Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 33: Ric Flair and Arn Anderson vs. the Rock ‘n Roll Express (Nitro 6/3/96)

The RNR look old coming out. Flair is animated as hell and Arn looks bad ass. They wear NFL jerseys and taunt Kevin Greene and Mongo McMichael. A dynamite graphic is set to explode to get us into the second hour of Nitro. Fireworks too. Well, that must be confusing for the audience in the building for the live match.

This is actually a pretty historic match up given the histories of all these men. The first few minutes consists of Flair and Anderson bumping and stooging for the RNRs like they were the Midnight Express in 1984. Great stuff including a double Figure Four spot and Flair doing his shove spot with the ref.
It’s to bad this match isn’t a part of a feud or mean something more, because it’s entertaining as all hell. It won’t hurt as much not having it in a greater context with me voting, but it won’t be a top 20 match most likely.

Ricky Morton starts selling as we get the elongated “playing Ricky Morton” heels get heat segment. Nothing new, and there really is no reason to be. Just solid tag wrestling from the Horseman team, especially Anderson, cutting off the ring. The spine buster to pin combo is just great. Of course these guys are older and the action is very old school, but it moves well.

Morton starts to get some hope spots and flash pin attempts and Arn slows it down. They go up a level or two then back down so seamlessly. The Horseman at times get cheered as babyfaces here.
The comeback and finish didn’t really inspire me as a fan, but perhaps the match was good enough my expectations grew. Woman interferes, Arn gets the DDT, and Flair covers for the win in about 17 minutes. A heck of a fun old school match. 3 ¼ and 7/10.