The Undertaker vs. Ric Flair

The Winner: The Undertaker

Background Noise

This match took place on March 17^th 2002. Wrestlemania 18

Once again, courtesy of @WyzaNow on twitter : The feud started over The Undertaker's ambush on The Rock during the build up to No Way Out, with Undertaker giving The Rock a Chokeslam and a Tombstone Piledriver onto a car. Shortly afterwards, Ric Flair openly detested The Undertaker's actions. At the No Way Out event, Flair interfered with Undertaker's match against The Rock, finally hitting Undertaker with a lead pipe to aid The Rock in victory. Far from pleased over this result, The Undertaker challenged Flair to a match at WrestleMania. Flair refused, stating that he is an owner and no longer a wrestler. However, Undertaker tried to convince Flair by attacking select members of Flair's friends and family.

The Bell

This match would be held under No Hold Barred rules. Ric Flair rushed to the ring and began to whip Undertaker’s ass. Undertaker responded by running. He was a cowardly Goliath against a courageous/ancient David. Flair got caught when he followed Undertaker outside (he actually dove off the apron at him) and driven spine first into the steel ring post. Commentator Jim Ross points out that Ric Flair broke his back 27 years earlier in a plane crash. Undertaker used a great deal of strikes to beat on Flair and then kicked him off of the ring apron to the outside. Undertaker then audibly declared “Now we go to school”. More punches from The Undertaker leads to Ric Flair bleeding (which actually isn’t an accomplishment, Flair bleeds at a slight breeze, I am surprised it took this long). Ric Flair at this point by the way, was 53 years old. Back in the ring more brawling, Ric Flair got in a few chops to break it up but for the most part the match consisted of Undertaker using clotheslines and punches. He occasionally threw in a headbutt for good measure. A top rope superplex followed, which considering the height of The Undertaker and the horrible shape of Ric Flair’s back is DAMN impressive. Undertaker goes for the pin but breaks it up at two, to continue more beatings. Undertaker tried an Old School but Ric Flair jerked Undertaker off the top rope. Flair’s offense couldn’t continue as he was cut off with a sidewalk slam. Undertaker missed a big boot and crotched himself on the top rope. Ric Flair took advantage of this with chops and punches. He then grabbed a lead pipe from The Undertaker’s motorcycle and began to work over The Undertaker with it.

Back in the ring, Flair had Undertaker on his knees, but Take was able to grab him by the throat. Flair escaped this by kicking The Undertaker in the genitals, he then locked in the Figure 4 Leglock. It was directly in the center of the ring. Ric Flair had beaten people with this hold for decades. Undertaker, using his height, grabbed Flair by the throat to break up the hold. He hits a chokeslam for two. Undertaker, then, much like at WrestleMania 17, takes his aggressions out on the referee. He exits the ring and grabs the lead pipe, Flair cuts him off before it could be used too much. Arn Anderson (who Undertaker attacked to attempt to convince Flair to have this match) runs in and hits a spinebuster on Undertaker for a dramatic two count near fall by Flair. Undertaker then bust Arn Anderson open. Undertaker puts Andreson in a dragon sleeperhold. Ric Flair busts this up with numerous chair shots. Undertaker cuts off the chair related offense with a big boot and then an ugly looking Last Ride attempt. After he can’t get Flair up, he switches to a tombstone and gets the 3 count.

The Verdict

I enjoyed the match. It would have made sense for Ric Flair to win here. He had all of the odds against him, he had the crowd on his side. Had the streak not been a thing, it would be a downright shame that Flair didn’t win. Undertaker looked like a prick, acted like a prick during the match but in the end still came out on top.