BARRY WINDHAM (C) VS. RIC FLAIR

 Ric Flair makes his way out first and Schiovane runs down a list of people Flair has beaten. It’s just strange hearing him introduced as “the challenger” for me. Barry Windham makes his way out as a kid in the crowd is shown with both action figures. Why not? There’s a 60-minute time limit in this match. Windham won the title in Spring Stampede and defended it at Slamboree against Arn Anderson. Ventura says this could be the last hurrah for Flair which is timely as of the writing.

Tony Schiovane and Jesse Ventura are on commentary for this match.

 

BARRY WINDHAM © VS. RIC FLAIR

NWA World Heavyweight Championship)

WCW Beach Blast 1993 (19^th July 1993)

  They lock up, Flair is backed into a corner, Barry Windham connects with right hands, but they switch positions and Flair answers with chops. Windham is sent into the corner but explodes out with a clothesline.

  Barry Windham knocks Flair down with a right hand, Ric Flair awkwardly backs into a corner after another right hand, before cutting Windham off with a kick to the midsection. Windham is placed in the corner before Ric Flair fires off more chops. Barry Windham goes outside for a breather and plays keep-away before locking up with Flair. Barry Windham is sent off the ropes but knocks Flair down with a shoulder tackle, then goes to work with mounted punches. Ric Flair is sent into the turnbuckles and he flips over to the floor. Windham stalks Ric Flair on the floor and knocks him down with a clothesline. Windham gets back into the ring, Flair’s on the apron, he gets suplexed back into the ring Flair is knocked back into the corner with a right hand, he fights back with chops across the chest. Windham with another right hand but he’s cut off with an eye poke.

  Ric Flair sends Windham into the corner, he follows with a clothesline, right hand and a chop. Barry Windham is sent off the ropes, he knocks Flair down with a shoulder tackle but runs into a sleeperhold. Windham sends Flair’s head into the top turnbuckle to break the hold, leading to a Flair Flop. Flair is sent off the ropes into a Samoan drop, then a slam. Barry Windham covers but only gets 2. Windham hits a legdrop for another nearfall. Ric Flair gets a shot to the midsection as he gets to his feet, but Windham sends him off the ropes into a running clothesline for 2. Flair staggers Windham with a right hand, another one knocks him down. Ric Flair covers for 2. Windham gets to his feet and gets a shot in on Flair, but gets chopped to oblivion. Windham headbutts Flair in the midsection and fights to his feet. Ric Flair’s sent off the ropes, he ducks a clothesline and knocks Windham over to the floor. Barry Windham gets the advantage on the floor, slamming Flair before getting back into the ring. Barry Windham helps Flair to his feet on the apron, before knocking the challenger down with a right hand. Flair decides to roll under the bottom rope, he’s placed in the corner.

  Barry Windham starts the 10 punches but Flair brings him down in an inverted atomic drop. Flair follows Windham across the ring, another chop in the corner before Windham is snapmared over for a knee drop. Barry Windham blocks a suplex and perches Flair on the top rope. He softens Ric Flair up with right hands before hitting the superplex. Barry Windham is feeling the effects as he climbs to the top rope. Ric Flair rolls out of the way of the elbow drop, buying himself some time with the double-down. Barry Windham crawls over and barely covers Flair, who kicks out at 2. Ric Flair with the inside cradle! 1, 2, no! Ric Flair chops Windham in the corner, but he’s backed across the ring with right hands from Windham. Flair is sent back the other way, he flips over to the apron and hits the crossbody, but Windham rolls through for a close nearfall! Barry Windham grabs a headlock but is sent off the ropes, they collide and both go down. Windham is back to the headlock as they get to their feet, Flair lifts him and hits a back suplex before targeting Windham’s left knee. Flair trips Windham and tries to put him in the Figure Four, but Windham rolls to the ropes. Barry Windham gets to his feet in the corner but Ric Flair chops him and kicks at the knee. Flair brings Windham to the middle of the ring and trips him.

  Barry Windham kicks Flair off but Ric Flair is relentless with the knee kicks, he puts Windham in the Figure Four leg lock, Barry Windham tries to fight it but his shoulders are down for the 3 count, giving Flair the championship.

WINNER: RIC FLAIR (NEW NWA World Heavyweight Champion)

This was an OK match, but it did seem like something was missing. Disappointing for the two guys involved, with it being one of Ric Flair’s first return matches to WCW, but the NWA title didn’t mean what it used to. I wish I could rate it higher, but it seemed like they were going through the motions for the match. [**] 3.5/10