And Dusty won the bout with a simple flying elbow drop. But, even today, 21 years later, that elbow drop looked tough. I would not want to be on the receiving end. Nowadays, the crowd would be chanting "B-O-R-I-N-G" and the finisher would have to involve a ladder, six chairs, three flaming tables, two naked women,  and a midget.

Post match: Larry interviewed Dusty in the ring about the upcoming tag match where Dusty would tag with DTB against Flair and Patera. Dusty gave an ebonics-laced interview in a rhyming/rapping style that got a huge pop. Whatever you might say about Dusty, he sure was over with the fans.

On to the first main event:

One fall with a 20-minute time limit

NWA Champion Harley Race, 254, Kansas City, MO defeated Ron Sexton, 230, Knoxville, TN, referee Lee Warren (vertical suplex in 6:02)

A rare St. Louis TV appearance for the defending NWA champion. Like his contemporary, David Oswald, in the opener, Ron Sexton was pretty awful. Again, where did Sam find these pale, skinny, "carpenters of the squared circle"?

Classic example of a Handsome Harley match. Most of my favorite signature spots: the measured punches while the opponent was in a headlock, the high knee lift, the knee drop, and several different suplexes. All the while, Larry was putting over Harley and his upcoming title defense against Ted DiBiase as the big upcoming card at the Checkerdome.

Now to the second main event:

Two out of three falls, with a 20-minute time limit

2/3 Falls Australian Tag Team Match: Ted DiBiase, Omaha, NE (Missouri State Champion) and Spike Huber, Indianapolis, IN defeated JJ Dillon, Newark, NJ and Benny Romeo, Phoenix, AZ, referees Lee Warren and Chuck Riley (Dibiase scores the first fall over Romeo in 9:04, referee Chuck Riley DQs Harley Race in the second fall at 2:50)

This match was great!! Several things happened during this match that (normally) just didn't happen on WATC. There was an injury after the first fall, Benny Romeo could not continue in the bout. Harley Race came out to ringside and appealed to take Romeo's place. Sam Muchnick himself came out and decided Race could continue in the match. Race delivered a top rope headbutt to DiBiase, according to Larry, "deliberately trying to injury Ted DiBiase". Chuck Riley witnessed the headbutt and immediately DQ'd Race. Race and DiBiase brawled in and out of the ring. Race bled (guessing hardway), and it took cops, referees, and wrestlers to separate the two. Larry put over that Pat O'Connor was out to break it up and that Pat was "Sam Muchnick's assistant and matchmaker".

Oh, and what was JJ Dillon (yes, THAT JJ Dillon) doing in St. Louis as "enhancement talent"? Spike Huber (Dick the Bruiser's son in law) was fantastic as always during that time.

And the special attraction:

Most falls to curfew (TV time limit remaining)

Bulldog Bob Brown, Winnipeg, CA defeated Chief Thundercloud, AZ, referee Lee Warren (leg drop in 6:31, only fall scored, time ran out)

The usual BBB match. Bob played the "friendly heel" - eye gouging, chopping, hair pulling, all to the delight of the crowd in the Channel 11 studio. I have never seen Chief Thundercloud before or since. He had a bit more of a look than the other enhancement talent, but not much.

In between falls of the main event a local commercial touted the upcoming Checkerdome card set for June 12, 1981:

 
1) Spike Huber v. Steve Lawler

2) Bob Sweetan & Gene Lewis v. Terry Gibbs and Rufus R. Jones

3) Jack Brisco v. Bobby Heenan (WOW?)

4) JJ Dillon & Bobby Jaggers v. Bulldog Bob Brown and Rocky Johnson

5) Dick Murdoch v. Kerry Von Erich

6) Dick the Bruiser & Dusty Rhodes v. Ric Flair and Ken Patera

7) 18 Man Over the Top Rope Battle Royal

8) NWA Champion Harley Race v. Missouri Champion Ted DiBiase

Quite the card, wouldn't you say? Jack Brisco in the third match? Against Bobby Heenan?? JJ Dillon ahead of Jack on the card?

This (fairly normal) episode of WATC was action-packed and full of great talent. A normal Sunday morning show that included Harley Race, Ted DiBiase, and Dusty Rhodes. And a loaded card coming up at the Checkerdome. Those certainly were the days! I hope you enjoyed this months' article and reminiscences. Stop back next month, and in the meantime, stop by the St. Louis Message Board on Kayfabe Memories.

NEXT MONTH:

A Look at Dick the Bruiser