How do you choose the best matches of arguably the greatest wrestler to ever step in a ring? That's a huge challenge, especially when it comes to Ric Flair. Flair's power was that he could get a four-star match out of just about anybody. That was a reason he succeeded as NWA champion as fans could honestly buy that some low-ranked local guy had a shot at beating Flair. There was also his ability to do hour-long matches and his pure charisma exploding in spades.
Trying to choose the best of Flair's career is a daunting task, to say the least. His WWE run is a bit easier as he had more forgettable matches but even in his later years, could pull off a surprisingly fun one. WCW is trickier, even if you cut it down to when Turner took over (his Crockett/NWA matches could cover their own separate list). While it can be debated, here are the five best matches Flair had in WWE and WCW to prove why there will always be only one true "Nature Boy."
10 WCW: vs Vader, Starrcade '93
The plan was for Sid to defeat Vader for the WCW title at Starrcade '93. But after his infamous brawl with Arn Anderson, Sid was fired so WCW needed Flair to save the day. Flair may have been a master heel but he proved he could also be a terrific underdog babyface against the massive Vader.
It was a hard-hitting battle with the stip of Flair having to retire if he lost. Vader was on the verge of victory when Flair caught him with a roll-up to regain the title. Once more, Flair saved WCW's bacon with a great bout.
9 WWE: Vs Mr. Perfect, RAW January 25th, 1993
For some reason, this gem of a match keeps being overlooked. Perfect had been Flair's advisor only to turn on him a few months earlier. Flair had decided he was tired of WWE and wanted to go out with a nice bang. He and Perfect faced off in a "loser leaves town" match which was a technical marvel.
Even the NYC RAW crowd had to marvel at the two trading moves and counters and mixing a little cheating into things. Perfect managed to get out of a figure-four and hit a Perfectplex to send Flair out of WWE on a high note.
8 WCW: Vs Ricky Steamboat, Spring Stampede 1994
Frankly, half the list could be nothing but Flair vs Ricky Steamboat. For years, the duo had put on some stunning matches, but this is amazing. They went through the motions of older battles, but the touch in that Flair was a face at the time who got more heelish as the bout went on.
Steamboat did his usual exceptional selling as they upped the ante with near-falls and reversals. It ended with both men's shoulders down in a suplex, Steamboat claiming to win the belt, but it was a draw. It showed how these two always made magic in the ring together.
7 WWE: vs Bret Hart, October 1992
This was supposed to be the typical house show match filmed for a home video release. Right before it started, Bret got the stunning word he was going to win the title. Given no time to plan, he and Flair still turned out a fantastic battle. Bret went all out with technical work while Flair met him with his own skills.
A highlight is Bret breaking his finger and snapping it back into place to continue. When he got Flair into the Sharpshooter, fans expected some gyp finish and were shocked when Flair submitted. Bret always credited Flair for a great battle to kick off his title reign.
6 WCW: Vs Terry Funk, Clash Of The Champions IX
Through the summer of 1989, Flair and Terry Funk were in a wild feud that included several bloody matches. The capper was an "I Quit" match between two guys known for never submitting. The genius of the bout was Flair starting off with typical wrestling before moving into nasty brawling to match Funk.
Funk was in his element, taking it to Flair with nasty attacks and Flair answering with a new ferocity. Flair finally made Funk quit with a figure-four to cap off an epic war of two veterans.
5 WWE: Vs Randy Savage, Wrestlemania VIII
Originally, Wrestlemania VIII was going to be Flair vs Hogan. But due to various complications, that never happened. Instead, Flair faced Randy Savage with the added touch of Flair making it seem like he'd been dating Elizabeth. That drove Savage insane, guaranteeing a good time for all.
The match was wonderful, with the pair bouncing off each other in a fantastic war. Savage ended up rolling Flair with a handful of tights to win the title and cap off what should have been the main event of the show.
4 WCW: Vs Sting, Clash Of The Champions 27
Flair and Sting always had a chemistry that couldn't be beat, going back to their battle at the first Clash show. This bout had Flair as WCW champion and Sting as the "international" champ (long story). Flair was moving into heel territory here while Sting was the biggest face in the company and the crowd was going wild as they fought.
Flair was pulling out great heel moves as Sting seemed on the verge of a comeback until Sherri distracted him. That allowed Flair to roll up Sting for the pin to "unify" the titles. It may have been relatively short, but it proves any bout between these two was a great one.
3 WWE: Vs Shawn Michaels, Wrestlemania 24
Leave it to Flair to go out in style. For months, a storyline was built with Flair put in matches where he'd have to retire if he lost. It culminated at Wrestlemania with him and Shawn Michaels going at it in a stunning battle.
Flair was wrestling like he was years younger to keep up with Shawn's attacks. There was good psychology of Flair focusing on HBK's knee and Shawn not wanting to win. In the end, with the famous "I love you, I'm sorry" and a superkick, Shawn got the pin, but Flair was the true winner for fans.
2 WCW: The 1989 Steamboat Trilogy
Yes, this may sound a cheat, but really, how can you choose? Each of the three matches Flair and Ricky Steamboat had in early 1989 was a five-star classic. First, at Chi-Town Rumble, they captivated the crowd with Steamboat pinning Flair for the NWA World Title.
At Clash of the Champions VI, they went for an hour in a two-out-of-three-falls battle with Steamboat barely retaining. Finally, at WrestleWar, Flair regained the title in a brilliant bout. Each match is so fantastic that you can't pick but enjoy them all as wrestling masterpieces.
1 WWE: 1992 Royal Rumble
As laughable as it sounds, people thought Flair was on the downside of his career in the early '90s. He silenced those doubts at the 1992 Royal Rumble with a performance still hailed as incredible. Coming in at #3, Flair fought every other guy in the match, setting a record for longevity.
He didn't back down but took on all comers in attacks, absorbing massive punishment and astounding how he had the crowd behind him. He finally dumped out Sid to win the match and the WWE title. It's still one of the best Rumble performances ever and a victory only Flair could pull off.