Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 57: Ric Flair vs. Scott Hall (Nitro 6/2/97)

This match was the highest rated TV segment for a pro wrestling match to this point during the Monday Night Wars. Whether it’s a good match or not is an entirely different matter.

The arena looks about 70% filled with NWO t-shirts, but everyone’s got the four fingers up. This does have the feel of a more marquee main event than most offerings. Syxx is at ringside, and Waltman is looking bigger than he might if he was under a wellness policy. Yep, it’s WCW all right.

Hall does some theatrics to start, then bumps and stooges for Flair. Real great flopping that makes you smile when you realize how poorly Flair has aged from the early Nitros until now, yet Hall makes him look bad ass. Syxx gets on the apron and takes a bump to. Place is electric for Flair.

Flair does his turnbuckle flip and then jumps right on Syxx. Great spot. Hall takes control from there for the heat. His reversal and punches earlier kicked ass. Hall’s offense was always better than people gave it credit for. I dig the stomps, punches, and the side walk slam. Fans chant hard for Flair, and then “we want Sting” when Waltman starts his interference.

Oh crap. The abdominal stretch! Hall even grabs the rope or Waltman for leverage. Some people mark out for childhood stuff like Hogan hulking up, or Flair begging off. I’m a mark for Hall’s cheating during the ab stretch from my high school days. This match is the most fun I’ve seen from American wrestlers (Lucha excluded)in a while on this set. Flair does a hilarious sell after the hope spot. Oh, and Hall’s punches are still boss, in case you forgot.

Flair’s comebacks are hot both crowd wise and wrestling wise, and Hall cuts him off beautifully. Great story told here in a short amount of time. Waltman gets involved and bounces around for the Nature Boy. Flair hits his delayed suplex, and then it gets silly. Waltman is in the entire time, Flair has to fight two men (backfists the shit out of Hall), and finally takes a cruiserweight belt shot for the DQ. Typical Nitro end to a hot match. Bummer. Here’s the kicker. The only man that makes the save is Mongo McMichael. Oh, and goofy Jeff Jarrett is out there doing nothing. 2 ¾ and 6/10.