10 Most Emotional Wrestling Matches

8. Ric Flair vs. Big Van Vader (Starrcade 1993)

It's borderline laughable to fans now, but it was believable that then-44 year old Ric Flair could walk away from the biz for good in 1993. That's why there was so much riding on his 'Career vs. Title' match with Big Van Vader at the 10th anniversary of Starrcade, an event Flair had headlined first against Harley Race.

People were willing to buy into the notion that the 'Nature Boy' (who was returning 'home' from a stint in the WWF) might be done, and they took the physical threat of Race's man Vader very seriously. This, if you haven't seen it before, is traditional wrestling drama done right. Everyone played their part, even announcer Gene Okerlund when he visited the Flair household and interviewed Ric en route to the arena.

It was simple, yet genius, and it told the tale of a man who may well be ousted from the industry he adored by a ruthless heel. By the time Flair arrived at Charlotte's Independence Arena, his adoring throngs were whipped into a fervour by the growing belief that maybe, just maybe, he'd topple the beastly Vader and become World Champ again.

When Ric did, the place went berserk.