[1996-07-07-WCW-Bash at the Beach] Ric Flair vs Konnan

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

Poor Flair. Konnan looks so awkward doing everything, and Flair tries, but can't carry him. Also, poor Flair, because you can really see him taking on a lesser role from where he was a few months earlier, as him coming out with Woman and Liz seemed really fresh a few months prior and now seems like yesterday's news, even though he did win the U.S. title, which is a dubious honor for someone at Flair's level anyway. This is also a terribly awkward finish, with Woman getting on the apron way too early and leading to a far too long ref distraction. Terrible match, glad it's just the last few minutes.

[El-P]

Konnan is seriously one of the worst worker I've ever seen. Down there with the Harris Brothers and Crusher Maedomari. Flair had no chance in hell of saving this, and it's not like he had anything else to propose but an abridged version of his formula at this point. Him winning the US belt felt wrong too. Below his level, come on.

[Zenjo]

I have no idea how Konnan ever got past basic training. Mechanically he's so badly suited to wrestling. In terms of natural talent as a worker Konnan would be comparable with someone like El Gigante.

[PeteF3]

Shitty match with Konnan attempting a bunch of stuff that's way out of his league. An even greater insult: this clip eliminates the match's lone highlight, which is Woman booting a 60-yard field goal into Konnan's groin.

[soup23]

Yeah, this didn't look good. Complete schmozz finish with Ric winning the US Title. On the Dangerous Alliance podcast, Will talked about Savage not fighting for the IC title if he stayed in WWF in 1994 as it felt beneath him. I got that vibe from this match.

[drew wardlaw]

On Flair's podcast he frequently references wrestling Konnan as a euphemism for him not being a part of the main event scene or an important aspect of the NWO angle, and this match really articulates that.

[dawho5]

I don't love Konnan as a worker.  On one hand he is very smooth in his movements.  On the other, not one thing he ever does looks like it hurts.  Not a great match and Woman did seem to miss her cue.