1. Ric Flair vs. Nick Bockwinkel (1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCY39WjDYjQ Ric Flair vs. Nick Bockwinkel was not only a heel vs. heel match, but also an interpromotional dream match. Flair was the NWA world heavyweight champion, defending his title in Winnipeg against AWA stalwart Nick Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel had been an inspiration to Flair when the latter was just a fan, and the Nature Boy would adopt many of his mannerisms and trademarks later in his career. By the time that this match happened, Bockwinkel was 52, but was still able to keep up with a Ric Flair at the height of his powers. Despite making a career out of being a stuffed-shirt weasel who made excuses for every loss he suffered, Bockwinkel found himself playing the hometown babyface against the invading Flair. It likely also helped that the two men were similar in many ways, and this battle was not unlike a battle between the proverbial young and old lions. As many interpromotional matches do, this one ended unsatisfyingly, in this case on a double count-out. Nevertheless, it remains a sterling example of the sort of old shcool grappling that you simply don't see anymore, and one of the best matches in either man's Hall of Fame career. Which other essential heel vs heel matches deserve to be on this list? Share your favourites below in the comments thread.