[1997-08-25-WCW-Nitro] Four Horsemen and Curt Hennig

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Tim Cooke]

Segment of the Year material and if Flair didn't return on September 14, 1998, this would probably be the greatest Four Horsemen/WCW moment ever. Arn's promo is simple, direct, and heartfelt.

[Loss]

Quite the famous segment. Flair wants Curt Hennig out -- he's either a Horseman or he's not. Hennig says he isn't ready to give an answer. Flair thought that might happen, so he has invited Arn Anderson out to say a few words to Hennig. Arn does a fantastic interview announcing his retirement and offering not a spot but HIS spot to Curt Hennig. Flair is in tears. Hennig famously says "It would be a privilege." Great stuff in this that gets lost because of the upcoming parody.

[Zenjo]

Great promo from AA to announce his wrestling days are over. It's so fitting that he uses this moment to help put over another wrestler as well. It was good that Arn got to announce his retirement to the world. Most American wrestlers have either left the mainstream promotions or have nothing made of it when they decide to call it a day.

[Kevin Ridge]

Flair wants Curt in the Horsemen. Hennig is not ready to accept. Ric wants Curt to listen to Arn Anderson. Even before Arn starts talking you can see the emotion in Flair’s face. Amazing stuff from Arn in announcing his retirement. Flair is holding back the tears the whole time. Too bad this leads to the parody and Hennig not being the right choice in the Horsemen to fill Anderson’s spot.

[soup23]

One of the best wrestling segments of all time. The image of Arn talking about someone hitting him on the back and him realizing that his career was over melded over Flair fighting back tears in the shot behind him was such powerful stuff. I really felt like this version of the Horseman had a long run in them and along with sting, would essentially dispell of the NWO.

[Robert S]

Strange that Arn talked about the other Horsemen as "these two guys" while pointing at Flair and Mongo several times, I guess he did not accept Benoit as a Horseman.

[El-P]

Arn clearly referenced Benoit and McMichael as "these two men", as he held Flair in a whole other level.

Yeah, Arn cuts a great promo, one of the best of the year, and this is a case where reality sets in, as Flair is genuinely moved. Hennig reacts accordingly, being dead serious and respectful. Great segment that could have launched a new interesting segment with these Horsemen vs nWo waiting for Sting to take the cake at Starrcade. It's a shame Arn had to retire early, as by this point he was a better TV worker and promo than Flair. Terrific segment.

[PeteF3]

Chill-inducing segment without a lot more to say about--I don't think it was the parody that sunk this, it was the rather stupid and pointless Hennig turn.

[flyonthewall2983]

Curt in the Horsemen really could have revitalized the group, to a point where I can see them getting popular in the WWF strongholds. He just became another guy in the NWO and wouldn't do anything else of note other than the West Texas Cowboys gimmick.