14 Greatest Rubber Matches In Wrestling History

3. Ric Flair Vs. Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat - WCW Wrestlewar 1989

Both Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat have been quoted as saying their match at Wrestlewar 1989 was possibly the weakest of the three notable matches they had that year; that only goes to show the incredibly high standards the two men had set each other during this incredible series of matches. Steamboat returned to wrestling and the NWA in January 1989 after a hiatus following his departure from WWE. In his return match, a tag bout teaming with Eddie Gilbert against NWA World Champion Ric Flair and Arn Anderson, Steamboat pinned Flair to earn himself a shot at the title at Chi-Town Rumble. Steamboat won the title and put it on the line against Flair at Clash of the Champions VI. In a classic two-out-of-three falls match, Steamboat won in controversial fashion, pinning Flair while his foot was under the bottom rope. The title was put on the line again at Wrestlewar 1989: Music City Showdown. To ensure a winner once and for all, Terry Funk, Pat O'Connor and Lou Thesz were chosen as judges should the match reach the time limit. The momentum of the match ebbed to and fro for over half an hour before Flair gradually took control, targeting Steamboat's leg after he fell from the top turnbuckle. The match ended after Steamboat tried to pick up Flair for a scoop slam. Steamboat's leg gave way and Flair pinned the champion with an inside cradle. Flair and Steamboat shook hands before one of the match's judges, Terry Funk, attacked Flair to try and win a title shot. Steamboat never got his rematch, robbing the world of another potential classic.