Royal Rumble: MVP vs. Ric Flair

[A.J.]

Career Threatening Match
MVP vs Ric Flair​

On the first edition of SmackDown for 2008, MVP was overheard saying he wanted to be the one to retire Ric Flair. The United States Champion will get the chance to make his wish come true at Royal Rumble, when he will face the “Nature Boy,” and the stakes are high for the 16-time World Champion. Flair will once again be fighting for his sports-entertainment life, as this will be a Career Threatening Match for “Naitch.”

MVP has vowed to end the career of “Naitch” when they square off, and now the Ballin’ Superstar has to prove he’s not all talk. Flair, however, has no intention of going quietly; the “Dirtiest Player in the Game” has shown in recent weeks that he still has some tricks up his sleeve, and he will do anything to prolong his illustrious career.

But for Ric Flair to keep his livelihood, not only will he have to contend with one of WWE’s toughest competitors, but also a man who has beaten the 16-time World Champion before. At Vengeance: Night of Champions in June of 2007, MVP stole a victory, and a page from Flair’s book, when he low-blowed his way to the win.

Will Ric Flair be able to keep his career going at the Royal Rumble in another Career Threatening Match? Or will the brazen United States Champion, MVP, bring his list of accolades to greater heights by retiring Flair?

 

[Lil Wes]

Meh, Why feed MVP to Flair? It makes no sense to me at all. He should be defending his championship in a feud not being bait to a 60 year old has been who he has already defeated like twice I believe. Bullshit really.

Boring match. I want to see a good MVP feud. Flair is just going to win by countout or DQ again so it's nothing more than a waste of time.

 

[FlairFan2003]

This has potential to be a pretty good match if they let Flair have some offense like they did against HHH. Their match at Vengeance was fairly good and MVP makes a good cocky heel, perfect opposition for the aging veteran fan favorite. Don't be surprised if either A) A new opponent for MVP turns up prior to the rumble and interferes in the match to cause him to lose or B) Vince McMahon interferes, unsuccessfully, heating up a Flair/McMahon feud that will lead into WrestleMania. Really, at some point the focus of this Flair story has to be McMahon's hatred for him (why ever that is) and his desire to not only end Flair's career but to embarrass him and humiliate him. I wouldn't be surprised if Vince ends up in the ring at some point, maybe wrestlemania although I can't see a non wrestler (or mid carder) being the one to end Flair's winningstreak (and his career), that seems too big at this point to waste on Vince or a mid carder like MVP.

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

Flair can't do anything in the ring anymore. His matches consist of a million chops and a few punches, that's it.

Horrible match, waste of time as we all know Flair won't lose, and its a shame they need to make MVP look bad.

The only way out of it is to make MVP dominate and have Matt Hardy come out and cost MVP the match, since he - for some reason - isn't going to be wrestling MVP himself yet.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Terrible match. It didn't work at Vengeance it sure as hell wont work now. This angle is stupid. They're having flair go over all this talent. Problem is half the time it's by DQ or count out. It kind of defeats the purpose. But why would they have MVP lose to Flair? MVP will probably get a world title reign throughout the year so what does this achieve? Couldn't they have him face John Morrison or somebody? Pointless match.

 

[a7xoff]

I agree with Jake. This match is pointless. It also raises a question in my mind. Since these two are facing each other here, will they be in the rumble. I know sometimes they are and sometimes they're not. I guess they needed a filler match involving Flair, and MVP got the short straw. I don't see why they'd pick MVP over someone like Morrison who is the tag champ right now, but other then that really has nothing going for him. I see Flair winning this match, probably by DQ like 1/2 the Flair matches we've seen recently. I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather see MVP actually defend his title then be sacrificed to Flair...

 

[D.Miller]

I'm beat by the booking of this match. They just throw together Ric Flair and MVP because MVP was overheard saying he wanted to be the one to end Flair's career? Pa-thet-ic. This match is just a match, point blank. No build, no hype, no storyline, but we'll see much chops, cheap tactics, an average match and Ric Flair prevailing successful by a roll-up. The best way to not have Flair beat MVP square and fairly but by a hair, an upset, thanks to maybe Matt Hardy's intervention.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

Personally, I dont feel like this is THAT terrible of booking really...MVP plays a cocky, disrepsectfull prick, so why wouldnt he want to be the one to end Flairs carreer??? I think they could certainly book this to were flair will win, and MVP wont look weak. I mean yes, its uncreative from the standpoint of everyone basically knows the outcome of the match before it even happens, as I think we all know there is no way that MVP is winning this.Id say for a RR undercard match, it isnt half bad really...Hopefully MVP can carry Flair to a half decent, somewhat suspensefull match...

 

[SpiralHands]

Any wrestling fan who knows wrestling well and knows this Falir angle knows for a fact he won't loose until Wrestlemania but they have to bulild the angle up into a creshendo at WM, but why the put MVP in it I don't know bit silly really, obviosuly Flair will win this but I think Vince will either interfere or there will be some controversary over the finish sparking a save Flair campaign or something.

 

[thebeastkodiak]

Something I have never been able to figure out, WHY would you have one of your champions NOT Defend his title at one of the four big PPV's? I mean you have four weeks to build a storyline, something to keep people watching. But isnt the whole point of being a wrestler to win a title? That should have been MVP's match. Build up for a #1 contender to the US title. Who cares if you end Flair's career? His career ended the day he stroked out in WCW. If I wanted to watch an old man slap things and fall down, Id visit my grandpa more at the retirement home. If you are just gonna throw a match together, why not CM Punk Vs MVP title for title? MVP wins, and you got a guy who can talk a good enough game that he could carry ECW.

 

[Agrex]

In my opinion this match is pointless. It's obvious that Flair will win. Who actually thinks MVP will go over in this match? If it didn't work at Vengeance then why should it work now. Flair will go over in a terrible match. I'm happy that he's retiring. It's matches like this that make fans forget that Flair can actually wrestle a good match. The vBookie will be filled with bets, as it's been a while since we'd seen such a one-sided match.

 

[FoleyIsGod]

As the title says, would you really mind if Flair bowed out at the Rumble, with him putting over MVP?

Flair is a legend, MVP is a rising star, who is just looking for a niche to make him a huge main event player. He has a touch of Flair about him when he is on the mic and can back it up in the ring, as he has done for a while now.

I guess all that extra work with Flair, Kane and Benoit rubbed off and he is reaping the rewards(a long US title reign)

Anyway, discuss

 

[Mr. Showtime]

To be honest ... No. M.V.P, could benefit from a win over Flair... but it wont happen at the Rumble. Ric Flair will probably have his last match at WrestleMania and even then I don't think he'l lose, the WWE will probably throw us a curveball with this whole storyline.

Besides it's getting really sad watching Flair still wrestle at his age, he should have hung up the boots over 15 years ago.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

I would not mind seeing it one bit.

1. I can deal with a "Road to Wrestlemania" without the Flair retirement angle. The angle itself has been so splotchy - on one week, off the next. Let's put an end to it and make sure that the momentum MVP gains is maintained as opposed to Kenny Dykstras.

2. Nobody would see it coming. Fans are expecting to see his toughest challenge at Wrestlemania, so an upset by a game MVP would be one of those "surprises" we've discussed in other threads. Rumbles get a tad predictable overall, so an MVP win to retire Flair would be awesome.

3. Flair's retirement could set up a Wrestlemania "farewell match" with the WWE bringing in either Sting or Eric Bichoff to be Flair's send off. That would be more appropriate than Flair going to Wrestlemania with his career on the line against a tough opponent and negating the next 3 months of his wrestling existance by holding meaningless interim retirement matches.

 

[FoleyIsGod]

I would not mind seeing it one bit.

1. I can deal with a "Road to Wrestlemania" without the Flair retirement angle. The angle itself has been so splotchy - on one week, off the next. Let's put an end to it and make sure that the momentum MVP gains is maintained as opposed to Kenny Dykstras.

2. Nobody would see it coming. Fans are expecting to see his toughest challenge at Wrestlemania, so an upset by a game MVP would be one of those "surprises" we've discussed in other threads. Rumbles get a tad predictable overall, so an MVP win to retire Flair would be awesome.

3. Flair's retirement could set up a Wrestlemania "farewell match" with the WWE bringing in either Sting or Eric Bichoff to be Flair's send off. That would be more appropriate than Flair going to Wrestlemania with his career on the line against a tough opponent and negating the next 3 months of his wrestling existance by holding meaningless interim retirement matches.

But if he goes to Wrestlemania to face Sting or Bischoff and loses, it leaves the WWE in a crap state. Neither man works for the company full time, probably wont do again either to be honest. An exmaple of this was the Kane/Edge/Hardy fued in 2005. Edge shagged Lita, Matt got fired, Kane took over to face Edge. However, the crowds wouldnt shut up about Matt, so WWe had to bring him back to save face.

However MVP is employed by the WWE, so it might actually happen.

 

[TimmyTallsoxx]

i want to see flair out the door but not yet i love mvp hes an amazing however i think that they should maybe have flair win this sunday and vince get pissed and throw out this idea of taker vs flair next week on sd and flair beats taker with an upset win. this will drive taker mad into a heel(people will still treat him like a face) maybe redo the austin crucifix to flair signalizing flairs career is coming to and end then at wrestlemania Flair vs Taker- one cant lose vs one that hasnt lost! i dont know i think it could help wwe in the creative department

 

[hatehabsforever]

If they handle the situation appropriately, I think having MVP defeat Flair fair and square in the middle of the ring would be awesome.

As many of you have stated, no one is expecting Flair to lose before the Rumble, so it could be the ultimate swerve if they could conceal it properly. Flair is ready to retire, and he should lose to someone of significance, some young superstar who needs a good solid push. WWE needs young blood to fill the gaps which will be left as their current superstars age, and I think MVP fits the bill well. Pretty good on the mic, better than average in-ring skills, and a great heel. "To be the man, you've got to beat the man." Let MVP be the man. Clean pinfall victory. Respectful to Flair's legacy, but still arrogant and cocky. They can still utilize Flair in some capacity at Wrestlemania if they want his last appearance to be there.

I don't think it hurts Flair's legacy one bit to lose his final match, as long as its to the right guy. Having Flair defeat MVP proves nothing, but the reverse gives MVP a big push.

Having said all of this, I fully expect Ric Flair to defeat MVP at the Rumble. Maybe they'll have a re-match at WM, and MVP can retire him then. Or maybe Flair's involvement at WM won't involve MVP at all. Let's wait and see.

 

[chasingamy]

Would I mind? No. MVP is the guy I love to hate on Friday nights. He's decent in the ring, he's got the cocky attitude, and he can 'talk the talk'. Normally he'd be one of my top picks to retire Flair. It'd be huge for his career, and - like him or not - guys like MVP are the future.

If WWE had given the MVP/Flair feud more time to truly develop, this could have been a more important match. Last week's VIP Lounge did a nice job putting things in motion, but with only one Smackdown before the Rumble there simply isn't enough time to properly build up the story so their RR match means very little despite it supposedly being a career-threatening match.

Will it happen? No. Most likely, this will be just a boring, filler match with Flair winning due to outside interference (my guess is Matt Hardy). WWE is WAY too predictable on things like this. I think something bigger than even MVP is in the works for Flair's final storyline. At Mania, I see Flair getting one last 'surprise' (lol) win then choosing to retire the next night on RAW (that's my prediction on that for what it's worth).