 The title had been vacated after a controversial match at The Great American Bash (1989) pay-per-view in July 1989, but eventually Muta won the title in a no disqualification match in September after using a blackjack.He held the title for four months before losing to Arn Anderson in January 1990.Also at the 1989 Great American Bash, Ric Flair faced Terry Funk in the main event.