Better Wrestler #40

[Jeritron]

Ric Flair has steamrolled through the likes of Piper, Bret Hart, Andre The Giant and Triple H.

For the first time, a compettitor has taken on returning competitors, but any Hall of Famer needs to go through new ones. Top first time contenders. And if Flair is going into the Better Wrestler Hall of Fame it's going to have to be earned.

That's right folks, round 5 can never be a cake walk. Flair's next opponent won't lay down for nobody...






http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x310/The_Ultimate_Wrestling_Gallery/Ric%20Flair/RicFlair022.jpg

The "Nature Boy" Ric Flair






VS





http://www.floydscabana.com/images/pwt100_2/3_hbk.jpg

The "Heartbreak Kid(Man)" Shawn Michaels





<SELECT><OPTION selected>Better Wrestler History<OPTION>RVD vs CM Punk (34-19)</OPTION><OPTION>RVD vs Santino Marella (36-4)</OPTION><OPTION>RVD vs Mr. Perfect (15-23)</OPTION><OPTION>Mr. Perfect vs Tully Blanchard (30-5)</OPTION><OPTION>Mr. Perfect vs Chris Jericho (15-23)</OPTION><OPTION>Chris Jericho vs Brock Lesnar (34-10)</OPTION><OPTION>Chris Jericho vs William Regal (38-14)</OPTION><OPTION>Chris Jericho vs Eddie Guerrero (21-23)</OPTION><OPTION>Eddie Guerrero vs Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat (26-7)</OPTION><OPTION>Eddie Geurrero vs "Macho Man" Randy Savage (26-19)</OPTION><OPTION>Eddie Guerrero vs Diamond Dallas Page (39-8)</OPTION><OPTION>Eddie Guerrero vs "Stone Cold" Steve Austin(19-28)</OPTION><OPTION>"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Chris Benoit (32-13)</OPTION><OPTION>"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Jake "The Snake" Roberts (29-10)</OPTION><OPTION>"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Sting (36-16)</OPTION><OPTION>"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs Bret "The Hitman" Hart (32-31)</OPTION><OPTION>Hulk Hogan vs John Cena (15-24)<OPTION>John Cena vs Lex Luger (32-6-2)<OPTION>John Cena vs Ultimate Warrior (29-18)</OPTION><OPTION>John Cena vs Dean Malenko (9-40)</OPTION><OPTION>Dean Malenko vs Billy Kidman (31-7)</OPTION><OPTION>Dean Malenko vs Ultimo Dragon (22-15)</OPTION><OPTION>Dean Malenko vs Taz (15-17)</OPTION><OPTION>Taz vs Sabu (38-2)</OPTION><OPTION>Taz vs Jeff Hardy (25-16)</OPTION><OPTION>Taz vs Bam Bam Bigelow (26-12)</OPTION><OPTION>Taz vs Triple H (24-22)</OPTION>><OPTION>Edge vs Christian Cage (22-23)<OPTION>Christian Cage vs Raven (23-22)</OPTION><OPTION>Christian vs Matt Hardy (22-19)</OPTION><OPTION>Christian vs Ted Dibiase (24-25)</OPTION><OPTION>Ted Dibiase vs "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (16-19)</OPTION><OPTION>"Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith (25-19)</OPTION><OPTION>"Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs Bob Backlund (26-6)</OPTION><OPTION>"Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs The Dynamite Kid (26-13)</OPTION><OPTION>"Rowdy Roddy Piper vs Ric Flair (16-19)</OPTION><OPTION>Ric Flair vs Bret "The Hitman" Hart (19-17)</OPTION><OPTION>Ric Flair vs Andre "The Giant" (28-5)</OPTION><OPTION>Ric Flair vs Triple H (26-11)</OPTION></SELECT>

<SELECT><OPTION selected>Better Wrestler Hall of Fame</OPTION><OPTION>"Stone Cold" Steve Austin</OPTION><OPTION>Taz</OPTION></SELECT>


3 days as always. No bitching.

[Ruien]

I still remember.

[Ruien]

And I would not call the Bret Hard a steamroll. It was only 2 votes.

[Jeritron]

Shut the fuck up. I meant he's gotten this far pretty handily.

[Ruien]

Sorry.

[Jeritron]

Thats what I thought

[Ruien]

I just do not like to argue.

[Jeritron]

Argue or GTFO

[Destor]

FLAIR. As the single greatest to ever put on the boots he wins this. But not by the comfortable margin he's beaten past challengers.

[Destor]

Also, as Theddy. Jerry and I have discussed guys will be allowed to re-challenge after 50 matches have taken place.

[Ruien]

Okay, then how can you say he got here "handily". Maybe you do not know what it means. Let me google it and find the correct definition for you.

hand·i·ly (hnd-l, -dl-)
adv.
1. In an easy manner.
2. In a convenient manner.

Bret Hart and Ric Flair were 2 votes apart, I believe that is the second closest poll in this thing. So it was not a easy win, it was a hard win.

Thank you come again.

[Destor]

But his others wins were amongst the most dominant so it cancles it out.

[Jeritron]

There's no point to even bitch about it to begin with. I'd have edited if you weren't a fucking poindexter about it.

[Ruien]

You told me to argue.

[Destor]

It's just hype anyway.

[Jeritron]

You told me to argue.

About the compettitors. You're putting a damper on an important thread. Delete all your posts now or we'll neg you to hell

[Destor]

lol

[Juan]

As much as I hate to do this, I'm gonna have to go HBM.

[Jeritron]

I went HBM as well. He's the only person I'd give my vote to over Flair. It just has to do with what wrestling promotion/period I watched growing up and the amount of my favorite matches by him.

[thedamndest]

<img src="http://lulupop.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/less_is_more1.jpg">

It all came down to this.

[Jeritron]

lol

[Destor]

Flair > HBM and heres why: Flair lost his titles.

Yeah, I went there.

[thedamndest]

How many titles has HBM lost without being pinned?

[Jeritron]

Yea, but HBK lost his smiles.

Flair never did that.

[Jeritron]

How many titles has HBM lost without being pinned?

I think he was pinned for 3 of 4

[What Would Kevin Do?]

HBM, period. Nothing against Flair, but Shawn Micheals is, and will always be in a league of his own. I can think of no other wrestle that is truly the total package that he is. Shawn can work a great match with anyone, he can work a mic, and he can tell a story, which is something a lot of people lack these days. Look at his match with Flair at WM, look at his return match with HHH. Shawn is a storyteller. HBM is pound for pound probably the greatest wrestler ever.

[CSL]

Michaels. The best ever.

[St. Jimmy]

THE SHOWSTOPPER, THE ICON, THE MAIN EVENT: MR. WRESTLEMANIA.

There ain't no one crazy enough - to do this gig... Cept' the Heart Break Kid.

[El Fangel]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Jeritron]

Flairs got one in the can from Zen, we know that

[thedamndest]

I think he was pinned for 3 of 4

Not just world titles though. He dropped his first tag belt with Nash. They had a one night run together, though I'm not sure if that was recognized or not since they pinned an illegal man. Pretty sure he dropped his tag belt with Austin. He dropped the European title to HHH. He dropped the IC belt to for some reason Dean Douglas (I think). There may be more.

[Jeritron]

He dropped his pants for Playgirl. That wasn't clean.

[Jeritron]

TOVO, if you see this...We can't have a friendly compettition. I could go easy so all my favorites could get in but that wouldn't be right. Gotta maintain integrity and make things interesting and challenging. This isn't little league with 5 run mercy rules and 9 batter limits. And there are no fuckin handshakes at the end.

This is better FUCKIN wrestler, and the last time I checked there was nothing casual about that

[KYR]

I knew you guys would do this!

However, I stick by what I said before - Flair must be in the HoF, as does HBM, but as a sign of my respect for the Man he should be inducted before Michaels. Shawn will get his chance again later and will have my vote then.

[thedamndest]

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/LoKKie/Blog%20fotos/hbkculo.jpg">

Here's another angle. HOF BOUND!

[Lock Jaw]

Flair. Much as I love HBK in a heterosexual way, you just can't vote against Flair.

[KYR]

Listen to Lock Jaw people. :y:

He knows the score.

[MCEazy]

Now I am already fully aware of the incredible skill of both men in terms of wrestling skill, promos, charisma and all time great matches... However Shawn Michaels, is the only wrestler I can think of that has returned from a career ending injury and from 2004 and on have 4 consecutive matches of the year. Michaels is well past his prime yet can still carry anybody to an amazing match, the same cannot be said of Flair to any degree. Although I have immense respect for Ric flair, with a couple of exceptions, he hasn't had a 5 star match since around 93-94, the promo skills never faded but the match quality certainly did.

HBM is what got me watching wrestling and he will always be my favorite, I cannot vote against him for any competitor period.

[KYR]

However Shawn Michaels, is the only wrestler I can think of that has returned from a career ending injury.

Ah, so what about that plane crash??????

Broke his back in three places, was told he'd never walk again let alone wrestle. But hey, whatever.

[Destor]

KYR knows the score.

[Destor]

Michaels is well past his prime yet can still carry anybody to an amazing match, the same cannot be said of Flair to any degree.
Also when Flair was HBM's age he was still carrying people too. Lets see if HBM is even in the ring at the age Flair was, let alone carrying people.

[MCEazy]

Ah, so what about that plane crash??????

Broke his back in three places, was told he'd never walk again let alone wrestle. But hey, whatever.

This is true

[Destor]

9-8 Flair, this might be REALLY close.

[MCEazy]

Also when Flair was HBM's age he was still carrying people too. Lets see if HBM is even in the ring at the age Flair was, let alone carrying people.

Once again this is very true, in the 92 royal rumble Flair was 43 and gave an amazing performance. Not regretting my vote at all but I admit I was wrong.

On a side note though, given HBM's wrestling style, it would be near impossible to wrestle as long as Flair has.

[Destor]

Seems like HBM's problem, not Flairs.

[Destor]

TIED UP! 10-10

[Xerzes]

Flair, damnit. And stop posting HBM porn.

[Afterlife]

Guess who I voted for, Destor.

[Destor]

Draw?

[Afterlife]

Clever.

[DaveBrawl]

The Nature Boy is a man of his word. He said he would never retire and he seems to be on that path, so I must vote for that man.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

Shawn Michaels. Ric Flair may be the measuring stick for how great a wrestler truly is, but Shawn Michaels would be a champion high jumper. Flair set the bar, Michaels leaped above. Shawn is the total package as a worker, the best ever.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

13-13

[BigDaddyCool]

And Kurt Angle won the olympics with a broken friggin neck.

[BigDaddyCool]

I voted Shawn, Flair is cool. Shawn did retired him.

[thedamndest]

If Flair wrestles one more match will that change your mind?

[Fabien Barthez]

I believe Steve Austin was also told to retire after his broken neck. Triple H defied general practices of medicine after his 2nd quad explosion as well...

HBK has been putting on higher quality matches for longer time than Flair. He is a better athlete, and always has been. His exocution is top notch, his character delivery in and out of the ring has always been expemlar. Shawn Michaels style of wrestling is the most immitated by other wrestlers, and remains the most enjoyable to watch in my opinion. He is probably in at least 5 of my 10 favourite matches of all time, he is old as fuck and still a far better worker than anyone else in the WWE locker room.

He is the best wrestler of all time. Ric Flair could not have immitated what Shawn does in a ring at any point in his career. Legacy, and fueds and a few other factors may create a bigger argument here, but when I think about the merits of an individual wrestler, its the way he carries his character and the way he works that are paramount to me.

[Good Ol JG]

HBK is great, he'd probably get my vote over anyone else. But this is Ric Flair, and to me, nobody beats the Naitch.

[Destor]

I believe Steve Austin was also told to retire after his broken neck. Triple H defied general practices of medicine after his 2nd quad explosion as well...

HBK has been putting on higher quality matches for longer time than Flair. He is a better athlete, and always has been. His exocution is top notch, his character delivery in and out of the ring has always been expemlar. Shawn Michaels style of wrestling is the most immitated by other wrestlers, and remains the most enjoyable to watch in my opinion. He is probably in at least 5 of my 10 favourite matches of all time, he is old as fuck and still a far better worker than anyone else in the WWE locker room.

He is the best wrestler of all time. Ric Flair could not have immitated what Shawn does in a ring at any point in his career. Legacy, and fueds and a few other factors may create a bigger argument here, but when I think about the merits of an individual wrestler, its the way he carries his character and the way he works that are paramount to me. That's because the guys coming up NOW were infuenced by HBM. The guys of HBMs genereation were influenced by FLAIR. And who knows how Flair would have wrestled if he was from another generation, but that's a shit reason to knock a guy.

HBM = Flair V.2

[Destor]

15-15 though

[Fabien Barthez]

That's because the guys coming up NOW were infuenced by HBM. The guys of HBMs genereation were influenced by FLAIR. And who knows how Flair would have wrestled if he was from another generation, but that's a shit reason to knock a guy.

HBM = Flair V.2

Being an originator doesn't make you better though.

The V.2 is generally an improved version of the previous. And while evolution doesn't always enovke improvement, I feel it has in this instance.

None of anything I said is a knock on Flair, just justification of my decision.

[Jeritron]

Whats better, nintendo or super nintendo?

[BigDaddyCool]

If Flair wrestles one more match will that change your mind?

No.

[BigDaddyCool]

If it remains tied, can Flair get into the HoF and Shawn start his road to the hall of fame? I think that is a pretty good deal.

[Afterlife]

Whats better, nintendo or super nintendo?

My nintendo knew when to quit.

[Heros Welcome]

For me this is a no brainer. Its HBK without a doubt in my mind.

I mean yes I am younger and haven't seen ALL of Ric Flairs work, but from the thing s I have seen compared to the entire career of HBK`s that I have seen, I can't go against HBK. He is the greatest that I have ever seen, and imo the greatest ever.

[thedamndest]

Guy Fawkes is voting for Ric Flair? Sounds like a dirty trick from the dirtiest player in the game.

[Jeritron]

Sock votes won't be counted

[BigDaddyCool]

Guy Fawkes is voting for Ric Flair? Sounds like a dirty trick from the dirtiest player in the game.

Did Bret get screwed on the Fifth of November?

[Innovator]

Flair

[Afterlife]

Sucks.

[thedamndest]

Really going to be shocked if Flair does not overcome. WITH A TEAR. IN MY EYE.

[Destor]

In the event of a tie Flair will have another match (to try and get his 5th win) and HBM will be either face the next champ or be one of the two next challengers in the event a HoF is crowned in the following match.

[Destor]

Also if we don't count socks then therocksays doesn't count.

[Destor]

I guess they cancel each other out really.

[thedamndest]

therocksays has been an upstanding member of the TPWW community for quite some time now.

[Inadequacy]

I just wanted to tie it up again

[Loose Cannon]

WOOOOOOO

Flair's was on top and drew serious money for a period of like 10 years. He was the face of NWA/WCW for the longest time. HBK has had better matches, but he's below Flair.

[Destor]

Being an originator doesn't make you better though.

The V.2 is generally an improved version of the previous. And while evolution doesn't always enovke improvement, I feel it has in this instance.

None of anything I said is a knock on Flair, just justification of my decision.
V.2 is only better because V.1 already did most of the work for him. :o

[Destor]

Also, I completely realize that I more of an old shcool fan than most, but I prefer Flair's 70s-80s (and even a little from the early 90s) to HBMs stuff.

[El Fangel]

I just wanted to be tied it up again

:naughty:

[Tazz Dan]

Sock votes won't be counted

So what you're saying is that it's 16-0 to Flair at the moment via technicality?

[Destor]

HBM is pulling away with this thing.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

That's because as incredible as Ric Flair is, he was the prototype for pro wrestlers without question. But just as in all of life, things become antiquated. Shawn Michaels is now the prototype. Flair is a legend, but no longer the basis of what makes a wrestler, the best.

[Mercury Bullet]

HBK edges it out for me, but JUST barely. Just fucking barely!

[XL]

I appreciate Flair's legacy and all but (perhaps sadly) I wasn't around to see his best years. Therefore, in this instance, my vote has to go to HBK.

Also, would it not be better to have the poll as non-public so you don't get people voting just to tie the vote!?

[Gertner]

Flair

[Destor]

I appreciate Flair's legacy and all but (perhaps sadly) I wasn't around to see his best years. Therefore, in this instance, my vote has to go to HBK.

Also, would it not be better to have the poll as non-public so you don't get people voting just to tie the vote!?
How would a non public vote stop that? And ftr: public votes are the cool thing.

[thedamndest]

Ric Flair is running out of people to vote for him...

[Destor]

Seems that way.

[Loose Cannon]

how is this happening :(

[Destor]

I know, right? :(

[Lock Jaw]

:(

[Zen v.W.o.]

How do you vote against the man, Ric Flair??

Lots of little HBK marks in here. Almost as bad as teenyboppin chicks.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

How do you vote against the man, Ric Flair??

Lots of little HBK marks in here. Almost as bad as teenyboppin chicks.

The same way you voted against the man, Ric Flair???

I'm sorry, don't condemn people for doing the same thing you did.

[Zen v.W.o.]

I most certainly will.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

Because it's easy to assume people won't remember you doing the same thing?

[Zen v.W.o.]

I was doing it for the right reasons.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

Being a Bret Hart mark? Same reason people are voting for Michaels, being Shawn Michaels marks? Same reason people are voting for Flair, being Flair marks?

[XL]

How would a non public vote stop that? And ftr: public votes are the cool thing.
I think you misunderstood what I meant Destor.

When you have a poll you have the option to make the vote public all the way through (so, for example, I could look and see that Flair is one behind HBK and vote for him just to "keep things interesting").

Alternatively, you can set the poll so that the result goes public after a certain time period (3 days in this case).

At least I think you can.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

Nah, XL, private polls just don't show who picked who. Still shows the score.

[Juan]

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm179/coreydrewblack/wmdigi_008.jpg

[thedamndest]

<img src="http://thankyouric.com/images/Flair_waves_to_fans.jpg">

[Juan]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/ThatJuanGuy1/1534tmx.jpg

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2008-03/37339358.jpg

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00528/mania_682x400_528653a.jpg

[Juan]

lol @ Charles Robinson in that last one

[thedamndest]

Lil' Naitch is sympathy feelin' it.

[Loose Cannon]

let it be known that I am certainly not a Flair mark.

[Loose Cannon]

but I am a Bret mark :love:

[Lock Jaw]

I'm disappointed in each and every one of you.

[Lock Jaw]

Except those who agree with my opinion.

[thedamndest]

LEAVE THE MEMORIES ALONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE! DON'T EVER CHANGE!

I'm pretty shocked. I voted back when I thought Flair was a shoe in and my vote didn't matter, and although I still probably would have voted HBM, this really makes you think.

[BigDaddyCool]

I say we put flair in any how.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

I'd have to agree. Flair just so happened to go against the ONE person no one could beat.

[El Fangel]

I'd have to agree. Flair just so happened to go against the ONE person no one could beat.

Rock, Austin or Hogan are the only ones with a chance.

[Loose Cannon]

lol Hogan. on this board? no way

[El Fangel]

lol Hogan. on this board? no way

Exactly, I mean those are the only ones who would stand a chance at all against HBK career wise, and seeing as no one would vote Hogan over HBK, then you have Rock and Austin

[thedamndest]

Can't wait to see who HBM's opponents are.

[Destor]

Well you know you can pick his next opponent if you want THeddy, you are on the "commitee."

(I don't have the time right now.)

[thedamndest]

I will get one going tomorrow morning if Jerry doesn't tonight. I wanted to see who he had in mind since he put HBM in the mix.

[Jeritron]

Hmmm, lets discuss this Thed

[thedamndest]

Alright THEN. Huddle up.

[The Optimist]

Totally lost track of time and didn't get see the vote.

Probably would have gone for Flair. Ric Flair in the late eighties is probably my favorite person ever.