Ric Flair's Last Match: Ric Flair teams with Andrade against Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett

Originally published at Ric Flair's Last Match: Ric Flair teams with Andrade against Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett

Jim Crockett Promotions presents Ric Flair’s Last Match

July 31st, 2022

Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN

By: John Siino

Commentary: Tony Schiavone & David Crockett

Pre-Show

· Ren Narita def. Yuya Uemura at 5:57 by pinfall

· Ian Riccaboni joined commentary for Narita/Uemura

· Jay Lethal & Karen Jarrett came out to do a promo, as Lethal imitated Ric Flair

· Frank the Clown tried to hijack the show but got stopped by Jacob Fatu. As Frank tried to back out, he got stopped by Mick Foley who sent him back in for Fatu to attack

· Mance Warner won The Bunkhouse Battle Royal at 11:21, last eliminating Bully Ray

· As the battle royal started, Nick Gage came out and introduced the rest of the GCW competitors to ‘invade’ the match.

· Other entrants were Nick Gage, Jordan Oliver, Matthew Justice, Blake Christian, Joey Janela, Mance Warner, 1 Called Manders, Effy, Sinn Bodhi, Gringo Loco, James Storm, Bully Ray, Crowbar, Wolfie D, Big Damo, Rickey Shane Page, Crimson, Komander, Adam Priest & Kal Herro. The final four were Storm, Bully Ray, Warner, and Janela.

· Dave Prazak joined commentary for the Battle Royal

Bob Caudle

Bob Caudle started the main show and welcomed us all.

The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. The American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards)

Scott D’Amore joined commentary for this match representing IMPACT Wrestling, in only the second time these teams have fought. Davey Richards and Chris Sabin start the match, with Sabin sending Richards to the outside. Eddie Edwards tags right in and gets distracted by Richards, as Alex Shelley tags in and attacks Edwards from behind. The MCMG continues to double team on Edwards as he screams for help from Richards. Richards tags in as the Wolves now double team Shelley with attacks in the corner and an assisted elbow drop to the back of the neck. The Wolves continue to work on Shelley’s neck, before Richards knocks Sabin off the apron. Sabin runs in and tries to break up an ankle lock from Richards on Shelley, but Edwards ends up rolling up Sabin into a Half Crab. Sabin kicks Edwards into Richards breaking up both moves. Richards hits Shelley with a Dragonscrew and goes to the top but misses a double stomp. Shelley ends up taking out both Wolves and tags in Sabin who hits a double crossbody and knocks the Wolves to the outside. Shelley holds the ropes as Sabin dives to the outside onto the Wolves. Richards fights off the Guns, but Shelley is able to hold Richards as Sabin hits a missile dropkick onto him. Edwards ends up breaking them up, but Sabin kicks off both Wolves. Edwards is able to catch Sabin off the ropes for a Backpack Stunner, as Richards hits the double stomp off the top rope and goes for the pin, but Shelley breaks it up. All four men go at it until the Guns take control and hit the Facial on Richards. The Guns follow with the Skull and CrossBones on Edwards as Sabin pins Edwards for the win.

Winners: The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) by pinfall at 11:06

We see Vickie Guerrero, Anthony Carelli, Al Snow and Mick Foley sitting in the crowd.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Killer Kross (w/ Scarlett Bordeaux)

Joe Dombrowski from MLW joins commentary for this match. They lock up to start the match with Davey Boy Smith Jr. pushing Killer Kross into the corner. They trade takedowns until Kross puts on head scissors. Smith stays in command keeping Kross in the corners and dragging him down for pin attempts and works on his arm. They trade Saito Suplexes back and forth until they trade forearms and slaps. They go back and forth on pin attempts, until Kross traps the Kross Jacket on Smith, but Smith gets out. Kross starts attacking Smith in the corner and hits another suplex. Kross comes back and hits the Quickening forearm to the back of Smith’s neck for the quick pin and wins.

Winner: Killer Kross by pinfall at 5:24

We see sent messages from Dolph Ziggler, Booker T, Shawn Michaels, Will Sasso, Doug Dillinger & Lex Luger

Konosuke Takeshita vs. Alan Angels vs. Nick Wayne vs. Jonathan Gresham

Ian Riccaboni joins commentary for this match, in which the winner gets a title shot at the PROGRESS World Championship. Alan Angels and Jonathan Gresham start the match, as Riccaboni alludes to what Gresham has been going through lately with his ‘uncertain future’ without naming AEW or ROH. Gresham gets sent right out, as Nick Wayne jumps in and Angels tags out to Konosuke Takeshita who takes out Wayne, but Wayne moves out of the way on the outside as Takeshita teases a dive. Gresham comes in and hits a hurricanrana and dropkick on Takeshita. Angels tag in but Takeshita takes Angels and Gresham out with a double clothesline. They trade punches, but Takeshita takes Angels down with a hard one followed by a hard lariat. Wayne and Angels go at it, with Wayne hitting a Code Red for a two. Wayne lands on his feet after a German Suplex attempt by Takeshita, but Takeshita comes back with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Angels and Wayne both go to the top rope and hit stereo moonsaults to Gresham and Takeshita on the outside. Gresham comes back with a cannonball to Takeshita, as Angels takes out Wayne and dives to Gresham on the outside. Angels sends Gresham back inside and hits a lariat, but Takeshita breaks it up with a deadlift German Suplex. Gresham takes Takeshita out with a cutter, a moonsault to Wayne and a dive to Angels on the outside. Angels and Gresham trade pin attempts until Gresham rolls him up with a bridge for the win.

Winner: Jonathan Gresham by pinfall at 5:40

Cody Rhodes

We see a sent in message from Cody Rhodes, who talks about how Ric Flair can wrestle more matches after this if he wants to, and he can even show up to Monday Night Raw and put him in a Figure Four. Rhodes ends by talking about his theme song talking about ‘royal families’ and how that wouldn’t have been possible with the rivalry between Flair and Dusty Rhodes.

Kerry Morton & Ricky Morton (w/ Robert Gibson) vs. Brian Pillman Jr. & Brock Anderson (w/ Arn Anderson)

This is promoted as a ‘legacy tag team’ match, that Nick Aldis sits on commentary for. The Mortons are representing The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express while Brian Pillman and Brock Anderson represent the Four Horsemen. Pillman and Kerry start the match. They trade holds with Pillman getting the upper hand. They start running the ropes, as Pillman continues to showboat. Kerry starts punching Pillman in his corner with Ricky taking shots as well, until Pillman tags out to Brock, but Brock asks for Ricky Morton. Ricky takes control hitting the ten punches to Brock in the corner as the crowd is fully behind him, before he tags Kerry back in where they hit a double drop kick. Brock ends up taking control of Kerry, as Pillman tags in and kicks Kerry hard in the back. Pillman and Brock stay in control, just stomping away at Kerry. Kerry is able to fight back and gives the hot tag to his dad. Ricky takes out Pillman and Brock with punches, with Kerry joining in on the action. With the referee distracted, Pillman kicks Ricky in the back of the head followed by a Gord Buster by Brock for the pin and the win.

Winners: Brock Anderson & Brian Pillman Jr. by pinfall at 7:43

We see JJ Dillon sitting in the crowd.

Bandido vs. Black Taurus vs. Laredo Kid vs. Rey Fenix

This is presented as a AAA four-way match, as Joe Dombrowski joins commentary again. Right away all four men go for pin attempts and offense as Black Taurus clotheslines Bandido and Rey Fenix to the outside. Laredo Kid comes back and takes Taurus out of the ring with a missile dropkick. Fenix chops Laredo hard against the rope, but Laredo comes back with a Tornado DDT. Laredo and Bandido go at it, with Laredo hitting a Tiger Driver, tries a twisting dive off the top, but Bandido gets out of the way. Fenix comes back with a back kick taking out Bandido, before taking out Taurus and Laredo, including walking the ropes and arm dragging Laredo down with kicking the back of Taurus’ head. Bandido sends Laredo to the outside, but Fenix quickly takes Bandido down with a cutter and gets a two count. Bandido and Fenix go at it, until Laredo breaks it up and gets press slammed by one arm by Bandido. Bandido twists around and around on Taurus taking him to the outside as the crowd erupts, but Laredo trips him before he can go and dive. Taurus reverses Laredo and hits a Tombstone position into a lung blower, then takes out Fenix and Bandido. They all end up on the outside where Taurus hits a twisting dive onto them. Taurus continues on the offense and tries to pin Bandido, but it gets broken up by the other two wrestlers. Taurus heads to the top rope but gets stopped by Bandido. Fenix places Bandido on his shoulders, as Laredo breaks it up, and heads to the top where Taurus press slams Laredo down off the top rope. Bandido tries to dive on Taurus, but Taurus grabs him, but Bandido hits the Code Red, followed by dives from Fenix and Laredo. Laredo and Bandido head to the top rope where Bandido hits a fall-away slam from the top to the outside on Taurus and Fenix. Fenix blocks the 21 Plex from Bandido, as Taurus comes in and German Suplexes Fenix off and hits the piledriver on Bandido that Fenix breaks up the pin with a double stomp and gets a two count on Taurus. Fenix lifts up Taurus and hits a modified Fear Factor for the pin and the win.

Winner: Rey Fenix by pinfall at 11:48

Jim Ross

We go to a video with comments from Jim Ross talking about Ric Flair being the best, end of story.

IMPACT World Championship: Josh Alexander (c) vs. Jacob Fatu

Tom Hannifan from IMPACT Wrestling joined commentary for this match. They go at it fast and hard right away, with Jacob Fatu hitting Josh Alexander with a big back body drop before keeping him in the corner. Alexander comes back with a shotgun dropkick. They fight on the apron, where Fatu brings Alexander back in with a hard clothesline, goes to the top, but Alexander runs up and superplexes him off. Fatu comes right back with a dive off the top rope and a springboard moonsault for a two count. Alexander comes back with a Northern Lights Suplex for a two. Fatu bounces back with a springboard moonsault for another two. Alexander dodges Fatu in the corner, attacks his ankle and puts on the ankle lock. Fatu quickly gets out, as Alexander clotheslines him down and hits a backbreaker for a two count. Fatu tries to dive into the ring, but Alexander stops him and takes him to the outside with a crossbody to his back. As Alexander is trying to catch a break, Fatu runs back inside to dive onto Alexander on the outside as David Crockett is having the time of his life tonight with all these wild moves. Fatu heads to the top rope and hits the moonsault, but is slow to make the cover, which results in a two. Alexander holds on and hits three German Suplexes, but Fatu stands up on the third one and hits a pop-up Samoan Drop. As they get on their knees and continue to brawl, Matt Cardona, Brian Myers & Mark Sterling run out and attack Alexander causing a disqualification.

Winner: Josh Alexander by disqualification at 10:15, to retain

Diamond Dallas Page

Mark Sterling starts yelling about how Brian Myers wasn’t in the battle royale earlier, but Alexander takes him out with a C4 Spike Piledriver. As Alexander is going to attack Cardona, Diamond Dallas Page runs into the ring and takes out Cardona with the Diamond Cutter.

The Fargo Strut

We head to the back, where Jerry Jarrett is revealed to be in Jeff Jarrett’s locker room along with Jerry Lawler. Lawler talks about this being the biggest night in Jeff Jarrett’s life, not Ric Flair. Lawler talks about Flair going out a loser at the hands of Jeff Jarrett and talks about how easy it’ll be to beat him, and he wants him to humiliate him. Lawler talks about Jackie Fargo starting the strut that Ric Flair stole as they all start doing it together.

The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) vs. The Briscoes (Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe)

Ian Riccaboni joins commentary again, for this match. Mark Briscoe and Ross Von Erich start the match, before Marshall Von Erich tags in and they hit a double dropkick for a two count. The Von Erichs continue to work on Mark while tagging in and out before Jay Briscoe tags in and takes out Ross. Mark holds the rope for Jay as he dives onto the Von Erichs on the outside. Mark then sets up a chair and dives off of it to the outside. The Von Erichs work on Jay as Marshall hits a standing moonsault for a two count. Mark tags in and starts chopping away at the Von Erichs, including a running shotgun dropkick. The Briscoes start double teaming on Ross, but Marshall breaks it up and puts the Claw on Mark. Jay joins in as they hit a double team Claw/chokeslam, but Jay breaks up the count at two. Jay hits a neckbreaker on Ross as Mark hits the Froggy Bow for the pin and the win.

Winners: The Briscoes (Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe) by pinfall at 7:44

Sting

We go to a video message from Sting who says he’s forever grateful for Ric Flair and will never forget how he put him on the mat. And if it wasn’t for Flair, he would have never made it as far as he did. Sting makes Flair promise to make some chest bleeds tonight and put on the Figure Four and yell ‘now, we go to school!’.

IMPACT Knockouts Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo vs. Rachael Ellering

Tom Hannifan rejoined commentary. They start the match with roll-up attempts and it looks like Rachael Ellering’s ankle gets rolled on, and she gets attended to right away. Ellering seems to be okay though as her and Jordynne Grace go at it, with Grace hitting the double knees and running elbow to Ellering in the corner, followed by a Vader Bomb for a two count. As Grace runs the ropes, Deonna Purrazzo trips her up and then starts going at Grace. Ellering breaks them up, as Deonna goes to the top and hits a flying cross body on Grace, but Ellering breaks up the count. Ellering comes back with a standing STO, and a springboard leg drop, going for the cover but Deonna breaks it up. Deonna takes Ellering and Grace both down with a double DDT and gets a two count on Grace. Grace escapes out of an arm bar attempt from Deonna, but Deonna hits a standing moonsault for a two count in which Ellering breaks up. Grace hits a spinebuster on Ellering, but Deonna comes right back with an arm bar on Grace, before tripping up Ellering and putting one on her instead. Grace jumps on them and starts choking out Deonna, but Deonna breaks it up. Grace and Deonna head to the ropes, but Ellering powerbombs them off. Grace escapes out of the Queen’s Gambit and hits the Grace Driver on Deonna, but Ellering breaks it up. Grace jumps right on Ellering and puts on a rear naked choke hold as Ellering taps out.

Winner: Jordynne Grace by submission at 9:15, to retain

The Undertaker

We see a video package on what lead up to this match, then cut to The Undertaker and his wife Michelle McCool who are sitting next to Mick Foley ringside. Jeff Jarrett has a long elaborate entrance and gets in with Doug Dillinger and Conrad Thompson on the way to the ring, as Jerry Jarrett and Kid Rock are seen sitting ringside.

Ric Flair & Andrade El Idolo vs. Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett (w/ Karen Jarrett)

Ric Flair comes out wearing the original Big Gold Belt as Mike Chioda is the referee for this match as David Penzer makes the introductions. Flair obviously gets a huge reaction and a ‘Nature Boy’ chant. They all get into a shoving match until the match actually starts with Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett starting. Jarrett starts talking trash and Flair slaps him. Jarrett circles around and quickly tags out to Jay Lethal. They lock up and head right to the mat, where Flair puts on head scissors to a ‘you still got it’ chant. They take it to the corner, where Lethal slaps Flair, just to get slapped down hard back and goes to consult with Jarrett before asking for Andrade El Idolo who tags in. Andrade and Lethal go at it, running the ropes until Andrade stops him with a knee for a two count. Jarrett tags in and gets a sea of boos before Jarrett tells the crowd to suck it. Andrade comes back with a couple hip tosses, before Flair tags himself in. Jarrett escapes out of a head lock and does the Fargo Stunt before laying on the top rope, taunting Flair. Flair comes back with taunts of his own, including his own ‘suck it’. Flair hits a bunch of chops to Jarrett as the crowd ‘woos’, then hits a low blow to Lethal as the referee isn’t looking. Jarrett gets sent to the outside and starts walking towards the back, but Karen Jarrett goes and grabs him to go back. Jeff Jarrett continues to stall outside the ring, taunting the fans and then begins to head to the back again. Eventually, Jarrett heads back inside as Andrade tags in. Jarrett takes control and tags out to Lethal, but Andrade drives Lethal into his corner where Flair chokes out Lethal. Flair tags in and chops Lethal followed by punches in the corner and gives one chop ‘for The Undertaker’. Flair hits a couple more chops before tagging in Andrade. Lethal and Andrade go at it, before Jarrett tags in and stomps away at Andrade. Lethal and Jarrett continue to double team on Andrade, including a flying axe handle by Lethal. Andrade and Jarrett go at it, including Andrade falling right on top of Jarrett’s face. Flair comes in and starts chopping away at Lethal and Jarrett, before putting the Figure Four on Lethal, but Flair isn’t the legal man. Jarrett breaks it up with a punch to Flair’s face before asking Karen for her shoe.

Jeff Jarrett smashes Flair in the face with it before Ric Flair’s oldest daughter Megan Flair (the wife of Conrad Thompson) starts attacking Karen. Ric Flair is now busted open as they are fighting in front of Flair’s family, with Jeff Jarrett pushing down Ric’s ex wife Wendy. Jarrett and Lethal place Ric Flair back inside where Lethal suplexes Flair and goes for the pin, but Andrade breaks it up. Jarrett and Lethal continue to double team Flair, as Jarrett puts on the Figure Four, but Andrade breaks it up with a dive. Lethal sends Andrade to the outside, as Flair and Jarrett are both laid out. Lethal starts punching away at Flair as the crowd chants ‘Nature Boy’. Lethal heads to the top for the flying elbow drop, but Flair gets out of the way. Jarrett and Andrade both tag in, as Andrade goes to town with clotheslines and suplexes. Andrade hits Jarrett in the corner with the running knees, but Lethal breaks up the count. Andrade sends Lethal to the outside before hitting Jarrett with a DDT from the ropes. Andrade fights off Lethal and Jarrett, before Lethal accidently takes out Mike Chioda. Andrade follows with a Poison Rana on Lethal as everybody is now laid out. Andrade goes and tags Flair back in, but Chioda is still down. Flair crawls over to pin Lethal but there is no referee to make the count. Jeff Jarrett goes in the ring with a guitar and tells Lethal to hold up Flair. As Jarrett goes to swing it, Andrade moves Flair out of the way and Lethal gets the guitar shot. Conrad Thompson throws Andrade a set of brass knuckles that he gives to Flair. Flair gets up and knocks Jarrett out with them as Andrade is asking for another referee as Dave Miller runs out. Flair has Jarrett in the pinning position with the figure four as Miller counts the pin for the win.

Winners: Ric Flair & Andrade El Idolo by pinfall at 26:43

The Nature Boy

Ric Flair goes and embraces his family ringside, as well as The Undertaker, Mick Foley & Bret Hart. Tony Schiavone goes to interview Ric Flair and talks about this being a moment we will never forget and calls Flair the greatest professional wrestler ever. The rest of the talent on tonight’s show come ringside to surround Ric Flair as he gets on the mic and says how Kid Rock went into his locker room and asked for Flair to entertain him. Flair thanks everybody for coming out, including his family and friends. Flair says everything you hear about him is true and he’s going to party with Kid Rock tonight.

A train wreck as advertised. I wouldn’t recommend it now because you know he survived but while watching it you are never really sure if he’s going to get up or the medics are coming out. It was compelling from that stand point.

1 Like

The Triple A 4 way and the Alexander/Fatu match were both worth tuning in for. Really enjoyed both of those.

It was a fun card…up to the main event. I found it genuinely hard to watch, because I was on the verge of witnessing a man die on live television for the vast majority of it. I think it was a reckless spectacle which will be reflected on poorly in years to come.

My two main takeaways are a gained interest in AAA and not being surprised if Jeff Jarrett returns to the ring on a regular basis. I can definitely see him adding something to the WWE roster.