Ric Flair

[Phil Schneider]

Tommy Gilbert really intrigues me

[Boss Rock]

Looking at that pace working championship matches, it's amazing his body didn't give out sooner. I guess landing on his shoulder added years to his career.

[MoS]

 

[soup23]

February 83 is a good month for Flair with what we have on tape. No classics or even great matches but he works three distinctively different world title matches in three promotions. 
 

World Class vs Gordy has him as defacto face due to heat on Freebirds. Flair plays this off well as being ancillary in the whole feud. He has a demeanor of seeing there is a lot of shit going on and not wanting get directly involved.

 

St. Louis vs Brody is a Ric vs bigger opponent template match but it goes an hour and Ric finds interesting ways to ground Brody and keep the match interesting. 
 

Florida vs Scott McGhee is most impressive. A no name challenger in the biggest match of his life. Ric plays it slow just looking for an opening and not going into deep waters against the inferior opponent. This match has no leg work by Flair and sure enough once Scott wipes out on a big charge in the corner, Ric suplexes him and wins clean. 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

It's been four years since the last post in this thread, and I still haven't seen a good argument for why Flair shouldn't be considered Top 5 of all time at worst. One of the most complete packages in wrestling history, and has remained in high esteem despite having his career picked apart and scrutinized more closely than nearly anyone else in contention. 

 

[Ricky Jackson]

I think the 2036 vote (if such a thing happens) will see Ric back in the mix for a top spot, but 2026 feels like a "he finished 1st last time, so not too enthusiastic about pimping him this time" year (plus I think too much Nature Boy Behaving Badly in the media over the last decade has dented his reputation a bit)

[Owen Edwards]

Top 5 comfortably. I don't believe in making cases against, though.