Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 59: Ric Flair and Roddy Piper vs. The Outsiders (Nitro 6/9/97)

This match takes place in Boston a the Fleet Center in front of the same crazy hot crowd as our last match (Match # 58 – Hogan vs Luger). As I recall Piper and Nash got into a real fight after this match for something that went on either with the booking of the match, or for a punch that landed during a brawl.

Nash comes out and utters the line, “I haven’t washed my hair in two weeks” to the camera on the ramp. MFP and I would then say it to each other three times a day for the next year. I love this stuff. Monster pops for Flair and Piper by the way. Everyone is a star in this match.

Nash won’t sell for Piper, but Hall takes it as good as he gives it to Flair. I believe Hall was fresh from a rehab stint around this time, so his head was possibly on straight. The great thing about this match early is everyone is over, so whatever they do works as long as it’s within wrestling reason (which is a broad spectrum).

Awkward transition into a typical tag scenario (men on apron), but they go to a commercial and it’s clear when they come back. Piper is taking a colossal beating from the heels to build to a hot Flair tag. This is nothing special, mostly punch/kick brawl sequences, but Piper is great working from the bottom. Syxx gets involved in a goofy ending where the ref calls for the bell. DQ win for Flair/Piper.

Big brawl where everyone comes out at the end. DDP and Macho are some of the highlights. Sting from the rafters. Mega-pop. This is a classic segment, not necessarily a match. It goes on forever with fun moments here and there. Great atmosphere again though. I love this era of Nitro for that reason. 2 and 4/10.