What's going on everybody? This salute goes to a company that is among the richest in tradition in all of wrestling history. Going back to the days of the Crockett family in the fifties and sixties, on up through the seventies until billionaire media mogul Ted Turner acquired the promotion in the early nineties, the NWA has been responsible for many of the sport's most memorable matches throughout time. Once it went from the National Wrestling Alliance to World Championship Wrestling, even more memories flourished. In fact, WCW was for the purist as heart in terms of wrestling, much like the AWA and Verne Gagne. Once the mid-nineties came, a resounding change occurred, in which it was no longer a southern thing. It became worldwide, having partnerships and talent exchanges with Mexico and NJPW. Plus, the emergence of the NWO completely turned the wrestling world on its ear and actually defeated WWE for over a year straight in the ratings. With that, here are several of the most impactful matches in the company's history.
25. Sting & Lex Luger vs. The Steiner Brothers
WCW World Tag Team Titles
SuperBrawl I
On paper, this was a dream match. The best tag team on the planet at that time in Rick & Scott Steiner against close friends Sting and Lex Luger. What was already a great pay per view in Superbrawl at that point got even hotter with this encounter. This wasn't a long match, as this was barely under ten minutes, but those minutes were on fire with back-and-forth action. While we weren't crazy with the finish, as Nikita Koloff blindsided and bloodied Sting for The Steiners to pick up the win, the match itself, in those few minutes were intense and makes one wonder what would've happened had there been another ten plus minutes.
24. Diamond Dallas Page vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage
Great American Bash '97
This was quite possibly the best rivalry DDP was ever involved in within his career. Who better than against an all-time great like Randy Savage? Pushing boundaries like involving wives and families was just the boiling point needed to have some highly intense struggles between the two men. Their rivalry was most exhibited at The Great American Bash of '97 in the height of the NWO era. This was a hell of a match presented by Page and Savage was just begin the great in-ring general he hads always been.
23. The Road Warriors, Nikita Koloff, Dusty Rhodes, and Paul Ellering vs. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Lex Luger, and JJ Dillon/War Games
Great American Bash '87
One of the most exciting gimmick matches in the sport at that time was War Games, a match in which there were two rings side by side with a fifteen-foot cage with a roof on top (think miniature Hell in A Cell) surrounding them. Usually the matches comprised of two teams of four or five and the only way to win was submission, surrender, or if the referee stopped the match after all eight or ten men had entered the ring. The first one on record was between the team of Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, The Road Warriors and their manager Paul Ellering against The Horsemen and their manager JJ Dillon. This match was a true, all-out fight. There was blood and brutality all the way around. In fact, there were numerous injuries in the match, especially Dillon's severely separated shoulder. There would be plenty more War Games matches, but this was the first one, and it was damn good.
22. The Fantastics vs. The Sheepherders
Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament '86
Way before the world knew them as The Bushwhackers, Luke Williams and Butch Miller were the sadistic Sheepherders. They were quite the physical and sick team throughout New Zealand, Canada, and the southern territories. Perhaps their most known rivalry was the one they had with Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers, The Fantastics. These teams spilled plenty of blood everywhere they fought, but at the Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament of '86, they fought an incredible match that many still believe is the best match Luke and Butch had within their careers. This was a rivalry that many longtime southern fans will quickly remember as one of the most vicious, but in this match, this was every bit as passionate and one of the best tag team matches you would ever see in the eighties.
21. Southern Boys vs. Midnight Express
The Great American Bash '90
Originating from Baltimore, The Great American Bash '90 was most known as the event that Sting finally became the man and defeated Ric Flair to win his first World Heavyweight Title. However, there were many that were quite compelled by another match on that card, and it was the very first match. Jim Cornette's Midnight Express of Bobby Eaton and Sweet Stan were one of the most fantastic teams on planet Earth, but there was a young up-and-coming team named The Southern Boys that were gaining steam. Tracy Smothers and Steve Armstrong (brother of Brad, Scott, and Brian "Road Dogg") gave The Express absolutely all they could handle in what was a surprisingly very excellent match that really set the tone for a memorable event.
20. Cactus Jack vs. Vader
Texas Death Match
Halloween Havoc '93
One of the most vicious rivalries in the entire industry in the early nineties was the one between Cactus Jack and Vader. Vader was quite the brutal stiff-hander and we obviously know how violent Cactus was during those days, so the rivalry was almost meant to happen. We had never seen anyone take it to Vader like Cactus did at this time, and between the numerous head and facial injuries Vader had given him, it all came to a head at Halloween Havoc of '93 in a bloody Texas Death Match that saw both men just beat the living hell out of each other in a match that not only showed Mick Foley's devout toughness, but that Vader was without question, one of the most destructive men in the world.
19. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Dean Malenko
WCW Cruiserweight Title
The Great American Bash '96
The Bash of '96 was known for a couple of things. One was when Eric Bischoff got powerbombed off the stage through a table by newcomers Hall & Nash, as well as the highly entertaining Chris Benoit vs. Kevin Sullivan Falls Count Anywhere match. However, the match that stole the entire show was the match between Dean Malenko and Rey Mysterio jr. for Dean's Cruiserweight Title. This match was dazzling, and showed that the smaller guy can upstage anything the bigger guys were doing at this point. Yes, there were matches that were entertaining from a fighting standpoint, but in terms of straight athleticism and competition, nothing held a candle to this match.
18. Magnum TA vs. Tully Blanchard
I Quit Cage Match
Starrcade '85
Talk about a feud between two people that went beyond kayfabe. These guys genuinely and legitimately couldn't stand each other. One of the first known true scandals in the game, Magnum was married to Tully's ex-wife and raising Tully's children (reportedly) so before there was Kurt vs. Jeff and Matt vs. Edge, this was the real deal scandalous feud. It resonated even more on camera in one of the most personal and intense feuds around. Many memorable bloodlettings occurred between them, but it all culminated in an I Quit Cage Match. Folks, this was absolutely brutal. Like, it could literally stand up against anything of today's standards and give it a run for its money. These two PUNISHED each other until a bloodied Blanchard screamed "YES" in response to the ref asking if he had quit. This match was hardcore before hardcore was the thing to do.
17. Jushin "Thunder" Liger vs. Flyin' Brian Pillman
SuperBrawl II
Jushin "Thunder" Liger is highly recognized as one of the true innovators of the junior heavyweight/cruiserweight style all over the world. His resume is that of legend. He faced WCW's own version of Liger in the form of Brian Pillman in a great match filled with high flying and high risk maneuvers. This was truthfully a match ahead of its time, as mainstream American wrestling wasn't extremely used to a fast, high-flying style throughout a whole match. These two put on a mighty fine exhibition of where the cruiserweights and junior heavyweights could go in America.
16. Ultimo Dragon vs. Dean Malenko
WCW Cruiserweight Title
Starrcade '96
Ultimo Dragon is considered to be one of the single most decorated and accomplished champions in wrestling history. At one point, he won the J-Crown Tournament and held ten championships all at one time. Nobody has yet to accomplish such a feat. At Starrcade '96, he faced another internationally recognized cruiserweight in WCW Cruiserweight Champion, Dean Malenko, in what was an amazing one on one encounter that displayed just how great Dragon was as a performer beyond Japan and Mexico, as well as how incredible Malenko was being seen as. This was the most talked about wrestling match during the entire Starrcade event.
15. Sting vs. Lex Luger
WCW World Heavyweight Title
SuperBrawl II
In '92, the spot was open for the next big face of WCW, being that Flair had left. Everyone knew it was Sting, but he needed a great antagonist to stand in his way of the conquest. Enter Lex Luger, his real life best friend and former business partner. On camera, Lex had become heel once again and was WCW Champion under the the managerial tutelage of Harley Race. This match was a changing of the guard, as Sting solidified the torch being passed to him to officially carry the company on his back, but the match to get him there was a complete struggle, as this was one of Luger's best matches.
14. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs. "Ravishing" Rick Rude
WCW U.S. Heavyweight Title/Ironman Match
Beach Blast '92
The legend affectionately known as "The Dragon" was known for some of the most memorable rivalries in the business, primarily his iconic rivalry with Ric Flair. However, one feud that doesn't get as much praise as it should is his rivalry with Rick Rude in '92 over the U.S. title. Their months long rivalry culminated into a thirty-minute Ironman Match at Beach Blast '92. This was yet another match that showed the magnificent working ability of Steamboat, but also showed that Rude was almost just as great of an in-ring worker, as the story they told in the ring was simply great. One of the best Ironman matches ever seen.
13. Ric Flair vs. Vader
WCW World Heavyweight Title/Career vs. Title
Starrcade '93
What a buildup. This match saw Flair putting his (at that time) two decades plus career on the line against the mighty behemoth Vader for his World Title. The story leading to the main event was quite emotional as they filmed shots of him with his children (including WWE's Charlotte at a very young age), as well as the long ride up independence Blvd. towards the arena. The match itself showed Flair's heart, grit, and toughness against a vicious Vader. At the end Flair walked out with another World Title, but the match is considered among Starrcade's most emotionally driven matches.
12. Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Ric Flair
NWA World Heavyweight Title
SuperBrawl I
Many consider the Japanese version of Ric Flair, in terms of accomplishments, in "The Dragon" Tatsumi Fujinami, who at the time was a dual champion, as he was IWGP Champion and NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Flair lost to him at the much revered Japan Supershow, and this was the rematch. This was an exquisite technical match, as both men showed why they're among the very best at their craft. This was such an evenly wrestled match, and at an event that was so incredible as it was, this main event was the cherry on the sundae.
11. Sting, Flyin' Brian Pillman, & The Steiner Brothers vs. Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Sid Vicious, & Larry Zbysko/War Games
Wrestle War '91
War Games was traditionally the most anticipated gimmick match of the year within the NWA/WCW years, and this particular one of the very best. Sting captained a team consisting of himself, Brian Pillman, and The Steiners against Flair, Windham and Vicious of The Horseman, and Larry Zybysko, who was filling in for a legit hurt Arn Anderson. This match was as brutal as expected, but the story revolved around the smaller Pillman, who had come into the match kayfabe injured, but showed his toughness. In the end, it was Vicious' two power bombs (one was legit botched) that decided the fate of Sting's team, but this is definitely considered among the best War Games matches during that era.
10. Barry Windham vs. Ric Flair
NWA World Heavyweight Title
Crockett Cup '87
Barry Windham was one of the most naturally gifted in-ring competitors to ever grace the ring. During this time, this second-generation athlete was just on the cusp of stardom when he fought Ric Flair for the NWA Title at the HIGHLY underrated Crockett Cup tournament of '87. In what was overall a decent night of action, this was the main event, and this match was very, VERY good and showed just how much of a star Windham had the capability of becoming. Of course that next year, he would end up becoming a Horseman so go figure.
9. Lex Luger vs. Ric Flair
NWA World Heavyweight Title
Starrcade '88
Not long after he turned on The Horsemen, Lex Luger challenged Flair for the NWA Title at Starrcade '88, and much like others before him such as Sting and Barry Windham, his career was solidified after this match. Luger showed his enormous potential to be a household, worldwide star, and he brought it. This rivalry should be considered among the best rivalries during the eighties and of course Flair making Luger look like a million dollars showed how much he believed in "The Total Package". This match was Flair at his working and selling best, and his ability to still walk out the champ made you either hate him that much more or respect him that much more.
8. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero
WCW Cruiserweight Title/Title vs. Mask
Halloween Havoc '97
Talk about two of the greatest in-ring competitors to exist. Rey Mystery Jr. and the late, great Eddie Guerrero provided magic anytime they stepped inside the ring against each other. While they resumed their rivalry in WWE years later, this particular match stands as their absolute best. It was Eddie's Cruiserweight Title against Rey Rey's mask, and this match EASILY stole the show on an athletic storytelling level at Halloween Havoc of '97. Two of the most iconic luchadors of this or any era were engaged in a contest that many still regard as the best contest they've seen either of them compete in.
7. Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk
NWA World Heavyweight Title
The Great American Bash '89
While we all mention names such as Dusty Rhodes, Sting, and Ricky Steamboat as Flair's greatest rivals, we can't, in all truth and honesty, forget about his bloody rivalry with Terry Funk. The crazy man from Amarillo, TX was hardcore before it became popular to be so, but was also a fantastic in-ring worker as well. Flair had returned after two months from a neck injury Funk inflicted upon him after Flair's unreal match against Steamboat at Wrestle War '89 and the two engaged in a hell of a war at The Bash. Both men would end up bloodied, and there was a brawl after the match between them, The Great Muta, and Sting that showed that this rivalry would continue. However, this match was the beginning of one of the most underrated rivalries of the eighties in NWA/WCW.
6. Sting, Nikita Koloff, Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (Sting's Squadron) vs. "Ravishing" Rick Rude, "Stunning" Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton, and Larry Zybysko (The Dangerous Alliance)/War Games
Wrestle War '92
There was never a more intense, violent, and brutal War Games match than the one at Wrestle War '92 between Sting's Squadron and The Dangerous Alliance, a faction headed by Paul Heyman when he was the shiesty Paul E. Dangerously. An already heavily intense rivalry going into the match, this War Games was an all-out bloodletter. A few of the men were severely lacerated (Dustin and Austin especially) but the shear toughness we witnessed from everyone involved is to be highly commended in this ruthless display of guts and supremacy. This was the epitome of an enclosed street fight and everyone delivered. Just remember before there was Hell in A Cell and Elimination Chamber, there was War Games, and this particular one was grotesquely beautiful.
5. Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk
I Quit Match
Clash Of the Champions: New York Knockout
Near the end of '89, the Flair/Funk rivalry had reached an incredible climax, and it was time to settle it all. This was bigger than Flair's World Title. This was a deeply embedded rivalry about who the true greatest was, and at the Clash in Troy, NY, these two got engaged in a phenomenal I Quit match. While Funk was at his craftiest best, the story was Flair and an utter intensity we rarely saw at this time. This was some next level intensity from "The Nature Boy", as he very aggressively delivered a beating to Funk that resulted in the Texas legend screaming, in front of the world, "I quit". A definite classic going into the nineties, nobody outperformed and outwrestled Flair in the sport during this time. Absolutely no one.
4. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs. Ric Flair
NWA World Heavyweight Title
Chi-Town Rumble '89
The first of the most legendary trilogy of matches perhaps in wrestling history occurred at Chi-Town Rumble of '89, as Steamboat and Flair competed for Flair's World Title. This match was just, as Larry Zybysko would call "a game of human chess", as two masters competed in wrestling brilliance. This marked Steamboat's first and only World Title reign in NWA, but he defeated Flair in a display of what perfect chemistry really is inside the ring. Steamboat was already considered one of the best in-ring workers in the business at this time, but he was put on a whole other level at this time. Yes, this is better than the match he had against Randy Savage at Wrestlemania III, and that's really saying something. A must watch for wrestling purists.
3. Sting vs. Ric Flair
NWA World Heavyweight Title
Clash Of the Champions '88
When we talk about stars getting made and careers breaking out, there's no better example of this than when Sting faced Flair for the NWA World Title at the first Clash of The Champions from Greensboro in '88. Sting, at this time, was the proverbial guy who needed that one match to shatter the ceiling, and the match he had with Flair did just that and then some. The chemistry displayed between them paralleled Flair rivalries with the likes of Dusty and that next year Steamboat. We witnessed the birth of a young Venice Beach native becoming an official somebody in the sport, and this match that ended in a forty-five-minute draw proved it and it became the beginning of a truly legendary career.
2. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs. Ric Flair
NWA World Heavyweight Title/2 Out Of 3 Falls
Clash Of the Champions: Ragin' Cajun
The New Orleans Superdome was the home of a truly magical event in the form of "Steamboat/Flair II." This was the rematch from Chi-Town Rumble when Steamboat won the World Title from Flair, and this time it was a Best of Three Falls match. Yet another display of wrestling mastery and athletic precision, these two legends competed in what many call, to this day, the greatest Best of Three Falls match of all-time, as these two wrestled for nearly an hour. No gimmicks, just pure wrestling at its absolute best. This match is simply golden and for the pursuits of heart, this is one that will leave you speechless. Although the finish was controversial, it set the stage for their final encounter, but this match is a wrestling masterpiece.
1. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat vs. Ric Flair
NWA World Heavyweight Title
Wrestle War '89
The finale of the greatest on-air trilogy of all-time in wrestling occurred at Wrestle War '89, as Steamboat defended the NWA Title against Flair, as Flair was going for World Title reign number six. Not a lot to say here except this was arguably the most perfect wrestling match of all-time. Arguably better than their prior two meetings (word has it that their matches were even better at arena and house shows, which is beyond the realm of thought), this match showed what true WRESTLING, chemistry, psychology, and storytelling is all about. This was the match that made it okay to be a wrestling fan, as these two beautifully displayed athleticism in such magnificence that they really couldn't replicate it in later years. Steamboat showed he was head and shoulders above most of his peers, but Flair won his sixth title, and proved that he was indeed "the man". Although the moment afterwards was marred by a vicious assault from Terry Funk upon Flair, this match was, is, and will always be wrestling perfection.
Honorable Mentions
Flair/Anderson vs. Hollywood Blondes (Clash 23)
Goldberg vs. DDP (Halloween Havoc '98)
Benoit vs. Sullivan (Great American Bash '96)
Cactus Jack/Maxx Payne vs. Nasty Boys (Spring Stampede '94)
Cactus Jack/Sullivan vs. Nasty Boys (Slamboree '94)
Sting/Luger/Savage vs. Hall & Nash (Bash At The Beach '96)
Hart vs. Benoit (WCW Nitro '99)
Sting vs. Cactus Jack (Beach Blast '92)
Hogan vs. Flair (Bash At The Beach '94)
Booker vs. Benoit (Great American Bash '98)
Benoit vs. Malenko (Hog Wild '96)
Sting vs. Vader (Superbrawl III)
Steamboat vs. Flair (Spring Stampede '94)
Fantastics vs. Midnight Express (Clash Of The Champions '88)
Luger/Windham vs. Anderson/Blanchard (Clash Of The Champions '88)
Goldberg vs. DDP (Halloween Havoc '98)
Benoit vs. Sullivan (Great American Bash '96)
Cactus Jack/Maxx Payne vs. Nasty Boys (Spring Stampede '94)
Cactus Jack/Sullivan vs. Nasty Boys (Slamboree '94)
Sting/Luger/Savage vs. Hall & Nash (Bash At The Beach '96)
Hart vs. Benoit (WCW Nitro '99)
Sting vs. Cactus Jack (Beach Blast '92)
Hogan vs. Flair (Bash At The Beach '94)
Booker vs. Benoit (Great American Bash '98)
Benoit vs. Malenko (Hog Wild '96)
Sting vs. Vader (Superbrawl III)
Steamboat vs. Flair (Spring Stampede '94)
Fantastics vs. Midnight Express (Clash Of The Champions '88)
Luger/Windham vs. Anderson/Blanchard (Clash Of The Champions '88)
As you can see, NWA/WCW is very rich in outstanding, classic wrestling and are responsible for the some of the memorable matches in the sport's history. Many would say they actually are the bar for pure, traditional professional wrestling. Sadly, in today's times, NWA/WCW isn't mentioned quite as much as they should be, albeit it gets a decent amount of love on the WWE Network. What can't be disputed is the historic impact they made on the sport and its unbelievably rich legacy. For new and younger fans that would love to see true beauty displayed in the form of athletic showmanship (wrestling), find these matches, and more, to fully revel in the art that was the NWA/WCW. Until next time!
