The Clash of the Champions cards were free television specials with pay-per-view quality matches that WCW would hold periodically. When the initial clash aired on TBS, it was a big deal. I still remember sitting in my room back in 1988, glued to the screen as all my favorites were battling it out live. The main event was NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair defending his title against the upcoming young stud, Sting. The setup was unusual, with three judges being chosen in case the match time were to expire. Of course now in retrospect it's obvious that the clock would run out, but at the time it did nothing to detract from the drama. This match is a star-making affair, and stands as a perfect example of an established superstar "giving the rub" to someone on the rise. Flair made Sting look like a world beater and after this his career took off. Of course the match went to the judges, who ultimately scored it a draw, but the message was clear. Sting was here and he was a force to be reckoned with.
Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.
