[2006-01-16-WWE-Raw] Edge vs Ric Flair

[Kadaveri]

This is for the WWE Championship, which Edge won from John Cena the week before by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase at New Years Revolution.

 

Brutal match. Both guys take some big bumps, which is crazy considering Ric Flair's 57 years old and in his first ever ladder match. Lots of drama too. Everyone knows full well going into this match that there's no way Flair is winning the title, but boy do they make you almost believe when he tips Edge's ladder over sending him flying through a table to the outside, and then Ric starts climbing it himself with crowd on their feet cheering him up it!

 

****1/4

[cactus]

This was a great way to cement Edge as a ruthless bastard who's more than happy with bloodying up a 57 year old Ric Flair in his hometown in front of his family to keep hold of his freshly won WWE title. The bumps Flair takes is insane and his bladejob makes me miss blood in wrestling. This is not a match that would of worked well on PPV, but it does it's job as making Edge look like a main eventer player after his shock championship win a few weeks prior. 

★★★¾

[Makai Club #1]

Old Man Flair is a riot. He’s not peak Flair but he’s still a watchable, entertaining presence. Put that Flair in North Carolina and you get a quality main event. Edge knows how to work with Flair and monger heel heat with his mannerisms and sleazy nature. He’s in good form as Champion so this just works as a match. The result is obvious but there are some moments where you have hope. And that’s all you need. ***1/4

[ohtani's jacket]

This was better than I thought it would be. I don't love how the writers are using concussions in all the storylines, but I bought into all of the title challenge shit. Apparently, this was Flair's first ladder match, which had me wondering what Flair spots prime Flair would have done in a ladder match. Old man Flair is a blast to watch. I'm not sure how it was received at the time. I hope it was positive. Flair blading so that his hair turns red is an awesome touch. Edge busts a gut to make this fun. I kinda wanted Flair to win even though I knew he wouldn't. The screwy finished worked a treat because I was invested enough to care. This was good TV. 

[Superstar Sleeze]

WWE Champion Edge vs Ric Flair - RAW 1/17/06 TLC Match

Fuck the haters Old Man Flair Rules! I loved this match when I was a teenager I was shocked I hadn’t reviewed it which means I haven’t watched it in 20 years but man it still rocks. 
 

I never saw Edge’s Cash-In. I must have seen the highlights on RAW but watching it back with Vince introducing it and telling people not to leave gave it a bigger feel than the rinky dink run out but pull back at the last second bullshit. I was surprised they didn’t give Cena a hope spot. It was a couple Edge spears. This was Peak Edge. This is when he felt his hottest and biggest. The Cash-In is literally the only time I remember wrestling discussed in High School during class. The TLC match with Flair and the Live Sex Celebration with Lita are some of the most memorable moments of the era. Lita added so much to his act. I know they tried to duplicate it with Vickie but just didn’t work. It is too bad she didn’t stick around because they were on fire together. Teenage Marty Sleeze definitely loved him some Lita outfits back in the day, some real iconic ones. 
 

The match is a grueling hardcore brawl which focuses on violence without too much feng Shui. Flair’s Chops looked amazing. They ramped up the violence well from the back drop and suplex on the floor to a sick chair shot busting Flair open to the Edge splash from the ladder in the Ring through the table on the floor. Looked fucking awesome! Flair adapted to the environment dished out some violence but was just taking nutty bumps like a Superplex from ladder. The two hope spots were awesome! Tipping Edge off the ladder through a table on the outside always looks sick. The Figure-4 on Lita was a great spot and she sold it so well. Edge gets back up and wins the match But what a great fight. Spear! Cena saves Flair from another Conchairto. Cena ricochets the chair into his own head. This being in Flair Country with the Future Charlotte screaming really adds to the match. Old Garbage Man Flair rules! All Hail The GOAT! *** 3/4