10 Times Hell Froze Over In Wrestling

8. Ric Flair Jumps To The WWF With The NWA Title

Jeff Jarrett Hall Of Fame
WWE

World Championship Wrestling's top title situation was a mess in 1991. Previously, the company had used the NWA Heavyweight Title, but decided to establish their own belt in 1991. Ric Flair defeated Sting that January to become WCW World Champion. Without a physical belt to call their own, WCW just continued using the NWA one.

Tradition called for champions to post a $25,000 deposit to the alliance, one they'd receive back once dropping the title. Upon falling out with Jim Herd, Flair left the promotion without his money. Therefore, he just decided to keep the actual belt upon joining the WWF.

Bobby Heenan appeared, hyping up Flair's imminent arrival as the 'real world champion'. With the NWA Title in his grasp, the manager then brought Ric onto programming. As he was flaunting the NWA's property on another show, legal action quickly followed.

Flair was forced to return the gold and start using a WWF Tag-Team Title belt instead at live events. The shock had already happened; it was mind-boggling to see the WCW Champion jump to the WWF with the NWA Title.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.