Jim Cornette on Ric Flair's Greatest Rival

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
  • From Episode 205 of Jim Cornette's Drive Thru
    Artwork by Travis Heckel!
    Send in your question for the Drive-Thru to: CornyDriveThru@gmail.com
    Follow Jim and Brian on Twitter: @TheJimCornette @GreatBrianLast
    Join Jim Cornette's College Of Wrestling Knowledge on Patreon to access the archives & more! / cornette
    Visit Jim's official site at www.JimCornette.com for merch, live dates, commentaries and more!
    You can listen to Brian each week on the 6:05 Superpodcast at 605pod.com.

ความคิดเห็น • 670

  • @fd2blk78
    @fd2blk78 3 ปีที่แล้ว +120

    Jim describing how flare and steamboat was the peak of what could believeably be done in a wrestling match without cooperation is basically the most perfect description I've ever heard. Makes you want to go watch those matches again

    • @cpthetrucker9067
      @cpthetrucker9067 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      That brutal gauntlet Flair had in 1989...I'm not sure if anything like that will ever be repeated....
      1. Sting
      2. Steamboat
      3. Funk
      4. Great Muta
      Unreal

    • @ScottTX79
      @ScottTX79 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      That Chi Town Rumble match was fantastic. The majority of it was chops and headlocks and I was into it the entire time

    • @nunyabidness7463
      @nunyabidness7463 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      the funk feud was also very believable. More of a brawl but very believable

    • @Pogo113
      @Pogo113 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@ScottTX79 well look at Savage/Steamboat at Wrestlemania 3 - arm drags and hip tosses galore. But still awesome.

    • @fundy023
      @fundy023 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I was thinking the same thing. The description is perfect and I am going to watch them again!

  • @Meatball2022
    @Meatball2022 3 ปีที่แล้ว +85

    His greatest rivals was always the “fat boy” in the front row

    • @Chozin1
      @Chozin1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Or all the girls he would kiss and make them cry

    • @UnexpectedWonder
      @UnexpectedWonder 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      😁😂😂🤣🤣🤣

  • @frankohbk
    @frankohbk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +92

    Climbing the turnbuckle is Flair's greatest rival.

    • @matthillegas3099
      @matthillegas3099 3 ปีที่แล้ว +35

      "Don't do it, Ric. It has never worked, in all the years I've known you." - Jerry Lawler at WrestleMania XX.

    • @UnexpectedWonder
      @UnexpectedWonder 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      LOL. 😁😁😂😂🤣🤣

    • @UnexpectedWonder
      @UnexpectedWonder 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@matthillegas3099 😁😁😂😂🤣🤣😭😭😭

    • @ericjennings4546
      @ericjennings4546 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Marriage

    • @louiscsanko3673
      @louiscsanko3673 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Flair pulled that move off like magic. Out of the several hundred times i witnessed Flair do that move, he only messed it up maybe 3 times.

  • @louis3141
    @louis3141 3 ปีที่แล้ว +207

    I thought balancing a checkbook was Flair’s best rival

  • @egyptian316
    @egyptian316 3 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    Sting vs Flair drove the narrative of the booking for years in WCW. Best build, and best chase to the title ever.

    • @frednichols9851
      @frednichols9851 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      If you honestly believe that's the best chase for a title ever, you must've started watching during that time & stopped after Sting won lol

    • @egyptian316
      @egyptian316 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@frednichols9851 If you don't then I can't imagine what you were watching. :D

    • @frednichols9851
      @frednichols9851 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@egyptian316 everything from the late 70s until today

  • @tankwfw
    @tankwfw 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    So many options. Sting, Steamboat, Dusty, Race, Funk. Savage was an underrated feud. Short but intense and the matches were fantastic.
    The fact that Flair has so many iconic rivals is a testament to his staying power and legacy

    • @dantedlane2
      @dantedlane2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      He made sting look like hogan

    • @michaele.francis
      @michaele.francis 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Hogan, Luger, Windham, Rude, Vader

  • @nunyabidness7463
    @nunyabidness7463 3 ปีที่แล้ว +58

    Sting has to be in the conversation. having him join the horsemen and then kicking him out, Sting beating Ric for the title, the black scorpion. i ate that shit up as 11-13 year old kid

    • @Kas58223
      @Kas58223 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I just recently watched that clash of champions match with sting vs Flair what a match and Sting doing the no sell sting up the crowd ate it up

    • @UnexpectedWonder
      @UnexpectedWonder 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Indeed.

    • @The_Word_Is_The_Way
      @The_Word_Is_The_Way 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      My man!

    • @josephrhodes4404
      @josephrhodes4404 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I was wondering if and when Sting was gonna be mentioned

    • @SpinosaurusTheProudSocialist
      @SpinosaurusTheProudSocialist 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Don't forget, Sting wrestled Ric on both the first and last episodes of Nitro. And Flair had his last match (TNA 2011) with Sting as well.

  • @Lee-fq5xs
    @Lee-fq5xs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +96

    Mick Foley's book is an underrated rival. Also his own jacket, both elbow dropped on TV

    • @jthebigp1
      @jthebigp1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I'll ask entirely too hard at that. That jacket was deadly.

    • @stephenmccall6717
      @stephenmccall6717 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Ric Flair should be on Mt. Rushmore. I could watch Ric Flair vs Terry Funk all day. A short lived rivalry, but it was damn sure a dandy.

    • @Meatball2022
      @Meatball2022 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      He’s elbow dropped that jacket a hundred times. It keeps coming back. Amazing endurance

    • @Meatball2022
      @Meatball2022 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      So are his $2000 shoes!!!

    • @natebaxter9551
      @natebaxter9551 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Meatball2022 how many shoes has he thrown into the crowd?

  • @Meatball2022
    @Meatball2022 3 ปีที่แล้ว +43

    I saw flair and windham wrestle several times in 83 or so. They were the prior day equivalent of house shows. The matches were amazing. I remember them to this day. So glad Cornette mentioned this rivalry. Windham was an amazing performer in ring.

  • @Amzingred
    @Amzingred 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    Flair vs. Steamboat- In-Ring rivalry perfection
    Flair vs. Dusty- Best heated storyline rivalry pitting an ultimate babyface for the working people vs. the ultimate heel against the working people
    Flair vs. Savage- A heated passionate storyline that had a great beginning, middle, and fitting end.
    Flair vs. Harley- Your typical old guard vs the new guard feud
    Flair vs. Windham- The underrated gem of a feud
    Flair vs. Sting- So much potential left on the table
    Flair vs. Hogan- Oil vs. Water feud. It just couldn't mix to really be what it was meant to be.
    Flair vs. Terry Funk- A feud done by the finest of the finest wrestlers that always knew what the hell they were doing in the ring and understanding the crowd and the business side of pro wrestling

    • @mitzicarpenter2820
      @mitzicarpenter2820 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Excellent take !

    • @rubenarriaga3029
      @rubenarriaga3029 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      🎯

    • @madbrowniac7871
      @madbrowniac7871 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich: Ric Flair actually put over Kerry in his own Christmas Eve 1982 NWA Title shot in a screaming wild Reunion Arena in Dallas and helped establish The Fabulous Freebirds as vicious Heels when Special Ref Michael Hayes and Cage Attendant Terry Gordy turned against KVE. Gordy even slammed the cage door on Kerry's head. Does that sound familiar? Flair underplayed his own presence beautifully and assured that he would continue to be a Von Erich nemesis by keeping The Big Gold.🤔🎤🐴💎🤼‍♂️B.W.

    • @Amzingred
      @Amzingred 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@madbrowniac7871 I put that more as an emphasis on von erichs/freebies than as a true Flair/Erich heated rivalry

    • @madbrowniac7871
      @madbrowniac7871 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Amzingred: I can understand your point very well. Incidentally Terry Gordy's Daughter Miranda was working for a small group in Texas last I heard. And Kevin Von Erich's Sons Marshall and Ross are a Tag Team in MCW that recently teased turning Von Erichs Heel for the first time since 1982. Can you even imagine the Heat and attention they could draw from Texas and elsewhere with Miranda Gordy as a Sherri Martel style Manager?!🤔😏😂🎤🤼‍♀️🤼‍♂️B.W.

  • @iainmackenzie8372
    @iainmackenzie8372 3 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Everyone he stepped into the ring with was his greatest rival. That's how Flair sold it and was one of his greatest qualities. He could make the most average of wrestler look like the most important guy in the business.

    • @pjcherry2265
      @pjcherry2265 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      This right here ☝🏾💯

  • @damienthorne3012
    @damienthorne3012 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Liquor was the Nature Boy's greatest rival but also his best friend.

  • @themythrighthere9412
    @themythrighthere9412 3 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    "It's when they give him a watch...
    kick him in the butt...
    And say a computer took your place dehdeh"
    "THATS HARD TIMES, RICK FLAYER !!!!! "

    • @blacktytrix
      @blacktytrix 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Talking like dusty it would probably be 'flaya' lol

    • @theboombody
      @theboombody 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      My favorite comment today.

  • @ccie12933
    @ccie12933 3 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    As much as I love Jim and Brian, I'm sitting here absolutely stunned that a discussion of Ric Flair's greatest rivals didn't include Wahoo McDaniel.
    They feuded off and on for over a decade over titles including the Mid-Atlantic title, the U.S. title, the World Tag Title when Flair held it with Valentine (particularly when Wahoo was teaming with Ole Anderson) and the NWA World title and they always drew money, regardless of who was babyface and who was heel.

    • @Jackalblade9
      @Jackalblade9 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      To be fair, in a career as long and storied as Flair's it's inevitable someone's going to be missed, even by these two. If they remembered Wahoo, they might have forgot Mulligan or Valentine. They could probably have taken up the whole podcast just kicking this question around.

    • @MADGUNSMONSTER
      @MADGUNSMONSTER 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Jackalblade9 Intelligent point.

    • @ptothej100
      @ptothej100 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah. Wahoo was really was Flair’s 1st real extended rivalry. I think it started in ‘75, continued in ‘76 when Flair came back from the plane crash. That was a long long time ago. It’s the 1st thing I remember as far as MACW is concerned.

  • @mw7967
    @mw7967 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    His matches against Ricky Steamboat are still the greatest I've ever seen. His matches against Bobby Eaton are also criminally under rated.

    • @manuelper
      @manuelper 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Flair could almost not have a bad match from 85-90. His matches with Ricky Morton and Barry Windham were always great. Even his matches with Luger were great.

    • @mw7967
      @mw7967 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@manuelper I completely agree. Now looking back, it's why Flair is largely regarded as the greatest wrestler of all time. It was most evident in his matches with Lex Luger. I liked Luger for his look and presence, but few could argue that his skill set wasn't limited. It's in those matches where we clearly appreciate how Good Flair wss; it's in his ability to carry a match against the likes of a lesser in ring talent and still make himself, but more importantly his apponenent look good.

    • @bobquinlan4025
      @bobquinlan4025 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You are correct on both counts.

  • @bturcz4025
    @bturcz4025 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    Wow Flair's fueds arw almost like Batman comics (Killing Joke, Under the Red Hood, Court of Owls, Hush), you can judge it on so many levels. You can look at storyline, buy rate, its popularity in history, how its hold up overtime, originality.

    • @glennrugar9248
      @glennrugar9248 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      You forgot the best one. The Long Halloween.

    • @johngallagher72
      @johngallagher72 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Did you like first three episodes of Titans...they swerved me on most recent episode of What if? . I was hoping for What if Howard the duck became Black Panther.

    • @patale1640
      @patale1640 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@glennrugar9248 Flair vs Vader was his long holloween 😂

    • @redhurricane24
      @redhurricane24 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      On this excellent metaphor, I'd have to say Flair's rivalry with Mick Foley very much felt like Under the Red Hood, obvious displays of blading aside. Flair being Batman, Foley being Jason Todd in the sense he always wants to match up to the legacy of the Nature Boy.

    • @totallynotalpharius2283
      @totallynotalpharius2283 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Court of Owls get my vote

  • @aaauuuggghhh
    @aaauuuggghhh 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Flair and Wahoo had good runs too. Those were pretty hard hitting.

    • @ptothej100
      @ptothej100 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Absolutely!!! It was my first introduction to MACW. Flair and Wahoo in '76 was on fire!!!

    • @madbrowniac7871
      @madbrowniac7871 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Vs. Wahoo and Tully. The original Two Man Power Trip.🤔🎤🐴💎🤼‍♂️B.W.

  • @televiper11
    @televiper11 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    This question gets to the heart of why Flair is the GOAT. Most wrestlers are lucky to have two-or-three memorable rivalries over the course of their careers. Flair has dozens of them. From ‘81 to ‘95, the sheer amount of incredible rivalries and the overall match quality is unparalleled. Flair with Steamboat, Savage, Funk, Dusty, Windham, Race, Reed, DiBiase, Piper, Hogan, Sting, Mulligan, Wahoo, Nikita, Magnum, Vader. It’s unprecedented.

    • @jimmyjarrett-ws2iz
      @jimmyjarrett-ws2iz ปีที่แล้ว

      P.s. you can add the Von Erichs to that list.

    • @user-up4rk2zv6p
      @user-up4rk2zv6p 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Von ERICHS

    • @user-up4rk2zv6p
      @user-up4rk2zv6p 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@jimmyjarrett-ws2izFACTS

    • @bigolebot
      @bigolebot 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You end it at 95? How old are you? 😂

    • @televiper11
      @televiper11 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@bigolebot 46. It was his last good year and it isn’t even close.

  • @dustin6528
    @dustin6528 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Best matches: Steamboat
    Best story: Dusty
    Longest duration and most well known: Sting
    Most money: Hogan
    Most realistic: Savage
    Lot of answers here depending on perspective.

    • @spikeannoyed
      @spikeannoyed 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Was flair hogan even his biggest money draw??? It certainly should have been but not sure it was

    • @jason666king
      @jason666king 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Damn, you saved me a comment 👍

    • @maxxdahl6062
      @maxxdahl6062 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      His Hogan feud was pretty craptacular until the horsemen were defending WCW from the NWO.

    • @jason666king
      @jason666king 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@maxxdahl6062 Vince dropped the biggest ball of all time in 91 with the possibility of that feud.

    • @seanbonella
      @seanbonella 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      id settle for that

  • @rodneyholmes5260
    @rodneyholmes5260 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Surprised Roddy Piper hasn't been mentioned. He and Flair have had great matches throughout the years, and their feud in 91 was gold.

    • @andymassingham
      @andymassingham 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I saw them a decade earlier in Toronto for Mid-Atlantic. Brutal!

  • @theoregonguy
    @theoregonguy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    I thought child support was his greatest rival.

    • @zenikim
      @zenikim 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      I was going to say alimony.

    • @CockyBalboa
      @CockyBalboa 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The IRS

  • @willsmith625
    @willsmith625 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I would submit the IRS, and I don’t mean Mike Rotunda.

  • @subelildirty491
    @subelildirty491 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Heel Flair & Horsemen vs. The fans in the studio. You're not talking to Dusty Rhodes, you're talking to a couple men. 🔥🔥🔥

  • @coachmikesfilmroom3111
    @coachmikesfilmroom3111 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Sting by far. Their rivalry lasted over 20 years. Their matches drew. He was the horseman's foil. They were the two men most synonymous with WCW/NWA

    • @shoeplayisbad1
      @shoeplayisbad1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      that's a tough one, I'd go dusty or steamboat
      You do make a case with sting

    • @coachmikesfilmroom3111
      @coachmikesfilmroom3111 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@shoeplayisbad1 I'd put Dusty at 2nd, but I def understand why you'd take him. Steamboat and Flair had great technical matches, but when you had Flair and Sting together, their psychology was through the roof and it showed in the massive pops from their first match at the Clash to the final in TNA

    • @chrischar9428
      @chrischar9428 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      How do you get 20 years

    • @coachmikesfilmroom3111
      @coachmikesfilmroom3111 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@chrischar9428 from 1988 to their final match in 2011

    • @chrischar9428
      @chrischar9428 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@coachmikesfilmroom3111 that's like sting had been a wrestler for 35 years

  • @michaellee8816
    @michaellee8816 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Always thought it was Sting

    • @SirVic42
      @SirVic42 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Sting could do all the spots all night and was a super-over face who could let Flair go full heel. Sting's knee injury came at the exact wrong time, otherwise they would have worked a legendary program that would change this discussion.

    • @btipton6899
      @btipton6899 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SirVic42 exactly.

    • @priyadarshidash4353
      @priyadarshidash4353 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Aaron9 I don't think he hates sting
      But he does not give sting a lot of credit
      I have seen so many lists of ric flair greatest rivals and sting has always been either number 1 or 2 almost in every list
      So many fans in this comment section are saying sting
      I don't know why he was not even mentioned in this video
      Might he because jim cornette is little salty of the fact tha crow sting at its peak was beating wwf in 96 and early 98 and jim was the booker until late97
      So he might be little salty over that
      Who knows 🤷‍♂️

  • @user-do2ev2hr7h
    @user-do2ev2hr7h 3 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb and say Savage should be in the mix. They had a great program in 1992 and if you weren't watching the NWA it might be the thing Flair is still most known for.

    • @markabboud8564
      @markabboud8564 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Plus they also feuded in WCW in 95-96 over the World Title

    • @johngallagher72
      @johngallagher72 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Nah fam Savage wouldn't even be top 5
      1. Steamboat
      2 . Dusty
      3. Harley
      4. Funk
      5. Tie .. Any Von Erich / Barry Windham

    • @markabboud8564
      @markabboud8564 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@johngallagher72 Funk doesn't belong on the list. He only fended with Flair once for 6 months in mid 1989-early 1990. One six month feud doesn't cut it for greatest rival.

    • @NoirFan01
      @NoirFan01 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      If not stated elsewhere already, Flair’s feud with Vince McMahon, leading to the “retirement” match with Shawn Michaels, could be considered his greatest rivalry

    • @user-do2ev2hr7h
      @user-do2ev2hr7h 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@johngallagher72 Like I said, it depends on where and when you were watching Flair. For those (like me) who didn't watch the NWA back in the day, his 1992 WWF run makes a strong impression that it might not for others.

  • @johngallagher72
    @johngallagher72 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The Flair Windham 60 min draws were off the charts . The Apter mags did an article on the series called ..."Wrestling like it otta be."

  • @OMSpecialist
    @OMSpecialist 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Ric Flair vs Kerry Von Erich at Texas Stadium was the reason I became a pro wrestling fan. Kerry should've been one of Flair's greatest opponents over the years; sad. So many great Flair opponents: Wahoo McDaniel, Savage, Funk, Sting, Steamboat, etc. Thank you Ric.

    • @maturanita
      @maturanita 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @Chris C before Kerry, I’d say David Von Erich should have been Flair’s grandest opponent. Pity he never returned from Japan

    • @OMSpecialist
      @OMSpecialist 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@maturanita agree

    • @maturanita
      @maturanita 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@OMSpecialist 👍🏾👊🏾

  • @1Leggo9my9Eggo2
    @1Leggo9my9Eggo2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Mad how the question made no mention of sting, which is probably his most well known rivalry in the modern era

  • @Sparkledash1
    @Sparkledash1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Thats a toughie.
    Sting is the one with the most history, Steamboat is the one he had the best matches with and Funk was special, because it brought him out of his retirement.
    Savage in 92 is also kinda underrated. The match at Wrestlemania 8 was great.

    • @maxxdahl6062
      @maxxdahl6062 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Eh, I'd put Dusty up there with the history.

    • @coldy5456
      @coldy5456 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Ric vs Savage doesnt get the credit it should cause most people back then were questioning why the hell it wasnt Ric vs Hogan when they had the perfect opportunity to do it.

    • @maxxdahl6062
      @maxxdahl6062 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@coldy5456 That and it didn't last long as a rivalry as a whole until they continued it in WCW.

    • @maxxdahl6062
      @maxxdahl6062 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Aaron9 What? Dusty was feuding with flair from like 1983-ish until the 90's. Sting what, 1988-ish until the 90's?

  • @franciscocorral6665
    @franciscocorral6665 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Had he lived past February 1984, David Von Erich vs Flair would be top 5. Flair had been battling the Von Erichs since 1981 in Texas and Missouri. As the title switch was getting ready for the summer of 1984, David unfortunately passed away in Japan. Look no further than Christmas night in 1983 where David and Ric gave a hell of a match.

  • @john_blues
    @john_blues 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    That 'Dusty Cornette' thumbnail is MAGNIFICENT!

  • @dr.floridamanphd
    @dr.floridamanphd 3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    Flair’s greatest rival, obviously, is Divorce Court 😂

    • @evanb1470
      @evanb1470 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Dam! You beat me to it!

    • @zairetaylor5006
      @zairetaylor5006 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      😂😂😂

    • @Deans-jm3uf
      @Deans-jm3uf 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Disagree. Those were all one sided squash matches

    • @ian0143
      @ian0143 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was going to say alimony, but you beat me to it.

    • @danielwilson9724
      @danielwilson9724 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Deans-jm3uf 😂

  • @patrickdoran180
    @patrickdoran180 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I love how energized Jim became when Herd & Bischoff were brought up lol

  • @Mistertbones
    @Mistertbones 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Flair's greatest rival is financial responsibility.

  • @justinb911
    @justinb911 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I would have said a divorce attorney.

  • @theangryconstitutionalist583
    @theangryconstitutionalist583 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    1.) Dusty
    2.) Steamboat
    3.) Savage
    4.) Hogan
    5.) Funk (even though it was short-lived, it was the most intense and personal, & I LOVED the matches)
    6.) Sting
    7.) Harley Race
    8.) Roddy Piper

    • @johngallagher72
      @johngallagher72 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Harley before Savage or Hogan .

    • @theangryconstitutionalist583
      @theangryconstitutionalist583 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Aaron9 there you go, I edited it to a Top 8. Sting isn't in my top 5 because I didn't love their matches as much. Truth is, they never topped their Clash of Champions I match, at which point they weren't even rivals yet. Also, just as their rivalry was hitting it's peak, Sting got hurt and derailed it, postponing his World title win 8 months and hurting the momentum they had built through 89.

  • @redhurricane24
    @redhurricane24 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I haven't heard many questions that would give Jim pause. But this was very educational for me to listen. Even if I happen to share opposite views of AEW, I still enjoyed being educated on Ric Flair and his rivals.

    • @jbellflower83
      @jbellflower83 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I don't always agree with Jim but I love listening to his knowledge of the buisness. And he's not wrong on everything he says about AEW, he just let's it blind him to when they do something good and he still shits on it. Similar to his views on ECW. He kinda shits on the whole promotion but there was some great wrestling that came out of ECW.

  • @PauloTheGeek
    @PauloTheGeek 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    It's Hogan for me. Not for in-ring matches, but culturally. The same era in competing companies, separate fanbases, characters, styles and pushes. Sports entertainment vs pro wrestling personafied.

    • @dr.dschultz1517
      @dr.dschultz1517 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Hogan was pro-wrestling. He was legit school too. Sports Entertainment is a modern word coined by WWE. Don't change history, don't get me started

    • @handsolo1209
      @handsolo1209 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      In that respect, Flair's WWF rival of that era is Jim Powers because Hulk Hogan was a worldwide celebrity and cultural icon and Ric Flair was a "who?" to 99% of the world's population.

    • @SteelSunday
      @SteelSunday 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      and it's longevity still doing Team Hogan vs. Team Flair not long ago.

    • @natebaxter9551
      @natebaxter9551 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@handsolo1209 apparently you haven't been outside of your house in the last 40 years. Flair is a pop culture icon.

    • @natebaxter9551
      @natebaxter9551 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @Snake Eyes Hogan is a name. Flair is one of the biggest influences of culture. People know Hulk, but they imitate Flair.

  • @TheKyoput
    @TheKyoput 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Flair's greatest rival is Flair. Simultaneously his best friend and greatest enemy.

  • @jamirimaj6880
    @jamirimaj6880 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I love history, but that one viral news about Ric Flair going on right now, YOU'VE GOT TO TALK ABOUT IT HAHAHA

  • @russellcampbell3500
    @russellcampbell3500 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Flairs greatest enemy...... Internal revenue service.

    • @danielwilson9724
      @danielwilson9724 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Lmfao THIS!! U sir, have contributed the absolute best comment in this conversation!! Kudos 😂 😂

  • @dannycruz5446
    @dannycruz5446 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I've always liked the hiptoss counters to backslide finish for kerry/flair title win. Seemed like an upset win out of nowhere to me. Not every world title needs to have an epic finishing move finish.

  • @Dakatari
    @Dakatari 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Jim is at his best when he discussing stars and stories of the past give this man a movie or documentary about his life

  • @azapro911
    @azapro911 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Promos: Dusty Rhodes
    Matches: Ricky Steamboat
    Scale of era defining legacy: Hulk Hogan

    • @rs9003
      @rs9003 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Alcohol consumption: Andre the Giant

    • @azapro911
      @azapro911 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Flair's losing that one in a squash, Andre could drink an entire vineyard dry in a single sitting.

  • @rockywright3174
    @rockywright3174 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Dusty was Flair's best rival with Sting a close second. I was always a fan of the Ricky Morton-Ric Flair program. The R&R were on 🔥 at the time and Morton was solid as could be in the ring. 5 or 6 year old man was praying that Ricky would leave with the big gold lol

  • @maxxdahl6062
    @maxxdahl6062 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Harley Race, Terry Funk, Dusty or Sting.

  • @polaroidwhite9116
    @polaroidwhite9116 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Sting

  • @cbod14
    @cbod14 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Dusty will get the nod but really The Steamboat matches are on another level. They are so good they really need to be their own category. Sting is a personal favorite.

    • @ptothej100
      @ptothej100 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      When pressed, Flair always says that Steamboat is his greatest rival. As a heel, he really made Steamboat a star and was able to help Steamboat learn how to put a match together. That made sense and played to the crowd. Steamboat was such a great worker and picked up things so quickly. They were just terrific in the ring and it was a clear babyface heel rivalry. They brought the best out in each other in the ring.

  • @jeffreyloskoskill4901
    @jeffreyloskoskill4901 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    There's a white line in the distance, where it's going nobody knows. If it's anywhere you'll find it, on the road. 😥

  • @jimmiehoward9198
    @jimmiehoward9198 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    You got to add wahoo McDaniel to that list I saw him and flair have so many great matches in Richmond

  • @lostonwallace1396
    @lostonwallace1396 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Steamboat was Flair's greatest rival. He had the best matches with Flair, bar none, because the bouts were always entertaining, and Steamboat made Flair look legit more than anyone else. Steamboat always made everyone look good in the ring because he was so damn good as an athlete and wrestler.

    • @stevencouch6696
      @stevencouch6696 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Your right and if Steamboat was better at promos I think he would have been one of the top 10 wrestlers of all time

    • @lostonwallace1396
      @lostonwallace1396 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@stevencouch6696 Absolutely right.

  • @michaelshaw1327
    @michaelshaw1327 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That thumbnail might be the best yet

  • @piperar2014
    @piperar2014 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I thought I heard, probably from Flair's book, that Kerry was impaired on the day of the title change, and they needed a botch-proof finish. I might be remembering incorrectly though, and confusing some other time when Kerry was impaired. Like Kerry challenging for the title with a 104 degree fever from flu, or Kerry found passed out in his car at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

  • @joegausch
    @joegausch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    I vote Impotence as Flairs greatest rival.

    • @joegausch
      @joegausch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Jay Harv28 yea-that too!

  • @christopherclinton8631
    @christopherclinton8631 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Top five Dusty, Steamboat, Sting, Piper, Funk, his mid Atlantic and WCW feud with piper was some great stuff. I loved the Flair Sting story during WCW he turned on Sting at least 3 times.

  • @Am0ment0fB
    @Am0ment0fB 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This question is not Fair to Flair! He's the best rival for all of them! Ha.

  • @philbinpar1
    @philbinpar1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Travis you have outdone yourself

  • @stevencouch6696
    @stevencouch6696 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Steamboat’s problem was his promos wasn’t even close to Dusty’s. The matches were incredible but Steamboat didn’t have the angle or promos.

  • @aaronmccullough9449
    @aaronmccullough9449 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Travis Heckel is the nature boy when it come to his art work!!! Outstanding Also any stories about Buzz Tyler in mid Atlantic????????? or WildCat Wendell Cooley????? Jimmy Golden????

  • @shaneventuri4305
    @shaneventuri4305 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Time , time is the only true answer. He will live on forever in our hearts and minds , even after his moral coil has perished .

  • @LeeRoggy
    @LeeRoggy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    In Flair's autobiography, the backslide loss to Kerry was because Kerry was high and it was one of the few things Flair trusted Kerry to be able to do.

    • @theubie
      @theubie 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yup. Sadly, Kerry was in a very bad way at the time. Drugs are bad, people.

  • @whytho969
    @whytho969 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Dusty's face lmaoo

  • @bramirez3330
    @bramirez3330 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The Von Erichs when Flair defended The World Title in the World Class Territory.

  • @stormbreaker6399
    @stormbreaker6399 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Ric Flair's greatest rivals are his Ex - Wives. :P

  • @TheJaviferrol
    @TheJaviferrol 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Flairs greatest rival is his own ageing

  • @savievere9759
    @savievere9759 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Good lord this is tough. Savage, Hogan, Funk, Steamboat, Dusty, Sting. All were good. Would put Steamboat, Dusty, and Sting in top 3

    • @maxxdahl6062
      @maxxdahl6062 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'd put funk, Dusty and Sting as top three.

    • @danielwilson9724
      @danielwilson9724 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think if the time was taken to push it to the top thru the clouds, that Macho Man VS Flair as an ongoing feud could've became a talked about rivalry in wrestling history but for some reason the potential there for tht feud with both mens ring styles etc it could've been sooo great!!

  • @DustinBlythe
    @DustinBlythe 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    First of all, kudos to the artist for including the ??? on Dusty's side. That's attention to detail.
    It was a short lived angle, but Rics series with Ron Garvin was intense. Those matches looked stiff, especially the one in the studio. Those guys were selling everything.

    • @joegausch
      @joegausch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yes-was that a tumor?
      Weird birthmark?
      Attached twin?
      WTF?!?!?!

    • @DustinBlythe
      @DustinBlythe 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@joegausch A hematoma? I watched an AWA match from 1973 (he was "Dirty Dusty Rhodes") and he had it then.

    • @joegausch
      @joegausch 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@DustinBlythe dont know..

    • @kevinpayton2664
      @kevinpayton2664 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      For years, I wondered what that was on his right side. At first, I thought that maybe it's a birthmark but I'm not sure.

  • @mikethomas2904
    @mikethomas2904 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    What about Harley?I would agree with steamboat as far as matches and I liked his matches with piper and Windham it's really difficult I agree corny and he had good matches with alot of people

  • @TheJuise26
    @TheJuise26 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The Flair/Savage feuds were so personal cause they always involved Miss Elizabeth. Used to love watching them go at it

    • @MrJjburgess11
      @MrJjburgess11 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I remember the magazine with pics of Ric with Liz lol. That was a great storyline

    • @TheJuise26
      @TheJuise26 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@MrJjburgess11 hell yeah

    • @MrJjburgess11
      @MrJjburgess11 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Aaron9 so that makes you a fan boy just because someone liked that particular storyline?

  • @akirad01
    @akirad01 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    How did the question leave out Sting? The last match of WCW.

    • @priyadarshidash4353
      @priyadarshidash4353 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Exactly .so many people in this comment section are saying that sting is his greatest rival
      And he didn't even get a mention in this video

  • @lynnjensen150
    @lynnjensen150 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Only 1 answer to this question. Harley Race.

  • @marcelmoreau2733
    @marcelmoreau2733 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ric Flair's greatest rival was either the local bar or a divorce judge

  • @jamirimaj6880
    @jamirimaj6880 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This is why i kinda feel sometimes sad about the Bucks, because no one can name their greatest rival, because they had none. They chose Meltzer-style wrestling and clowning off the industry than legacy. At least Omega has Okada as his greatest rival, even though it's really isolated in Japan. But at least he had one.

    • @redhurricane24
      @redhurricane24 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I could make an argument for the Briscoes but unfortunately, they're not as widely known as the Bucks.

  • @dustymccoy9976
    @dustymccoy9976 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Not the best but Bruiser Brody and Ric Flair had great chemistry as well in St. Louis and the Kansas City area. Brody was so damn big and scary you thought in 1984-86 that he could take the NWA belt from Flair in any of their matches. He beat the hell out of Ric when they locked up.

  • @louiscsanko3673
    @louiscsanko3673 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Why does no one mention Brian Pillman Sr.( RIP) who while in WCW, Was such an amazing Athlete??? After Pillman shattered his ankle, he reinvented himself as the loose cannon, and in ECW had those Psycho Fans convinced, after getting in the ring with a pair of crutches and says " I am going to show you what i think of this " blankety blank" promotion and started unzipping his trousers and said he was going to take a wiz in the center of the ring!!!! Joey Styles was freaking out!!! Pillman(RIP) was a Legendary Wrestler, high flying former NFL player, and always one of my absolute Favorites. Brian Pillman Jr. Is almost a splitting image of his Dad, and i saw him and Davey Boy Smith's[ RIP] son wrestle in MLW back before the Pandemic. I know his son hears praise of his Dad, but if you tead this Brian, Your Dad was CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED and Should be in the top 10 Greatest Wrestlers of all time.

  • @EvaFull
    @EvaFull 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The Man Called “STING!!!!”

  • @jimfaust6342
    @jimfaust6342 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I was shocked Dusty never put Flair in a bearhug. Lol

  • @stephenhanft1226
    @stephenhanft1226 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Flair had so many great matches and rivalries with so many different wrestlers. I believe that Flair's 3 greatest rivals were clearly Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, and Sting. There really is no wrong answer what order you place them in. It's just a matter of opinion and personal taste.
    To give an early answer to your Dusty Rhodes greatest rivals question, since his career was all about the chase for the world title, I think his 3 greatest rivals were Superstar Billy Graham, Harley Race, and Ric Flair

  • @foleynj86
    @foleynj86 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am gonna say Sting just because that feud made me a wrestling fan when I was five. They had such great chemistry together and it was like the yin and yang as far as personality.

  • @johngallagher72
    @johngallagher72 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    1. Steamboat
    2. Dusty
    3. Harley
    4. Funk
    5. Tie ...Any Von Erich or Barry Windham
    Honorable mention Ricky Morton/ Lex Lugar

  • @DavidDexterMusic
    @DavidDexterMusic 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Flair had many great feuds and matches with guys like Sting, Steamboat, Funk, Hogan (maybe not the matches but it was cool to see them work against each other at last, in a way) and others but the feud and matches I was personally most invested in was Savage / Flair :)

  • @diamondwchamp
    @diamondwchamp 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    When students are being trained some will inquire the best matches to review. The Flair vs Steamboat is the first to come to mind. Valentine vs Piper was another outstanding match. Kerry was messed up and a few say sick, when Kerry won the strap. When two students have their first match, I refer them to Butch Reed vs Marty Lunde. Corny, never ask for directions in Colombus, Ga. prior to 1996.

  • @earth2wrestling166
    @earth2wrestling166 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I'm kinda disappointed we didn't hear Sting mentioned, I kno Sting/Flair wasn't as big as Dusty/Steamboat/so on BUT that rivalry n their matches is what made Sting n in turn later changed the biz some cas how big Sting kept growin n blew up...idk I guess jus bein a younger fan, when I hear Flair I asap think VS Sting

    • @Mdoodatt
      @Mdoodatt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Sting and Flair are synonymous and their rivalry not being thrown into the mix makes me question whether or not the people that say Jim's out of touch might be right.

    • @BUPMY1
      @BUPMY1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I thought Sting as well.

    • @jbellflower83
      @jbellflower83 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Mdoodatt it deserves an honorable mention for sure but it wasn't as epic as Dusty or Steamboat or even Windham for match quality. And I love Sting but I prefer Stings rivalrys with Vader, Muta and Rude. Sting had great matches with all of those guys.

    • @z2ei
      @z2ei 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Mdoodatt I think it's big for Sting, but it has to be behind Dusty, Steamboat, etc in terms of Flair's feuds.

    • @priyadarshidash4353
      @priyadarshidash4353 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jim cornette never gives sting the credit he deserves
      Ric flair made sting a star
      These are so many lists on internet regarding flair greatest rivals and sting has always been number 2 and ricky steamboat being number 1
      Jim cornette was arguing with someone whether sting deserves to be in the hall of fame or not in 2015 or 2014 like wtfff
      He also said stong was at its hottest when he was not taking since his kick skills were not great are you kidding me
      It tells us that sting has so much charisma that he does not even need to do the talking
      Paul Heyman said it beat his eyes speak more than a man does in a 10 minute interview
      Crow sting at its peak was beating wwf in the ratings amd Jim cornette was the head booker then
      He might be little salty over that
      Who lnows🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

  • @SPShsbasketball
    @SPShsbasketball 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Sting, Dusty Rhodes, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat

  • @wwltd3036
    @wwltd3036 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Everything is time and place I guess. Ric Flair had no bigger rival in STL than Harley Race, with King Kong Brody being a close second

  • @curtdragon8785
    @curtdragon8785 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Dusty Rhodes will forever be Ric's greatest rival period hands down!!! 🤼‍♂️🤼🤼‍♀️

  • @sdavis6806
    @sdavis6806 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I seen Flair vs Rhodes in 1986 in Hamilton Ontario, it was an event called Moscamania , care of Angelo Mosca The funny thing was Flair was a heel at that time, Rhodes was a face, but in Canada 🇨🇦 they fuckin love the nature boy! The crowd cheered for Ric, booed Dusty

  • @ncphil74
    @ncphil74 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Flair's three greatest rivals were Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, and Sting.

  • @josamaroo
    @josamaroo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    There is no doubt in my mind that FATHER TIME IS RIC FLAIR'S GREATEST RIVAL.

    • @JohnDoe-ym5ly
      @JohnDoe-ym5ly 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      True, but Flair beat him

  • @albertbrammer9263
    @albertbrammer9263 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Looks like Dusty Cornette is about to do an armpit fart noise.

  • @PeachGoddessMaya
    @PeachGoddessMaya 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well, we've got a banger in store for next week's drive thru already.

  • @stevewarren4813
    @stevewarren4813 ปีที่แล้ว

    Flair said that was the finish in the Kerry match because it was a finish that Kerry could remember.

  • @fundy023
    @fundy023 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Flair wrote in his book that he gave Kerry the backslide because it was easy enough for Kerry to remember

  • @Blind_Sexy_and_Taken
    @Blind_Sexy_and_Taken 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I think you also need to include staying in the conversation as well. They had a great rivalry that lasted on and off over 10 years. It made stings career and the crowd was always Big time into it and it always felt like a big deal.

    • @handsolo1209
      @handsolo1209 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Sting was Flair's perfect opponent. He had a bit of everything that his other rivals lacked individually. Dusty had charisma out of the wazoo, but was no top athlete. Steamboat was a top athlete but was as dull as ditch water.

  • @savageandthebeasts8388
    @savageandthebeasts8388 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am surprised you didn't mention Flair v Sting

  • @markjones952
    @markjones952 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Spilt Liquor

    • @tomgavin768
      @tomgavin768 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Is that like spilled ?

  • @brackabrack
    @brackabrack 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It's Steamboat and it was long before the trilogy in 89. They had epic fueds in the late 70's early 80s. Flair and Steamboat didnt draw as much money in 89 because WCW was in the crapper at that point.

    • @kevinpayton2664
      @kevinpayton2664 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Their late '70s feud was way more brutal than the classic '89 feud.

  • @DavidDavisDH
    @DavidDavisDH 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is not related to this, but I love his promos, what he says you believe it! Even his later promos, I miss that quality these days.

  • @Jeowyn321
    @Jeowyn321 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My childhood was Flair and Sting.