5 Times Ric Flair Took WWE To The Extreme

On the Martin Luther King Day edition of Monday Night Raw in 2006, the “Nature Boy” looked to fulfil a dream of his own by once again adding the WWE Championship to his collection of 16 World Heavyweight Titles, as the WWE Championship was defended in a TLC match for the very first time.

Once again deep in the heart of “Flair Country”, the very pro-Naitch crowd would seem all the more partisan by the presence of Ric’s daughter, Ashley “Charlotte” Fliehr; as the future WWE Women’s Champ watched on from the front row.

Still amidst his sole run as Intercontinental Champion, the bout also presented a rare title vs. title scenario and the match had a palpable “big fight” feel to it as the WWE Championship was raised above the ring. This was Edge’s match in Flair’s backyard and the stakes were as high as they come.

Amazingly, despite having wrestled for over 33 years at the time, this was the first ladder match scenario that Flair had ever been involved in and Edge was clearly intent on making it a memorable one. If first impressions last, then Flair’s maiden voyage with the ladder was going to be unforgettable.

Almost immediately, Edge would introduce ladders and chairs into the match, before the action quickly spilled out to the floor. After a brief dip into the crowd, Edge went to work on the “Nature Boy” with a steel chair; opening up Flair’s forehead and literally setting the table for a spot that would be replayed for years to come.

With a helpless Naitch held in place by Edge’s then-valet, Lita, Edge would ascend a ladder set up in the ring only to leap off with a jaw-dropping splash to the outside. The collision looked devastating; made all the more impactful by the distinct screams of “Dad, please get up” from Flair’s daughter looking on from the crowd.

Intent on causing lasting damage to Flair, Edge would continue the onslaught inside the ring; with a multitude of chair shots and a colossal Superplex off the ladder for good measure. “The Ultimate Opportunist” had seized his opportunity and looked set to retain his title as he scaled the ladder once more.

However, Flair was far from finished with Edge, tipping the ladder over and sending the champion crashing through an awaiting table on the outside. The fall was brutal, the landing was even worse and Flair’s road to the gold was clear. With the prospect of a Flair victory more real than ever, the Carolina faithful became unglued as the “Nature Boy” ascended rung-by-rung, looking to make history for the 17th time.

Unfortunately for Flair, Lita would have other ideas, delaying the Naitch’s ascent just enough for her man to recover and send the challenger crashing to the mat below. With Flair down, Edge would tear down the strap and retain his gold; much to the chagrin of the crowd.

Despite having never taken part in any kind of Ladder Match throughout his illustrious career up to that point, Flair would find himself in another just three months later when he took part in the “Money in the Bank” match at WrestleMania 22 and the brutality of the TLC would prove to be just the beginning of a very extreme year for the “Nature Boy”.