10 Amazing WCW Starrcade Moments WWE Should Take Inspiration From
3. Son Of A Plumber
No greater opponent in matches and no finer foe for interview fodder, Ric Flair was exactly the right man to stand across the ring from the 'American Dream' Dusty Rhodes on the night he'd nearly reclaim NWA World Heavyweight Title.
Flair's ostentatious arrogance already provided a jagged reflection to Dusty's working class persona that had resonated so evocatively with crowds below the Mason-Dixon line for years, but the year-long storyline that lead to Rhodes' incredible triumph represented some of the finest booking the JCP territory had ever produced.
An Atlanta Omni steel cage match in September saw Ric Flair defeat Nikita Koloff, but get trapped in the structure and at the mercy of both Nikita and comrade Ivan. An evergreen hero, Dusty made the save. Flair associates Ole and Arn Anderson followed, but as the Russians scarpered, The Andersons and 'The Nature Boy' all turned on Rhodes, breaking his ankle in the process.
It would be the genesis of the original Four Horsemen and a devastating blow to fans of the noble 'Son Of A Plumber', until the Starrcade title switch marked his ultimate redemption. Well, for 24 hours anyway.
In one of his original 'Dusty Finishes', booker Rhodes delayed his glory for a future payday, instead scripting a second referee to make the cover in order for the decision to be converted to a Disqualification the very next day. Flair was restored as Champion, and wouldn't drop the title for another six months.