On this date in WWF history: The greatest moment in Ric Flair's life
by Jesse Holland on Jan 19, 2012 10:00 AM EST
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With a tear in his eye!
On January 19, 1992, Ric Flair, who joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) just a few months earlier, entered the annual Royal Rumble tournament at number three.
Unlike today, when winning the Rumble got you a title shot at WrestleMania, the 1992 melee was actually for the belt itself, thanks to WWF President Jack Tunney, whose meddling in the Undertaker vs. Hulk Hogan feud to close out 1991 led him to vacate the title.
That meant the most prestigious belt in all of sports entertainment was up for grabs that night and (Whoo!) "The Nature Boy" would not be denied. Immediately following his triumphant win, he went on to cut one of the top promos in pro wrestling history.
Whoo!
Video after the jump.
Flair wins the Rumble.
Flair's promo.
How about it Cagesiders, where do you rank his 1992 Royal Rumble/title win among his all-time achievements?
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The best part perhaps of that promo
“Hey, put that cigarette out!”
Fish Stripes, a Florida Marlins blog
Author, Baseball Prospectus Fantasy
by Michael Jong on Jan 19, 2012 10:15 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Ya, what the hell was that !
You have been banned from Bloody Elbow.
I don’t know what you said, but I don’t like you.
12/22/11
"You actually got banned 3 times in 2 minutes by 3 different people"
by *Californication* on Jan 19, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
Two of the top 5 talkers of all time.
Heenan and Flair being paired together was a great thing.
by SeanDubbs on Jan 19, 2012 10:32 AM EST via Android app reply actions
that's awesome
I vaguely remember it when it was new, of course I’ve seen it a few times buy now. the question I would like to ask is but I’m not to terribly qualified to answer is what are the top 5 or 10 promos of all-time. I just don’t know enough of the 80s and earlier. there’s a lot of you have me in spades In wrestling knowledge.
the ones that stick out to me are the 3-16 promo and the huckster turn promo.
He knows the guy with the bandage on his ass is going no were. Were you going fucking no were
by Elstriko on Jan 19, 2012 11:12 AM EST via Android app reply actions
Some of the most commonly cited “greatest promo of all time” are…(in addition to this flair promo)
Dusty Rhodes – Hard times
Steve Austin – From ECW, mocking hogan, shooting on WCW etc. (Also the 316 promo, but more for it’s historical significance)
Mick Foley – From ECW , “Cane Dewey” promo
Some would even say…CM Punk – Shooting on WWE from Raw earlier this year..
It all depends on what criteria you go on. Numerous Piper, Flair, Rock, Hogan and other promo’s could be considered the greatest, just depends on what your taste is.
For me, I’d say Jumpin’ Jeff Farmer takes the cake.
That promo by Flair
is my favorite promo by him ever. Love the delivery of the classic opening line and he seems to genuinely mean it.
by AverageJoeEveryman on Jan 19, 2012 11:20 AM EST reply actions
I watched this Rumble last night...
…and it may be the best. Heenan’s commentary is awesome throughout, Flair’s winning promo is excellent, and the talent in the match is almost unparalleled.
Notice too that there are no typical Rumble tropes yet. No monster comes in and just absolutely cleans house. Undertaker is still nearly unbeatable, but he doesn’t just throw three or four guys out when he gets in. Or any, really. Hogan tosses a couple, but he’s Hogan. And it takes some work and reversals.
Then he eye gouges the Undertaker like six times and chokes IRS with his shirt. What an example for all of the young Hulkamaniacs out there (eh, I was one at the time, I’m sure I justified it).
About 90% of the guys participating weren’t disposable. So cool.
Almost everyone had a pop or some heat. Some of the gimmicks were just plain funny. Repoman’s reaction to elimination is one of the best gimmicky reactions I’ve seen to getting tossed.
The story building early worked so well too. At first, it’s the Bulldog holding off a bevy of heels, making it look like he’s going to last forever. Meanwhile, Monsoon’s ragging on Heenan because there’s no chance Flair can last being drawn so early.
Bulldog’s eventually eliminated, but the ring’s full at that point. It doesn’t overwhelm things. Finally, the ring briefly clears and all of a sudden it hits that Flair’s got a chance… then Piper comes out and the heavy hitters fill the ring.
Favorite incarnation of my favorite pay per view.
by Stephen Catanese on Jan 19, 2012 11:21 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
well said
It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail.
by Jesse Holland on Jan 19, 2012 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
I couldn't agree more.
Hands down the best Rumble of all time. One of the best matches of all time.
Also on this day in history: The greatest moment in Bobby Heenan's life.
Piper inadvertently helps Flair by pummeling his attacker
Heenan: “I never thought I’d say this, but thank you Piper! That’s not a skirt; it’s a kilt!”
Piper turns around and attacks Flair
Heenan: “Piper! You no good cheat! You skirt-wearing freak!”
(And the rest of his commentary, too)
Flair: This is the only title in the wrestling world that makes you #1!
Translation: Screw you, WCW.
..And the worst moment of Hogan's Life.
This PPV cast a very bright light on the cracks that were starting to show in Hulkamania.
Who knew the crowd would pop like that when Sid tossed Hulkster over the ropes?
It’s been debated to death in other places but that was a very telling moment. What was even more telling is that Vince et al went back and overdubbed the audio for this match in their build-up to WMVIII. They drowned out the very audible cheering with boos and having Monsoon and Heenan re-record their original commentary to make Sid look like the heel.
Good point
It was also weird to see Hogan do such a heel thing of pulling Sid over the ropes after he got eliminated. That’s the thing a sore loser does, not Mr. Eat Your Vitamins and Study Hard
It should also be noted that Hogan was also receiving boo’s during his brief program with the
Undertaker a few months prior.
Up until that point Sid had been booked as a monster, making Hogan lame in comparison and at the time, he was thought to have been the next big thing.
Also, factor in the event took place in New York, which is notorious a for smarter, edgier fanbase, who were likely sick of Hogan by this point.
Good point
I had forgotten about the Undertaker feud. But you’re right. The crowd cheered pretty loudly at SS ’91 when Taker went over.
To be fair to Hogan, though, the reaction he got at WMVIII was pretty astounding. But that doesn’t mean the entire building was against Sid.
This was Fair to Flair.
I've got something to say; it better to burn out than to fade away!!!
I'm still waiting for my CM Punk WWE Ice Cream Bar.
Go Chargers (oh yeah I said that)
X Box Gamertag: OneRabidDingo
It would lead me to believe that @bisping must have pissed off @danawhite something fierce. RT @drjamezkelske: @danhendo just out of curiosity, if the #ufc comes to you and asks you to fight Bisping again how do you respond?" -Dan Henderson
You're an idiot.
Follow @SBNLukeThomas
by Luke Thomas on Jan 5, 2012 1:40 PM PST up reply actions
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