5 Unforgettable Starrcade Matches

#3 Ric Flair vs Lex Luger - Starrcade 1988

Ric Flair locks the figure four leglock on Lex Luger

Thirty years ago, Lex Luger was seen as the heir apparent to Ric Flair and the man to take WCW forward into the 1990s.

In 1988, Flair was still the biggest star in the company but at 39 years of age, plans were being made for the next generation to secure the promotion's future. Incredible to think, that it would be another two decades before Flair actually did retire for good.

The chiselled, charismatic and (then) energetic worker, Luger was seen as a man who could succeed in the role as World Champion.

The Starrcade 1988 title match was seen as an audition of sorts to see if Luger really had what it took to succeed the Champion.

The wrestlers contested a 31-minute stunner in which Luger hit Flair with power moves and the Champion used all his grappling guile to ground his more powerful opponent with submission holds. The technical masterpiece built to a crescendo until Luger attempted to put Flair in his Torture Rack submission finisher. However, due to Flair effectively working over Luger's knee earlier in the bout, it buckled under Luger and Flair's weight enabling the Champion to cover Luger and with a little help from the ring ropes score the match-winning pinfall.

A technical classic that should have made Luger a superstar but did succeed in greatly enhancing Flair's reputation.