50 Best WCW Moments Ever
4. Ric Flair Saves His Career
Hot tip: If you ever fancy getting full value from Starrcade 1993's main event, then watch some earlier footage from the pay-per-view. Gene Okerlund visiting Ric Flair's home in Charlotte and driving to the venue with him is great stuff. That decision did two things. One, it let Ric build towards the bout with Big Van Vader without cutting his usual bombastic promos. Two, it seemed like the 'Nature Boy' was en route to his own execution.
Drama. Intrigue. Pro wrestling.
Vader seemed like an unbeatable monster at the tail end of '93. Plus, this wasn't too long after Flair had returned from a two-year stint in the WWF. He was home, literally, but the odds were stacked against him in an unfamiliar babyface position. That only made Ric winning the World Title and saving his career (which was on the line) even sweeter.
Some younger fans might be surprised that Flair was such an effective face around this time, because he'd perfected the heel role for years beforehand. Still, the killer combo of a credible heel champ in Vader and the private life consequences surrounding Ric's aspirations collided to create greatness.