CWF’s Version of the Hat 
and Robe Angle

One of the great things about the Kayfabe era, before the advent of the Internet and Cable TV is that you could copy angles from other territories and get away with it.  Such was the case in early 1982 and Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair revived the Hat and Robe angle that Blackjack Mulligan and Flair made famous in the Mid-Atlantic area four years earlier in April of 1978. 

As you will read, it was slightly different from the 1978 angle but it was still a copy of one of wrestling’s greatest angles.  

By 1982, Ric Flair was in the midst of his first reign as NWA World’s Champion.  He was in his prime and his adventures into Florida were always interesting to say the least.  Flair had some great battles here in CWF with Jack Brisco, Hacksaw Butch Reed, Mike Graham and of course, Dusty Rhodes. 

Flair was wrestling a green Terry Allen, who later gained fame as Magnum T.A., on CWF TV.  The great Tommy Young is the referee with the Dean of wrestling broadcasters, Gordon Solie, calling the action.  

Terry Allen was at best, a mid-card star in CWF in 1982.  He was bland compared to his Magnum T.A. persona.  His hair was shorter and he was still learning the ropes (no pun intended) inside the ring.  He did lay claim to the area’s tag titles with the Midnight Rider (Rhodes) and Scott McGhee. 

The match is only a few minutes old and Flair has already riled up the TV audience and earned their wrath.  “A highly partisan crowd picking up the chant go Terry go.” Exclaims Solie.  They lock up collar and elbow and Flair backs Allen into the ropes and jaws with him before a quick slap to the side of his face.  Terry rocks Flair with a forearm smash which sends the champion down as the fans cheer in approval. 

With his back to the camera, the World Champion has a front face lock on Terry Allen on the canvas.  The noise in the studio picks up as Dusty Rhodes enters the area and walks right up to the podium where Gordon is sitting.  “And…Dusty Rhodes, wait a minute Dust.  Dusty Rhodes just came in and took Ric Flair’s robe and walked out with it, never said a word, just walked out of the building with it!” 

The match proceeds for about a minute until Dusty walks back into the studio with Flair’s robe on and starts parading around for all to see including Mr. Flair.  Ric immediately releases Allen from the front face lock and tries to go after Rhodes.  But, Allen thwarts his attempt several times.  “Terry Allen is interested in only one thing”, Gordon says, “and that’s pinning the shoulders of the World Heavyweight Champion.” 

Dusty walks back to the podium and over the crowd noise yells into the microphone “I’m gonna show Rich Flair who this robe belongs to.”  Dusty continues to jaw as only he can as he walks over to the fans at ringside.  “Wait a minute!  What’s he doing now?   Dusty Rhodes…Dusty Rhodes just threw Ric Flair’s robe into the audience.”  

Dusty walks off the set as an enraged and frustrated World Champion hurdles Allen over the top rope and is immediately disqualified.  He shoves Tommy Young to the corner as he leaves to the ring to retrieve his robe in the crowd. 

 “And Flair is after his robe.  Ric Flair after his robe…and he is…uh…wow…and the look on his face is one of white hot fury, I’ll tell you that right now!” Gordon remarks.  “What is this!”  Flair screams that over and over to Gordon as he (Flair) checks over his robe.  Gordon and Flair engage in some banter as they head to a break. 

“Mr. Flair, I am sorry that your angry sir.”  “You’re talking to the World’s Champion” Flair shouts.  “I realize that sir.”  Flair begins screaming at the top of his lungs “Rhodes!  Rhodes” as Gordon is trying to explain to the champion that they don’t have time right now as they have a program to run.  “We’ll be back, we’ll be back in just a moment please.  We’ll be back.” 

NEXT MONTH:  

Part two of CWF’s version of the Hat and Robe angle.  Flair gets his revenge on one of Dusty’s favorite cowboy hats and James J. Dillon pays for it!