Flair, Bischoff, Threats, and a Near Jump to WWE In 1998 | War Stories

War Stories - Episode 5: No wrestler was ever more synonymous with World Championship Wrestling in any of its incarnations than "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. When he left WCW in 1991 following a series of disputes with then-head Jim Herd, the shockwave devastated WCW's core audience. Seven years later, in the midst of the heated Monday Night Wars, history came precariously close to repeating itself, as Ric Flair found himself at highly contentious odds with WCW President Eric Bischoff...
JOIN US and hit SUBSCRIBE!
cultaholic.com/
/ cultaholic
/ cultaholic
/ cultaholicwrestling
Support Cultaholic on Patreon: / cultaholic
Join the Cultaholic Discord: www.cultaholic....
Cultaholic provides video coverage of professional wrestling - including WWE (including WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown Live, WWE NXT and 205 Live), AEW, IMPACT Wrestling (formerly TNA), NJPW, ROH, and more with daily news updates, reviews, highlights, predictions, reactions, podcasts and much, much more.

[@theadventurousandre]

If Ric Flair jumped to WWF in 1998, that would have probably hastened the fall of WCW. Imagine the return of "We Want Flair!" in arenas across the nation when everyone would be watching.

[@Duigo23]

This is a great series guys

[@erikconetta252]

Awesome series!!!!! So informative and entertaining.

[@noahrichards553]

I absolutely agree!

[@dereksnyder6027]

@@4liferssslockedin I'm guessing you're from the southern part of the United States. Am I right?

[@matthewlane518]

It is one of the best wrestling doc channels

[@mfdixon1985]

It is amazing. WCW made so many mistakes a teenager wouldn't make. Bischoff let Hogan torpedo Starcade 97. He let the Outsiders (namely Hall) skate on a ton of transgressions. But with Flair and his son, there's a hard line in the sand.

[@Kitsune-Chaos]

You can tell that Sam absolutely loves working on these. And if there's ever a time when he decides to move on from Cultaholic, he's definitely got a serious talent for narration.

[@ChristopherJames1993]

Audiobooks.

[@FMecha]

This was the most widely cited reason why he missed WCW/nWo Revenge. Along with Ultimate Warrior, Flair was a huge omission there.

[@woobgamer5210]

'Flair wasnt on a contract' 'He must be there' 'Breach of his contract' Bishoff you high? He's not even technically your employee

[@BrianSmith-ct3kh]

"What's Richard Fliehr doing in the IMPACT Zone?!"

[@jstinstinny8909]

I am an old wrastlin fan but I'm new to war stories and I gotta say this is really really awesome.

[@WhiskeyBrewer]

Another story I only knew bits of pieces of, so hearing the details was an eye opener

[@ScoobaMusic]

Damn, I had no idea that they tried to "Benoit" Flair

[@rocky-es9rs]

Best series in cultaholic by far. Good work guys. Thanks for entertaining us during the bad times. Much love ❤️

[@sithvsjedi9696]

Great upload mate. NEVER underestimate a true great like the Nature Boy Ric Flair. Utter Madness.

[@YoElementalGPU]

Congratulations to Sam and all of those working on the series, it's probably my favourite you've done. The presentation is on point.

[@CMPac1737]

This is easily the most informative Wrestling series on KZbin. I absolutely adore it. Keep up the good work

[@ryanmalinowski7529]

Love this series. Good clean information in easy to digest segments. I remember that episode and loved his promo. I was watching it in Italy with a satellite dish aimed at sky network and tnt uk.

[@CycloneRecords113]

These are probably my favourite types of KZbin videos and you’re narration is so perfect

[@StevenScodes]

I've enjoyed every episode of this. This is such captivating work. Well done guys!!

[@Wadzillia]

That Nitro in Greenville is the loudest pop I've ever heard. Last WCW show I ever went to.

[@attiepollard7847]

September 14th 1998 should have marked the beginning of the end for the NWO when nature boy Ric flair came back to form the four

[@Ragan31687]

This is best series Cultaholic has done. Well Done. Sam is a great narrator.

[@MrT571]

It's funny that Eric is so angry about this while he's letting Nash and Hall get away with murder. Eric was such a damn hypocrite.

[@rayvenkman2087]

Let’s not even get started on Hogan’s antics.

[@meztizo_americano86]

That was his bread and butter. We never switched the Channel back and fourth for Flair. It was for Sting, Goldberg, and the NWO.

[@srenolsson1235]

Another splendid story - this series is really stellar work

[@WithInfiniteSadness]

None of this is stuff that hasn't been covered hundreds of times, but that being said this series is very well presented and I'm enjoying it a lot. Bang up job, fellas.

[@Cobralalalala]

That return was magnificent. I'm in tears just watching a video talk about it. Had to go to the Network and watch the whole thing. :D The Unforgiven thing would have been interesting though, and I would have been there for it!!!

[@bobbyneedz7268]

Second only to Dark Side of the Ring in terms of Wrestling (and sports entertainment too) documentaries at the moment, this. Class work

[@markkay4224]

what? have u watched the wwe ones? theres a lot to rag on wwe for, but their docuseries are absolutely freakin amazing EDIT: you know, as far as pure info is concerned, ur probably correct.. wwe loves to spin things or kinda just conveniently omit information

[@tobiaswhaley7030]

Really loving these war stories. Great presentation from Sam and the team.

[@dominicmanriquez1645]

the soundtrack and voice work makes this series so sweet

[@TrevzTv]

That episode of nitro is amazing but just imagine JR interviewing that great wrestling champion sitting in the front row next to his dad.

[@JWS1985]

Flair showing up on Raw in '98 would've been CRAZY! Damn.

[@jude_]

Such a fantastic series so far, great job Sam!

[@BrodyTNT]

Your War Stories videos are QUALITY!! More please

[@Snafu2346]

hold on hold on. I need to watch the reunion again. Its been... a life time.

[@kieranbrennan7212]

Might be the highest quality content you guys have ever put out, seriously excellent stuff

[@karlrobinson4660]

"No wrestler was ever more synonymous with World Championship Wrestling in any of its incarnations than "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair." - I'm pretty sure Sting is too, while he may not have been a main eventer in his early days he was still realistically the only one to stay true to WCW

[@georgebrice3831]

Karl Robinson+ yep

[@kingsgambit9561]

Please keep this series going. It’s amazing

[@keithnain3048]

Great series and AWESOME research fellas!

[@arvindneelakantan5615]

Amazing narration Sam as always. This is awesome !!!

[@badgerbhoy9534]

It must have killed EB that it was Austin who snapped their run after the way he treated him

[@robertshay9235]

Keep these coming Sam.....PLEASE!!!!! These are great!!!

[@siksic6192]

What happened to this series? It was so good and there was so much more y'all could of covered

[@jeruhenderson3950]

Imagine if this did happened. We have stone cold vs flair, the rock vs flair, mankind vs flair. Also undertaker vs flair

[@CRob172]

Flair in the Attitude Era is something I didn’t know I wanted till now

Well we had a pretty good taker vs Flair at wm18

[@randomassperson101]

please keep doing these sam. quickly becoming my favorite videos you guys upload

[@TheRealMightyHokie]

I've always wondered why some of these bookers find it hard to come up with incredible stories. It's not that hard. Of course, no one is perfect and you can't hit a home run every time. But it seems to me that when Flair came back they should have made it to where the Horsemen, the greatest stable in the history of professional wrestling and one that is ONLY associated with the WCW (at the time), could have been the force behind running the nWo out of the WCW. Leading the charge. And once they ran them out or forced them to be dismantled, then have them turn on the rest of the WCW just like the good ol' days.

[@A_YouTube_Commenter]

They thought the nWo would reign forever. Their egos would never let Flair get over.

[@TheRealMightyHokie]

@@A_KZbin_Commenter From what Bischoff has said he was looking for an end-game for the nWo early on but couldn't come up with a way. I'd say Nash, Hall, and Hogan were perfectly happy to whisper in his ear.

[@carlobelton6857]

Sam is it wrong, I was more looking forward to this new video than WrestleMania. Great work as usual.

[@mikeb620]

This was absolutely wonderful.

[@raymondford8919]

Goldberg as a Horeseman may have been awesome. Flair being the Corporate Champion for Vince would have also been awesome

[@dr.roberts4508]

Awesome work

[@PhilJoeO]

Somehow I've never heard about this before. Thumbs up.

[@AllUntold]

This is awesome. Thank you.

[@Neo-cj1im]

DUDE I was at that unforgiven. I would have lost my mind if ric flair showed up

[@thethinkingcatakaneonormie3527]

Why not do a video on how the NWA and territories worked as it is a interesting system in the Champion was mainly a seller who would make local talents look really good the master of it was Harley Race who's selling was pretty amazing as he could wrestle anyone

[@unstablebrother]

Really loving the videos during this time, but too many of them stress me out

[@ChrisTomson]

Unstable Brother then it’s up to you to steadily structure out your view time. The videos aren’t going anywhere, so you’re not going to miss anything if you don’t watch them all immediately

[@dbone3356]

I knew about the thing about him in a car, circling the venue of the WWE PPV... Didn't know about the 4 horsemen reunion with Goldberg... Thank you Ric (or Rick as that one sign showed) for no showing.

[@charismatic9904]

Its been debunked by everyone dude. It was NEVER planned. Just more bullshit made up by meltzer for smhucks like you.

[@brophymusprime593]

Whoa it was a trip to hear they had an event in fort Pierce. It is NOT a nice area.

[@christophercarpkey9382]

I really like this series good job.

[@Larsenne]

Why dont these get moee likes? I really love this series.

[@matthewparvin3959]

Loving this series

[@garretindall2820]

Great Job Sam. KEEP IT UP 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MrHazzerRC]

Sam is amazing on these! Him at his best 😀

[@LeoORyan]

Tbh, I'd rather have the reality where Flair jumped ship.

[@Nbflowers1989]

My fave new series!

[@scootinand]

Ric Flair as the Higher Power would have been amazing, but that was 99 and they wouldn't have waited that long to debut him

[@lilpoetat]

Thanks!

[@kyleshiflet9952]

Keep it up and going I love this series

[@adolfocoy7516]

I am honestly hyped for the Black Saturday episode

[@thebipolarbear1]

Buddy Rogers is the nature boy and don't you forget it mate

[@k.j.hallingswest5231]

Ric Flair is so cool that he quits a job in Detroit. The bosses " hometown". Btw, we don't claim you Eric...

[@duckhive]

AA is the most underrated wrestler of all times.

[@A_YouTube_Commenter]

Arn Anderson was one of the best workers. Not the flashiest but always had good matches. His team with Tully was top shelf and even with Bobby Eaton they were solid.

[@wilhelmfriedrichi3865]

Would love to hear a what if / rewrite on this!!

[@TrackHustlersENT]

Whens the philly indy war episode??? 215🙏🏼

[@kennethpaulley9340]

What ever happened to the philly indy wars episode?

[@mog-myownbestfriend]

Jesus, was Bill Diehl an attorney for supervillains or something? That is one hell of an ominous picture he's got of himself.

[@LAMONTWILLIAMS21]

SHOUT OUT TO YOU

[@SGTSAM101ST]

When has any wrestling company given any time off to its wrestlers except when injured?

[@mikelong2756]

The Upper Eckelon.. 🤔 Huh 😂

[@ChristopherJames1993]

WCW images with WWE copyright logos on them. It just ain't right.

[@Tonjin2007]

These are so good please please please guys give us more and any way Jen could do a female episode?

[@markkay4224]

echelon is NOT pronounced that way. not even as a secondary pronunciation. the more you know! :-) according to multiple dictionaries including merriam

[@markkay4224]

@@Dave_ja_vu i did give him a break. i didnt call him names or anything negative. just pointing it out. i even put a smiley. how much more positive could i have been? i'll write a limerick next time.

[@gbrooks2]

>*sees Sam video* >*smashes Like so fast his phone breaks*

[@josephmiller9424]

Flair VS Hogan was way to late if they could've had a supercard one time not only Flair vs Hogan but ROAD WARRIORS VS HART FOUNDATION Warrior VS Sting Big John Studd VS Big Bubba Roger's The Rockers VS ROCK N ROLL EXPRESS even Honkey Tonk Man VS The King Jerry Lawler like have a cross over card once every year

[@frank-bmtz]

"You're a no good, no son of a bitch". "Fire me, I'm already fired."

[@curtailedbike4123]

I always wondered what would have happened if flare did join wwe

[@Cody70858]

Man looking back i think I would have tested WCW balls an would have had done the great champion interview with Reid. Maybe even paid for his lawyer fees. I can understand why WWF didn’t because who knows how long a 49-year-old man who has hundreds and thousands of miles on his body can go. Of course he goes in another decade easily but flair v Austin in the Hight of 98/99 would have been money.

[@jamesweikel2594]

To this day if he didn't have a contract how was he in breach of contract

[@Boomshakalaka2000]

plane ride from hell in a future episode please!

[@TecDax]

Suing for breach of a contract that doesn't exist...only possible in the US, I guess.

[@watchmy666]

👌🏻 🙏🏻 Cheers

[@usaalways1869]

Woooooooooo!

[@KingGosh]

What is an ekkalon?

[@reno_2200]

Echelon I only know that word because of Splinter Cell

[@JamesR1986]

I feel like Flair in the Attitude Era was a dodged Bullet. I'm worried Flair in the WWF in 98/99 would have been closer to Val Venis or Mark Henry then any of the top stars in the company. Reduced to a caricature of himself as a dirty old man.

[@markske2156]

WOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!

[@keithnain3048]

No Flair=NoWcW

[@jediknightfalcon]

Do the women's title being taken onto wcw.

[@outlawrip-offartist4161]

Ric Flair in WWF in 1998. I don’t know why, but I think it wouldn’t work.

[@BronzeAgeBryon]

Agreed. I don't think would have been proper room for Flair in what WWF/E was doing at the time. I just wish Cena never would have tied his 16 Championships. That honor should belong to Ric and he alone.

[@davidworden4470]

Bishoffs ego hogan and Russo destroyed 2 wrestling promotions that were on top

[@pumpedupbro4200]

WOOOOOO!!

[@k.j.hallingswest5231]

✋whoooooo✋

[@k.j.hallingswest5231]

Arn is great...

[@randymanmaximus8419]

Goldberg as a Horseman? LMAO

[@eddiedean4471]

Vice dark side of the ring just ripping of the wrestling KZbin channels y'all documentary are far better

[@keysepulliam]

Wooooooooooooo!!