Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 83: Butch Reed vs. Ric Flair (11/8/85)

I guess they scheduled another taping while Ric Flair was still in town, since this is listed as happening only 2 days after the last TV taping. It’s supposed to be a non-title match between Flair and journeyman Al Perez. Fascinating to see Jim Ross call the famed Dibiase/Murdoch/Flair angle two days before then stand in the ring announcing this match with Flair feet away. Twenty three years later Jim Ross would give poetic commentary that accompanied the final match of Ric Flair’s career, a bit of perfection that night, and unique coincidence here.

Jim Ross makes sure to says Al Perez twice, since he sees Butch Reed walking into the ring. Reed isn’t mistaken, but he wants a piece of Flair after being to injured a “week ago” thanks the nefarious heel tactics. Flair calls Reed “monkey” without emphasis. Um..okay then. Reed calls him “boy”, but it doesn’t seem that equal. Flair tries to take the mic, but Reed won’t have it. He wants a fight without Dick Slater’s inference for Flair. Flair would, but he’s scheduled to face Perez, see. Another thinly veiled racial comment from Flair. So odd in today’s world. I know he’s a heel, but when HHH/Flair tried this on Booker T in 2003, it got the wrong responses and was dropped.

There is a cool wrap up as Reed dares Flair to jump him from behind. Flair takes his belt off, asks Ross if he looks like the kind of guy that would do that, then runs to do it. Reed turns and clobbers Flair. It’s on!

Bill Watts on commentary puts this match over. He mentions his pal, Dusty Rhodes. Reed punches Flair all over this ring and the fans react. We see Flair call a back-slide for Reed as he chops. He’s looking to calm it down after the pinfall, and Reed starts the fans clapping. These people love Reed, but they don’t get to crazy.

Test of strength. No, Slick Ric is the direst player in the game. Flair starts getting the heat on Reed. He’s strutting and prancing. Flair sends him to the floor after a beating in the corner. Story is Reed has a bad knee (seem familiar) and will he be able to overcome and be the first black champ?

This isn’t even for the title. It’s for a possible shot. They’re even running out of TV time so you get two spots for every segment they run at a house show. Flair’s long heel heat is over. Of course the hot babyface start is long gone. Reed’s made his hope spot (extended) comeback. They’ve gone back and forth with reversals off of running the ropes, and they’ve both been down for a short rest. We’re looking to go back and forth to the finish I’d guess.

Flair back in control with Watts cheerleading. Butch blocks a suplex and gives one of his own. Slow to the cover and count. Flair’s foot on the ropes. The crowd stopped reacting. Reed beat son him, but Flair’s desperation atomic drop equals him. Reed runs the ropes, back and forth, and unleashes a big shoulder block. Flair takes it heavy and well. Reed covers and pins Flair clean! Flair can’t believe and shakes his head no. Fans go crazy and Reed celebrates. In comes Dick Slater to attack Reed. Flair holds him, Slater headbutts the ref, and the evil heels get their heat back. This ties into the angle where Flair will pay Slater to pay off his challengers.

A good TV match with a satisfying match ending and the heels continuing the story. Wasn’t a perfect match, but few matches are. Good 6 minute TV match that accomplished just as much as that 60 minute draw in the Super Dome I hated. In fact, it’s about the same impact and wrestling story content for me, and I feel it’s about the same score. 6 minutes of 60 minutes, sometimes longer isn’t better when your face looks dead in spots and looks silly at the finish. And short doesn’t have to mean not enough, as Mid South had hot TV matches with angles/booking magic. 2 ¾ and 6/10.

Match Discussion Here