The Ripple Effect 3.30.07: WrestleMania Special (2 of 3) - Ric Flair
Posted by Zac Calhoun on 03.30.2007
In the final edition before WM, we discuss the MITB participants, Hogan/Savage in comparison to Brock/Goldberg (kind of), and the legend who's made the most out of his WM appearances in the past five years. Who's getting drunk Sunday?
It's here, and it's going to be fun…
In less than 72 hours from the time this column goes up, the greatest four hours in the wrestling fan's year begins. We've got eight matches lined up for WrestleMania 23 (some more important than others), so let's take one more look at the card:
If you're wondering, the matches are listen in order of their importance to me and not necessarily to the WWE higher ups. If you want my predictions, by all means visit the WM Roundtable. For now, let's get going with the RE!
Diversions…
Here we are, the last Monday Night Raw before WrestleMania, and who's opening the show? That's right, the Coach! I guess WWE really knows how to pimp its big shows. I do think it's admirable that they're adding several layers to the Trump/McMahon feud; not only are they going up against each other at WM, but they're acting through two hired guns, which adds some actual wrestling intrigue and helps two superstars who could use the credibility boost. Then to sweeten the pot a little bit, Vince is making these allegations (I can't believe I'm using that term to describe a wrestling storyline) that Trump is paying Austin off, and Austin thinks there's this other conspiracy going on involving Vince and Umaga. The whole thing is getting very complicated, but one thing you can't say about it is that it's boring
The ladies' match was about like other ladies' matches I guess. Fellow 411 guy Arnold Furious (whose archive I'm starting to check out more and more these days) asked a question in his Raw report for this week that's along the lines with something I've wondered for years. His question was simply, what is Victoria's last name? My similar question is, what are all the Divas' last names? I've always thought the way WWE denies the female performers the right to be called something other than their first name (Terri, Debra, Ashley) is just another example of WWE's blatant and unending objectification of women. I won't get too preachy here, but things like that just make it embarrassing to show wrestling to your friends. Kudos to guys like Arnold who still include their last names in their recaps.
I'll say, what a monstrous reaction CM Punk got from his hometown Chicago crowd! I actually made a sandwich during the first few minutes of Raw and missed when JR announced they were in Chicago, so I figured Punk was just that over with the Raw crowd. That wasn't really the case, but it was still a cool thing to hear.
Punk again looked like a star in the MITB pimp segment, getting the biggest reaction of all eight competitors by far. It's nice that they gave Edge the anchor position for the promo, as he very much deserves to be seen as the favorite going into WM. And sorry Matt, one kind of funny Lita joke doesn't make up for the fact that your skills in intimidation make Dakota Fanning look like Goldberg. Also, and it saddens me to say this, I think the King Booker gimmick has just about run its course. Seriously, where are they going to go with the character now? Maybe if there were more top level babyfaces on SD things would look a little better, but as it stands now there's just no more room for Booker's act in its current form. Personally, I think turning him face would be a fantastic idea; I know Booker's got the chops to pull it off. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Edge's version of the Jeff Hardy dance…it was brilliant and hilarious. Booker's little "prancing pinky pose" is pretty fun too.
Vince's win over Lashley reinforced the only hard and fast rule in WWE: if Vince GUARAN-DAMN-TEES something, it's going to happen.
Speaking of Matt Hardy not posing any kind of threat, he and Jeff were the proud recipients of a big fat job to Orton and Kennedy. I'll tell you, when Matt gets his turn to do the slow climb during MITB, no one's going to get the least bit excited because they know what his chances are to retrieve the briefcase. So thanks for hammering that home WWE.
Why aren't Carlito and Flair having a match at WM? I figured that's what this whole respect feud has been building toward? They've actually managed to turn this into a something meaningful, and Carlito's getting good, legit heat from it, so why not have them go at it? By my count, there are only eight matches signed for the show so far, which is a mere two days away. They need to either fill that thing up (with Carlito/Flair and a London & Kendrick match) or make sure Khali and the Sandman can go for twenty minutes. In other words, please fill it up!
The culmination (thus far) of the Cena/Michaels feud confirms that WWE has played their cards right with this storyline. Here's the key to the whole thing: both Cena and Michaels view each other as relative equals. That is, they know that the other guy can beat them on any given night. So above all the personal bullshit that comes between them, they will always respect the hell out of each other, which makes for a very interesting and unique feud. HBK and Cena have also made the right choices in regards to building crowd reaction. Now you've got a situation where fans can cheer when Cena drops HBK for an FU, but they can also cheer (and did) when Shawn does something like what he did Monday night. That superkick, albeit totally expected, solidified that HBK is ready to go and that the crowd is ready to watch him go. I'd say he's going to be the heavy fan favorite at WM.
E-Mails
First, from Simon, who chimes in with his very detailed Money In the Bank prediction:
In my opinion it will, or at least it should be none other than Edge. Why?
Well, for a multitude of reasons which are actually all in plain sight.
Let's break it down. First, whom do we have in the match?
1. Finlay - obviously he is not going to win. He's not in there to win. He's
in there to direct the traffic, keep the rookies in line and help avoid the
accidents like Orton's stupid behaviour at the end of the Rated RKO/DX match
in which Trips got hurt.
2-3. Both Hardyz - likewise, I don't think any of them has a real chance to
win. "A main event waiting to happen" for all we see each week on SD! and have
been seeing all the time since he came back (including a 4 minute clean job to
Snitsky) is seen as about as much of a main event material as Chavo. Both I
believe are in it because of their huge experience with the ladder stuff (as
seen once again in the Fatal 4 Way WWETT match) to fly around, do lots of
crazy things (see also WMX-7) and maybe get a few hard shots from Edge in
order to add drama (which all 3 guys have already done before). They're also
in here to counter the lack of Shelton Benjamin this year, who's been the
resident "crazy spot guy" in both past MITB matches. (and I also suspect Matt
is in there to help keep Jeff in line, of whom the upper management may still
not be certain)
4. C.M. Punk - he will definately one day be a champion in the WWE, though
maybe not the main champion, but with all that in mind, I don't think this is
considered to be "his time" yet. He'll probably come close to winning, but
just short enough to make an impression that he could. Also the "ECW
Originals/New Breed" storyline can be pushed forward with his win/loss in this
match, specially if the 8 man tag would be to follow.
5. King Booker - Booker is a proved main eventer and a former champion in his
own right, yet I don't see him in the SD! main event in the immediate future.
With the strong possibility of (the rejuvanated) Undertaker winning the title
and Batista turning heel, I see them both feuding for some time without anyone
being added from the outside. Booker will be back in the title picture (though
maybe not with the belt itself), but not yet. Also since he's quite agile for
a guy of 250+lbs and has proved he can do some flying, there isn't much risk
in putting him in that match unlike it would be with a lump like Masters,
Lashley or Cena. He's in there to add some star power and a mixture of
brawling/jumping skills.
6. Ken Kennedy (Kennedy!) - now he is a mixed case. Basically see all points
2-5. Kennedy is a proven main eventer, who is (although still in a development
phase) so far looking to be a total package. He's got charisma, he can cut a
mean promo and he can go with whomever he's thrown in and not only get a good
match, but also tons of heat. He's a proven quality with a great future ahead
of him, yet in the recent months he's been only used to put over/get heat on
other less talented guys like Lashley. His time will come and he will be the
(not just 'a') champion one day, but not yet.
7. Randy Orton - this is the easiest one. The MacMahonmanagement still has
faith in and hope for young Randall, yet he seems hell bent on proving them
wrong. It's basically like the exchange he had some time ago with Edge goes -
Randy: "do you know how many title shots did I have last year? Zero!", Edge:
"You know Randy, there might be a good reason for it.". Randy is a former
champion, but right now he's not really higher than an upper midcarder and
with good reasons. He might and probably will giving his age, make his way to
the title picture again, but not until he proves he can do it. For now I
believe he's in it to further his story with Edge and probably culminate in
their break-up. Also, with the recent "steroid case" coming out, he may not be
the best guy to have in the title picture right now (granted, that should also
rule out Cena and Batista).
And that brings us to...
8. Edge - I see several reasons for his win. For one he is a proven main
eventer and what's more, a proven champion (I'm looking at you, Randall). He
has charisma, mic skill, in-ring skill (be it brawling, high flying, hardcore
or what have you) and is a heat magnet. Remember that he's the first heel that
made Cena actually get cheered, which IMO makes him a better heel than Triple
H or Angle (and there are no higher level heels on RAW right now (no, Umaga
and Khali don't really count)). I don't see Cena turning and HBK will get
cheered whether he wins the title or not (and I have a strong suspicion he
will, if only to move the stagnant title picture a bit). He'd be a great heel
addition to the face-face feud (and everybody knows Cena looks good in 3-Way
matches!) and he's been away from the title picture for long enough. Having
him carry the briefcase around, even if he doesn't use it for half a year or
so, is a proven recepee for success...
And one more, though a very important IMO thing - Edge's streak.
Now while not nearly as impressive as Undertaker's, it's quite big already and
has been acknowledged several times on the air. I see him winning the match if
only to keep it intact for any possible future use. I think the Undertaker's
example has shown how much heat a simple Mania winning streak can get and how
much potential for future feuds/matches it has, whether it's a heel or a face
streak. I seriously believe that if someone else was to win the MITB, Edge
would be put in a last minute thrown-together singles match that he would
easily win (see Mania X8) just to keep the streak going. Plus, we can't forget
that if he wins, he actually has much more rights to brag about the streak
than 'Taker. After all, unlike the Taker's line of hoss jobers, none of whom
was really seen as a threat (with a possible exception of Kane - the first
time), almost all of Edge's wins came out of hard-fought multi-man matches
like the TLC or the past MITB. More heat.
And more so, I do believe that the WWE upper management not only wishes to
keep pushing Edge as the pure home-grown talent, in which they have invested a
lot, but also one that has proven his worth.
I know it's mostly the repeat of what you said in your column, but when you
put it all together, for me it points out to Edge as, while not the certain,
definately the most probably winner.
Keep up the good work
Thanks for the feedback Simon; you've written one of the better e-mails I've gotten since starting at 411. And you raise some interesting points about the MITB competitors. Since you went through them one-by-one, it would be rude of me not to do the same, so here we go…
Finlay – I agree with you wholeheartedly about his chances in the match. He's not been given any spotlight, and they haven't paid enough attention to him to justify a title program. I do hope he finds the chance to do something particularly painful to Orton, like a suplex off the ladder or something.
Jeff Hardy – He's in the match for two reasons: 1) as a reward for his entertaining WWE resurgence, and 2) to throw his body through all kinds of shit to make the crowd happy. As long as he does this (and dances), he'll have fulfilled his role.
Matt Hardy – The reason Matt's in this match...are slightly less clear than for Jeff. It would be preposterous for him to win with the way they've been booking him. He's there simply to fall through shit as well.
CM Punk – He's slowly becoming a main focus in ECW again and should come very close to winning the MITB, but he won't. I am very excited to see him make another big time appearance though; Survivor Series was like his coming out party.
King Booker – It certainly doesn't look like he'll be main eventing SD anytime soon, so it'd be pretty dumb to bet on our King to win the briefcase. The reason he's in there is much the same as the RKO boys: the bookers didn't come up with anything more interesting for them to do.
Mr. Kennedy – See, if you hadn't persuaded me with this e-mail, Kennedy would've been my guy. He could use the title shot on Taker at some point after WM (maybe the Bash or SummerSlam) and win it through some kind of nefarious means. Thus MITB retains its "every winner has won a world title" prestige, and another upper-mid level guy breaks through. They're booking him strongly enough, so why not?
Randy Orton – Refer to the next e-mail for my brief thoughts on Orton…
Edge – Although I don't think he should even be in this match to begin with, he does appear to be the safest bet. Ideally, they should give it to someone who hasn't earned the right to be given title shots (like Edge), but his winning does keep his streak alive, which I think is very important to his character's ethos. I think that's the right word.
Thank you Simon, and by the way your System is fantastic. Am I supposed to grow warts on my testicles though?
Next, from frequent contributor Saad Manzar, who gives some gratitude to yours truly; I usually cut the compliments out of the e-mails when I post them for humility's sake, but this one contained a statement that could NOT go ignored:
Thanks for debating and posting my emails. Of course the new debate would be about Randy Orton(I think he has extremely high potential to be the next Rock), but we will save that for another time.
Now, I consider myself to be a very forgiving wrestling fan. I don't hate on guys quite as much as most IWC people do, perhaps because I was just a baby during the Rock N'Wrestling era and don't know how good it once was or perhaps because I'm just easily amused. But I am not so wildly and blindly optimistic that I would ever…AND THE ROCK MEANS EVER…place a guy like Randy Orton in the same position as the jabroni beatin', pie eatin', most electrifying man in sports entertainment!
I eagerly await this "other time" of which you speak.
The RE Wrestling Clip of the Week
This week, to give you guys a little perspective on Sunday's event, we're taking a look at one of the most legendary big-time feuds in WM history...to be immediately followed by one of the least legendary.
First I want to make this clear: I'm of the opinion that Hulk Hogan should just leave wrestling the fuck alone. I think he's done a whole lot for the business, but there's a time to go quietly into the sunset. With promos like this one however, it's easy to see why he was as huge as he was. WM V was in 1989 and featured the famous main-event of Savage vs. Hogan. Before the match, Hogan gave this promo with Mean Gene that really makes for a good memento of the awesome feud they had. Hogan gets all the catch phrases in and brings an insane level of intensity to the interview. It got me wanting to see the match to be sure.
Bill Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar however, wasn't so intense. It seemed like a pretty good idea, putting Brock and Goldberg together for a quasi dream match at WM, but sometimes life can fuck things up. The match was shaping up to at least be entertaining if nothing else, and then Lesnar and Goldberg both decided they were done with WWE. And unfortunately for them, the crowd was a little smarter than Vince thought they were. Simply put, the match was shat upon. Of course, none of that's in the video, so for something to watch for just count the number of industry terms Goldberg casually throws out (like "getting over").
A True Legend's "Third Wind"
This is the second of the RE's three-part look at some of WM's most successful yet wholly unlegendary superstars. These guys have had very successful careers, but we wouldn't usually associate them with WM above all their other accomplishments. However, their performances on WWE's biggest stage have stood the ttest of time and proven important for their careers and the general booking of the company. These are WrestleMania's second-tier legends.
Over its twenty-year history, WrestleMania has, just like any successful enterprise, been given plenty of labels. And one of my personal favorites is (deep voice) "the showcase of the immortals." More than any other of WWE's manufactured taglines, this one really breaks down what's so great about WM to the fans. It implies that the performers who make it to the WM stage are the elite figures in the business. In the years since Vince bought out his competition, that statement has only become truer.
However, because WWE wasn't the only wrestling game in town for the first seventeen years of its existence, many of the industry's greatest never got the chance to shine on this big a stage. Sure, guys like Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race and Barry Windham all fought at WM at some point, but they were still primarily NWA performers and were never identified with WM itself. Territorial stars like Jerry Lawler and the Von Erichs were too busy doing their respective things in their respective areas of the country to ever make an impact on a national stage. And the sport's most legendary performer, despite a quick run with Vince in the early ‘90s, was mostly busy making names for NWA and WCW to really etch his name in the WM annals. But out of Vince's hostile takeover in 2001 came something we fans had wanted to see since '92 but never thought we would: a second chance for the Nature Boy!
So with that, let's continue the RE's WrestleMania perspective by spotlighting a legend who's used WM to bring a successful new chapter to a glorious career.
In 1992, Ric Flair defended and lost the WWF Championship to Randy Savage in what was (until the WCW buyout) Ric's only WM appearance. He had arrived in the WWF not long before that and left quietly and without incident not long after. Of course, that isn't to say that his run wasn't successful; on the contrary, he won the WWF title after a heroic heel performance in the '92 Royal Rumble and carried it all the way through WM. But Flair was a WCW guy at heart and returned there soon after losing the title, remaining with the company right up to last match in their history, in which Flair lost to fellow WCW legend Sting. Then fate intervened and Flair signed with WWE late 2001, effectively bringing the competition's most recognizable face right onto Vince's TV screens. And as luck would have it, WrestleMania was just around the corner.
When Ric made his return to the WWF, the bookers wasted no time in creating big-time angles for him. After initially feuding with Vince as co-WWF owners, Flair was put into a lengthy feud with the Undertaker. The feud, which coincided with both the "Bikertaker" phase of the character and Taker's last heel run to date, hit high gear when Taker started targeting those closest to Flair as a result of Ric's refusal to accept a match for WM. He even went so far as to attack Ric's best friend Arn Anderson and his son David. When Flair finally agreed to a match between the two at WM, you could tell all the intensity and fire of his younger days was back. Taker opened up a can of worms that for his sake would probably be best left closed.
In the actual match, we were all able to behold a consummate pro doing his thing under the brightest spotlight in the sport once again. Both Flair and Taker played their roles to perfection at WM X-8 in Toronto, electrifying the crowd and making them scream for the Nature Boy of old to return and end Taker's big streak. Not only did Flair prove the critics who thought he simply couldn't go anymore wrong but also the people who didn't believe in his ability anymore. I vividly remember marking out like a little kid watching Flair slip the figure-four around Taker's big ass legs once he finally took the advantage, and I remember thinking he was actually going to pull off the upset. And as an Easter egg for long time fans, AA joined the party mid-way for a superb spinebuster on Taker, as revenge for the earlier attack. The whole affair didn't necessarily steal the show at WM X-8, but was a very entertaining contest that helped thrust Flair back into the national spotlight.
Flair sat out the next year's WM, partially because of his age and condition, partially because he was more HHH's manager than an actual wrestler, and partially because the writers just didn't have anything for him to do. Whatever the reason, Ric would have to wait another year before delivering another exciting performance, which he most definitely did, with help from a pair of fellow veterans who know how to work a crowd.
By the time WM XX rolled around in 2004, Monday Night Raw was almost solely focused on getting over the foursome of Evolution. At Armageddon 2003, the group managed to win (not just successfully defend but win) all of Raw's championships in one night. Needless to say, Flair was riding high on the momentum of Monday night's number one power stable. So it was only appropriate that at least one WM match would feature Evolution working as a unit. As an extension of the feud Evolution member Randy Orton was having with Mick Foley, Orton, Flair and Batista teamed up to take on Foley and the Rock.
On a night filled with big matches, Evolution/Rock ‘N Sock took a relative backseat (it was only the fifth match of the evening), but they were still able to shine, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Flair. Whereas Orton/Foley was the technical reason for the match, something we fans kind of forgot about was the chance to see Flair go toe-to-toe with Rocky himself. When the two finally squared off for the first time, the crowd went nuts and the feeling of a "big moment" filled the air. A particularly memorable moment came when Flair attempted a strut-filled People's Elbow, only for Rocky to nip up, give him a spinebuster, and deliver an Elbow one of his own (complete with a strut for good "fuck you" measure). To top it all off for Flair, Evolution ended up winning the match after Orton gave an RKO to Foley cleanly in the middle of the ring. It still stands as Ric's only WM victory, and it was quite the memorable match.
In what seems to be an emerging pattern for the odd numbered shows (judging my his absence on the WM 23 card), Flair was not booked in a match for 2005's WM 21 in the Staples Center. He did have a hand in the main event, playing counselor to HHH for his feud with Batista, but Ric's role in this WM is certainly nothing to write home about. He did manage to drop a very well-received "whoo" on JBL though, during a backstage promo.
After HHH and Batista finished their feud and Hunter took a short hiatus from the road, Flair started to gain more momentum as a legit singles competitor. Without the constant focus of getting over all the Evolution boys, Ric could finally better his own career again. His feud with the H's upon his return was very well done, with both guys coming out of it stronger than they were before and ready to push toward WM 22. Fortunately, Flair was able to maintain enough momentum to be put into the second installment of the Money In the Bank Ladder Match. To say that he stood a huge chance of winning the title shot would be pretty inaccurate; he was there to bring some credibility to the match and make us jump off our seats when he got his climbing spots, everyone gleefully picturing him holding the briefcase (and soon after, a world title) above his shoulders.
In the match itself, Flair ended up putting his body on the line more than most of us thought he would, taking a vertical suplex right off the top of the ladder about five minutes into the match. The referees shot the X's after the bump (which I guess is exclusively fake now), and Ric was taken away from ringside. A little less than ten minutes later, after Shelton, Hardy, RVD, Finlay and Lashley had nearly destroyed each other, Flair hungrily walked back to the ring as Finlay (who was the only man in the ring) looked on in surprise. JR really put it in perspective when he pointed out how ridiculous it was for a near sixty-year-old to be taking those kinds of bumps. But if there's one guy in this business who keeps amazing us with his longevity, it's Flair. He didn't win the match, but his career resurgence was further solidified by his legitimately courageous performance at WM 22.
That brings us to today…as per the pattern mentioned earlier, this year's installment of WM will feature no match from the Nature Boy. What's worse is that he won't even be in a managerial role like he was the previous two times he was left off the card. It seems that WM 23 will feature the least we've seen in a long time of the man who many feel is the absolute greatest wrestler in history.
But when taking a look at the outstanding performances he's delivered over the past five years, you've got to agree that he's earned a year or two off. I remember watching episodes of Nitro in 1999 and thinking to myself how ludicrous it was that a man with Flair's age, physical size and over abundance of man boobies could still be near the top of the card. Clearly I just wasn't familiar enough with his mystique, that charismatic X-factor Flair brings to the table that has carried him through competition in four separate decades. Have we seen the last of Ric Flair at WWE's biggest show? I would certainly hope not; even ten years from NOW we could probably say he has one more in him.
So here's to one of WM's most prolific unsung heroes…if that statement makes any sense. He might not be wrestling this Sunday, but every time Benoit slaps the hell out of MVP's chest, you'll hear the universal call of the WHEELIN' AND DEALIN', WHININ' AND DININ', STYLIN' AND PROFILIN', SON OF A GUN!
Pluggin'
As always, check out all my 411 colleagues in their respective columns. This site consistently puts out high quality work, which is quite impressive considering how it's run. We do this because we love the source material. You can see it in all the writers on the site, and I mean that.
Julian Williams does something completely expected but not at all unwelcome as he tackles the ultimate Top Ten.
Vinz Rothenburg delivers what has to be the first Lance Hoyt-centered article this site's had in The Timewarp.
Daniel Wilcox has a giant-sized look at each WM match as well as the most uncomfortable finish of all time in this week's Schmozzes & Screwjobs.
Samuel Berman continues to deliver the goods in The Independent Mid-Card. For the most detailed analysis of seemingly meaningless matches, this is your guy. Also check out The Box In the Attic, where he reviews a tape that features the Rock and HHH teaming up for what has to be one of the only times.
Prag and Tomlison take a cue from American Beauty and "look closer" in the weekly Hidden Highlights.
Andy Clark takes a very very good look at what could have been in The Shimmy. Very well done.
Jordan Linkous does a little fantasy booking and puts two tough bastards (and one Little Bastard) together in WWE vs. TNA.
Matt Short gives us even more indy coverage as he talk about Pro Wrestling NOAH in the DEBUT edition of The Navigation Log. Welcome from a relative newcomer myself!
Sean, David and Alex give me some insight as to why the hell Wade Boggs is inducting Curt Hennig in The Triple Threat.
Matt Adamson gives us a shit ton of info about Japan's Champion Carnival in Destiny. A little Puro on the site is never a bad idea.
Ari Berenstein gives me my first actual look at what Chris Hero looks like (I live in Oklahoma, I don't see ROH) in this week's Column of Honor.
Stuart Carapola spotlights the smaller brands in Friendly Competition. I don't know him very well, but he does a lot of shit for this site, so give him some props. He also hands out the "Stumania Awards" for WM performances in That Was Then.
Sat and Uncle Trunx toss around some arguments about MITB (one of my absolute favorite matches) in this week's edition of High Road/Low Road. Cast my vote for High Road this week.
And do take a look at our Countdown to WrestleMania feature. We take a four-man look at every single match from every WM. We're almost to the end too.
That brings us to the end of the RE for this week. By the time you next hear from me, WrestleMania will have come and gone, and we'll pretty much know where the business is going for another year. My question to you guys (in honor of Sunday) is this:
Which match on the WrestleMania 23 card: 1) are you most looking forward to, and 2) will have the greatest impact on WWE?
Ponder that one while you watch the show, and enjoy the best time of our year. I'll be enjoying it with my roommate and many large glasses of beer at a bar in Lawton, Oklahoma (ironically called The Impact Zone). And regardless of Kane/Khali, the similarly booked main events and the lack of title matches, it's going to be a good show. So don't get pissy!
