4. Vince McMahon vs. Ric Flair: Street Fight - Royal Rumble 2002
In 2001, Ric Flair returned to WWE and became the co-owner of the company after purchasing Shane and Stephanie McMahon's stock. Naturally, he and Vince McMahon immediately found themselves at each other's throats, They could not agree on anything and, eventually, the dispute between them transitioned from a business disagreement to a deeply personal one. McMahon mocked Flair's legacy, something the Nature Boy did not take kindly to. That he assaulted him, bloodying Flair in the process, only intensified the feud. By the time Royal Rumble in January 2002 rolled around, the bad blood bad boiled over. Tension was at a fever pitch and the two men would settle their differences the only way they knew how: in a Street Fight. Flair and McMahon pummeled one another in a match that masked their weaknesses and played on the emotional aspect of their rivalry. McMahon dragged Flair to ringside and tormented the Nature Boy's family, forcing them to endure a closeup look at their father's bloodied face. Flair found the intestinal fortitude to fight back and finish McMahon off with the Figure Four leg lock. It was a triumphant return to the ring for Flair, who looked as good as he had in years and regained some of the confidence he lost after being treated like excrement in the dying days of WCW.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
