Earlier in the night the 4 Horsemen were barred from ringside. Ric Flair had an interview with Mean Gene. Flair has accepted all of Eric Bischoff's stipulations for tonight's match. He just wants to get his hands on Bischoff. This was followed by a video showing The Outsiders' arrival in WCW, the formation of the NWO, and Bischoff's recruitment. After some more stuff, we get to Ric Flair's heart attack in the ring and Eric Bischoff attacking David Flair on Nitro in the run-up to this match. Mean Gene speaks with Bischoff on the ramp later in the night, wanting both sides of the story. He sarcastically apologizes to Ric Flair, his family, and his fans. He says Flair is past his prime and he is saddened for Ric risking his life in their match tonight just for money. He says Flair lived his gimmick and lived off his own dime, Bischoff is using the company's money.
Tony Schiavone, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Mike Tenay are on commentary for this match. Eric Bischoff makes his way to the ring first. Dave Penzer calls this the “Starrcade's most anticipated grudge match” and Schiovane has to reluctantly give Bischoff credit for WCW's success as President. Ric Flair makes his way out, it's always interesting to see how many World Championship victories Flair has, it's 13 for this match for others interested. Ric Flair runs to the ring as Bischoff bails and calls for the bell.
ERIC BISCHOFF VS. RIC FLAIR
WCW Starrcade 1998 (27th December 1998)
Flair follows Bischoff to the floor and chases him around ringside. Ric Flair catches up and hits chops and right hands against the barrier. Flair puts Bischoff in a headlock for another punch then brings it into the ring. Bischoff tries to back off but is backed into a corner. More chops and kicks to Bischoff's midsection, then Flair forces down to the mat and chokes him. Charles Robinson still enforcing the rules, even if he is “Little Naitch” causing Flair to have a stern word. Flair pulls on Bischoff's mouth, more rights in a headlock as Mike Tenay says Flair will make Bischoff pay for his abuse of power. “He already is” - Heenan. Ric Flair unloads punches in the corner as Bischoff has forgotten all of his defensive kickboxing. Ric Flair knocks him down with a chop. Eric Bischoff sells a knee drop like he was hit with a blunt object and it's great. Flair gives him a shot for doing something in front of Flair's wife. Ric Flair stomps on Bischoff's knee in the corner until the referee backs him off. Bischoff is holding the knee, so Flair targets the hamstring with his own knee. Tony Schiavone doubts the injury throughout, Flair brings Eric Bischoff over to the corner and drapes his knee over the middle rope, before targetting it with strikes again. The referee backs Flair away so he doesn't get disqualified. Eric Bischoff sneaks up behind Flair, showing Schiovane right to be doubtful, and kicks Flair in the temple and knocking him out of the ring. Eric Bischoff follows and sends Flair into the guard rail. Eric Bischoff gets back in the ring, happy for a count-out victory, but Ric Flair beats the count and we see he's busted open.
Eric Bischoff jumps Flair with kicks as he gets in the ring snd knocks him down with a right hand. Eric Bischoff takes a lap before mounted right hands, targetting Flair's cut. Ric Flair throws Bischoff up and gets to his feet, but Bischoff drops him with another pair of kicks. Eric Bischoff puts on a nerve hold but Flair counters with a low blow, then a second one which the referee lets slide because “grudge match” means unannounced no disqualifications unless we decide” but the latter doesn't look as flashy on a poster. Flair with another knee to the hamstring and he removes Bischoff's shirt. He places Bischoff in the corner and unleashes knife-edge chops. Ric Flair gets right hands, catching the referee on the backswing. He looks concerned for a second to prove he's the good guy before draping Bischoff's legs over the middle rope. A hard chop and a right hand set up Bischoff for a running punt allowing Tony Schiavone to get a football reference. Ric Flair hits a belly-to-back suplex and a delayed vertical suplex. Taking his time and letting the referee nap. Flair hyperextends Eric Bischoff's knee and puts him in Figure Four. “Eric Bischoff feeling what many great wrestlers have felt before!” - Tony Schiavone. I'm sure he was honored. Eric Bischoff starts tapping, the referee is still not awake, but Ric Flair tries to bring him around. Curt Hennig runs down to the ring, he hands something off to Bischoff, which he wraps around his fist and hits Flair on the head with it, breaking the hold and allowing him to cover for the 3.
WINNER: ERIC BISCHOFF
This match wasn't supposed to be put in the history books with Blanchard vs. Magnum TA or Roddy Piper vs. Greg Valentine as Classic Starrcade matches and it did its job. It was a highly personal and highly publicized feud that ended in a wrestling ring where the wrestling company could make some money. The referee bump wasn't really necessary as two low blows happened right under his nose, or play up that he's giving Flair leniency with delays in rope breaks too. Except for the minor gripes though, it was a fun match. As a match, it's ** but personally, I'd rate it 4.5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment