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Universal Reflections

Posted: Aug 19th 2009 By: mikeiles

DiBiase?s Price

Mid South Wrestling?s Volume 100

?Bleeding, sweating and paying the price!? Everyone who?s ever succeeded in life has paid a price. For those people the reward is worth the price because achieving success is what they live for and it consumes their every thought, word and deed.

In the world of professional wrestling, these words are most closely associated with 16 time World champion, Ric Flair. Flair coined the phrase long before scripted catchphrases became standard practice in the industry. For decades, Flair lived those words thereby solidifying his iconic status. With that in mind, the events on Mid South Wrestling?s Volume 100 present an ironic twist.

From the very beginning of the program, you could almost sense that something special was in the air. Originally, Butch Reed was scheduled to receive an opportunity at the world title. In the previous week, Reed had upset the champion in a non-title match only to be attacked by both Flair and Dick Slater following the contest (brief highlights are shown of the Volume 99 Reed vs. Flair match). With Reed injured and unable to compete, the decision was made to have Ted DiBiase take his spot. A cocky and unapologetic Ric Flair was interviewed on the subject and soon Dick Murdoch interrupted him voicing his disgust with not being named as Reed?s replacement. Flair, clearly cast in the role of the cowardly, calculating visiting champion, told Murdoch it wasn?t his decision. This didn?t sit well with Murdoch. Undeterred, Murdoch entered the ring during the match introductions and spoke to DiBiase about their long history (from teaming on Volume 4 to battling on Volumes 19 and 21.). He then advised DiBiase to step aside and allow him his rightful crack at the title. DiBiase refused and the two had words with DiBiase telling him he was ?yesterday?s headlines.? They exchanged punches before DiBiase sent Murdoch out of the ring. Flair immediately attacked his challenger with a high knee to the back knocking him out of the ring. Murdoch grabbed the dazed DiBiase and viciously ran his head into the ringpost leaving DiBiase in a pool of his own blood.

Flair decided that since DiBiase ?had his mind somewhere else? he was going home. Moments later, ?Cowboy? Bill Watts weighed in on the situation with his decision. Watts explained that there was a problem stopping the blood flow from the laceration on the challenger?s head, but that DiBiase demanded to wrestle. An impassioned Watts continued saying that ?when the time comes, you gotta go? and that he respected DiBiase?s decision and would allow the bout to go on as scheduled adding that parental discretion was advised as the match would not be stopped for blood.

Battling on emotion, a staggering DiBiase went toe-to-toe with the champ. Flair almost immediately went to work on DiBiase?s cut but the battered challenger couldn?t be held down. Fighting on what Joel Watts appropriately described as ?sheer animal instinct,? DiBiase fought back. With both men covered in DiBiase?s blood, a standing room only crowd watched DiBiase attack Flair with all he had from chops and punches to high impact moves including a suplex and power slam. Soon thereafter, Flair regained control of the bout putting the challenger in a headlock. DiBiase quickly countered lifting Flair up by the shin and dropping him on his own knee. Sensing this was the moment for a possible title change, the crowd erupted. This was to be a battle of the masters of the Figure Four Leglock and these men would not disappoint. DiBiase trapped Flair in the submission. Flair reached the ropes and the hold was broken. DiBiase immediately attempted to reapply the hold but this time Flair blocked it with a stiff kick sending DiBiase to the outside of the ring. Witnessing the battle Murdoch returned to the ringside area delivering a decapitating Brain Buster to DiBiase essentially dropping his head on the uncovered concrete floor.

A hushed silence came over the crowd. It was clear they couldn?t believe what they had witnessed. Before going off the air, Joel Watts updated DiBiase?s condition explaining that it was critical. Backstage we saw EMTs working on DiBiase.

The DVD also features the fall-out from this event in the following week?s episode where ?Cowboy? Bill Watts details exactly what the consequences will be following Murdoch?s actions and gives viewers an update on DiBiase?s condition. A telephone conversation with DiBiase was played where a noticeably emotional DiBiase, whose father passed away in a wrestling match, explained that doctors told him his career was over. Included in this episode is also a highlight of Eddie Gilbert and The Nightmare capturing the Mid-South tag team titles, as well as a battle between Jim Duggan and Butch Reed against ?Dr. Death? Steve Williams and Rick Steiner.

Many consider the first episode on this DVD to be among the very best hours of wrestling television ever produced. It had all of Mid-South wrestling?s trademarks, from top-flight athleticism, to passionate promos and drama. Most every wrestling aficionado has heard about this Flair vs. DiBiase match-up. For those who?ve witnessed it, one of the most telling remarks is that this is one of the very few matches in Ric Flair?s career where everybody raves about his opponent?s performance. In perhaps his finest hour, Ted DiBiase proved why he is rightfully considered among wrestling?s all-time greats. In recent years, with a greater openness about the industry?s backstage secrets, it has become public knowledge that there were plans in place for DiBiase to win the world title on a couple of different occasions in two different organizations. As Jim Ross explained, this was DiBiase?s ?hour in the sunshine? and after viewing it, there?s no denying DiBiase would have been an exceptional world champion. Ted DiBiase bled, sweat and paid the price. Fortunately for us, we now have the chance to relive it.

Mid South Wrestling?s Volume 100 is just one of many DVDs featuring classic Mid South Wrestling and the Universal Wrestling Federation action in crystal clear, broadcast quality and available exclusively through Ene Watts? www.universalwrestling.com. It features my favorite Ted DiBiase and Mid South Wrestling moment. If you have another favorite Ted DiBiase or Mid South Wrestling moment, I?d love to hear it.

James De Medeiros (jamesdemedeiros@universalwrestling.com) is a freelance writer and editor with nine published books, as well as articles covering a diverse range of topics published on the Internet and in magazines.

Tags: Ted DiBiase, MSW, Ric Flair, Butch Reed, Dick Slater, Dick Murdoch, Bill Watts, Joel Watts, Eddie Gilbert, Nightmare, Jim Duggan, Steve Williams, Rick Steiner, Jim Ross, UWF