[2005-06-27-WWE-RAW] Kurt Angle vs Ric Flair

[ohtani's jacket]

This was a fun match. That's not a surprise since Flair had been doing some pretty good stuff in Evolution tag matches, but it was still a decent length singles match. The one thing I've learnt to do with these Ric Flair bouts is to not compare him to whatever idealized image I have of Flair, but rather to think if this was the only footage we had of Flair, what would I make of it? Would I want to see more? Would I speculate on how good he could have been when he was younger? To me, the answer is yes. I probably wouldn't have been able to guess that he was some great champion in the Buddy Rogers mode from watching this bout, but like watching the Ray Stevens footage we have, I'd still think there was something there. I love how Flair used the first hook and the eye gouge in this match, especially when JR is going on about amateur wrestling and catch-as-catch-can. As for Angle? Between this match and the Jannetty match, how can anyone doubt the guy? 

[Superstar Sleeze]

Ric Flair vs Kurt Angle - WWE RAW 6/27/05

Oh my Fucking God this was incredible. Ric Flair wrestles like the craziest dirty old man you’d ever see. He was absolutely FERAL! Fuck the haters 05/06 adds to the case doesnt detract. This comes after the famous Woo Off Promo which I remember fondly  watching live as a teenager, so I definitely saw this match but don’t remember it. This is start of Flair on his own as HHH lost for the third and final time to Batista the night before. Flair got one last push winning the IC Title and feuding with HHH and Edge. My issue with Angle has always been between the ropes; I always found to be a funny. Entertaining guy outside the ring. 

This match works so well because Angle wrestles it so straight and Flair wrestles like a crazy old bastard. Angle wants to work holds & throws and fucking Flair is trying to yank out molars and pluck eyeballs. Flair takes two big bumps on the floor off an over head Belly 2 Belly and a back drop. A Superplex gets fucked up but turns into a gnarlier bump. Flair bites out of an STF and TESTICULAR CLAW on the Anglelock. A Carlos Colon Low Blow! This is so good! Flair rattles off some amazing offense delayed Vertical, works the leg, FIGURE-4! On the Kneecrusher Angle turns it into Angelock For the win. 
 

I have been enjoying Ultraviolent Old Man Flair But this was even better because it played into the Dirtiest Player in the Game but it was so FERAL! I LOVED IT! **** 1/4