If any match were to be used to represent the change in the speed of matches in wrestling, this one would be at the slow end of the scale, But it is no knock as the Harley Race versus Ric Flair in Steel Cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Title a classic. Whether it was the brutality, or the perfect selling, One thing for sure was the grace of Harley Race in the ring is something of perfection, the slow yet accurate and fluent offence of the legend was a joy to watch. However, this would be the night of the 'face' Ric Flair, which saw the 'Nature Boy' dethrone 'Handsome' Harley Race from the top spot and take the title from the to be King.
The match was 23:49 minutes long, and saw countless usage of the steel cage being used a both a partner, and an enemy of the combattants which led to nasty lacerations on the temple of Flair. While I have no complaints on the wrestlers and the match, The referee was questionable. His constant interference in trying to keep the match clean when it was clearly designed to be a hardcore match was hard to understand, considering the match was supposed to be barbaric and brutal clash between two heated rivals.
THE RATINGS
Standout Wrestler of the Match: Harley Race performed brilliantly, He really shined bright in this match.
Excitement: 7/10 - Despite the Cage match gimmick's overuse nowadays, It even from a "smart" perspective looked real and brutal at times, something that alot of stars fail to accomplish in the cage. Very exciting for its time.
Enjoyment: 7/10 - A different type of enjoyment to a speedy fast paced match, yet equally as good. Match felt longer than 23 minutes when watching, but the slower pace I feel is the reason for that.
Technical Wrestling: 5 & 1/2 /10 - Graceful performance from Race and an early career standard for Flair, a high standard of course. But due to the cage stipulation, the amount of holds and wrestling was cut down from what would be a standard match, due to the selling from cage bumps and spots.
Hardcore: 8/10: It wasn't chairs, tables and ladders, But I enjoy it just as much, this to me is just as hardcore, It's a state of mind and how sadistic a wrestler gets, as to how lethal and obscure the weapons involved are.
Twists: 0/10: No typical twists or shocks in this one, as the gut feeling was a Flair win over the rival Race.
Selling: 8/10: Two masters of American Wrestling at work, and the selling was just as expected.
Match Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
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