10 Major Career-Making Wrestling Matches

2. STING Vs. Ric Flair - NWA Clash Of The Champions I

Sting Ric Flair Clash of the Champions
WWE.com

When we complain about WWE's approach to continuity, stipulation and plain narrative, this is precisely the match, the moment, and the made man many think of when world-building rules are made clear and adhered to.

The NWA operated under strict time limits, furnishing matches with an in-built drama. Within necessity, invention abides; with a known rule in place, Sting was portrayed as a star for simply taking a legend to the limit. It is simple booking that New Japan Pro Wrestling uses to excellent dramatic effect, but as this famous match illustrates, it is not a dry device incompatible with the glamorous bells and whistles of North American wrestling. Sting - a face-painted surfer dude geared to the kids - made fans of men by putting on a clinic with Ric Flair in which he dug deep, withstood and escaped the holds of a master technician, and used the support of fans who, like him, refused to give up to get over - and get over big. A winner who didn't win: WWE could learn so much from this ironically timeless approach in this 50/50 era.

It was a perfect fusion of sport and entertainment. The oxymoron isn't that moronic.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!