Ric Flair & Magnum T.A. Part I
Championship Wrestling from Florida 1982 - Ric Flair vs. Terry Allen
Flair stalling early on is hilarious as he just stands around with the rope on until he gets out of the ring and walks over to the announce booth where Gordon Solie is and Flair says makes fun of Dusty’s $60 hat and he allows Gordon to look after his 7500 robe while he wrestlers oh and don’t forget about the 10 pounds of gold which is the NWA world title. Mat wrestling to start, lots or trading off armbars and hammerlocks until Flair backs him in the corner for a clean break. They trade mat holds again and to which Allen wins until Flair backs him in the corner. Side head lock by Allen but Flair gets free with a hair pull out of it and he begins to flex
Another clean break by flair and he gives a sissy slap but Allen gives him a forearm and a cross body for 2. Scoop slam for another to and Flair blocks a whip with a knee and applies the front head lock. All of a sudden Flair walks over to the announce booth and steals Flair’s robe and just leaves (I see where Cody gets it from) As Flair gets up he sees Dusty wearing the robe and that takes him off his game allowing Allen to hit this awful looking take down, Dusty is just dancing on the outside while Flair is trying to get to him. Dusty begins to cut a promo and takes off the robe and throws it into the crowd, FLAIRS PISSED! So he pushes the ref for the DQ, he walks over to the booth and yells about this and Gordon does his best to cut him off saying we have to go to a commercial.
Mid South House Show 1985 - NWA World Heavyweight Championship: Magnum T.A. vs. Ric Flair
This is clipped footage and TA starts out with a headscissors, to which Flair gets out of with a bridge and into a headlock but TA gets him again and Flair claims TA pulled the hair, what a guy. Side headlock by TA but Flair counters out with a wristlock and both men battle for position and TA sticks with the side headlock using his power to maintain it. I love the headlock spots with Flair trying his best to push him off but that doesn't work so he backs him in the corner for the clean break. Flair trying to get flashy and that would allow TA again to get a side headlock, all of a sudden the tape cuts to TA having a side headlock on the mat L oh the title is on the line here, Flair gets back to his feet and manages to push off but again TA meets him at every turn and right back to the headlock, OH SHIT! This is going 60 minutes
Rope break by Flair and shoulder block allows him to chop him and hit’s a whip to the opposite corner but TA fly’s out of the ring. He doesn't sell it and comes right back in to which Flair pulls the vintage coward back up tactic and the ref gets in the middle of it. Backdrop by TA and Flair is still backing off, but TA makes a mistake and panders to the crowd allowing Flair to knee him in the face, the tape cuts again and now we see Flair backing TA into the corner and punches away then knee to the midsection and a knee drop for 2. Another knee and punch as Flair locks in a sleeper but TA fight up and Flair goes face first into the buckle as the ref begins to count, Flair up and chop by Flair. Standing suplex is countered into a sleeper by TA cover by gets a 2 as Flair grabs the bottom rope. Punch by TA and a body slam gets a 2, now for the 3rd time the tape cuts and now we see Flair again begging off. TA whips him and Flair does the corner bump, but he gains control by head butting the midsection and chops. Flair goes to the top and that fails like always good old’ Flair. Dope toehold by flair and he looks to go to the figure four by Flair kicks him off twice. Shoulder block by TA, Hip toss is countered and Flair counters that into a backside for the win.
WCW TV 4/27/85 - US Championship: Magnum T.A. vs. Scott Irwin (Flair "scouts" Magnum TA)
Before we get to the match Flair who is wearing the ridiculously EPIC! All white 3 piece suit. He talks about how because he is the champion for 3 years he has to scout the top opponents that he will someday have to face. Match Time, and TA is the US champ here but Irwin gets the early jump on him with kicks and a back elbow then kicks to the midsection. Clothesline and scoop slam by Irwin and tries to finish it with a leg drop but that only gets 2. Headlock applied but TA gets out, they do some more stuff until Irwin gets in another headlock as we go to a commercial. Back and Irwin is still in control with punches, kicks and headlocks to which he drops and reapplies several times
Dropkick gets a TA and I think TA has only done 1 move this entire match. Chin lock is applied but he drops it and TA begins the comeback but that gets cut-off with a head butt and Irwin now begins to work on the neck with 3 or 4 choke holds but again TA tries a comeback and Irwin cuts him off. This is actually pretty good, more side headlocks spots but TA counters it but Irwin is all over him and goes to work. Irwin now begins to get cocky and places TA on the top but he makes the mistake of shoving the rep out of the way and that allows TA to hit a knee lift and belly-to-belly for the win. JESUS! As enjoyable as that was TA’s superman role was hilarious to end it. Only in the 80’s could that finish be believable.
T.A. promo: He says that was his toughest match so far and it’s not all about power and strength that makes you champion, and now he has a message for Flair. He has respect for Flair but he wants to make T.A. a champion that everyone can look up to and deserve. He’s also looking forward to meeting Flair down the road and getting a shot at the title.
WCW TV 5/04/85 - Ric Flair & Magnum T.A. (joint interview)
This is the WWE 24/7 version of it. David Crockett & Tony Schiavone are hosting this, Flair talks first he puts himself over and then TA. Before making fun of TA’s clothing
TA says he’s always been a man about Levis and leather, but as far as his wrestling ability that has nothing to do with it. Flair says Crockett has said many times before that TA might be the biggest young star in wrestling but Flair wants the people to know first hand that he doesn’t drive a motorcycle he drives a Benz, Corvette, Rolls Royce whatever he feel like. He doesn’t have to walk around because he is the most recognizable face and when he walked through the airport everyone was say Magnum TA is next.
WCW TV 5/04/85 - Ric Flair vs. Rocky King
Before the match Flair talks a little trash and shows off his AWESOME! Robe. Bragging to T.A he even says T.A is lost for words
, TA cuts a promo about how he’s come along way. So the match starts and we go right to a commercial
Back and Flair gets a chop in and whips him into the ropes and nails him with a elbow, delayed suplex and elbow drop but Flair locks in the figure four and King taps
what a match. Post-Match: Flair says he’s going to Florida next week and he’s gonna lay in the son, drive some women wild and beat any men that think they've tough enough. He then challenges TA to get out of his $2.95 vest and challenged him to fight right now OH SHIT! TA rolls in first and Flair gets in but then bails and says he doesn’t feel TA can afford a loss in his young carer
WCW TV 5/11/85 - Magnum T.A. interview
This is the WWE 24/7 version of it. David Crockett & Tony Schiavone are here. TA cuts a promo putting over the talent and says Flair pulled a psychological ploy but all of a sudden Flair shows up flexing and he says when Ric Flair takes time out when he walks out TA better keep him mouth shut, he tried to embarrass him and by insulting him but he made the attempt of climbing the ladder to reach the top with out paying now respect, with his "RINK DINK†Chain and your pumped up muscles, so fan is talking shit so Flair tells him to keep his mouth shut. Back to TA he tells him to sign the contract by putting up or shutting up. TA says he doesn’t need to put his name in a book he’s the number one contender and the US champ and last week he called Flairs bluff, and Flair says he did him a personal favor that he won’t do again. He gave him the opportunity to leave last week. And allowed him to still be a contender to this, you see yours is silver and mine is gold
and represents 80 years and it’s goona he him that makes his chimes ring when he decides. TA and Flair then have the awkward moment when they can’t decide whose gonna talk next so TA goes and says it must be real nice begin able to stand out here and talk about being the greatest (Flair runs his fingers through his hair) TA says he hasn’t had that shot yet but when he does he’s gonna show Flair what he can do. So Flair flexes, runs his fingers through his hair again and says “Looks like a world champion to me†and just walks off
WCW TV 5/18/85 - Ric Flair & Magnum T.A. interview
This is the WWE 24/7 version of it. David Crockett & Tony Schiavone are hosting this. T.A says it’s a pleasure to be here and he’s had a lot of people coming after him but he thrives on it. And Flair comes in clearing a custom fitted suit and he says he couldn’t help but hear that great intro, he says if you want to open the show you need the best not the second best “ Hey David how do I look today, huh! Stylin’ & Profilin’ huh!†Custom made from head to toe. Hey Magnum you carrying that around so someone knows who you are? We know you’re the US champion
We know you are next in line to get a title shot at the great one and Flair just walks away. JESUS! Flair back and says he doesn’t want to hog the show but if T.A hangs around he’s willing to show TA for 20 minutes what he’s about.
WCW TV 5/18/85 - Ric Flair vs. Sam Houston
Flair is wearing the White & Purple robe tonight. Flair stalling early again is great as he says he came out here to show the world why he’s the greatest and you give me this to wrestle
“Five thousand dollar worth of Robe, 2 Million dollar body and 5 Million dollar look†Females are loving Flair tonight. T.A is on commentary for this, clean break for Flair early and he gets the take down on ahead lock as he proceeds to talk more shit. Arm work by Flair now and Flair just breaks the hold, leaves the ring and is just OWNING! Everyone at the announce booth. Shoulder tackle by Sam and FLAIR IS PISSED! Side headlock by Sam and a hip-toss on Flair. Sam LEGIT! Looks like a 12 year, Flair now works on the leg bending until Flair slaps him to break the hold. Back from a commercial and Flair talks more shit before getting a clean break and now Flair tries to work the arm. SLAP! To the face in the corner which fires up Sam and Flair proceed to go into GOAT bumping mode for like 3 minutes and made this guy look decent. Corner bump by Flair and he goes to the outside. Back in, Flair begs off before knee him in the gut but the hip toss it countered into a stretch and elbow is missed but Flair punches him to takeover. Chop connects and Sam gets a back slide for a 2. Chops in the corner by Flair but that fires up Sam who gets 2 quick near falls before Flair chops to take over. Hip toss and a knee connects for 2 nears falls. Butterfly suplex gets 2 for Flair and now a chop and it seems every time Flair talks shit it fires Sam up. High knee misses by Sam and Flair hit’s a backdrop and begins to work on the knees
and apparently T.A doesn’t understand why Flair would go after the knees. SLAPS! By flair back to the work on the knee for insult. Flair locks in the figure four and Sam quits. Post-Match: Flair won’t release the hold, he even takes the boot off and applies the hold again until T.A breaks it up. Shoving contest and T.A. is begging him to put up but Flair bails but T.A follows him to the floor, more shoving and the BOOGY WOOGY MAN yells some shit
Ric Flair promo: Flair says he’s be champ because he’s the best and if T.A interferes again he’s gonna be nothing when he gets finished with him. As for Dusty for all your greatness you gotta beat me to make me sweat as for Dickey Slater he’s the world champ. T.A. He’s got more woman in that locker room shaking and quivering for him than T.A. has in the past 5 years
Oh and Buddy Landell you imitation, nothing happening punk! You keep walking around the ring think you’re me. You better go to somewhere else for your cloths apart from Kmart.
WCW TV 5/18/85 - Magnum T.A. interview
T.A. says he wants to talk about wrestling for a minute, lets put the high fashion to the side what is about is the world title and the fact it young Sam Houston gave you a fight but you took the easy way out. Well T.A is coming for your title and he’s the US champ and number one contender but your gonna have to deal with him and you won’t be able to walk about.
WCW TV 5/25/85 - Ric Flair and Magnum T.A. interviews
Tony Schiavone says it’s a pleasure to have T.A. here and T.A. say it’s a pleasure to be here, everywhere he’s been people have asked him when is he facing flair for the belt. Well it’s not up to him it’s up to Flair but he’s been busy running around in high fashion and not worried about him. But he’s not sweating it and he’s being patient.
Tony Schiavone thanks Flair for taking this time in his busy schedule. Flair says he knows the gut reaction that he has on the public and he knows they all want to be him. He’s got a financial empire as well as the world title. He lists a group of guys that want to be him. WOOOOOOO! Ric Flair has been the man before being the man was cool. He then says he’s gonna stay here to watch T.A. try to be the man.
WCW TV 5/25/85 - Magnum T.A. vs. Paul Garner
As I said before Flair is on commentary for this, and this is a non-title match. Side headlock is countered into a back elbow by T.A. And a bell-to-belly wins it in like 10 seconds
Post-Match: T.A. comes over and Flair says if you wanna come off and pass as me you gotta dress like me. Flair then begins to further make fun of T.A. until T.A. grabs him by the tie and challenges him “NO BODY TOUCHES MY CLOTHES†Flair backs up but again T.A. follows him out and then back in. Flair gets the jump and rubs his face into the mat and now boots, knee to midsection and chops him down. Now he butterfly suplexes him and drives him knee to the head before leaving and walking over to the booth to grab his stuff.
WCW TV 6/01/85 - Magnum T.A. interview
T.A. says as long as he can remember then NWA title has been the most respected until Flair took a hold of it and at one time he you to respect flair but not anymore because twice now he’s jumped him, well he doesn’t respect him anymore and he will take that title from him.
Ric Flair interview
Ric is wearing this magnificent Silver and Black rove with white feathers on it. JESUS! That this is beautiful. Flair says lets be realistic for a minute, am I cooking or what and he gives us a twirl. He says you can buy these anytime you want for about 10, 11 thousand but I have 15 of them wanna know why because I’m the world heavyweight champion. We can talk about allot of people in wrestling buy I’m gonna talk about the best RIC FLAIR! SLICK RIC! He deals with his opponents just like his love life, he leaves a lasting impression
when you sign a contract you better be prepared to wrestle the best. He’s just like the LA LAKERS HE’S THE BEST THING GOING TODAY! We then gets clips of Starrcade ‘83 when he beat Race for the world title. Now to Tokyo, Japan when he beat Kevin Von Erich for his 3rd world title. Then Ric shows us his “biggest highlight of his carer†When he beat Dusty Rhodes half to death, Joe called the match. 4th clip is Flair beating on T.A. from last week. He’s got a pair of his 800 dollar alligator shoes on. Just to show T.A. he has no hard feelings he brought T.A. a 1500 dollar suit but now he’s gonna get In the right.
WCW TV 6/01/85 - Ric Flair vs. George South
Tie up that flair wins and he backs him up into the corner and delivers a shoulder to the but then a thunderous chop and follows up with a knee drop. Now front facelock is applied but George gets back to his feet and Flair backs him into the corner and peppers him with chops and right hands. Whip is countered into aback drop and Flair goes into EPIC! Stalling and gets control again with a shot to the mid section. Good back and forth strikes until Flair throws him out and delivers a nasty chop. Back in, butterfly suplex and into a headscissors gets two. Belly to back suplex and a knee gets a 2. Flair then begins to work on the arms and back but George fight out until Flair kills him with a chop and again works the head and puts him in the stretch, delayed suplex sets up for the figure four and this George jobber taps. Post-Match: T.A. gets in the ring with the suit and begins to rip it up
FLAIR IS PISSED! T.A. now goes charging in but TA catches him with a belly-to-belly and takes the belt to the announce table just to say the next time he holds it, it will be his. FLAIR IS PISSED! AND YELLS NO ONE TOUCHES THE BELT BUT HIM GIVE ME MY BELT BACK. Tony says calm down Flair the belt is right here.
WCW TV 6/08/85 - Magnum T.A. and Ric Flair interviews
Tony Schiavone brings in the US champion Magnum T.A. Who says he’s so excited that he’s taken Flair to his limit and he knows he can beat Flair but he doesn’t believe Flair can beat him. It doesn’t matter where it is but the time is coming close and he’s gonna take that world heavyweight title away from him and theirs nothing he can do about it.
Tony Schiavone brings in the World champion Ric Flair. Ric says when you’re the most talked about kid on the block, or the most talked about man in the office you gotta know your doing something right. You can look at me from head to toe and know I’m not dusty Rhodes. The raging bull can come out here and call my name but when I’m tougher than Rambo you know I’m tougher than you. RAMBO WHO? GO GET EM’ SLICK RICK! Now Magnum T.A. tells everyone that he took him to the limit, he’s only been taken to the limit once in his life and it took Linder Carter and Bo Derrick back to back to make Ric Flair flinch
HE’S GONNA BE TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS ALL OVER.
WCW TV 6/15/85 - Magnum T.A. and Ric Flair interviews
Tony Schiavone bring in the US champion Magnum T.A. (Side note; before Tony brings him in the camera zooms wide and we see this super CLB look on T.A. face while he waits) Okay now he comes over and now he’s got his mean face on. T.A. says he doesn’t believe Flair can beat him and it’s gonna happen soon.
Tony Schiavone brings in non other then the heavyweight champion of the world Rick Flair. Flair says before he talks about how slick. Slick Ric is. Lets have a moment of silence for the Boston Celtics, OKAY! Now back to reality
Flair talks about Crockett going down at the hands of Nikita Koloff, well he has his attention now and he can’t wait to put his hands on him. As for T.A. telling the world he’s destine to be world champion. Well Maggie Mick
I’m still standing here, custom made from head to toe. You like those alligator shoes. Custom made huh! GOLD AROUND MY NECK, ROLEX WATCH AROUND MY WRIST! Looking so fine till the world champion. Until you beat Ric flair your all still ducks in a row. But now he wants to talk to all the ladies going to Florida; “YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO TO DISNEY WORLD TO FIND SPACE MOUNTAIN†T.A. if you keep messing with Ric Flair you won’t have a carrier in professional wrestling.
WCW TV 6/15/85 - Ric Flair Interview + Magnum T.A. challenges Ric Flair to a 10 minute $1,000 challenge
So the footage here is off the “Rise and Fall of WCW†DVD Tony Schiavone introduces Flair who is wearing the beautiful sparkling Silver & Black robe with white feathers. Flair says he so far above all other athletes today that he might have to sit in a rocking chair and give the world title to another competitors. T.A. is just another kid trying to get to where Ric Flair is, Dusty Rhodes is still chasing him, Harley Race, Kevin Von Erich, Wahoo McDaniel’s, Dickey Slater you’re talking about greatness. Then all of a sudden Magnum T.A. comes out and asks Tony how much time is left in the show? 15 MINUTES! T.A. takes out $1000 and says he wants to bet him Flair cannot beat him in 10 minutes. Flair says he’s given this youngster so many chances but now he’s goona teach him a lesson and walks to the ring.
WCW TV 6/15/85 - 10 minute, $1,000 challenge: Magnum T.A. vs. Ric Flair
So after 2 months we finally get our first match and it’s not even a PPV/Huge show, JESUS! The bell rings and they do a hard collar and elbow tie up with TA backing Flair into the ropes but Flair switches it and delivers a chop to which TA answers back with a straight punch and flair goes down. Tie up again and TA gets a shoulder block and then a dropkick as wee have another face off but Flair catches him with a boot and chop to takeover, but that doesn't last long as TA back drops him and Flair begins to bump like crazy for him. OH SHIT! THE ANDERSON’S COME OUT FOR COMMENTARY! Flair throws TA out of the ring but he no-sells and gets right back in to which Flair stalls and begins to back off. Knee to midsection but the suplex gets countered into one of his own for a 2 count. Side suplex connects by Flair and he gets a 2 count from it, chop brings TA to his knees and flair gets him in the abdominal stretch with help by the ropes until TA breaks free with a hiptoss. TA is busted open some how buy manages to get a small package out of no where for 2, Flair backs off again but gets a knee in and the trade strikes CORNER BUMP BY FLAIR! And the Anderson's call for a DQ! Shoulderblock and a take down by Flair who then goes to the top and HOLY SHIT! He actually connects with the double axe off the top. A elbow drop gets two and Flair again throws him to the outside and chops then throws him arm first into the ring post, back in and flair begins to work the arm but TA reverses it and sends Flair arm first into the buckle and begins to work it himself. Back-and-forth moves but TA remembers he worked on the arm and decides to try again but Flair fights by getting the knees up after a big splash attempt. Back slide by TA gets a 2 and he goes for the arm but Flair fights out until TA catches him coming off the ropes with a military press slam for 2. MORE STALLING! And not a hip toss but Flair moves out of the way of a drop kick attempt 1 minute left. TA ducks a chop and looks for the cross body but Flair ducks that, but Flair makes the mistake of going to the top and TA meets him with the toss off the top and applies FLAIRS OWN MOVE THE FIGURE FOUR BUT TIMES RUNS OUT. Post-Match: Flair goes to attack him but TA sees it coming and punches him, atomic drop but the Anderson's make the save and Flair comes off the top with a knee to the back and they starting beating on him but 2 jobbers make the save. Overall a really fun little match, I just with they would have stick with arm work in the beginning instead of using it as a filler in the middle and not using it as part of the finish. ***¼
WCW TV 6/22/85 Magnum T.A., Ric Flair & Anderson's confrontation
We get the finish of the Anderson's/Flair vs. jobbers match when the begin working the knee soften it up for the figure four. T.A. is on commentary talking about how Flair can’t beat him and he knows sooner than later he’s gonna beat him. All of a sudden Flair jumps off the ring apron and walks over to TA and says it he wants some he’s right here (The camera man keeps the camera on the match the whole time) Anderson/Flair is just OWNING! This heat-segment, its just phenomenal. Quick tags and everything, Flair locks in the figure four for the win, but he’s not done as he keeps walking over to TA talking shit but then running behind the ARN & Ole