STING (C) VS. RIC FLAIR

Before a commercial break Sting has a quick prematch promo on Flair

We return to see Hulk Hogan earlier, stood outside the PastaMania restaurant he put his name to in the Mall of America, the venue for Nitro’s debut. Eric Bischoff interviews him about tonight’s main event (which I will get to next year). The Champion says he will retain against Big Bubba tonight, thanks to the PastaMania running through his brain. I’ll presume that’s how Hogan said “Carb Up!” in the 90’s. He also tells Bisch that the fans will rip their WCW shirts off, trying to shill some more. 

Ric Flair makes his way out first, followed by the champion. I’ve seen conflicted reports as to whether this is a title match, but the ring announcer says it is and WCW would never lie to us(!) Lex Luger makes his way down the aisle and Schiavone screams that he shouldn’t be here and the cameras should stay off him. Tough luck Tony, that shot would be the first of the Monday Night Wars. Heenan reminds him it’s a public mall, but I still question the aisleway placement here.

 Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Tony Schiavone and Steve “Mongo” McMichael are on commentary for this match

STING © VS. RIC FLAIR

(WCW United States Championship)

WCW Nitro (4^th September 1995)

  The bell rings but Sting and Flair are looking out to Luger. Sting seems to be asking his old friend what’s going on and Flair actually struggles to get his attention.

They go to lock up but Flair wants to stall a bit more. Then Ric Flair backs Sting into the corner. Sting gets the crowd behind him with a “Woo” he locks up with Flair again, quick to grab a headlock, but is sent off the ropes. Flair drops Sting with a shoulder block. Sting goes over and under before hitting a press slam. Flair begs off but is sent across the ring, he hits the ropes and runs into another Gorilla press slam, Sting dropkicks Flair, who takes a breather outside. Sting wants a knuckle lock but Flair gives him a thumb to the eye instead. Ric Flair connects with chops in the corner and a right hand. Another chop wakes Sting up, he’s not taking that shit anymore.

  He no-sells lefts and rights, walking through them out of the corner. Ric Flair is sent off the ropes into another Gorilla press slam. Sting with another irish whip but Flair ducks a lazy attempt at a clothesline and a crossbody sends them both over the top to the floor! Sting no-sells more shots, but a thumb to the eye affects everyone. Flair makes some space, backing to the guard rail, he charges at Sting but is lifted into the air again before being sent back into the ring through the ropes. Flair begs off to the corner as Sting mocks him. Ric Flair is sent across the ring into the turnbuckles but he avoids a Stinger Splash attempt, Sting lands short and hits a bulldog on Ric Flair as Heenan pays Sting a rare compliment.

  Ric Flair is sent into the corner but catches Sting with a back elbow as we go to commercial break. We return with a crowd shot and just about see Flair knock Sting down. He goes to the top rope but is sent to the mat. Sting sends Flair off the ropes into another press slam and covers for a nearfall. Arn Anderson walks down to the ring as Flair rolls out of the way of a splash from the top rope. Ric Flair suplexes Sting but he shakes it off, knocking down the 11-time (as of this show) World Champion with clotheslines. Flair begs off to the corner but is sent across the ring, he flips over to the apron, and Sting clotheslines him down again.

  Sting hits the 10-punches in the corner as the crowd chants along and a hip toss sends Flair across the ring. Sting perches Flair on the top rope and climbs to the middle rope as Flair lays in punches. Ric Flair shoves Sting to the mat and follows him, Sting blocks a hip toss and tries one of his own but Flair blocks that. Ric Flair with a shot to the gut before he takes Sting down in a headlock. Sting escapes with the leg scissors but Flair kicks out, he crawls over Sting in a Jackknife cover but Sting bridges out at 2, bringing Flair down in a backslide for a 2 count. Sting hits a Superplex from the top rope leading to major hyperbole from the announce team. Sting turns his attention to Arn Anderson for no reason and gets chop blocked. I hate to say a good guy like Sting deserves it, but objectively?

  Ric Flair puts Sting in the Figure Four as Heenan mentions Sting hasn’t ever given up. Ric Flair grabs the ropes for leverage and the referee starts to count. Ric Flair doesn’t break the hold and the referee gives more than enough time before calling for the bell.

WINNER: STING (STILL WCW United States Champion) – via DQ

This was a condensed Flair vs. Sting match, they would have better both before and after, but it showcased two of WCW’s biggest stars on their new show, so it did the job. It was repetitive with the press slams, but it showed Sting had Ric Flair beaten and was the stronger, whilst Flair used dirty tactics and opportunity to gain any advantage like a veteran. [**¼] 4/10

Arn Anderson gets into the ring and confronts Ric Flair who takes the first shot but gets knocked on his ass. Flair and Anderson brawl to the aisle and security hold Anderson back.

As Arn Anderson is grabbing his jacket from the ring Scott Norton shows up at ringside, shouting at Mongo. Bischoff is stood there with a microphone but he’s forgotten how they work. Randy Savage joins them, challenging Norton. They want to do it now, but we’ll have to wait until next week. We have a highlight reel of Sabu to watch right now!