Part 1: Strategy and Psychology
https://soundcloud.com/jerryvonkramer/fair-for-flair-1
In the first of his four-part mini series, Parv welcomes Marty Sleaze (Tag Teams Back Again) to discuss STRATEGY.
Topics include:
– What is Ric Flair’s basic gameplan in kayfabe terms?
– How does Flair’s character factor into his psychology?
– Is Flair a “smart” worker?
– How valid is the “stuff to do” criticism?
– How does Flair’s psychology compare to Nick Bockwinkel’s?
Part 2: The Art of the Promo
https://soundcloud.com/jerryvonkramer/fair-for-flair-2
In the second part of this mini-series, Parv focuses on Ric Flair’s ability to cut promos. Taking a seven-month period from his debut in the WWF in September 91 to his title loss to Randy Savage at Wrestlemania 8, he takes a detailed look at the promos he was cutting week-by-week to develop an understanding of how he built his character and his feuds through them. In the process, he puts forward an argument for why Flair is the greatest promo of all time.
9/9/91 – debut in WWF, Primetime.
9/21/92 – Promo on Hulk Hogan, Funeral Parlour, Superstars.
9/22/91 – Promo on Hulk Hogan, Barber Shop, Challenge
10/6/91 – Promo on Roddy Piper, Superstars
10/13/91 – Promo on Roddy Piper, Challenge
10/20/91 – Promo on Roddy Piper, Challenge
10/26/91 – Promo on Roddy Piper, Superstars
1/11/92 – Promo before Royal Rumble, Funeral Parlour, Superstars
1/18/92 – Promo before Royal Rumble, Superstars
1/19/92 – Promo after winning WWF title, Royal Rumble
3/7/92 – Promo on Randy Savage, Superstars
3/28/92 – Press conference ahead of Wrestlemania 8, Superstars
4/5/92 – Promo after losing WWF title to Savage, Wrestlemania 8
Part 3: Top 20 Matches
https://soundcloud.com/jerryvonkramer/fair-for-flair-3
On part 3 of this mini-series Parv welcomes Pete (Titans of Wrestling, This Week in Wrestling), who picks and analyzes his Top 20 Ric Flair matches and discusses Flair’s body of work in the ring.
Part 4: Assessing Flair for the Greatest Wrestler Ever project
https://soundcloud.com/jerryvonkramer/fair-for-flair-4
On part 4, Parv welcomes Charles (Pro Wrestling Only, Wrestling with the Past) to discuss Flair’s case for the Greatest Wrestler Ever project and to assess how he compares with other top-tier candidates such as Terry Funk, Jerry Lawler, Stan Hansen, Jumbo Tsuruta, Genichiro Tenryu, Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada, Tatsumi Fujinami, Negro Casas, El Satanico, and many others.
Part 5: The Thunderdome
https://soundcloud.com/jerryvonkramer/fair-for-flair-5
In a special unscheduled Part 5, Parv welcomes Good Ol’ Will from Texas to debate some of the claims made in parts 1-4. A good range of topics are covered including: psychology, great match theory, how to assess candidates, the importance of different styles, subjectivity, Jerry Lawler, peak vs. longevity, burnout and much more. Strap yourselves in, it’s gonna be a bumpy night.
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