The First Five Stars: "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs "Hacksaw" Butch Reed [Videos]

Ric Flair and Gordon Solie in 1982

In the early 1980s, long before star ratings became part of everyday wrestling discourse, two rising stars met in South Florida for a match that would quietly make history. On April 7, 1982, the NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair stepped into the ring with the powerful and fast-rising “Hacksaw” Butch Reed at a Championship Wrestling from Florida event in Miami Beach. What unfolded that night was more than just a title defense—it was the beginning of a benchmark.

Years later, wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer would look back on this bout and award it the first five-star rating of his now-famous match evaluation system, a scale that would go on to shape how generations of fans discuss and analyze professional wrestling.

 

It’s the fact that I live a lifestyle, never ever equaled by any other man.

My man, Sam, right here, and check out this limousine, my own Learjet.

And look what I travel with, the most beautiful women on the face of this earth.

This is why the World’s Heavyweight Champion, not Joe Montana, not Burt Reynolds, not turkeys like that, but a real man, the World’s Heavyweight Champion, that’s what makes me a little different.

- Ric Flair

Ric Flair Promo

Championship Wrestling

April 1982

Champion "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs Butch Reed

NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match

Championship Wrestling

Miami Beach, Florida

April 7, 1982

Butch Reed rips off Ric Flair's suit

Championship Wrestling

Tampa, Florida

Aired May 1, 1982

1989: The Year Professional Wrestling Found Its Creative Peak [Videos]

While professional wrestling in the 1980s had already experienced explosive growth through spectacle and mainstream exposure, 1989 stands apart as the year where craft finally caught up with charisma.

Hulk Hogan had dominated the professional wrestling landscape since 1985, fueled by the national expansion of Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation. By the late 1980s, wrestling had reached its commercial peak—but in 1989, something important changed. Simply put, characters and matches got better. Across promotions, storytelling, motivation, and in-ring performance aligned. 1989 is when professional wrestling became sharper, more emotional, and more complete.

While names like Hulk Hogan, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, and Ricky Steamboat were the standard bearers of the era, the upper card and next generation—Rick Rude, Ultimate Warrior, Lex Luger, Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Shawn Michaels, Sid Vicious, and Mr. Perfect—were rising into prominence. The year also marked the professional wrestling debuts of future icons including Steve Austin, Booker T, and Rey Mysterio, quietly signaling the direction wrestling would take in the decade ahead.

"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase vs Bret "Hitman" Hart

March 8, 1989

Aired on March 20, 1989

Odessa, Texas

Randy Savage vs Hulk Hogan

Wrestemania V

April 2, 1989

Bret Hart Promo

May 1989

WCCW Classic: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich at Parade of Champions, 1984 [Videos]

 

On May 6, 1984, Texas Stadium played host to one of the most emotional and unforgettable nights in wrestling history. Ric Flair, the traveling world champion and master of the spotlight, arrived at the Parade of Champions to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Kerry Von Erich, just three months after the tragic passing of Kerry’s brother, David. This match continues to resonate with fans who lived through the era, as well as those discovering it for the first time.

💰 Starrcade ’84: The Million Dollar Challenge – Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes [Videos]

The stage was set in Greensboro, North Carolina, for one of the most electric nights in NWA history — The Million Dollar Challenge, featuring Special Guest Referee “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, the World’s Heavyweight Champion, brought the limousine-ridin’, jet-flyin’ lifestyle, while “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes brought the blue-collar fire of every fan who believed in the Dream.

Relive the promos, the intensity, and the main event showdown that defined an era — just months before the World Wrestling Federation would introduce WrestleMania and change the professional wrestling industry forever.

Starrcade '84 Main Event Announcement

World Wide Wrestling

Aired on October 20, 1984

Greensboro, North Carolina

"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes

Promos

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair

Promos

Ric Flair vs Dusty Rhodes

Starrcade '84

November 22, 1984

Greensboro, North Carolina

💎 Hidden Gem Spotlight: Ric Flair vs. Junkyard Dog – Clash of the Champions XI

💎 Hidden Gem Spotlight

Ric Flair vs. Junkyard Dog – Clash of the Champions XI

📅 June 13, 1990 | 📺 TBS | 🏆 NWA World Heavyweight Championship

"To be the man… you’ve got to beat the man!" – Ric Flair
“Grab them cakes!” – Junkyard Dog

 

🛣 The Road to Coastal Crush

In mid-1990, Ric Flair was deep into another golden run as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, flanked by the Four Horsemen and dodging top contenders left and right. But at Clash of the Champions XI, held in Charleston, South Carolina, he met an unlikely challenger in the beloved powerhouse: Junkyard Dog.

Though best remembered for his WWF run, JYD had made his return to the southern scene in WCW, becoming a surprise fan-favorite in the NWA title picture. This match would mark JYD’s final major world title challenge on national TV—a collision of two iconic forces, each representing a different era and style.

🔥 Match Breakdown

This was classic southern-style storytelling. The clash wasn’t about high spots—it was about attitude, charisma, and power.

• Flair bumped like crazy to make JYD look like a monster.

• JYD used his signature headbutts and brute strength to keep the champ on the run.

• Flair’s use of the chair did not work on JYD's hard head.

• The crowd? Red hot throughout, rallying behind JYD every time he rallied back.

• Just when it looked like JYD might shock the world, The Horsemen struck—causing a disqualification and beating down JYD in classic Flair fashion. 

• The brawl with Horsemen sets up Sting’s return.

💥 Aftermath & Legacy

The post-match attack set the stage for Sting’s return and reignited the fire heading into Great American Bash ’90, where Sting would finally dethrone Flair.

But for JYD, this bout was a farewell to world title contention—an underrated performance in a role he rarely got to play: the main event hero on a big TV special.

This match is often overlooked, but it’s pure pro wrestling theater—short, sweet, and packed with energy.

📼 Watch It Back

Intro for Clash of Champions XI

with Tony Schiavone

Tony Schiavone interviews Junkyard Dog

Clash of Champions XI

The Four Horsemen Speak

with Tony Schiavone

Clash of Champions XI

JYD and Flair's walk to the Ring

Clash of Champions XI

NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match

Ric Flair (c) vs Junkyard Dog

Clash of Champions XI

Post Match

Rocky King Interview

with Jim Ross

Clash of Champions XI

Watch the full Clash of Champions XI event at: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x94pjf2

📊 Match Rating 

Not a high-rated bout—Cagematch averages a modest 4.2/10—but it’s a compelling snapshot of WCW’s transition era. WCW’s direction in June 1990 was much different than WWF at the time, some saw WCW floundering while building toward Great American Bash.

🔍 Hot Tag Notes

🔹 Flair's robe game was elite here—gold trim in enemy territory.
🔹 JYD was visibly slowing down physically but still oozed charisma.
🔹 The crowd's reaction was louder than some PPVs that year!
🔹 This match helped hold fans’ interest while Sting was injured.
🔹 A surprising stat: “Cagematch voters rate it only 4.2/10—far lower than typical Clash main events

🔹Showing his physical decline, JYD still earned audible cheers, proving his connection with fans

🔹 Jim Ross and Bob Caudle on commentary = chef’s kiss 🎙

Search Ric Flair in the search bar on the homepage for more: https://prowrestlingresource.blogspot.com

WWF PRIME TIME WRESTLING 09/09/91 [Videos]

On September 9, 1991, Ric Flair made his historic World Wrestling Federation (WWF) television debut with the World Heavyweight Championship on an episode of WWF Prime Time Wrestling, after a long successful career with rival promotion NWA/WCW.

Below is a good example of an episode of WWF Prime Time Wrestling which aired on the USA Network from the end of the so-called "Golden Age" of Professional Wrestling, showing the excellent production values of the WWF compared to other wrestling promotions at the time. WWF Prime Time Wrestling primarily served as a recap program, showcasing quality matches and interview segments from WWF syndicated programs and pay-per-views. WWF Prime Time Wrestling was replaced in January 1993 on the USA Network, with the premiere of  WWF Monday Night Raw.

The Perfect Partner on Thanksgiving [Videos]

After years of being a heel (bad guy) in the World Wrestling Federation, Mr. Perfect turned face (into a good guy) in November 1992, when he turned on "manager" Bobby Heenan to become the perfect tag team partner of "Macho Man" Randy Savage to face against Razor Ramon and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair at the 1992 Survivor Series on Thanksgiving.

Mr. Perfect and Bobby Heenan

with Vince McMahon

WWF Prime Time Wrestling

Aired January 6, 1992

Mr. Perfect Accepts Savage's Offer

WWF Prime Time Wrestling

Aired November 16, 1992

Gene Okerlund Interviews Mr. Perfect and Randy Savage

Survivor Series Showdown

Aired November 22, 1992

Savage and Heenan Discuss Perfect

WWF Prime Time Wrestling

Aired November 30, 1992

Bret Hart speaks about returning to WWE in Calgary [Videos]

On September 9, 2024, Bret "The Hitman" Hart made a special appearance on an episode of WWE RAW which aired on the USA Network. Hart's last appearance on a WWE program was on September 3, 2022, when he was ringside during the Clash at the Castle event in the United Kingdom.

September 9, 2024

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

WWE RAW

September 9, 2024

Bonus Video:

Ric Flair Comments on Bret Hart

"The best there was, the best is, the best there ever will be."

May 2024

NBC Sportsworld: A Look at Professional Wrestling in 1985 [Videos]

Bob Costas hosted the NBC Sportsworld television program's profile on professional wrestling in 1985, which included interviews with Vince McMahon from the World Wrestling Federation and Jerry Lawler with Memphis Wrestling.

Classic Matches: Bret Hart vs Ric Flair on October 12, 1992 [Videos]

At a WWF Superstars television taping, World Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair faced challenger Bret "Hitman" Hart on Monday, October 12, 1992, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. After years as a tag team wrestler and later a WWF Intercontinental Champion, Hart won his first World Title and beat Flair in a rare title change not to occur on a pay-per-view event. In fact, the 26-minute match wasn't seen by the public at large until it was released on the VHS Coliseum Video, Smack 'Em Whack 'Em, on April 21, 1993, 17 days after Hart had lost the title and Hulk Hogan had won the title from Yokozuna at Wrestlemania IX.

WWF World Heavyweight Championship Match

Ric Flair vs Bret "Hitman" Hart

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

October 12, 1992

Gene Okerlund interviews the new WWF Champion

Filmed on October 12, 1992

Classic Matches: Randy Savage vs Ric Flair on Father's Day [Videos]

 

Randy Savage vs Ric Flair

United States Championship Tournament

WCW Saturday Night

Atlanta, Georgia

June 3, 1995

Ric Flair Promo

World Championship Wrestling

The Great American Bash

Dayton, Ohio

June 18, 1995

Randy Savage vs Ric Flair

World Championship Wrestling

The Great American Bash

Dayton, Ohio

June 18, 1995

Classic Promos: Dusty Rhodes "Hard Times" [Videos]

 

Dusty Rhodes "Hard Times" Promo

Mid-Atlantic Wrestling

October 29, 1985

 "First of all, I would like to thank the many, many fans throughout this country that wrote cards and letters to Dusty Rhodes, the American Dream, while I was down. Secondly, I want to thank Jim Crockett Promotions for waiting and taking the time, because I know how important it was -- Starrcade '85 -- it is to the wrestling fans and it is to Jim Crockett Promotions. And Dusty Rhodes, the American Dream, with that wait, got what I wanted: Ric Flair, the world's heavyweight champion!

I don't have to say a lot more about the way I feel about Ric Flair. No respect! No honor! There is no honor among thieves in the first place. He put hard times on Dusty Rhodes and his family. You don't know what hard times are, Daddy! Hard times are when the textile workers around this country are out of work and got four, five kids, and can't pay their wages, can't buy their food. Hard times are when the auto workers are out of work and they tell them 'Go home!'. And hard times are when a man has worked at a job thirty years -- thirty years! -- they give him a watch, kick him in the butt and say 'Hey, a computer took your place, Daddy!'. That's hard times! That's hard times.

And Ric Flair, you put hard times on this country by taking Dusty Rhodes out. That's hard times! And we all had hard times together. I admit, I don't look like the athlete of today supposed to look. My belly is just a little big, my hiney is just a little big, but brother, I am bad, and they know I'm bad. And there were two bad people: one was John Wayne -- and he's dead, brother -- and the other one is right here!

Nature Boy Ric Flair, the world's heavyweight title belongs to these people. I'm gonna reach out right now. I want you at home to know, my hand is touching your hand for this gathering of the biggest body of people in this country, in this universe, all over the world. Now reach it out! Because the love that was given me -- and this time I will repay you, now. Because I will be the next world's heavyweight champion, of this Hard Times Blues Dusty Rhodes Tour '85!

And Ric Flair, Nature Boy, let me leave you with this: One way to hurt Ric Flair is to take what he cherishes more than anything in the world. That's the world's heavyweight title. I'm gonna take it. I've been there twice. This time, when I take it, Daddy, I'm gonna take it for you [the fans]. Let's gather for it! Don't let me down now, 'cause I came back for you, for that man up there that died ten, twelve years ago, that never got the opportunity to see a real world's champion. I'm proud of you and thank god I have you. I love you. Love you!"

Bonus Video:

Pro Wrestling Illustrated Scouting Report

with Bill Apter and Ric Flair

Special Guest Dusty Rhodes

Mid-Atlantic Wrestling

October 26, 1985

Classic Matches: Ric Flair vs Kerry Von Erich - Sunday, May 6, 1984 [Videos]

 

Nearly 40 years ago, Kerry Von Erich (Kerry Gene Adkisson) defeated NWA World Heavyweight Champion, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, becoming at the time, the youngest wrestler to win the title at age 24. This match was later featured in the 2023 biographical sports drama film, The Iron Claw.

The Introductions

The Match

The Finish and Interviews

The Masked Superstar [Videos]

 

The Masked Superstar on Buddy's Corner

WWF Championship Wrestling

September/October 1983

The Masked Superstar vs Chuck Tanner

and Pre-match Interview with Vince McMahon

WWF Championship Wrestling

October 1983

The Masked Superstar vs Steve Lombardi

All Star Wrestling

January 1984

The Masked Superstar vs Tony Garea

All Star Wrestling

with Vince McMahon and Gene Okerlund

Aired February 5, 1984

WWF Heavyweight Championship Match

Hulk Hogan vs The Masked Superstar

Filmed on February 10, 1984, in St. Louis, MO

Later Aired on Championship Wrestling

June 2, 1984

WWF Heavyweight Championship Match

Hulk Hogan vs The Masked Superstar

February 18, 1984

The Masked Superstar Interview

Piper's Pit with Rowdy Roddy Piper

Wrestling Challenge

Aired February 22, 1984

Hulk Hogan Promo on the Masked Superstar

February 25, 1984

Los Angeles, California

The Masked Superstar Interview

Victory's Corner with Robert Debord

Recorded in January, aired on March 15, 1984

The Masked Superstar Interview

with Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes

Georgia Championship Wrestling on WTBS

1984

The Masked Superstar Interview

International Wrestling in Canada

1985

Evolution Introduced [Videos]

Ric Flair, Triple H, Batista, and Randy Orton

Raw

February 3, 2003

Washington, D.C.

BONUS CLIPS

Raw

February 21, 2005

State College, Pennsylvania

Raw

December 10, 2007

Bridgeport, Connecticut