RIP Jack Veneno

Ric Flair vs. Jack Veneno, 9/7/1982

This is a historically famous match because Flair dropped the title on a whim to local hero Jack Veneno here. However, this looks like a seriously great match in its own right. We get about 15 minutes of what looks like a time limit draw. Jack Veneno looks really great here, like the richest mans Carlos Colon. Really fun, basic opening work around some headlocks and wristlocks. Veneno does the awesome thing where he hammers his arms at Flairs head while in the headlock repeatedly, and the fact that there is a packed stadium of buzzing fans being all kinds of crazy for Veneno is making this feel really special. They start turning it up early exchanging some great looking strikes in the corner, with Veneno hitting these awesome punch combos. Jesus, can you imagine being a Dominican kid watching Jack Veneno punch Flair in the mouth on your grainy TV? Flair is really good here trying to hit throws but getting steam rolled, there is a really nifty backbreaker from a headlock and some nice suplexes. Eventually Flair is able to drop Veneno on the rope and go to town dropping elbows. I love his missed elbow bumps. Some clipping happens and Veneno is bleeding and getting knees dropped on his head. They end up outside and Flair is bleeding too and we get a dramatic finishing run with Veneno doing this awesome fighting out of a Figure 4 spot and Flair hanging on by a thread. The ganso bomb finish was pretty crazy too.

Jack Veneno vs. Puño de Hierro

We only get about 5 minutes of this, but what an epic 5 minutes. The cage here is basically just straight bars, looks really hard to get up. Veneno rips open Punos mask and drops some fantastic looking elbows on his bloody face before they do a big fight up the cage and trading blows on top, with the crowd being super engaged. Puno de Hierro ends up taking a big bump off the top onto the ring(!) and Veneno remains triumphant.

Jack Veneno vs. Relampago Hernandez

I think Hernandez was one of Venenos main rivals, but this was basically just a short studio squash. Veneno cartwheels around the place looking like the rich mans Carlos Colon, but a crooked referee refuses to count the 3 until a good referee comes in to make the world a right place.