10. Sting Vs. Ric Flair, Clash of the Champions 1988
As one of the few UWF stars that the NWA decided to push, Sting was most definitely a star on the rise when he challenged Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight title at the inaugural Clash of the Champions special. For 45 minutes, Ric Flair and the young challenger put on a classic that had everyone in the arena thinking Sting might actually do the unthinkable and defeat the legend. The Stinger gave the champion all he could handle as the time limit approached, making comebacks out of nowhere that popped the crowd louder and louder. With one minute left in the match, Sting began to no-sell Flair's chops and make a spirited comeback that had Jim Ross screaming into his headset. With 30 seconds left, Sting trapped Flair in the Scorpion Deathlock. The champion fought to hang on while the crowd cheered wildly and the ring announcer counted down the remaining time. Ric Flair managed to survive the last half minute and the bell rang to announce the time limit expiring. At the time, WCW was using judges (usually quasi-celebrities) at ringside to decide time limit matches. After the judges decisions were announced, the match was ruled a draw. While Sting was unsuccessful in his world title bid, the wrestling world was put on notice about the newest young sensation.