10 Outstanding Wrestling Matches That Ended Without Finishers
4. Vader Vs Ric Flair (WCW Starrcade 1993)
Though not exactly a banana skin finish, it took Vader making one last major mistake for the game and diligent Ric Flair to reclaim the WCW Championship in his glorious 1993 Starrcade homecoming. He thought he had 'The Man' beaten.
'The Nature Boy' hadn't yet been back on terra firma for a full calendar year before the company were promoting him never going back there again had he lost on their 'Grandest Stage'. Reality had removed Sid Vicious from the main event and inserted 'Slick Ric' in at short notice, but the Charlotte, North Carolina locale and the dominance of Vader atop the organisation added some pulsating drama to an already-obliging pairing.
Babyface 'Naitch took a licking but kept on kicking, but when the Champion survived the figure four leglock, it appeared as though it couldn't possibly end well for the local hero. But something sublime awaited.
No-selling one final bruising blow, Flair - in a gorgeous exhibition of his guile - grabbed hold of Vader's giant leg and jackknifed it backwards for the flash cover. Fans erupted with joy, surprise and relief, highlighting not only the effectiveness of the finish but just how well the legendary figure had drawn them into his internal and external struggle. It took believing the story to buy the finish - and they exhibited their faith through an unanimous show of unabashed emotion.