[1984-05-22-AJPW] Harley Race vs Ric Flair

[JKWebb]

I haven't been high at all on Harley Race during his early 80s AJPW run. Here we get him against the Nature Boy in Japan. The biggest problem I've had with him during all this is that he won't sell for anyone. He also gives a lazy vibe at times. I feel like Harley was selling a little more for Flair than others, but he's still kicking out at one and cutting Flair off a bunch. Some of the headbutts look good, but basically Flair just works his ass off to get something out of Harley here. His reward is Harley winning. This was ok.

[Superstar Sleeze]

I loved this! I thought this was the second best Harley/Flair match ever (8/83 being the best). I thought there were good, strong momentum shifts. It was actually really well built to a hot closing stretch with a clean finish. Selling left a lot to be desired and that is clearly the biggest knock on the match

 

Ric Flair vs Harley Race - AJPW 5/22/84

 

80s Flair is the gift that keeps on giving. Best Harley/Flair match besides their 8/83, Mid-Atlantic encounter. Only second time Ive seen Harley work face besides the Central States match against Flair in July of 84. It actually works. For two very bomb-heavy, spot-oriented pro wrestlers, I thought they really build well to the finish and there was sustained heat and meaningful momentum shifts. Harley catching Flair with the bodyslam early and those wicked uppercuts was great. I loved Flair Wooooing right before he would get countered every time in this match. Great symmetry with the two biggest momentum shifts being each getting press slammed from the top. It was a nice wink to each other as the premiere NWA World Champions of their day. Harley's bombs served him well in his shine and once Flair slammed him off the top. I thought they did an excellent job mixing it up. Harley was throwing headbutts to let Flair know he was still there, but Flair always had a chop to cut him off at the pass. I thought they worked with energy without being frantic. Were they working outside? I noticed Flair's hair blowing in the wind, there were no rafters and there was weird acoustics. They tumble to outside loved Flair reversing the piledriver because he is still in command, but eats the post and then slammed off top. Really thought Harley's offense was so much better utilized as a babyface making a hot comeback. Those headbutts looked great. Figure-4 was a good break up of Harley's finish run before going back to the classic Flair closing stretch of nearfalls and Flair Flips. CROSSBODY FROM THE TOP LANDS FOR FLAIR! Wow! Loved that spot. Flair goes for his bread and butter, the figure-4 one more time, WOOOOOO but Harley counters by kicking him off. Suplex and top rope headbutt for the 1-2-3! Clean finish! Great match!

 

Flair's overconfident Woooo and then Harley counter was so good. Loved all the callbacks to their American matches. The selling leaves a lot to be desired and is clearly the biggest knock on this match. I thought they built well to the finish. Both's offense looked great and worked with energy. It was competitive throughout and the momentum shifts mattered in the match. Flair getting the figure-4 and crossbody were nice nearfalls before a big time finish the top rope headbutt. ****