gonna watch these shits, Nov. 16 1985 edition of Mid-South Wrestling in Shreveport. best I can tell this is the one and only televised shot at the NWA world heavyweight title that DiBiase ever got, though he'd actually had matches for the belt as far back as 1977.

it's the NWA world heavyweight champion, "Rick" Flair

and your challenger, a pre-inheritance Ted DiBiase, still living in Omaha

before the match can begin, Dick Murdoch comes in to tell "Teddy" to step out of the way because he doesn't deserve the shot and Murdoch does. DiBiase tells Dick Murdoch to go piss up a rope, basically, and Murdoch fuckin JACKS HIS JAW, and now it's on

Flair knocks Ted out of the ring from behind and Murdoch busts DiBiase open.

Aw Ted's in a bad way

Flair says he's going home.

Later Bill Watts has an update, which is that DiBiase has DEMANDED he get his world title match with Ric Flair. He warns us, though: "if the bandage comes loose, it could get very gory." Use parental discretion. "We're not gonna stop it for blood! It's gonna go!"

DiBiase basically stumbles to the ring, still bloody, head wrapped up, and the champ is showing No Mercy.

DiBiase fighting back, but so weak from the loss of blood, running totally on instinct and determination.

DiBiase's bandage has come loose and Flair doesn't care as he's becoming smeared with DiBiase's blood.

Dr. Death is out here ready to throw in the towel for his friend, but DiBiase's fighting back!

watch the bottom right corner. women in the front row screaming and recoiling in terror because DiBiase's blood is flying all over the place.

DiBiase catches Flair with the powerslam but is so weak that Flair moving a shoulder rolls him off.

Ted gets the figure four but Flair is too close to the ropes and can break it quickly.

DiBiase goes for the figure four again, Flair kicks him away and DiBiase tumbles over the top and hits his head on the guardrail.

DiBiase just can't get up and beat the count. Flair retains by countout victory. But the Mid-South fans are firmly behind Ted now on this heroic effort.

Now Murdoch is back to beat the shit out of an already weakened DiBiase.

"MY GOD HE'S BRAINBUSTED HIM ON THE CONCRETE!"

The show ends with a look at DiBiase after the match and the Murdoch attack. He's "unconscious and convulsing" before being stretchered into an ambulance.

"As you can see, DiBiase's condition is critical."

"The situation looks grim for Ted DiBiase."

I try not to go nuts about stuff, but straight up, the televised professional wrestling doesn't really get any better than this.