The 1991 Survivor Series was the first opportunity "Nature Boy" Ric Flair had to showcase his skills on WWE pay-per-view. Debuting with the company in September, Flair's arrival in Vince McMahon's promotion had made a giant splash in the pro wrestling world. For so long, he was associated with the National Wrestling Alliance, Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling that, to see him step foot in a McMahon-owned ring was quite rattling. Luckily, Flair was treated with the respect that someone of his stature deserved and at the November event, he became the night's only sole survivor by outlasting a team comprised of Roddy Piper, Bret Hart, Virgil and "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. Sure, he did it by escaping a melee at ringside and getting back into the squared circle before the referee's count reached 10 but it was in that finish that fans grew to appreciate the cerebral nature of the competitor they may have been seeing compete for the first time. Fifteen years after his first dance at the show, Flair returned to captain a team consisting of Dusty Rhodes, Ron Simmons and Sgt. Slaughter into battle against the brash, arrogant and loudmouthed Spirit Squad. After Simmons found himself counted out and Rhodes and Slaughter were dispatched of by Kenny and Nicky, respectively, it was up to Flair to eliminate the remaining members of the opposition or risk humiliation on a grand stage. After all, no one wanted to admit defeat at the hands of male cheerleaders. Summoning the intestinal fortitude that helped him become world's champion 16 times, Flair knocked off Mikey, then Kenny and, finally, Johnny in the span of one minute, 18 seconds to win the match. While his Survivor Series wins are not overly impressive in comparison to the rest of his Hall of Fame resume, Flair did manage to prove both his considerable skill and intelligence in the two traditional elimination tag bouts he wrestled at the show, adding to the legend that was Slick Ric.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
