Favorite non-PPV Ric Flair matches

[Guest Loss4Words]

I was just wanting to get a conversation going of everyone's favorite Ric Flair matches that aren't Clash or PPV matches. We already know about the Flair-Steamboat match from Wrestle War '89, his match with Sting at Clash I and so on, so there's no reason rehashing them. Anyway, here are my choices. I'd say my top ten Ric Flair rare matches.

 

 

10. Ric Flair v Kerry Von Erich - 12/25/82 (Cage Match)

This match set up the five years-long Von Erichs v Freebirds feud, so not only is it a great match, but it's historically significant. Flair plays a great heel here, knowing just the right times to really jump in and go to town on Kerry so that the crowd just completely hates him. Tremendous match, and a must-see for anyone who calls themselves a wrestling fan.

 

9. Ric Flair v Bret Hart - 01/09/93 (Marathon Match)

If you can get past the bad VQ and camera angle, you can actually enjoy this match quite a bit. How Bret Hart criticized Flair's working style so much after working so well with him in this match is beyond me. Good booking, as Flair maintained the pinfall advantage the majority of the match, and Bobby Heenan played the "weasel" heel manager at ringside very well.

 

8. Ric Flair v Rick Martel - 10/19/85

This is one of the few world champion v world champion matches to ever happen, as Flair was the NWA champ and Martel was the AWA champ. GREAT MATCH! This is wrestled in All Japan, so obviously it's a very physical match and I don't know if it's because of Flair's selling, but Martel looks terrific here, better than I've ever seen him look by far. Worth a gander.

 

7. Ric Flair v Jumbo Tsuruta - 1983 (2/3 falls)

For those of you unexposed to Japanese wrestling, start with Jumbo Tsuruta. You will be impressed. The only copy of this match I've seen shows the last two falls (40 minutes) of a 60-minute draw, but both falls are golden. VERY hard-to-find, but well worth it.

 

6. Ric Flair v Ricky Steamboat - 05/29/84

Typically great match for these two. A little slow at the beginning, but it evolves into a great match by the end. About ****1/2 by my counts.

 

5. Ric Flair v Ricky Steamboat - 05/94

Hard to have a Flair match listing without Steamboat SOMEWHERE, isn't it?  Goes 45 minutes on free TV, which is unheard of these days. They even shake hands afterward, which is a nice touch. Flair's hairstyle is annoying at times here (similar to Spring Stampede '94), but if you can look past that major issue you'll see a fantastic match that is on par with the '89 stuff.

 

4.  Ric Flair v Kerry Von Erich - 10/85

I wasn't quite done with that crazy Von Erich family yet. Of course, after this match, it's down to two opponents exclusively. GREAT work here in this 60-minute draw, which I think Flair wrestled about 7 million of between 1980 and 1990. When Kerry wasn't drugged or distracted, he was a great worker and even when he wasn't, Flair could drag him through a long match without too much hassle. But this is probably the best one-on-one match these two ever had, if you can find it that is. It aired exclusively on the Financial News Network in 1985, so it's not easy to find.

 

3. Ric Flair v Barry Windham - 01/24/87

Oh man, oh man. Flair v Windham was probably a better rivalry than Flair v Steamboat, just without the benefits of PPV and commercial video, so it's not as remembered. Windham is pretty fresh in the NWA here and has just returned to the national scene. Knowing Flair needed fresh opponents in the worst way, Dusty threw Windham right to him. This match is so much better than the Crockett Cup match, even though that's a good one too. I like the booking here, as they go the entire show of World Wide Wrestling (45 minute draw) and the match ends with Windham covering Flair for a two-count when time expires. Windham lays the belt on top of an exhausted Flair after the match and walks out. GREAT booking, even better wrestling.

 

2. Ric Flair v Ricky Steamboat - 03/18/89

This is the last Flair v Steamboat match on the list, and this is a match that I'm sometimes tempted to put ahead of some of the matches in the '89 trilogy. This is much easier to find than some of the other matches on this list and the VQ is much better too, since it's professionally shot, just with no commentary. Goes about 40 minutes and Steamboat gets a clean win. Great stuff.

 

1. Ric Flair v Barry Windham - 02/14/86

This is the best Flair-Windham match ever and with a better finish just may be the best singles match in US history. Flair and Windham just tear into each other for 48 minutes before we get a LAME double countout. Awesome, fast pace throughout the entire match and good build to the near falls. A definite must-see.

 

There are my top ten. Flair has had so many classics that I *KNOW* I overlooked some, so feel free to add your thoughts here too.

[Guest Drury37]

Sting Vs. Flair from WCW Saturday Night from 1993!!!

Thanks.

[Guest Mark4steamboat]

<clears throught and shakes his head in disapproval> FLAIR VS STEAMBOAT AT CLASH 6~!!!!!!!

[Guest Drury37]

Mark4Steamboat are you shaking your head in disapproval at me?!?!

Thanks.

[Guest Rabies]

WWF title: Flair v Bret in Saskatoon, Oct 92.

[Guest JHawk]

Damn, I'd love to see most of the matches on the initial Top Ten.  I'd also add another Kerry match onto there, as they had a two out of three falls match at the Sportatorium in the early 80s that was just amazing.  Should be easier to find as it aired on ESPN in the late 80s as well.  Another one I wish I had a copy of.

[Guest KOR420]

Flair Sting Last Nitro

[Guest ratboy]

Flair Sting Last Nitro

For historical and sentimental value, absolutely. But certainly not as far as wrestling/performing goes.

 

L4W, what was the deal with the Flair/Von Erich match being aired on the Financial News Network??

[Guest goodhelmet]

I'd go with the WWF title loss to Bret in Saskatoon. I also like the match where he regained the title from Savage which wasn't a ppv match.

[Guest Tony149]

I can't remember, but didn't Flair have a **** match with Brian Pillman on Saturday Night in 1990? I also liked Flair's match with Savage. Where he won the WWF Title back.

[Guest MrDanger]

A couple of other matches to add:

 

Ric Flair vs Steven Regal (Queensbury Cup Round 5, 1994)

 

A real lost gem, Flair busts out all of this 70's style matwork and goes toe to toe with Regal on the mat. Flair cuts a hell of a promo on Hulk Hogan afterwards.

 

Ric Flair vs Eddie Guerrero (Nitro, 1996)

 

The backlash against Flair's work was starting to gather pace around this time, but boy did he sure shut them up with this match. Flair manages to click with Eddie's NJPW Junior style and the two knock up a shockingly great match.