we get the delayed vertical and the gutwrench. The ten minute time limit expires while Flair has him in the figure-4 and since he could submit him, Flair wants him for 5 more minutes to really show this punk up. Flair has not watch many Lawler matches and here comes that comeback. Flair tucks tail and takes the championship with him and is counted out to set up the Mid-South Coliseum match that was never to be.

 

The match layout is basic Flair: babyface shine with babyface besting Flair on the mat, Flair kicking some ass and then guitar solo portion of the match where Flair lets you hit your 2-3 big spots before the finish. Your mileage will vary based on how much you like the layout. I love it and Flair's offense so I enjoyed the match even if it was not OMFG FLAIR VS LAWLER!!!! The post-match angle is straight cash money with Flair putting out a bounty on Lawler's head and delegating it to Jimmy Hart. Between this and Kerry Von Erich, Flair, you deserved what was coming to you pal in 1983 with Harley Race. Watch it for the angle and promos, the match is still pretty good. ***

 

[Jetlag]

This was a classic studio TV angle. The opening promo work was so weird due to how calm everyone was. I'm just used to Memphis TV being a bunch of crazy characters yelling and hitting over the mark. The match was basic but had good intensity due to the stakes being so high. Afterwards the Ric we all know comes out and has a huge meltdown. Imagine being a kid in the 80s and seeing your guy Jerry Lawler kicking the world champ's ass on TV.

[Makai Club #1]

One of the most famous matches and angles in Memphis history. If anyone is remotely interested in classic Pro Wrestling, they have watched this exchange between Ric Flair, the NWA Heavyweight Champion and Jerry Lawler, the hometown champion. Jerry Lawler cuts a wonderful promo on Jimmy Hart helping him regain the Southern Heavyweight Title against Kimala before he transitions into coaxing Ric Flair into the title match right there on television. Ric Flair is so cool and calm in this segment. Kevin Nash was likely taking notes somewhere. He initially tries to big league Jerry Lawler by asking who he is, which Lawler handles perfectly and then he goes on about how he is above anyone in Memphis that he may as well face Jerry Lawler rather than his scheduled opponent. 

 

The match was a fun studio match that condenses the usual big NWA Champion v Hometown Hero match. Flair starts out cocky before Lawler gets the advantage and proves himself a worthy challenger. Flair does stay on top, using his usual tricks and even almost beats Lawler with the Figure Four before the time limit expires. Flair is so mad that he couldn't get a decisive win so he asks (and gets) five minutes. This unhinged Flair who goes wild but it turns into his undoing as Lawler takes advantage quickly and this causes Flair to flat out run away. Lawler brings up a great point saying that he should be champion as Flair ran away, essentially forfeiting the title. Being unable to get back in the ring is one thing but running away is something else entirely. Flair comes back out later claiming that it wasn't a title match as there was no contract signed. Fair points already. And it was a good way to close out such a classic segment. ***

[tcg91]

The whole segment was great, especially because an impromptu World Title match was not the norm in 1982, but the match itself was "just" good. Classic Flair formula, but there was no stalling as the 10 minutes time limit forced them to go straight to the point. Lawler looked really good here, with an energic comeback and a classic underdog spirit. The live studio atmosphere made this cool, but the lack of a big crowd and the stipulation limited the greatness of this. Smart non finish that keeps the door open for a rematch, even though they won't have one, which is a shame
***