4. Ric Flair (and the NWA World Title) arrive in WWF (1991)
On of the most surreal clips in wrestling history today is a clip at the end of WWF Wrestling Challenge.
Bobby Heenan, with Gorilla Monsoon and Jim Neidhart were wrapping up the episode when Heenan held the NWA title and started comparing it to the WWF title, comparing it like Prime Rib to Lunch Meat.
Heenan ended the segment by saying the man who held the title was coming to the WWF and said “Let’s compare Hulk Hogan, to Ric Flair.”
Monsoon and Neidhart looked shocked as the episode went off the air.
In the spring of 1991, Flair had a contract dispute with WCW President Jim Herd, who wanted him to take a substantial pay cut. Herd had removed Flair as head booker in February 1990 and wanted to reduce Flair’s role in the promotion even further, despite the fact that Flair was still a top draw.
According to Flair, Herd also proposed changes in his appearance (by shaving his hair, wearing a diamond earring and going by the name “Spartacus”) as well as his in-ring name in order to “change with the times.”
Flair disagreed with the proposals, and two weeks before The Great American Bash, Herd fired him and vacated the WCW Championship. While Flair had left for the WWF, he was still recognized as the NWA World Champion until September 8, when the title was officially vacated.
Flair made several TV appearances with the NWA title on WWF TV.
