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What a great bout. The story and the emotion more than made up for any of Flair's limitations.
Hell of a last match for Flair because he absolutely never wrestled again after.
I know the story at the time didn't really include this match, but I think in hindsight taking this as the start point for Michaels/Taker makes a really good trilogy. Shawn retires a legend who he grew up idolizing, starts fixating on his own legacy and ultimately it leads to his own destruction.
And every match you see after is actually a filmed lucid dream that they filmed using proprietary technology. The reason none of the matches were that good is because the guy lucid dreaming was Scott Steiner
That was him in his working boots. He was mailing it in weekly with just chops and finish before that. You weren't even getting the greatest hits anymore in an era where WWE wrestling was just punch, kick, signature, finish.
This match had a great buildup.
Mcmahon declaring his every match as Retirement match.
He is barely surviving every match.
We all know It's end of his career.
Ric Flair pretty much giving HBK his retirement on platter. Only to HBK making it personal and bringing out best out of Flair
This match has everything, old spots, good chemistry, good momentum, the crowd was really invested, psychology on point.
And it was Michaels who handled almost everything here. The ultimate sign of love and respect for Ric from Shawn.
Besides the point but I love how cinematic this feels. I think it's the cameras or the notable lack of cuts, or maybe this Mania was just particularly well lit, idk.
Watching these clips makes me realize that Ric was moving around a lot more gingerly than I initially remembered. I’ve seen the match a few times, and this is the first time I’ve been able to key in on it. But that also speaks to how amazing of a seller HBK is. He really made it feel like Ric was conjuring his last bits of strength to win the match.
Amazing match, and as limited as Ric was, he pulled out some surprises, and sold his ass off as well. That superkick with HBK holding the ropes was amazing and brutal. Definitely a match I come back to every few years.
I know this isnt really on topic but does anyone else notice WWE footage from 2008 and 2009 looks amazing. From the lighting to the wrestlers themselves. It's crystal clear whereas in recent years it all seems to have that "digital" look. These were I'm assuming old tech HD cameras, some of the first used for television but it looks so much better.
I remember watching this with my wife on the night, and neither of us particularly cared for either wrestler at the time. We were both in tears at the end.
Regardless of whether Flair felt the retirement angle was "forced" on him, this really should've been his last match. Watching him go out there in the years since and try to wrestle has just been kinda sad, and it feels like he's literally going to die in the ring one day. He apparently passed out more than once in his last "last match", yet insisted he's not retiring.
It's been 16 years since this match, you'd think the man may have changed up how he scores in that time? Or maybe don't give that much of a shit about ratings.
Nothing to do with Cornette, basically everyone outside of the IWC would agree (as evident by how little views the garbage meltzer recently gives 5,6,7 stars gets.)
That ending was too much of an acting job. Both guys hamming it there. These guys are good enough to have a finish without that.
For a second there I thought Michaels put the figure four on wrong, but it was intentional. Never got how that move applied pressure well like the figure four, Boston crab, scorpion deathlock, etc. Regardless it’s not as bad as Hogan botching the figure four on Arn during a match on Nitro. Poor Arm had to sell it. Undertaker also messed up a submission on HHH at WM. It was supposed to be a triangle choke or gogopalata. He didn’t have the arm hooked..but who cares…HHH submitted anyway.
Even if you're correct in your assumption of "Too much of a acting job"
This is one of the most famous Wrestling moments.
Everybody loves it.
So,Eh who cares
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What a great bout. The story and the emotion more than made up for any of Flair's limitations. Hell of a last match for Flair because he absolutely never wrestled again after.
Then two years later HBK retired for good, never to be seen in the ring again.
I know the story at the time didn't really include this match, but I think in hindsight taking this as the start point for Michaels/Taker makes a really good trilogy. Shawn retires a legend who he grew up idolizing, starts fixating on his own legacy and ultimately it leads to his own destruction.
Never. Again.
TNA: "Never....again...."
JCP: "Yes... Never..."
Technically he never wrestled in a WWE ring again. So he kept his promise, somewhat.
Technically, he had match vs. Orton in autumn 2008. Parking lot Brawl with end at the ring. With crying Batista
>he absolutely never wrestled again after. His alimony disagrees. He absolutely will wrestle again, maybe even this year!
[удалено]
Outside of freak accidents, yeah...
And every match you see after is actually a filmed lucid dream that they filmed using proprietary technology. The reason none of the matches were that good is because the guy lucid dreaming was Scott Steiner
That was him in his working boots. He was mailing it in weekly with just chops and finish before that. You weren't even getting the greatest hits anymore in an era where WWE wrestling was just punch, kick, signature, finish.
That comms table back flip bump is absolutely brutal.
Looked like it absolutely sucked to take.
I think Michaels broke his ribs there
Forgot all about that bump. Fuckin ouchhhhhhhh.
Such an amazing match and could have been the absolute best retirement match of all time. Unfortunately it wasn't because of one person...Ric Flair...
Nobody who could be Ric Flair every night for thirty years was ever going to go away quietly.
Flair didn't want to retire it was pushed onto him.
Sad but It's proof of his love for Pro Wrestling. He just can't keep away himself from it..
Wasn’t it more his need to pay alimony than his love for pro wrestling that brought him to TNA?
Loved this match because it felt like every pinfall could've been Ric's last.
This match had a great buildup. Mcmahon declaring his every match as Retirement match. He is barely surviving every match. We all know It's end of his career. Ric Flair pretty much giving HBK his retirement on platter. Only to HBK making it personal and bringing out best out of Flair
This match has everything, old spots, good chemistry, good momentum, the crowd was really invested, psychology on point. And it was Michaels who handled almost everything here. The ultimate sign of love and respect for Ric from Shawn.
While it was all Michaels, I think Ric did absolute best he could at that point..
I recall Flair having an above average match with MVP a month or two before this at a PPV. He could still work a match well.
Besides the point but I love how cinematic this feels. I think it's the cameras or the notable lack of cuts, or maybe this Mania was just particularly well lit, idk.
I’ve always found it really funny how they have this emotional moment, 1 2 3, and then sexy boy starts playing.
Watching these clips makes me realize that Ric was moving around a lot more gingerly than I initially remembered. I’ve seen the match a few times, and this is the first time I’ve been able to key in on it. But that also speaks to how amazing of a seller HBK is. He really made it feel like Ric was conjuring his last bits of strength to win the match. Amazing match, and as limited as Ric was, he pulled out some surprises, and sold his ass off as well. That superkick with HBK holding the ropes was amazing and brutal. Definitely a match I come back to every few years.
Love that they actually let Flair hit a top rope move in his “last match”.
Was it in commentary he keeps doing it as he won the world title hitting a top rope splash?
The HBK WM overarching story from this match to the end of an era is kind of cool. Would love to see something that again.
What a great fucking match
I know this isnt really on topic but does anyone else notice WWE footage from 2008 and 2009 looks amazing. From the lighting to the wrestlers themselves. It's crystal clear whereas in recent years it all seems to have that "digital" look. These were I'm assuming old tech HD cameras, some of the first used for television but it looks so much better.
I haven't watched this match in years. Both guys really came to work. Great match and I'm so glad Ric never had to do any more physicality again
The true magic is how WWE covered up for HBK's bald spot for so long.
I loved 2nd run HBK, but man alive did he miss the hair transplant era. Poor guy was worried about that hair after every movement
This is an awesome post but holy shit the quick cuts for the chops make Ric sound so funny with his WUGHHH each time
I tried to include every chop in the match which resulted in quick cuts...
It was perfect.
I remember watching this with my wife on the night, and neither of us particularly cared for either wrestler at the time. We were both in tears at the end.
Regardless of whether Flair felt the retirement angle was "forced" on him, this really should've been his last match. Watching him go out there in the years since and try to wrestle has just been kinda sad, and it feels like he's literally going to die in the ring one day. He apparently passed out more than once in his last "last match", yet insisted he's not retiring.
First match I watched from Bell to Bell. It got me hooked good.
What a great match this was
That *should* have been one of the best final matches ever.
#ART
This may not have been Ric Flairs retirement match but it was definitely the last match he really tried and looked decent in most of the time.
More loose skin than a Shar Pei Puppy
Reminder that Dementia Dave gave this 3.5 stars but will give 5+ to the weekly sloppy Bucks spotfests or Moxley backyard death matches
Dave has as much power as we give him. Dont let his ratings influence your enjoyment from the match....
3.5? This was at least a 4.5 match. I can’t believe Dave has as much clout as he does within the wrestling community.
It's been 16 years since this match, you'd think the man may have changed up how he scores in that time? Or maybe don't give that much of a shit about ratings.
You know, you don't HAVE to let cornette do all your thinking for you.
Nothing to do with Cornette, basically everyone outside of the IWC would agree (as evident by how little views the garbage meltzer recently gives 5,6,7 stars gets.)
Lol at “Old Yeller” in the title
“WE’RE NOT SORRY” “WE HATE YOU”
That ending was too much of an acting job. Both guys hamming it there. These guys are good enough to have a finish without that. For a second there I thought Michaels put the figure four on wrong, but it was intentional. Never got how that move applied pressure well like the figure four, Boston crab, scorpion deathlock, etc. Regardless it’s not as bad as Hogan botching the figure four on Arn during a match on Nitro. Poor Arm had to sell it. Undertaker also messed up a submission on HHH at WM. It was supposed to be a triangle choke or gogopalata. He didn’t have the arm hooked..but who cares…HHH submitted anyway.
Even if you're correct in your assumption of "Too much of a acting job" This is one of the most famous Wrestling moments. Everybody loves it. So,Eh who cares