[1983-05-20-Houston Wrestling] Nick Bockwinkel vs Dusty Rhodes

[shoe]

This would be called a dream match and it wouldn't be hyperbole. The AWA World Champ vs the 2 time former NWA World Champ and biggest box office draws around. This card was called a Night of Champions and had both the AWA and WWF titles defended on the show. This is the 1st match in a 2 match series. So the point of the 1st match is to make people believe that Dusty can win the title and have a screwy finish to set up the Bull rope match next month.

 

 

It starts with Ted Dibiase issuing a challenge to the winner. We open with a lock up and early on Dusty knocks Bock down and we get a Funky Like A Monkey strut .Bock is fun in stooging for Dusty and coming up ways to eat his offense. Bock is great at creating movement where Dusty reigns supreme. In a big moment Bock misses a top rope knee drop. Dusty goes for the knee and puts him the Figure 4. Ted comes out and lays Dusty out in a bloody mess and Nick goes over. I really wish we would have seen them milk the drama of some leg work to set up the Figure 4. I think it would have given the finish more gravitas. 2 3/4*

[JerryvonKramer]

Does this mean there's a DiBiase vs. Bock match out there?

[shoe]

I don't think so based on the finish . The heat was set up for Ted and Dusty. We got that double bull rope, dog collar match.

[JKWebb]

I really enjoyed Bockwinkel bumping for Dusty. There was a great spot where he was going for a bear hug, or something like that, and Dusty slipped out. Bock sells his momentum wonderfully and just smacks the mat face first. He was super entertaining for me in this, and I think I'm probably a little higher than some on this match. I guess it could have had more drama, but I do think this was really good and especially entertaining. I loved the finish with Ted leaving Dusty bloody. If I were to use stars, maybe more like ***1/2 or so for me.