February 14, 1986 • Orlando, FL
Battle of the Belts II • February 14, 1986 • Orlando, FL
Watch a classic clash between the reigning champion Ric Flair and rising star Barry Windham. Headlining Battle of the Belts II, this 41‑minute match ended in a double-countout on a hot night in Florida’s Eddie Graham Sports Arena.
Windham stormed out strong—athletic, confident, using hard chops, drop toeholds & diving lariats—putting Flair on his heels and even drawing blood 1. Flair, ever the veteran, used experience and ring strategy, deploying hair-pulls, rope-assisted pins, and stall tactics. Ultimately, both were counted out after a dramatic brawl outside the ring 2.
🔥 Feud Background
- Dating back to 1982, Flair and Windham had exchanged victories, DQs, time-limit draws & title matches in the Florida territory 3.
- By Feb 1986, Windham was emerging as a major contender—PWI named their match of the year in ’86—for his growth in ring psychology and matching Flair blow-for-blow 4.
- The Flair‑Windham rivalry continued across NWA territories through ’87 with more critically acclaimed encounters 5.
Experience Flair’s strategic mastery and Windham’s youthful power in this WAR of attrition and strategy—a cornerstone encounter in NWA history.
