Top 25 WrestleMania stars: No. 15
RIC FLAIR
WrestleMania history
8 (1992): Lost the WWF title to Randy Savage
18 (2002): Lost to The Undertaker
20 (2004): Along with Randy Orton and Batista defeated The Rock and Mick Foley in a handicap match
22 (2006): Lost the Money in the Bank ladder match to Rob Van Dam. Other participants were: Matt Hardy, Bobby Lashley, Finlay and Shelton Benjamin.
24 (2008): Lost to Shawn Michaels in a match with the stipulation that Flair had to retire if he lost
Comments: Ended his brilliant 35-year career on the grand stage at WM 24 in one of the most emotional moments in WrestleMania history. ... Unsuccessful title defense against Savage at WM 8 was the climax to a memorable feud that began when Flair produced doctored photos that depicted him having an affair with Elizabeth. Moments after losing to Savage, a bloody Flair tried to force a kiss on Elizabeth, who slapped him in the face. ... At WM 18, he engaged in a bloody brawl with The Undertaker in the longest match on the card.
I will count down the top 25 stars in WrestleMania history every day through April 5.
To view the list through today, click here.
Photo courtesy of WWE
Comments
wooooooooooooo!
Posted by: Ray | March 22, 2009 9:18 AM
As much as I was a Flair "mark" in the late 80's, I couldn't bring myself to include him in the list because I view him as the best ever in the NWA/WCW. Didn't realize he had a match with UT and was in MIB.
My #15 is John Cena. I get that he is 4-1 and has been in 4 WWE/World Championship matches, winning 3 of them. But, those matches have a "semi-Main Event" feel vs. the Main Event Championship matches that has preceeded him. Probably not his fault that other matches garnered more interest or stole the show but that's what makes him #15 on my book. Also, this years WM buildup for his match is more comical (see your Smackdown review) than anticipated. Sad for both him and Edge.
Posted by: Matt | March 22, 2009 10:06 AM
Although I missed some of the Hulk-a-mania era, from what I saw, I remember thinking that Flair was not treated with the greatest level of respect (storyline wise). I assumed it was because he was from WCW. Earlier on, he seemed to get built up to be eventually foiled by the then top face.
Big Flair fan and always will be. I watched him since 1980 and was fascinated seeing him in the magazines since 1978.
Posted by: rob the barber | March 22, 2009 11:19 AM
II suspect the response to this selection will more or less be the opposite to the Batista pick.
Posted by: Din | March 22, 2009 11:58 AM
Good memories of his match vs. Taker. Arn Anderson coming outta nowhere and hitting the spinebuster was a huge "mark out" moment, especially for all the old WCW fans.
Posted by: Sean | March 22, 2009 12:18 PM
wow this 1 came out of no where to me although i love Ric Flair and thank he is probab;y the greatest wrestler of all time he only main evented 1 Wresltemania and that was co with hogan and they gave him a great lifetime achievement with micheals last year his match taker is was good but i think his whole WM body of work does not compare to others im like Matt i had Cena here based on he's mainevented the last 4
Posted by: frank | March 22, 2009 12:44 PM
you beat me to it sean,,thats one of the 3 most memorable moments ive seen at WM,the way Double A slid in,hit the spinebuster,and slid out was a thing of beauty.
Posted by: kris | March 22, 2009 2:09 PM
I absolutely loved the Arn Anderson spinebuster on the Undertaker. Best spinebuster ever!!!
Posted by: Ceasar | March 22, 2009 2:29 PM
Flair is always the consummate entertainer. Some solid Wrestlemani Moments. Especially last year. I really, really hope they he doesn't tarnish that night by coming out of retirement down the road.
Wooooooo!
Posted by: Phil | March 22, 2009 3:21 PM
I am surprised Flair is ahead of Batista and Orton to be honest for this particular list. I didn't expect Flair to be this high up at all.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Before last year's WrestleMania, he wouldn't have been. But the match against Michaels last year is one of the greatest WrestleMania moments ever. I don't think either Batista or Orton have done anything more memorable than what Flair did last at WM 24.
Posted by: Wayne | March 22, 2009 3:28 PM
Din: Which will be funny, as Flair had about as many moves as Batista does.
Posted by: King of Pants | March 22, 2009 6:14 PM
The accompanying photo brings to mind a classic rant byScott Steiner comparing Flair to a Sharpei puppy .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 22, 2009 9:03 PM
Right about where Flair belongs. Despite his long wrestling history, he only wreslted at a handful of Wrestlmania's and this is a WM countdown, not a greatest wrestler of all time countdown.
Flair is right where he belongs. Good pick Eck.
My only beef right now is the lack of people from the first few wrestlemanias to make the list. But the countdown is still early.
Posted by: Shawn Patrick | March 22, 2009 10:10 PM
As great as Flair was, i don't believe he has a place in this list.
He took part in very few Wrestlemania's, and the majority of those were when he was well past his best.
He had two excellent WM matches, granted, but i don't believe that's enough to justify a spot, let alone in the top 15.
Enjoying the countdown though, looking forward to the rest of it.
Posted by: John | March 23, 2009 1:29 AM
Hey Kevin, will you be doing reactions to the new ROH TV show? I love your blog, and I would love to see your thoughts on it.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I would love to see it, but I don't have HDTV
Posted by: Westen | March 23, 2009 3:37 AM
Naitch is where he should be, because the bottom line is none of the performers below him in this list have had any number of Wrestlemania 'moments'that can compare to Flair's retirement match. (Which must be in the top 2 or 3 moments ever!)
Add that to an excellent match with a Taker and a very entertaining match with Randy Savage and Flair is more than worthy of a spot this healthy.
Posted by: Gary | March 23, 2009 8:23 AM