10 WWE Pay-Per-View Matches That Surpassed Expectations

9. Ric Flair Vs. Chris Jericho (SummerSlam 2002)

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WWE.com

In his second autobiography (Undisputed), Chris Jericho revealed quite shockingly that 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair was far from confident going into their match at SummerSlam 2002.

Flair had returned to the company the previous November and he wasn't delighted with his Royal Rumble bout against Vince McMahon. He viewed the match with Jericho as a chance to prove himself.

For Jericho, this was preposterous. What did the legendary Ric Flair have to prove to anyone? One of wrestling's greatest entertainers was suffering a crisis of confidence, and he badly needed a match he could point to as a landmark moment. Together, Jericho and his elder peer pulled a diamond from the rough.

The match had the unfortunate task of following a sterling Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio opener, but Flair's goal was achieved. There was a moment -when the legend grabbed Jericho by the head to line him up for a suplex - that the swaggering confidence he once exuded naturally seemed to flood back into him.

Afterwards, Flair thanked Jericho. He realised what everyone else already knew; the match had trumped expectation going in.

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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.