Ric and Flexy Lexy

Ric Flair v Lex Luger (NWA 26/12/88)

--This was so excellent and Luger held his part perfectly. When Flair eventually went for the leg Lexy sold it exceptionally and rushed absolutely nothing. Pre-leg target it was all about Flair not being strong enough to hold Luger down, and Luger shoves off the futile attempts Flair makes at chopping away at his chest. I loved how he’d seem to chop away and chop away and have no effect, and then he’d get in basic control and chop him just for insult. I also thought it was terrific how Flair didn’t chop at every chance and threw some “this ‘roided prick is going to need more softening up” strikes in there. Flair knocking Luger over with a shoulder block leads to Flair getting a really big head and posing on the canvas flexing his own muscles like Luger normally would. Flair does most of his usual stuff in terms of being chased outside the ring and making a hundred stabs at finally getting a successful offense streak in, and the referee bump leading to the chair shot across the knees was as good as any cheap shot they could’ve pulled off here. The announcers sell the chair shot themselves as if Flair jammed a knife in his face as well, going off on how Lex’s kneecaps could be completely destroyed and stuff. The argument against Flair going to the rope is something I don’t totally disagree with, but the top rope gets sold a thousand times as being “high risk”, and Flair risks his control every time and loses it most times. It’s as good a transition spot as almost any. I love how in Flair matches the opponent often tries Flair’s own finisher before getting to their own, and Luger getting Flair in the Torture Rack but not being able to hold him up due to his weak leg made it that much more lovable. Cheated finish fitted well as the cherry on a masterpiece of a performance from Flair.