Top 5 Biggest Cross-Promotional Matches of All Time
Photo Credit: IMPACT Westling
4. Ric Flair vs Nick Bockwinkel (American Wrestling Association)
Perhaps the biggest dream match of the early 80s, in this, the face of the NWA took on the face of the AWA. Taking place on an AWA card, it was the only documented singles bout between the two, with ‘The Nature Boy’’s NWA strap on the line.
On January 16th 1986, in the Winnipeg Arena in Manitoba, Canada – the two titans clashed in a bout for Flair’s NWA title. Bockwinkel was between runs as the AWA world titleholder, with Stan ‘The Lariat’ Hansen then the company flag-bearer. As not held on a huge stage, it was not the epic clash of legends it likely should have been but was a nonetheless good match, that is structurally sound. As with many Flair bouts, this one had a dusty finish, with both toppling out of the ring before both failing to get back in before the 10-count.
Both men had monumental respect for another with Flair looking up to Bockwinkel, feeling honored to wrestle him, even if only once. This bout was filled with even more star power as it featured Scott Hall on commentary and a 15-year-old Chris Jericho in attendance.
By June, Bockwinkel had won his 4th and final AWA title – being awarded the strap after Hansen got into a contractual dispute with the company. Flair would, of course, go on to hold many more world titles such as the NWA, WWF and WCW. This would eventually tally to approximately 23 world titles for Naitch.
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