wrestling / Columns

The Art of Wrestling: Flair vs. Steamboat (Part 2)

February 17, 2015 | Posted by Len Archibald

Last week’s column was a little…wordy. I understand that my detail-oriented style isn’t for everyone but even I was taken aback by its length even after several edits. Hopefully I have rectified this situation with this week’s piece. I also understand that 411Mania is commonly known as where those who are hardcore wrestling fans primarily search for news and probably enter with a well-defined understanding of how a wrestling match works and my analysis is better suited for casual or new fans to the artform. This is the best (only?) platform I have to point out the merits of professional wrestling as art and I would like to use the platform to expand 411’s audience. I do not consider myself a needle-mover or a trendsetter, but I have received some emails and comments that were encouraging from readers who have either 1) never really considered the nuances of the artform before or 2) have always wanted to find some form of writing that broke those nuances down. Thank you very much for that.

Even I sometimes forget that time moves forward, and what I know and experienced – not everyone else has. Professional wrestling does gain new and younger fans everyday – and those fans will filter themselves to sites like 411 not just to get “dirt”, but to educate themselves on the history, business and tropes of the art. My hope is to reach these new and curious minds and give those who have gained an appreciation for wrestling as more than just a TV show their parents introduced them to or some wacky form of testosterone-filled time-filler every Sunday for three hours. Okay, I’ll hop off my box of Tide detergent now.

Finally, I want to give a shout out to Alex Watt and his piece detailing the WWE/NXT divide between female wrestlers. Go read it! A great, timely bit of journalism.

I have made it known that I am a sucker for analyzing the artistic merits of professional wrestling and have wanted – for my non-wrestling companions – to break down the details of a match so they can better understand the nuances of the artform I have been in love with for over 30 years. Breaking a match down to its basic functions is similar to breaking down a film for film students, or a dance routine for enthusiasts of that art form. There are common tropes, elements, components and “rules” – or better yet – guidelines that all matches entail. These basic functions allow fans to become invested in the match that is laid out before them.

There are the matches that take the basic match structure, lengthen it and just allows the natural elements of the face/heel alignment, the audience reaction, the commentary and the overall atmosphere take fans on an emotional journey that ends up being nothing less than a spiritual awakening for all involved. These are the special matches – and the ones that I would like to focus on. These matches for me are akin to the 1001 Movies to See Before You Die, or Roger Ebert’s list of “Great Movies” – the best of the best. Some of these matches are universally praised across the board as classics, while some are underrated gems that leave more detail than meets the eye upon a second or third inspection. Some are matches that were panned when performed but have gained a greater appreciation and are heralded as events way before their time.

APRIL 2, 1989
RICKY STEAMBOAT (C) VS. RIC FLAIR
2 OUT OF 3 FALLS MATCH FOR THE NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS VI: RAGIN’ CAGUN
LOUISIANA SUPERDOME; NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
COMMENTARY BY JIM ROSS AND TERRY FUNK

In 1989, Ric Flair continued to hold a deathgrip on the NWA World Heavyweight Title via nefarious means – barely holding on his championship through technicalities and maneuvers that earned him the moniker of “The Dirtiest Player in the Game.” With his Four Horsemen stablemate, Barry Windham, Flair had been utilizing his time over the past month to make the life of “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert’s life miserable via sneak attacks and interference. Gilbert had enough and challenged the two to a match on WTBS Saturday Night. Gilbert promised a mystery partner would help him even up the sides against foes once and for all. From there, Steamboat returned to the NWA on the January 21, 1989 edition of World Championship Wrestling as Gilbert’s surprise tag team partner and emphatically put his stamp in the rankings where he pinned Flair. This earned The Dragon a shot at the NWA Title at Chi-Town Rumble where Steamboat defeated Flair by rollup in the first of the now classic “Holy Trinity” of matches.

Flair and Steamboat would wrestle all over the country, stealing the show on a nightly basis. The second of the trilogy took place in New Orleans, LA on a free Clash of the Champions special: Ragin’ Cajun. The show was huge for NWA/WCW on several levels; Flair/Steamboat II would be the biggest match NWA/WCW gave away on live television since the first Clash main-event between Flair and Sting and the show went head to head with WrestleMania V where The Mega Powers exploded. This was a match that pitted perennial babyface in Ricky Steamboat and his family values against the ultimate villain, the egotistical and debauchery-drenched Ric Flair. Newcomers to the match would be able to decipher who played what role just by the trunks; Steamboat in white, Flair in black.

THE SECOND FALL

CLICK HERE FOR PART 1

After Flair took the first fall by rolling up Steamboat in a callback of how The Dragon pinned Flair for the Title at Chi-Town Rumble, Steamboat understood that he had been duped and needed to be even more aggressive than he was during the first seventeen minutes. A one minute rest-period allowed both Steamboat and Flair to get their wits about them and devise (or revise) any strategies each had.

The second fall begins with the next in a long line of staredowns between the two competitors, but the visual roles are reversed. Now that Flair has the upper hand, he now stands at the top turnbuckle, looking down at Steamboat, who – frustrated at The Nature Boy’s stalling, emphatically shouts at Flair to “C’mon!” It seems as Flair’s earlier stalling strategy has effectively gotten into The Dragon’s head, and Flair knows it as he struts and lets out a “Wooo!” Flair circles around the champion. A lockup ends with Flair going to the ropes after a short side headlock and shoulderblock on the champion. Steamboat leapfrogs over the returning Flair and takes him down with an overhead slam. Steamboat’s first offensive maneuver plants Flair on his back – and this will mean something down the road. Steamboat quickly goes up to the turnbuckle and hammers Flair with a chop to the head for a two count.

Steamboat goes back to the side headlock strategy he favored during the first fall that turns into a front face lock. Steamboat’s mannerisms are more urgent as he knows he must do all he can quickly to tie up the match with a pin or submission. Steamboat goes for the side headlock again but Flair is quick to counter with a backdrop suplex. Flair takes his time going to the corner and hits a kneedrop to Steamboat’s head. Flair’s cockiness is reaching his apex, as from his knees he pinches on Tommy Young’s cheek and “Wooo’s” again – but The Nature Boy is taking too much time, adjusting his kneebrace – and pays for it when he misses the second kneedrop attempt.

At this point, Steamboat has had ENOUGH. Knowing that Flair’s offense is leg-based, The Dragon decides he will take out Flair’s own legs so no more attempts at the Figure-4 will be made. FIFTEEN elbow drops delivered by Steamboat on Flair’s left leg highlights not only Steamboat’s strategy, but frustration and anger finally boiling to the surface. Each elbow dropped is crisp and Steamboat throws his body further as he moves along. Immediately following that punishment, Steamboat decides he will get into Flair’s head and attempt to get Flair to submit – something The Nature Boy has never done. But Steamboat won’t apply any hold to add salt into the wound – The Dragon applies Flair’s own Figure-4. Flair screams in agony as Steamboat tugs on Flair’s left leg. Flair drops down in pain and is almost caught in a 3-count as his shoulders hit the mat.

Tommy Young questions Flair, who shakes his head unwilling to submit and screams in Young’s face with so much venom, Young shakes a clenched fist at Flair (I must take this time to admit Tommy Young is my favorite referee ever.) Steamboat launches a shot at Flair’s face that drops his shoulders down to the mat again for a 2-count; and as Flair sits up, he is immediately met with another shot to the forehead that drops him just as quickly for another two. Flair barely inches his left shoulder up and screams, “OH, GOD!” Flair is in trouble. He writhes and struggles to finally reach the bottom rope and tugs on it hard. Tommy Young intervenes to break, but Steamboat makes sure to keep Flair in the Figure-4 for a little more than expected before he breaks away.

Flair attempts to use the second ropes as leverage to stand, but Steamboat will have none of that, as he grabs Flair’s legs to sling the challenger’s body up and away from the ropes. Flair comes crashing down on his back. Steamboat attempts the Figure-4 again, but Flair kicks The Dragon away, who returns to apply a Boston Crab. More pressure applied to Flair’s back and legs. Flair knows he is in a world of hurt, but admitting defeat to Steamboat is the last thing he can afford to do. For the first time in the match, Tommy Young is even expressing empathy for Flair, notifying with a bewildered gesture at the timekeeper that Flair will not submit. Young slowly raises his arm, expecting to call for the bell at any moment. Flair inches his way to the ropes and is in so much pain, he doesn’t even reach for them, simply dropping his hand in his face from underneath the ropes. Again, Steamboat holds on a little longer than usual. Flair twists himself: “Oh, God!” Young has to push Steamboat back and admonish him for nearly breaking the rules – AND holds Steamboat back from attacking further. Steamboat understands he needs to stay aggressive as not following up on his attacks and allowing Flair space to breathe lead to his demise in the first fall. Now is the Champion being *too* aggressive?

Young counts to give Flair a moment to stand, but Steamboat does not wait and drops a few hard chops to Flair’s forehead. Flair rolls away to give separation and lure Steamboat in for a shot to The Dragon’s abs. Flair weakly stands and lands a couple of chops that stun Steamboat. Flair pushes him down to the second rope. We get into the next melee of chops between the two before Flair takes Steamboat down with a side headlock of his own; Flair now taking a page out of Steamboat’s book of utilizing his opponent’s own methods against him. Steamboat reverses out with a headscissors, but Flair flips out into a set of near pinfall attempts – Flair SCREAMING at Tommy Young to “COUNT HIM DOWN” – before Steamboat powers up. Flair’s timing of “NOOOO!” is perfect as his body is lifted from underneath. Steamboat and Flair struggle for a backslide; Steamboat has taken less punishment on his back than Flair, so he is able to successfully drop down to his knees. Flair’s legs hover and writhe in the air to halt Steamboat, but it is futile and Steamboat gets the backslide for a hot nearfall. Flair rolls out of the ring.

Young attempts to freeze Steamboat from going outside, but Steamboat needs to keep on his foe – he shoves the referee out of the way to attack, but Flair uses that small moment to pull Steamboat out from the bottom ropes and tosses The Dragon into the metal railing, who crumples. Flair follows up with an aggressive slam on the mat. For a half hour, Steamboat had been punishing Flair’s back but it has been within the confines of the ring and the “rules” of the match; Flair returns the favor by using objects and the hard environment outside the ring to match the damage he feels. Flair rolls back into the ring to break Tommy Young’s count, who follows Flair out to instruct the challenger to get The Dragon back inside. Flair responds by whipping Steamboat’s back into the railing again. The Dragon’s body language is awesome, here – hanging on by one arm. Flair limps back into the ring as Jim Ross and Terry Funk explains that a Steamboat count out would count as a second fall against The Dragon and Flair would be crowned the new champion. Flair – the heel – would rather take the cheap way out than to honorably defeat Steamboat.

As Young counts Steamboat who struggles to return to the ring, Flair aggressively attacks the Dragon and pulls him up from the apron and jerks his neck from across the top rope (is Flair aware of Steamboat’s past issues with his throat from “another promotion”?) Flair follows up with a right hand to the face. Steamboat wobbles before he collapses on the apron before Flair kicks at the back of his head. Young forces Flair away and pushes him back for the unsportsman-like misconduct. Flair pushes the referee away and sets up Steamboat for a suplex; Steamboat once again shows great body language as he slumps himself on the ropes before Flair brings The Dragon back in with a LONG delayed suplex – a callback to the same move Steamboat performed during the first fall. A LONG two count follows. Flair pulls Steamboat up; Steamboat wobbly and weakly raises a fist with a drunk look on his face. Flair applies an abdominal stretch. Remember that Flair had been working on Steamboat’s ribs for the better part of the first fall – anger and spite pulled Flair away from his strategy and now that he is back in control, he can return to it.

Flair smartly drops down to an Oklahoma crossbody pin from the stretch and once again must fight with everything he has to keep Steamboat’s shoulders to the mat, which he is unable to do. Flair must switch around so he can drop his body weight down on the champion. As Young’s eyes are focused on Steamboat’s shoulders, Flair cheats and puts his legs on the second rope for leverage. Steamboat continues to power out and Flair is pissed that nothing has worked to his advantage. He stands and screams at the fans, who were shouting out to Tommy Young to keep an eye on The Nature Boy’s dishonorable methods. The moment gives Steamboat a chance for some space – so when Flair approaches Steamboat at the ropes, he is met with a chop.

Flair counters with a right fist to the nose, then the jaw. He pulls Steamboat around the ring by his hair and attempts a backdrop suplex; Steamboat flips over to Flair’s shock who is pushed into the ropes for a rollup and a nearfall. Flair kicks out and pushes Steamboat to the bottom rope, who hovers and dangles at the apron. Steamboat meets Flair with a single-leg takedown and a backtrip pinning combination for two. Steamboat then catches Flair with a shot to the throat. Flair is whipped to the ropes, who returns with a hard kick to Steamboat’s chest and follows up with a chop that sends The Dragon flying to the mat hard for a two. Now the crowd begins to chant for Steamboat to find his “fighting spirit”. Flair raises his arms at them, puzzled before he goes to the top turnbuckle. Steamboat catches Flair with a shot to the gut that causes Flair to drop himself on the metal edge of the turnbuckle and the Flair Junk that Jim Ross sharply notes will put The Nature Boy “in the tenor section.”

Steamboat follows up with chops and gets a second-rope superplex, dropping Flair on his back. The challenger seizes in agony as Steamboat continues the attack with chops to Flair’s lower back. Steamboat uses Flair’s own trunks as a slingshot as he hammers a forearm to the damaged body part. Tommy Young is sure to note Steamboat for his conduct. Steamboat decides enough is enough and brings Flair up for a Double-Arm Chickenwing, culminating in all the work Steamboat put in during the match to attack Flair’s back, neck and legs. Flair shakes his head in agony as Tommy Young looks up to request if the challenger will submit. Flair screams “NO”; Young widens his eyes in shock – as a referee who has officiated several matches involving Flair, Tommy Young may be more aware of the predicaments Flair has been in – and this is one Flair has never been in. Young sternly asks again.

“YES!” Tommy Young calls for the bell and Steamboat drops Flair on his face like a sack of potatoes. Ric Flair had NEVER submitted to ANYONE for ANY REASON at all until now. Steamboat had a strategy – one he had explained for weeks that he was working on but would not reveal during television interviews and now we had witnessed it in all its glory. By keeping on Flair’s surgically-repaired back, and wrenching on his neck and even attacking Flair’s legs, Steamboat opened the doors for himself to place Flair in a position he never had encountered before…a submission. To lose by pin is one thing – one cannot help being incapacitated or even duped for a three-count; to submit is an entirely different moment psychologically. One must be still in sound mind enough to feel so much pain that they cannot take it anymore and PUBLICLY ADMIT defeat. For Flair, who made a career of humiliating his opponents via submission to get a taste of his own medicine was comeuppance on a grand scale. Not only had Steamboat effectively tied the falls of the match, now the Dragon had a clear psychological advantage on The Nature Boy that lead into the third and decisive fall.

As we get into the final fall, a very clear story has been laid out for us; from the beginning, Ricky Steamboat has been able to out-wrestle Ric Flair, control the match when he controls the pace, and even devise a strategy that allowed him to defeat Flair by pinfall. The only real mistake The Dragon made was not realizing that Flair had his rollup from the first fall scouted based on their previous encounter at Chi-Town. Flair on the other hand, has been outwitted for the better part of 35 minutes and has discovered his own mortality as he reached a threshold of pain he could not overcome, and an opponent who – when their rivalry started – was his equal, but now is beginning to surpass him. Steamboat has even shown more aggressiveness than Flair for the better part of their match.

What lengths will Flair go to re-claim the title? For that matter, how far will Steamboat will go to keep it? Who will go into the third fall with the better strategy and who can better manipulate their environment to will the live audience to give them whatever “fighting spirit” they need to persevere? Find out next week.

Len Archibald is the former Executive Director of the Northwest Ohio Independent Film Festival, and is a current movie reviewer for WLIO in Lima, Ohio.

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