You are here: Home>Regional Territories>CWF>#11


Search Kayfabe Memories

Regional Territories 4

This section contains monthly articles on over two dozen territories. To relive those wonderful days of old, click here.

Wrestlers 4

Enter this section for bios/profiles of various wrestlers from the regional days. To find more out about your favorite pro wrestler, click here.

Stories 4

This section contains stories from the pros themselves told exclusively to Kayfabe Memories. Want to know more as told from the wrestlers themselves? Click here.

Old School Book Reviews4

Click here to find various book reviews from old school wrestlers. 

KM Links 4
For tons of links to old school related sites, click here.
KM Micro Wrestlers4
What are Micro Wrestlers?  Click here  
to find out.
KM Interviews... 4
Click here to read exclusive interviews with stars from the regional territories.
 

View Old Guestbook

 
 

www.kayfabememories.com is © 2004 AtomDesigns. All promotional art, characters, logos and other depictions are © their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.

All contents save Wrestler Stories are © Kayfabe Memories.

Website designed and maintained by  AtomDesigns © 2004 . If you experience any problems with this site or have any questions, please contact the Webmaster.

 

THE DUSTY RHODES NWA TITLE 
CHASE OF 1979

- Barry Rose

Goal, defined by Merriam-Webster as "the end toward which effort is directed." 

Chase, defined by Merriam-Webster as "an earnest or frenzied seeking after something desired." 

"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes had been aggressively, albeit unsuccessfully, pursuing the NWA World Heavyweight Title for several years in Florida wrestling rings. He faced Jack Brisco several times in 1974, including a wild no-disqualification match in Tampa on April 9, which saw Brisco barely escape with his title. He then feuded with Terry Funk over the strap for a large portion of 1976, their matches always turning into major brawls and Rhodes coming ever so close to winning the belt. In February of 1977, Harley Race ended Funk's tenure and recaptured the NWA Championship Belt, this being the second of his eight title reigns. Rhodes would spend the better part of the next two years challenging Race for his title numerous times, always falling short of achieving his ultimate goal. Rhodes dramatically started his latest World Title chase in early 1979, and the events that happened during one steamy, Florida summer week in August would change CWF wrestling history forever. 

Much of Rhodes' career could be defined by his "chase" of The NWA World Heavyweight Title. He was already the self-proclaimed "Champion of the People," laying claim to the title of most popular wrestler of his time and being able to do no wrong in the eyes of his adoring fans. Rhodes had accomplished everything he had ever gone after as a professional wrestler, with the exception of "the biggest prize in all of wrestling." 

Several incidents occurred in the first part of 1979 which led to Rhodes claiming to be the uncrowned champion. He scored a major victory over Harley Race when he teamed up with Jim Garvin to wrestle Race and Sonny King in a tag match in Tampa, Florida on February 13, 1979. Rhodes won the match for his team when Race submitted to his version of the figure four leglock.  Rhodes went on to say that this victory was all the proof needed to show that he was capable of defeating the champion. Six weeks later, on March 31 in St. Petersburg, Rhodes wrestled Harley Race in the main event for the strap.  More...

If you'd like to discuss the Florida region with other fans, please visit the KM Message Board

KM DVD/VHS Store 4
Click here to purchase DVD or VHS products direct from the official distributors.
KM Replica Masks 4
Click here to purchase pro quality replica wrestling masks of all your favorite old school masked wrestlers.   
KM Store 4
The KM Store now features products featuring the GCW logo as well as some other very cool images.  To see what's new and to purchase T-Shirts, ball caps, mouse pads and more, click here
KM Message Board 4

Want to chat with other fans of regional wrestling? This message board has forums for over two dozen promotions. Click here.

KM Belt Gallery 4

This section contains an extensive title belt gallery... images of heavyweight, tag, U.S. and various regional title belts.  To view it, click here.

Old School Tape Review 4

Reviews of various PPV's, commercial tapes and regional wrestling TV shows are available in this section. To read more, click here.

 

Website designed & maintained by

 

 

Thanks for visiting!