Flair with a bodyslam and a kneedrop for another two count. Rick Stewart said that Mr. Wrestling II "has come as close as any man to being the first masked wrestler ever to win the World’s Title, against Harley Race in the early 1970’s in Atlanta, he almost took the title from several champions, including Ric Flair."

Flair kicked II in the stomach twice and Flair punched II twice in the face. Flair went for a snap mare and II turned it into a backslide. II got a two count. Ric Flair and Mr. Wrestling II exchange punches. II with a kneelift. Ric Flair goes outside the ring and he brings II out after him. Flair rammed II into he  r ing  p ost. Flair back into the ring. Referee Sonny Myers started the ten count. II got on the ring apron and Flair tried a punch but II blocked it and punched Ric Flair three times. Mr. Wrestling II was able to get back into the ring. Flair with a boot, II with a kneelift. II with an Irish Whip and II caught Flair with a punch to the midsection. II backed Flair into the corner and II went for another kneelift, but Ric Flair moved out of the ring and Mr. Wrestling II hit a turnbuckle knee first. Flair worked on II’s leg and Flair went for the spinning toe hold. II went for a small package, but Flair shifted his weight and went for the pin on Mr. Wrestling II and Sonny Myers counted to three. Ric Flair won the match and the opportunity to wrestle Harley Race the next time that Harley Race defends the title in Kansas City.

After the match, Rick Stewart joined Ric Flair in the ring for an interview.

Rick Stewart: Because of the win you just saw, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair will receive the next World’s Championship match to be held in Kansas City.

Ric Flair: In all honesty... Why don’t you all quiet down and listen to an athlete, huh? Y’know, very rude people... When you look at the athletic teams and the quality of athletes that come out of this area, then you really got to recognize the class and the prestige and the ability that Ric Flair brings to Kansas City and to the Midwest. You can ask any of the 2 or 3 thousand women here tonight. They’ll all tell ya, Whoo, they’re ain’t a man alive like Ric Flair. You can ask any wrestler in the building tonight, they’re gonna say Ric Flair is bad, daddy. You ask the Promoter, he’ll say Ric Flair’s the best, but he cost a lot of money. That’s right, when you’re looking at me, you’re looking at a price tag that very few promoters can afford to buy. They’re fortunate here, they’ve got a lot of money, they can afford the best. So, Harley Race, back it up, daddy, because The Nature Boy, Whoo, Whoo, in all his glory is coming back for the World’s Title. And let me say just one more thing, Brody, if you’re out there, you get in my way, they’re gonna carry you out in an Ambulance. Harley Race, I’m coming back to town.

Rick Stewart: The former World’s Heavyweight Champion, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Next week on All Star Wrestling, Kamala, King Kong Bruiser Brody, plus you’ll see a World’s Heavyweight championship match. It all happens right here next week on All-Star Wrestling.

I don’t know when the match between Ric Flair and Harley Race took place in Kansas City, but it really doesn’t matter. Because on November 24, 1983 in Greensboro, North Carolina, Ric Flair defeated Harley Race for the NWA World Title at Starrcade ‘83 in a steel cage match. This was the first time that the World Title changed hands in a steel cage.

NEXT MONTH: 

We're going to the dogs, "Bulldog" Bob Brown and "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer.