Ric Flair: The WWF & The Big Gold Belt

Wrestling Bios Presents - Ric Flair: The WWF and The Big Gold Belt
When Vince McMahon managed to sign Ric Flair to a WWF contract in 1991, he must have felt like the luckiest man alive. Not only was Nature Boy Ric Flair the most succesful NWA champion in WCW at the time, but he was also one of the most popular wrestlers on the planet. When Ric Flair made his exciting debut in the WWE back in 1991, he didn't just bring the Nature Boy, but he also brought the WCW / NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
In the buildup to the arrival of this once in a lifetime superstar, the WWF teased on TV that the "Real World's Champion" was coming to the company to feud with the WWF Champion at the time, Hulk Hogan. Bobby Heenan displayed the NWA Championship belt on WWF television, something we thought we would never see. Ric Flair did indeed show up on WWF television, and he was claiming to be the Real World Champion.
The events leading up to Ric's WWF debut are really fascinating, and in today's Wrestling Bios video, we take a look at Ric's journey to the WWF. Included topics:
01:17 - Understanding the WCW / NWA Championship Title in the early 90s
03:12 - WCW hires Jim Herd as Executive Vice President
04:29 - Jim Herd tries to change Ric Flair into "Spartacus"
07:08 - Ric Flair leaves WCW and doesn't return the NWA Championship Belt
08:54 - The Big Gold Belt shows up on WWF TV in 1991
10:48 - Comparing the NWA title on WWF TV to Montreal and Alundra Blayze
12:33 - Roddy Piper throws down the WCW / NWA Championship on WWF TV
13:13 - The WWF Debut of Ric Flair in 91
13:47 - Plans change for Hulk Hogan vs Ric Flair
- Much More!

[@WrestlingBios]

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[@emirroman2062]

EMIR ROMAN

[@taitaisparks]

Love the bios keep up the great work

[@elzxhapo2411]

Could someone show me where to become a member I can’t find it 🙅🏽‍♂️ I’ve been subbed but want to become a member asap !!!

[@alberthenley2062]

He was actually the Nwa and the first WCW champion.

[@chrisbennett2549]

Cpppp'0pc, BB opphphpp

[@Midge-xn9tp]

6 years later Vince was worrying that Bret would do the same thing with his belt in WCW

[@justan324]

Like what also happened with the women’s title on wcw

[@kenrickeason]

@@justan324 Vince McMahon Started it.. WCW wanted Revenge for it.. Funny how WWF leave that out when talking about people taking belts to other companies..

[@SW-zu7ve]

Yeah....he covers that in the fu..ing video. Did you bother watching it?

[@javiercastillo7084]

Hogan should have taken the WWE championship to WCW In 1994 just like Flair did in 1991

[@derekborba2644]

My initial thought

[@taylormademyself89]

This video is rated w for woooooooooooooo!!!!

[@joselozada24]

To be the man you have to beat the man

[@shane1489]

Wooooo!

[@kensummerlin180]

@@joselozada24 I got Ric to sign his book. "To be the man, you gotta beat the man. Nature Boy Ric Flair"

[@Bobbywoodhogan]

Best YT post ever

[@cvz14]

Lol 😆 nice

[@ironman2326]

The "real world champion" gimmick was perfect for Vince to capitalize on.

[@VickStarkiller]

Iron man some of the best booking he ever did

[@Bsfnelz20]

No wonder he did BRET HART dirty at the SURVIVORS SERIES IN MONTREAL

[@bathombre9739]

Even without bret having the belt he could still say he was the real WWF champion because he did not give up, but of course wcw and bret hart messed that up

[@HighFalutinTootin]

Well...Ric was the champion of the NWA and WCW and the WWF...I'd say he can claim that he's the real world champion. Wooooo

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

I've been watching wrestling for 35 years now and seeing Bobby Heenan holding the big gold belt and talking about Ric Flair and finally seeing Flair appear on WWF tv, was and still is, one of the most surreal things that I've ever seen in wrestling. If you weren't a wrestling fan during that time, you will never, ever know what a big deal that was. Damn, I love this channel!

[@jeffdukane9847]

Was it wrestling challenge,the Sunday show? I just remembered sitting there like...htf did Bobby pull that off?!? Its like Avengers/Jla or something

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

@@jeffdukane9847 Yes, Sir, it was on an episode of Wrestling Challenge.

[@StuUngar]

@@justafanofnerdculture7602 I thought it was Prime Time Wrestling

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

Ditto. Can still remember it now. It was a wow moment

[@tdizzle7812]

Agree. I was only 7 and I even knew at that age that it was a huge huge deal seeing flair with the "wcw" title on prime time.

[@Bit2brain]

This video is so right. The significance of Flair leaving back then while holding the WCW belt can not be understated. It really was a huge deal.

[@graveyardshowpodcast]

Agreed. Seeing Bobby Heenan on WWF TV holding Flair's belt and teasing that he was coming to the WWF was jaw dropping. In present day it wouldn't be as shocking since it would have gotten out on social media. ~ Caretaker

[@shauntalbot6904]

That intro music was banging lol

[@stephenmcshane546]

A big WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO for another great video

[@rafaelcolonhernandez261]

I remember when Ric Flair shows the Big Gold Belt in 1991, and I was speechless at the time.👍😮

[@g-dub5272]

The literal definition of professional wrestler - Ric Flair

[@randybarnett2308]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[@williamdougie6213]

Bret Hart

[@harithhunter8818]

that was one of the biggest moment in wrestling and it revised an NWA feud too Piper/Flair .when we first seen Bobby Heenan with the NWA/ WCW title , the first thing said in my house hold thats Flair belt .

[@bossmann6358]

Harith Hunter *saw

[@T-Bag13]

The legend that is Wrestling Bios, oh yeah and Ric Flair.

[@georgesalgado8783]

Best looking belt ever made befitting of the greatest world champions.

[@zdarrah]

You are quickly becoming my favorite wrestling youtube channel

[@TombstoneChris]

I remember when he gave the title back and used a tag team belts they blurred out. It was so cool to see the big gold belt on WWF for the short time it lasted.

[@vermontmike9800]

The Big Gold Belt was seen before the invasion angle with WCW/New Japan events. It once again served as The NWA title with The Great Muta and Masahiro Chono.

[@mil182]

Ric Flair is one of the all time greats, a true classic and changing him to “Spartacus” is one of the worst ideas ever. I’m glad He stood his ground. I’m very grateful that I’ve been privileged enough to see The nature boy wrestle live a few times. Thanks as always for the amazing content. This channel is amazing and you can tell you put an incredible amount of effort into each video. Woooooooooo!!!

[@TheMistahWooseNetwork]

I had just started watching wrestling when Flair took the big gold belt to the WWF!

[@foxhound9781]

The best belt ever to grace a wrestling ring!

[@nicholashurst780]

That is correct

[@shahrinridor]

I agreed the best big gold belt in the world.

[@christiancarpenter1570]

that is still the best looking title belt ever

[@alexisknox1581]

Kerry

[@only1icon1801]

Have to say I prefer the Eagle Belt above all but each to their own

[@KEICRUMBIE]

NWA belt with the flags that Race and Flair held.

[@IRONSHEIKHAOA]

YEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS THEN THE AWA BELT

[@electricchurchmedia1187]

The big green belt

[@josephdobry257]

Ric Flair was the reason I went to WWF, and then went back to WCW once he returned. Amazing how one heel can have a 9yr cheering for him.👍🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jonathankarnes168]

Brother, I just wanted to say I was going through a rough time in my life and these videos man gave me a great escape!! Thanks for your great content

[@ODANNEK]

Ric Flair’s 1st WWF rollout was one of the best rollouts ever just because of the belt controversy.

[@Large23collectibles]

When you hit 100k, I will smile with a tear in my eye. Great video brother!!!!

[@skateman7151]

One year later he's at 220,000. Love these wrestling channels. Theres some other great ones

[@soar123]

Ric Flair's early 90s WWF run was how I was first introduced to Ric Flair. So during my childhood I always thought of Ric as a WWF guy first lol 😂😂

[@philipanih6724]

Not to me Ric seems so outta place. He was a normal guy next to the undertaker and warrior

[@soar123]

@@philipanih6724 So did Stone Cold Steve Austin

[@donovanwilliams9006]

I'm in the same boat. Loved the belt and the chat but he seemed a bit old compared to the other guys. Mr Perfect as his manager wrecked my head lol

[@nihongochopsocky808]

Flairs 91 run in the WWF was awesome!I was excited when Bobby Heenan was building up Flair going to the WWF!The only time i was a Ric Flair fan.I saw that WCW Japan Supershow and recall in the post match press conference, Flair just took the belt back from Fujinami.I didn't see or was aware of the rematch.I also got to see Hogan vs Flair live at the Aloha Stadium here in Hawaii!

[@quidddaboss1061]

Who won

[@EarnstT20963]

Favorite Championship straps of ALL time!

[@prestonwhite116]

Without a shadow of a doubt this is the greatest moment of my life wooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!💪😎👊

[@CashColorCannabis]

I remember watching when Bobby Heenan first teased the real-world championship. I'm almost passed out 🤣🤣 I couldn't believe Ric Flair was coming

[@RedfishCarolina]

I remember this whole storyline. Vince really capitalized on it well. Was outrageously entertaining. Unlike the Hogan/Flair matches.

[@1523yankeess]

I remember this as a kid and thinking wow how can the WWF do this, how they allow a WCW belt on WWF tv. Great video my friend

[@RicGagger]

Maybe the most beautiful belt ever made

[@candoentertainment9118]

That is my favorite era of wrestling. '91- '93.

[@scienceman2024]

I remember being in absolute shock when I saw that belt on WWF tv at the time. I had watched both organizations through the 1980s and just couldn't believe what I was seeing. This was huge.

[@Amikshk]

Best title belt ever

[@ChiGuy251]

I would say this period was when I was truly introduced to Ric Flair because even though I saw him in WCW prior (it was 1991) It was during this time, where I first saw how big a deal Flair was.

[@TheFtw85bossczar]

Imagine a unification WORLD TITLE & WWF CHAMPIONSHIP in 1991, would've changed the industry forever. Btw : is Triple H's 2002 World Championship share the same lineage was Flair's REAL World Title?

[@shady_the_one]

WWE says it does, but in 2002, they said it didn't... I'll just say it doesn't, sadly

[@energicko]

Evolution: A mystery. The Four Horsemen: A force of... *NATURE* !

[@TheAutistWhisperer]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! SPACE MOUNTAIN!

[@dominicomegon4714]

I think Al Snow deserves a bio

[@dominicomegon4714]

That's actually one of my favorite entrances ever with Prodigy blasting in the background and everyone with a head

[@alfredohsauce]

Leif Cassidy definitely deserves a bio... 1/2 of the new rockers!

[@aarontunkin8587]

Ric was one of the best things to happen to wwe

[@eddymunster3938]

I gave ya a like Woooooo

[@eddymunster3938]

He owns woooooo [Six o"s]

[@FreddieBlaze]

Hell No!👎

[@blackwidow6729]

Flair is the GOAT of wrestling hands down.

[@toddstone6805]

Ric Flair and Tommy "Wildfire" Rich was my introduction to wrestling. I have been a fan ever since.

[@christian4u69]

As a matter of fact, when Bill Watts paid Ric Flair his deposit back, he paid a total of some $38,000, the original $25,000, plus interest over the time it took to pay Flair back.

[@NEONOIRERA]

I remember they blurred the belt out.... when flair left Luger turned heel

[@billywall7752]

Yes. After WCW sued them.

[@foxhound9781]

Another great video, nice shout out to Classic Shields belt-makers at 15:11!

[@jessechavez9931]

You gotta beat the man to be the man/ stylin’ and profilin’ Baby

[@joeseymour4073]

Custom made from head to toe. 😂👍

[@dalesanteford7432]

I remember growing up watching WWF Superstars seen Ric Flair and Bobby brain with the giant gold belt I didn't know about WCW or the NWA at that time I didn't start watching until Hulk Hogan went to WCW I was a little kid looking back on those this is great and my brothers were so in the WWF nothing like seeing WCW but we all like Ric Flair

[@Shadowkiller-dq2ju]

Having the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on WWE Raw or NXT

[@CarloBiondi]

Flairs WWF run of 91/92 was the greatest. For me, Royal Rumble 92 was and is the best ever pay per view. The roster was full of the old school wrestlers and sadly the 80s era came to a close with that event.

[@richardhunt6310]

Well I can say I learned something from this video, I had no clue that the NWA champ had to put a $25,000 deposit on the belt. Great video man

[@jackpumpkinpatch2119]

That promo at the end of the 91 Rumble, perfection

[@unregierbar7694]

The Big Gold Belt will forever be my favourite.

[@carolcanuso8636]

Nature boy Ric Flair, there no other Champion!💪💪

[@jasonyoung3070]

Man Ric is the 🐐 for sure ive heard storys of him drinking at a few local bars in Canton ohio hes a legend got hus own shot named after him lol

[@mdub2000]

man when i was a kid and i saw this, my freakin jaw dropped.....this was such a big deal because you just never saw stuff like this......i was like noooooo way!!!!! I almost couldn't believe when I saw that belt in bobby the brain henans hands.....then when Ric flair actually was on tv i the wwf....it was just crazy because it was like reading one of those "what if" articles in the old wrestling magazines but we were seeing it for real this time.

[@theexpertlevelwrestlingpod6722]

had to watch this one twice!!!!i now hold the big gold belt lol..salute bro

[@clf7729]

What a great time with the Hogan and Piper feuds leading into the rumble.

[@kurtvanderbogarde8402]

16:00 Jim Herd's resignation was due to an argument with booker Dusty Rhodes. Herd told his bosses to either fire Rhodes or fire himself, so they fired Herd.

[@vanguard2688]

Not very smart to make people in the wrestling business to make them choose between you or Dusty Rhodes lol

[@kurtvanderbogarde8402]

@@vanguard2688 maybe Eddie Ellner would have fired Duthty.

[@theproject9577]

Dude!! You are the man!!! I asked and you provided. Thanks for such awesome video and thanks for the awesome channel. You are not only one of the best channels but you are a one of the best hosts ever. You always give us exactly what we want. Thanks again and happy Thanksgiving!! 👍👍👍🖤🖤

[@electronicalliancetv5764]

I agree it really was unheard of then and ranks up there in the top 5 wrestling moments -i still remember as a kid how big it was

[@southtxroughneck113]

Its funny when Pipper spit on the big gold. He had previously won the NWA belt years back from rick and tried to gift an old TV title he had won. Great history. I miss old school wrestling

[@VMpastore]

Awesome video as always. The other day I overheard one of my coworkers talking about Stone Cold. I said, “that’s funny, there is a KZbin channel I follow called Wrestling Bios and they just did a video about him.” Haha the guy watches your channel too and that’s why he was talking about Stone Cold. What a coincidence. I hope the channel keeps growing man. These videos are amazing and I really appreciate what you do. Thank you

[@WrestlingBios]

Haha! That's awesome! Thanks Vincent.

[@alexnumber1317]

Yet again, another fantastic video. Well done sir

[@carlosampa5881]

Been a long time viewer on your show and a wrestling fan for over 30 years. love these shows you do, brings back some amazing memories

[@michaelfernandezortiz9753]

Thanks wrestling Bios! Now Im even more of a huge fan to Ric Flair thanks to you!

[@markdp1983]

To be there seeing it in real time was my favourite wrestling angle ever.. Flair's arrival into WWF in 1991 stretched over a few weeks/ months was superbly done. No one thought it would ever happen.

[@yeezynapkins2970]

i always thought having a belt from another promo was a scary thing for them, but it actually makes it all more real. the problem was of course when wcw went out of business, that wcw heavyweight belt became just a trinket for the wwf to pass around. granted it went to megastars like the rock, it didn't have the impact it could have had if the company still existed independently.

[@Marc_Masters]

great job and video

[@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti6854]

Happy Birthday to that young kid, Ric Flair... 🍺😎👍

[@batmanofsanantonio5331]

Great in-depth video. I love the history of the Big Gold Belt

[@aidsskrillex5355]

0:43 Spartacus Whoooooo!

[@JimHawkwind03411]

Speaking of Flair’s Spartacus gimmick, Kevin Nash wrestled as Oz, with Kevin Sullivan as The Wizard of Oz. I think the Spartacus and Oz gimmicks were originally used as a cross-promotional gimmick for sister channel TNT, who was broadcasting those classic movies at the time.

[@bostonbevo9781]

BEST WRESTLER EVER!!

[@michaelscriver5395]

Great job again I remember my dad and uncle saying when I was growing up that's not right can you do that lol I never looked at it like this but you are absolutely right

[@kurtcobainpizza5606]

Brilliant!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

[@mymightykingdom383]

Finally a video about the Nature Boy, WOOOOO! WOO!!

[@adamvanrooy3906]

This is a awesome channel to watch thank you

[@totallyquakerz6976]

Yet another great video, I watched your videos for a while now and they get better as time goes on

[@randybarnett2308]

We have Shark Week,Sharks have Ric Flair Week ! Wooooooooo!!!!👍🦈🦈🦈🏊‍♂️🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈

[@32rodrick]

The Big Gold Championship Belt Ric Flair wearing was later been CENSORED by the WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT because the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP Belt was Not Recognize by WWE and WWE President (The Late) Jeff Tunney

[@B33FY2011]

I wish WWE would bring this belt back. Still to this day it beats anything they've got now and I dare say it was a better belt than the winged eagle WWF title.

[@conradojavier7547]

WWE should bring back Big Gold, as the WWE Champion, since it was Unified with the Belt.

[@cazaresj21]

I love it. Thank you

[@mr.ironbodybuilding]

You have done an excellent job with your wrestling information!👍

[@sra903]

Great in-depth work

[@TheShadow9380]

Greetings from Finland. I started watching wwe In 2002-2003. I like your channel. Keep Up the great work.

[@gurnee84]

Keep them videos coming.....top work👍🏻

[@georgetaylor2024]

Thank you for sharing brother

[@BEOBIGEVILONLINE]

Never was I more excited watching wrestling than when Heenan showed the belt on tv that day... and later on never was I more disappointed that we never got the Hogan vs Flair dream match.

[@josenaveo588]

Another one for the books, great work on this video!

[@scotshuthats5268]

An interesting period of Wrasslin history. Spartacus WTF......

[@nick56677]

That Big Gold Belt was sexy and the best one. It looked really good on Goldberg, Flair and his robes, and Hogan when it was spray painted.

[@afikingdombooks]

this was awesome..as always great job bro

[@stevenimeson902]

Such a cool story!

[@davidford3968]

Great work as always!! I never knew that it was Bill Watts that paid Flair the money for the belt. That shows that kind of man Bill Watts was. Say what you want about him, but in my view that shows that he was willing to do the right thing for business and do the right thing as man to give Flair his money

[@weezyg5084]

He had no choice but to pay I believe

[@neroresurrected]

Jim Herd was a complete d-bag for not wanting to pay Flair what WCW owed him. Kudos to Bill Watts for doing the right thing.

[@HTAD111111]

Another great video!!!

[@tmac731]

Greatest belt ever. Thank you for this vidoev

[@rickyjackson1319]

Ric Flair is the TRUE,"Best there is , Best there was , And the best we will ever see ".Woooooooo

[@me-bk9er]

what a great idea for a video!! I love this channel

[@terrenceperkins5282]

Ric flair better not ever die . My king