Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 21: Magnum TA vs Ted Dibiase (NO DQ) OKC. (5/27/84)

Start of the second of ten disks. I’m going to attempt to the change up the reviews by watching matches first, then writing as I re-watch. I’ll also change the style and hopefully shorten the reviews (Writer’s note: That didn’t happen).

TA is the North American titleholder here (top Mid South belt). Dibiase is still the territories top heel. Ted Dibiase really reminds me of Flair as a heel, especially in there with TA. He talks trash as they stare down in the middle, looking at the belt and holding it before the ref takes it away. Dibiase sneak attacks at the bell like Flair would, maniacally taking this beating to the outside. I see the same arrogance, intensity, and ability to go from prideful on offense to fearful when selling. Also, ref Karl Fergie reminds me of ref Tommy Young. Old fans might knock the parallel, but it enhances thing for me.
This was a very simple ten minutes house show match. Thankfully the top wrestlers in Mid South always had well defined characters. Dibiase beats the crap out of TA to nearly hardcore proportions on the outside, but loses control on the inside. He cheats to gain an advantage again, and does some of those great falling fists. Very fluid in movement and vocal in yelling at the crowd. TA is fiery at times, sells well but not great, and otherwise is decent. Every time I think he’s excelling he reminds me what a geek being led he can be.

TA blades off the dreaded loaded Dibiase glove and we get our blood drama. Good mix of wrestling and brawling. The “safety fences two feet from the ring” are driving me nuts.

Dibiase slows it down and gets more methodical once TA is bloody. It’s all over Ted and he looks crazy. Awesome back body drop and powerslam on TA. These are standout spots for both men. All the punches looked very credible as well considering the ringside camera (house show in Oklahoma).

Beginning of the end: Dibiase goes for the spinning toe hold (trained by the Funks) and gets kicked over the top rope. Over the top bumps really meant something then. TA in control and man did he have a great drop kick and belly to belly!? He hits them here. TA wins clean. 3 stars and 5/10.