Ric Flair may be closest associated with the world's heavyweight championship, thanks to his 16 runs with the title, but it was the United States Championship that he first held with any great success. The title was very much used by promoter Jim Crockett to help establish Flair as one of the future stars of the industry. Over the course of three years, he would hold the title a then-record five times. To do so, he would have to vanquish a smorgasbord of Hall of Fame talent. Bobo Brazil was the first to fall to the man many consider the greatest of all-time. Following in his footsteps were Mr. Wrestling II, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, Ricky Steamboat and Greg Valentine. It was against Valentine that Flair had his first truly great rivalry, a feud with a tag team partner he once considered close enough to be his brother. It was compelling wrestling that not only brightened the star of Flair but helped elevate the United States Championship. Flair was as good for the U.S. title as it was for him. Clearly a competitor unlike any around him, Flair brought eyes to the title and lent it some of the same credibility that he would share with every title he touched throughout his long and illustrious career. He treated every championship with the respect and honor it deserved and as a result, it was seen by fans as the glorious achievement it was.
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.
