It’s the February 20th, 1988 episode of NWA World Championship Wrestling. As the show comes on the air; it’s world champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair begging off from the awesome challenge of Sting. This young challenger has burst onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere and took the wrestling world by storm. This is only a brief clip but it’s evident by the crowd noise-that the match has been electric. The show then rolls its opening sequence before going to the hosts of the regular studio show, Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross.
After matches involving both the Varsity Club, and new fan favorite Shane Douglas, at the 19:30 mark, our hosts talk about the recent match for the world title. “Flair is perhaps the greatest world heavyweight champion ever but he’s faced with a bonefide contender”, Jim Ross explains as he talks about the challenge of Sting. Ross shares how he feels the Stinger has the potential to be a world heavyweight champion. Then they bring us back to the footage of a recent event where that very match took place for the title.
With multiple-time Pro Wrestling Illustrated referee of the year Tommy Young officiating, Sting throws himself off the top rope in a cross-body block on Flair, knocking Young to the outside in the process. The crowd is out of their minds with excitement as Sting locks in his scorpion death-lock on Flair. A second referee attempts to slide into the ring to make the count, but Horsemen manager James J. Dillon pulls him back out of the ring. Taking no chances, Dillon throws that referee into the ring post as original referee Tommy Young is nursing a hurt ankle. Without an able referee to witness it, Flair is shaking his head signaling he can’t handle anymore, as Sting continues to pull back with his near unbreakable submission hold. Unable to pull him off of Flair, Dillon calls for help from the back. As Horsemen member Arn Anderson attempts to save his groups world champion, the Total Package Lex Luger with pal Barry Windham, jump in the ring preventing Anderson from breaking Stings hold on Flair. Pandemonium ensues as several other wrestlers come into the ring before Anderson and Dillon are finally able to pull Flair’s limp body from the ring. Sting, Luger, and Windham are left standing tall in the ring as we go back to the studio with Sting and a live interview. There it is conveyed just how close Sting had come to winning the World’s Heavyweight Championship.
Hot stuff Eddie Gilbert, the Powers of Pain, and others are showcased in the show until at the 55:00 mark Ric Flair makes his presence felt, with JJ Dillon in tow, wearing a Los Angeles Lakers hat with his custom made suit. While Flair makes it clear that he can handle the challenge of Sting, he is still able to explain the seriousness of the challenge that Sting presents.
Both the teams of Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard, and Luger and Windham are in action, along with others. Something special is showcased at the 1:16:00 mark as they discuss, show, and interview Paul Boesch as he’s named to the NWA board of directors.
As has become typical, this episode is full of a variety of NWA legends but the main takeaway is that of Sting. From this point forward it is clear that the Stinger will be a serious threat to Ric Flair’s world heavyweight title for many years to come.
You can watch the February 20th, 1988 episode of NWA World Championship Wrestling on WWE Network RIGHT HERE!
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