Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 79: Ted DiBiase vs. Bob Sweetan (10/13/85)

Apparently the Houston match was not the blow off, and I’m wondering if this is going to be the same match, or another blow off. Considering I know that Dibiase is headed for great things with Flair in a month, I’m guessing the nomination committee just liked the first match so much that this was was nominated for following the blueprint well. See also several Flair matches with Taylor and Von Erich.
No review like usual as its 5:30 in the morning and I’m trying to eat something. We’ll do overall thoughts.

Looks like a big beer/water puddle in the middle of the ring. Odd. Only ever saw that when Austin was on top of the WWF. Sweetan seems inspired tonight. Dibiase is cautious in his great heel manner. He won’t get in till Sweetan gets backed away by Ref Karl Fergie.

Sweetan is basically Jerry Blackwell from AWA (that’s not a compliment), but Dibiase’s selling and bailing to the outside/histrionics early make this fun to watch. I’ve never been down on “stalling” in the Flair/Dibiase heel powder out sense of the word, so this my play worse to others.

Loved the camera angle and execution of the reversal, with Sweetan going into the ringpost shoulder first from the apron. Violence on the outside is very intense stuff too. I am a fan of Ted getting the heat on faces even if the crowd was a bit tired at times. Sweetan’s small bursting hope spots were very good to, with 70% being Dibiase’s great sell.

Sweetan’s comeback is clever (knee spot on apron, stalking Dibiase back in, back body drop and piledriver) and well presented. Fans were really into it to, more so than Dibiase’s heeling.

Ref bump off a desperation Dibiase rope choke on Sweetan. Sweetan falls back on Fergie. It was okay, but I wonder why it was there? I know, because Sweetan then got the visual fall, but did it have to be that to set up the loaded glove spot? I guess so. Funny I’m still not mad at the loaded glove, but didn’t like the ref bump.

Finish was interesting in that Dibiase hits Sweetan with the glove and he bumps to the floor. Ref Fergie in to count out Sweetan, who is busted open. He’s about to raise Dibiase’s hand for the victory, but it’s the glove hand, and Fergie notices. He questions Dibiase, but in a move that killed my thoughts of raising the score, does not re-start the match or reverse the decision. Sweetan does attack and bloody Dibiase up though, and that’s pretty decent.

I’d be lying if I said this match had anything but a likable serviceable face who was carried through an eight minute match by Dibiase. Average finish. I enjoyed it. Won’t finish high. 2 ½ and 5/10.

Match Discussion Here