10 Times Wrestlers Held Championship Belts Hostage
9. Ric Flair - WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Ric Flair didn't just keep hold of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship because he was p*ssed off with the level of disrespect shown to him by company management in 1991.
There was more than just an emotional investment in the Big Gold Belt from the man most synonymous with it in the 1980s - 'The Nature Boy' had $25,000 of his own money wrapped uop in it as well. Such was the rule back then when a new wrestler reached the top of the mountain. The title was valuable as it looked, and much like how the NWA used to take a vote on who was set to the carry the prize, the Champion had to cut a cheque they'd later receive back if they wanted to carry the belt.
When relations collapsed between Flair and the company enough for 'Slick Ric' to strut on to the WWE roster, the cash wasn't returned so neither was the physical strap. Months of jaw-dropping television followed with Flair cast as the 'Real World's Champion' before he was reimbursed to (mostly) rectify the situation.