2. Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair (WCW Chi-Town Rumble 1989)
All of the superlatives that you have heard over the years about the Nature Boy's series of NWA Championship matches with the Dragon in early 1989...well, they are all true. The consummate babyface and the consummate heel began their heralded trifecta of 5-star matches in Chicago. Reflecting back, Flair had just come off of a yearlong storyline with Lex Luger, who seemed as likely a wrestler to take the NWA title away from him as any in Naitch's rich history of title defenses. If Luger could not do it, then it seemed far-fetched that Steamboat could. Yet, a deeper dive into hindsight also showed that Steamboat had a history of taking Flair to the limit. Something had to give. Each of the three matches offered something different. The Chi-Town Rumble played host to the rapid-fire classic that would probably hold up best in the minds of the modern fan. If you can find a better wrestled 23-minute match, then please feel free to state your case.