WCW's 1994 Ricky Steamboat Vs. Ric Flair Feud Is Overlooked

Publish date: 2024-05-05

Ric Flair often names Ricky 'the Dragon' Steamboat among his greatest rivals, and it's easy to see why. From their first encounters in 1977 through their last match 17 years later, their in-ring styles and characters were a perfect fit. They've had multiple classics across three different decades, which means that some - especially their 1994 WCW series - have unfortunately ended up overlooked.

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The Two Had A Long History

When Steamboat arrived on the scene in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, the quiet babyface rookie was almost immediately matched with the slightly more experienced Flair, who was an upstart in his own right. It all began when the brash heel Flair, then the territory's Television Champion, goaded Steamboat into a match.

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Eventually, a title change resulted from the landmark feud, and the two would cross paths several more times over the first half of the 1980s. They wrestled together against Roddy Piper and Greg Valentine and the Briscos, and as opponents, too - including in several hour-long 'Broadways' with Flair as NWA World Champion - before Steamboat left for WWE in 1985.

They Had A Classic Trilogy Of Matches In 1989

Steamboat — now dubbed 'the Dragon' — made his return in early 1989 from an initially successful, but dwindling, stint up North in a television match as 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert's surprise tag partner versus Flair and Barry Windham.

This led to an NWA World Title match at February's Chi-Town Rumble, which saw Steamboat win the ultimate prize in a five-star classic. He successfully (but controversially) defended the title against Flair in a 'Best of Three Falls' match that April at Clash of the Champions 6, but lost it back to Flair at May's WrestleWar PPV. It's impossible to choose a favorite, as all three are considered among the best the company ever produced.

The Two Were Together Again When Flair Returned To WCW

When Flair returned to WCW from WWE in 1993, he was a babyface — a rare occurrence. He and Steamboat wrestled a friendly, untelevised 45-minute draw on a July house show, but found themselves on the same side on television several times.

Through the end of the year and early 1994, they'd be on-and-off partners as on a March tour of German, Steamboat and Sting teamed to face Flair and Lord Steven Regal twice, but Flair and Steamboat joined forces against Pretty Wonderful (Paul Orndorff and Roma) on the jaunt's last night.

They Had Another Series Of Amazing Matches

This all eventually led to a double-pin finish in their match for Flair's WCW World Heavyweight Championship at April's Spring Stampede in a half-hour-long clinic. Flair was still working as a tweener — neither fully babyface nor heel — and the dynamic helped make the matches a little different from their 1989 trilogy.

As usual, Steamboat's crisp technical ability was matched by the 'Nature Boy,' but Flair grew more frustrated as the match proceeded, working more heelish as the match went longer. The follow-up, a match for the held-up title four days later on Saturday Night, was just as good, but with Flair in full-on 'bad guy' mode, Steamboat took the opportunity to show more aggression, but succumbed to a low blow from the 'Dirtiest Player in the Game.'

The Dragon Gets Slayed

The two continued to battle at house shows that Spring — including another hour draw on a May card in Charlotte, North Carolina — and their feud segued nicely into Steamboat's next chapter: battles with 'Stunning' Steve Austin over the United States Championship. Steamboat teamed with sometimes partner/longtime friend Sting in tag team matches against Flair and Austin through July and August, including on episodes of Main Event and Pro.

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Steamboat continued to challenge for Austin's title, losing in a Bash at the Beach match before finally winning it at August's Clash of the Champions 28. Unfortunately, the Dragon suffered a career-ending back injury four days later, and his last match until his amazing 2009 return was in a title defense against Austin at a California house show.

Flair And Steamboat's Rivalry Has A Legacy Unrivaled

Steamboat and Flair had their final match — unknowingly at the time — at a Colorado Springs house show in August, a week from the Dragon's injury. Somewhat fittingly, Steamboat defeated Flair - although the result of their encounters never much mattered in terms of quality.

Ultimately, the reasons why their 1994 matches get lost in the shuffle are complex, but we think more than anything, it's because if it hadn't been for Steamboat's back injury, their story might not have been over just yet. While Flair starting to show signs of aging, at just 39 years old Steamboat was just as skilled as ever. Regardless, we encourage fans to give their less-ballyhooed matches a watch, as we can only wish we'd had the chance to see more...

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