PPV Rewind: WWE No Mercy (2002)

#3 Ric Flair vs Rob Van Dam

Rob Van Dam charges outside the ring and jumps Ric Flair before the match could begin outside the ring. RVD jumps off the apron and hits the SideKick to Flair. He drapes Flair over the security railing and hits his signature leg drop off the ring apron across Flair’s back/head. He throws Flair back into the ring, then hits another Spinning Side Kick. He hits the Rolling Thunder Splash for a near fall, as the bell rings to start the match.

Flair tries to fight back with a knife edge chop but gets sent upside down into the corner. RVD catches Flair with a Spinning Wheel Kick, then a series of mounted punches. RVD springboards and this the SideKick to Flair for a two count. Flair hits a low blow, then a chop block to the knee of Van Dam to regain the advantage.

Flair works over the knee of RVD, as he stomps over the knee of Van Dam. Flair connects with a Knife Edge Chop, then a series of rights and lefts then stomps away and chokes out RVD in the corner. Ric Flair hits the Knife Edge Chop, then a series of punches and chops. Flair sends RVD into the corner and applies a leg lock over the middle rope as he continues to work the leg.

Flair kicks the knee out from under Van Dam. Flair hits another chop block to the injured knee of RVD. Flair hits a hard Knife Edge Chop to Van Dam once again. Flair hits a Belly-to-Back Suplex to set up the Figure 4-Leglock. Flair applies the hold, as Rob Van Dam screams out in agony.

RVD reverses the hold and pressure on Flair, as the hold is eventually broken up by the referee. Van Dam fights back and Sunset Flips over the top rope for a two count. RVD hits a backslide pin for another near fall. RVD misses the front dropkick, as Flair struts around the ring and goes for the Figure 4-Leglock but gets countered into a small package pin for a two count.

Flair climbs the top rope and gets caught by RVD, then gets press slammed down to the mat. RVD hits the Rolling Thunder on Flair for a near fall. Van Dam hits the Spin Kick on Flair, then the Five Star Frog Splash to Ric Flair for the pinfall victory.

Match Rating - 3 Stars (Solid singles match. Flair worked over the knee and applied excellent ring psychology as only Flair can do. RVD did very well and got in his moves, as he and Ric did well together from a in-ring chemistry perspective. Good, solid match with a clean victory for Rob Van Dam. Flair could still “go”, even though he was well past his prime as RVD was in the pinnacle of his career at this stage of the game. Good stuff overall.).