To sum up this DVD collection in one sentence : Ric Flair is wrestling. Anyone who is a wrestling fan can attribute to that statement. Everything about Ric Flair was great: His custom robes that he wears when he enters the arena, his trademark "Woooooooooo!", his charismatic interviews, and his figure four leglock that he used to finish his opponents. He has been one of the best in the business for the past 30 years, and he was undoubtedly the wrestler of the 1980's (possibly of all time). While Hulk Hogan was cruising Hollywood and wrestling in ten minute cartoon-like matches (not to knock on the Hulkster), Ric flair was giving his blood, sweat, tears, and basically all he had to keep the traditions of the great sport of wrestling while wrestling in one hour time limit matches every single night.

No other wrestler has had a collection of matches like this put onto DVD, but even at ten and a half hours long and spanning three discs, it hardly does the man justice. This is in no way knocking this incredible DVD set. It is just that Flair has had so many great matches and moments throughout his career, there is no way to capture them all in one collection. He has had incredible matches and feuds with the sport's greatest performers. He has done everything that is possible to be done in professional wrestling.

Each match in the collection is accompanied with the interviews and circumstances surrounding it. It is without a doubt the most thorough and well-done collection on the market today, possibly ever. This set is a must have for any wrestling fan.

Match/Feature listing:

DISC ONE

Chapter One: Harley Race and the NWA championship

Ric Flair vs. NWA World champion Harley Race in a steel cage match with Gene Kiniski as the special referee (from Starrcade, Flair wins title, 23:46, 11/24/83): This match was from the inaugural edition of Starrcade in 1983. It was the most anticipated match of the year, as Race had taken Flair out earlier in the year, causing him to announce his retirement. Little did Race know that Flair had second thoughts. This match was built up for several months, and although it a more old-school match with a slower wrestling style, it is a true classic match nonetheless.

Bonus Features
-$25,000 Bounty - Harley Race puts a price on Flair's head
-Orton and Slater collect - Bob Orton Jr. & Dick Slater accept the challenge
-Flair Announces retirement due to injuries from the attack
-"It's Only Just Begun!" - Flair attacks Orton and Slater with a bat
-NWA Press Conference to select the site of the Race vs. Flair rematch
-Starrcade '83 Pre-Match Interviews
*Harley Race
*Ric Flair
*Race, Bob Orton Jr., and Dick Slater
-Ric Flair and Wahoo McDaniel
-Starrcade '83 Pre-Match Interviews
*Ric Flair
*Harley Race
*Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, and Jay Youngblood


Chapter Two: Dusty Rhodes: Talking the Talk


NWA World champion Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes (from Starrcade, 22:04, 11/28/85): This match was from Starrcade 1985. This was the height of the Rhodes-Flair feud. All of their matches together were classic encounters. This match is no exception. Dusty wins the title on this occasion, only to have the referees decision reversed later.

Bonus Features:
-Flair and the Andersons Break Dusty's Ankle - recap of the attack in a cage
-Flair Cuts a Promo - Comments on Dusty's injury
-"That's Hard Times!" - Dusty's first interview after the injury
-Controversy Explained - Flair retains the title after a controversial ruling
-The Man - Flair gets riled up
-The Legend - Dusty comments on the disappointing decision


Chapter Three: Barry Windham: Keeping up with the Champ


NWA World champion Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham (from World Wide Wrestling, 45:00, 1/20/87): This is a true classic wrestling match in every aspect of the phrase. These two go out there and go at each other like there is no tomorrow. Underdog Windham exhibits one of the most incredible displays of courage as he takes it to the champ and does'nt hold back one iota.

Bonus Feature:
-Attacked by the Horsemen - Windham and Ron Garvin discuss the 4 Horsemen
-"You Cried the Blues" - Flair tells Windham to "quit talking and do it!"
-Flair vs. Windham 1/13/87 - the match in Columbis, SC turns into a melee
-Dusty's Analysis - Post-match commentary on the Flair vs. Windham match
-Flair Post-Matchy Promo - Flair and the Horsemen celebrate in the locker room


DISC TWO

Chapter Four: Ricky Steamboat: The Rivalry

Ric Flair vs. NWA World champion Ricky Steamboat in a best two out of three falls match (from Clash of the Champions VI, 55:32, 4/2/89): This rivalry is, in my opinion, the best in wrestling history. From 1977 to 1994, these two had countless incredible matches all over the country. 1989 was THE year of their feud, as there three televised matches, two of which are shown on this DVD, are some of the best of all time. This was an amazing 55 minute long match that saw two of the greatest technical wrestlers engage in a monumental battle. With their incredible wrestling knowledge and stamina, you never get tired of watching. They just keep going and going like two energizer bunnies facing off! The ending is one of the most controversial of all time, setting up their next and final match of their series.

Ric Flair vs. NWA World champion Ricky Steamboat (from WrestleWar 89', Flair wins title, 31:37, 5/7/89): As much as I loved the best two out of three falls match from Clash of the Champions, this match is neck and neck with the legendary Randy Savage-Ricky Steamboat match from Wrestlemania III as the greatest match of all time. Current WWE superstar HHH has stated that this match is what inspired him to become a professional wrestler. This match may not be as long as the previous match, but hold for hold, it is better. Not only do you get the greatest match of all time, you get to see one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history happen after the match, as Terry Funk cheapshots the newly crowned champ and piledrives him on a ringside table!

Bonus Features:
-Ric Flair & Barry Windham vs. Ricky Steamboat & Eddie Gilbert - Steamboat returns to the NWA (1/21/89)(not the entire match) :(
-Steamboat's Three-Man Workout - Flair interrupts a training session
-Flair Calls Out Steamboat - Steamboat and Flair go at it again at Clash of the Champions V (2/15/89)
-Controversy Recap
*Flair's Lawyer
*Jim Herd
*Ricky Steamboat
*Ric Flair
WrestleWar Pre-Match Interview


Chapter Five: Terry Funk: Hardcore

NWA World champion Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk in an "I Quit!" match (from Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout, 18:33, 11/15/89): This match is the match by which all other I quit matches have ever and will ever be judged by. After what Funk did to Flair at Wrestle War, the fans knew that they were in for a war. Flair had displyed more anger in the previous months toward Terry Funk than any other wrestler he ever feuded with. This match is hardcore before hardcore was cool. There is no rules, and there is definitely no holding back between these two.

Bonus Features
-Press Conference - Flair announces that he will return to wrestling(6/22/89)
-Bagged - Terry Funk puts a garbage bag over Flair's head (9/12/89)
-"I'll Shake His Hand!" - Funk says he'll shake hands if Ric Flair beats him (11/4/89)
-Flair's Rebuttal - Flair answers back (11/4/89)
-"You're Gonna Say 'I Quit'!" - Flair interview one week before the match
-New York Knock-out Promos - Flair and Funk before the "I Quit" match
-Pre-Match Interviews
*Terry Funk
*Ric Flair

Extra Stuff on Disc 2:

-The Plane Crash: Flair talks about the horrific plane crash that broke his back and almost ended his career back in 1975.

-History of the Horsemen: Flair, Arn, and others talk about the greatest group in wrestling history.

-A Day in the Life of the Horsemen


DISC THREE

Chapter Six: The "Nature Boy" Heads North

30-man Royal Rumble for the vacant WWF World title (62:02, 1/19/92): There have been 16 Royal Rumbles since it's inception back in January of 1988. The 1992 Royal Rumble is widely regarded as the greatest Rumble of them all. This Royal Rumble featured some of the biggest names in wrestling history: Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sgt Slaughter, Undertaker, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Sid Justice, "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, and "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, among many others. Add to all of this mayhem the fact that the newly vacant WWF Championship was to be awarded to the winner! Ric Flair came in at # 3 and stayed in the match through thick and thin to come out on top as the new WWF Champion in one of the most incredible shows of stamina in Wrestling history.

Bonus Features
-Bobby "The Brian" is Excited - Heenan prepares for a visit by "The Real World Heavyweight Champion" Ric Flair: Hilarious segment involving one of the funniest personalities in wrestling history.
-Flair's WWF TV Debut - from Prime Time Wrestling (9/9/91)
-Funeral Parlor - Paul Bearer interviews Ric Flair and Bobby "the Brian" Heenan
-Flair attacks Piper - Ric attacks Roddy Piper at ringside
-The "Real" World Heavyweight Champion - Flair tells everyone what he really thinks about Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper
-Rumble Post-Match Interview - Flair receives the WWF Championship belt from WWF Presdident Jack Tinney after winning the Royal Rumble.


Chapter Seven: Sting: Defining an Era

WCW World champion Ric Flair vs. WCW International champion Sting in a title for title unification match (from Clash of the Champions XXVII, 17:17, 6/23/94): This is a great match between these two to unify the World and International titles. I actually would have rather seen their legendary 45 minute time limit draw match from the inaugural Clash of the Champions in April of 1988. That match was their best. I don't want to take away from this match, though, as it is a truly classic encounter.

Bonus Features:
-Kicked out of the Horsemen - the 4 Horsemen kick Sting out of the group
-Reeking of Sex Appeal! - Flair cuts another funny promo on Sting
-Ladies and Gentlemen...Sting! - Pre-match interview with Gene Okerlund


Chapter Eight: A Special Night in Greenville (And DVD bonus features)


-Flair's World Wide Wrestling Federation Debut - vs. Pete Sanchez at Madison Square Garden (3/1/76): This is one of the best features on this DVD set, as you get a chance to see a mid-20's Flair in action. He amazingly does not look much differnt than he did at any other point in his career. Had the platinum blonde hair even back then. Good wrestling match with a 30 year old Vince McMahon providing commentary.

-A Workout with Piper - Flair and Roddy Piper do some amateur wrestling (1/24/82)

-PWI "Wrestler of the Decade" - Flair is named "Wrestler of the Decade" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine (11/15/89)

-The Final Nitro - Flair address the fans on the final episode of WCW Nitro (3/26/01): emotional speech from the man who made WCW what it was for 20 years.

-Ric Flair vs. World Heavyweight champion Triple H with the post-show tribute that has never-been-seen before on TV (from RAW, 7:24, 5/19/03): This match was a decent match between these two. It was no five-star encounter, but it is great to watch these two leaders of their respective generations go one on one in the ring. The after-match tribute to Ric Flair is one of the most emotional things that I have ever seen. The whole locker room spills out, as the wrestlers flock the ring and hoist Flair up on their shoulders. HHH then comes over and places his World Title over the shoulder of the former 16-time Heavyweight Champion. Flair attempts to address the crowd, but with all of the tears and emotion, it makes it pretty hard. It is a shame that this was not aired on live tv


EASTER EGGS (HIDDEN FEATURES):

DISC ONE
-Go to Chapters. Right click on the chapter titled: "Barry Windham: Keeping up with the Champ." You will see a promo from Flair from the Summer of 1985 where he talks about Magnum T.A., Nikita Koloff, Buddy Landell and James J. Dillon (3:30)

-Go to Chapters. Go to the Dusty Rhodes chapter section. Left click on the sub-chapter titled: "Flair Cuts a Promo." You will see the never-before-seen "Lost Promo" from Flair from the 8/31/85 edition of World Championship Wrestling on TBS(2:07)

DISC TWO:

-Go to Chapters. Right click on "Home". You will see a promo with David Crockett and Ric Flair following the newly formed Horsemen injuring Dusty Rhodes.

-Go to Chapters. Left click on the chapter titled: "Day in Life of the Horsemen." You will see a promo with Flair from June 1987 talking about Jim Garvin, The Freebirds and Larry Bird.

DISC THREE:

-On the main menu page go to Play. Left click and once the WWE logo is highlighted, hit enter. You will see a Flair promo from 1987 talking about the Road Warriors, Freebirds, Jim Garvin and Precious (2:14)

-Go to Chapters. Go to the Special Night in Greenville chapter section. Go to the bottom and select Menu. The beer in the picture will highlight. Hit enter. You will see Flair's WWE Entrace video featuring Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey)(1:54)

-Go to Chapters. Go to the Special Night in Greenville section. Click down to "The Final Nitro" and then click left you will see the origin of the WOOOOO! and all of the Superstars imitate it including J.R. and the King and even the people that work backstage


Whew! Is that enough wrestling footage for you?!?!

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older