Author: Today In Pro Wrestling History: On February 9th, 1983, at the Convention Center, The Midnight Rider, a masked persona widely believed to be Dusty Rhodes, defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The Midnight Rider emerged after Rhodes lost a lights-out cage match to Kevin Sullivan, with a stipulation that the loser must leave Florida for sixty days.
Today In Pro Wrestling History 9th February: The Outlaw Doesn’t Get the Gold
The backdrop to this event was set after Dusty Rhodes lost a lights-out cage match to Kevin Sullivan with the stipulation that the loser must leave the state of Florida for sixty days. Shortly after, The Midnight Rider appeared, leading to widespread speculation that it was Rhodes under the mask, seeking to circumvent his banishment and continue his feud with Flair.
The win by The Midnight Rider was not without its complications. NWA President Bob Geigel, maintaining the integrity of the championship and the organization’s rules, demanded that The Midnight Rider unmask to verify his identity.
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"Evan Ginzburg’s stories are a love letter to wrestling, filled with heart, humor, and history. A must-read for any true fan." — Keith Elliot Greenberg
Wrestling Rings, Blackboards, and Movie Sets is the latest book from Pro Wrestling Stories Senior Editor Evan Ginzburg. 100 unforgettable stories—from sharing a flight on 9/11 with a WWE Hall of Famer to untold moments in wrestling history. A page-turner for fans of the ring and beyond. Grab your copy today! For signed editions, click here.
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