I think comparing the number of world title reigns between different eras is like comparing apples to oranges.

Example: when Hulk Hogan became the first man to hold the WWF Title five times, it was impressive. It was at a time when the world title changed hands with less frequency. It was at a time when feuds lasted longer - and it meant more.

In the modern era, with a faster-paced product, I don't think it's as impressive to see someone become a world champion five times. Someone could debut with WWE and hold a world title five times by 2022-2023. It doesn't mean as much.

That's the whole apples and oranges thing. Vince Russo's ONE WCW World Title reign (no matter how brief) is in no way, shape or form comparable to the one WWF World Title reign by, say, Ultimate Warrior.

Five WWF World Title reigns by Bret Hart (1992-1997) means far more, and has far more value, than five world title reigns post-Attitude Era. In my humble opinion, of course.

Jericho isn't even in Flair's galaxy, let alone his league.  Flair drew more money, across the globe, in just the 70s, than Jericho has in his entire career.

Flair was massive box office in the US, Canada, Caribbean, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and even North Korea.  Jericho was a mid-card foreigner in CMLL, strictly an opponent for Ultimo Dragon in Japan (for WAR), mid-card in WCW and main evented only in the WWE, in a declining market, where almost no single individual has been a draw. The PPV matches draw as spectacles (especially Wrestlemania); but, not so much house shows.  That doesn't mean Jericho isn't good; just not a draw that pulls everyone in, no matter what the card is.  That was Flair.

Forget title reins and all of that BS.  Long term title reins mean you were a draw.  Short term, multiple wins mean they were using title changes to boost attendance, ala Memphis (which had them nearly every weak and definitely every month)  Guys like Thesz, Bruno, Bockwinkel, Gagne and Flair had long reins because they were consistent top draws.  Flair dropped the title to change things up, because the storyline dictated that ending; but, the belt was always back on him quickly as he was the draw.  Sting or Luger chasing him was a draw; Sting as champion was a bust and Luger had the title for even shorter periods.  Dusty knw he was better chasing than holding titles and kept the belt on himself for just a few months.


Flair was a touring NWA champion, when that still meant something.  he went everywhere, made everyone look good, and boosted local attendance in the process.  he headlined the only company to compete with the WWE, for an extended period of time and on that actually beat them in multiple markets, for an extended period of time, until some bad financial decisions undercut the company.  then, Flair was responsible for the only up periods after that, apart from the NWO angle and he was a major figure in that storyline, apart from Sting (and ended up being more of the center of it, once he was back on tv, after Bischoff blinked).  Jim herd and Eric Bischoff both tried removing Flair from the top and found the audience crapped on things until he was brought back to pop the territory.  Vince understood it and let Flair be Flair, in the WWE, where he was one of their few draws, in the 90s (neither Shawn nor Brett draw well, in that period, apart from single PPV shows).


That tweet just illustrates the lack of historical context with modern fans, is all they know is WWE and Youtube.  I like Jericho; always have, going back to Smokey mountain Wrestling, with Lance Storm (as the Thrillseekers);  however, Jericho ain't s@#$, compared to Flair.  It's like comparing whoever is the current WBA Boxing champion (can't be bothered to search it) and Muhammad Ali.   

Viceland's dark of the Ring series is fantastic and I have been watching The Wrestlers, which focuses mainly on the indie scene, in the US and abroad, with many who are appearing for AEW. This episode really struck me. It splits focus between Mia Yim, an indie worker who has wrestled for the all-women's promotion Shimmer, and is currently signed to NXT. She speaks of surviving domestic violence, from a boyfriend who was also a wrestler. When she went public with it, she found others in the female locker room had similar experiences, including Shimmer promoter/wrestler Allison Danger. The episode then spends time in Bolivia, with the Fighting Cholitas, who are indigenous women who perform in lucha libre matches, who also suffered domestic violence, as well as cultural discrimination. Very strong and inspiring stuff from these strong women.



The Cholitas wrestle is traditional costume and have become a symbol for not only cultural identity but female empowerment in Bolivia.

That was the pilot, narrated by Mick Foley.  Dutch Mantell (Zeb Coulter, in the WWE) offers a lot of detail.  He then acts as narrator on subsequent episodes.  I highly recommend the Montreal Screwjob episode, the Von Erich episode; and, especially, the Gino Hernandez episode, as it finally puts to rest most of the rumors about him and his death, as they interviewed his mother, and some people who were involved in the drug scene, in which he was wrapped up.  Jim Cornette adds much detail to the Montreal episode, including who came up with the idea of a screwjob finish (hint; it ain't Russo).

WWF 'logic' from yesteryear:

At the 1989 Royal Rumble, Hulk Hogan eliminates his own partner, Randy Savage.

At the 1990 Royal Rumble, Hulk Hogan eliminates Ultimate Warrior, then an ally of Hulkamania.

At the 1991 Royal Rumble, Hulk Hogan eliminates Tugboat, one of his closest allies at the time.

At the 1992 Royal Rumble, Sid Justice, in a bout where it's every man for himself, eliminates fellow face Hulk Hogan. And the WWF publications at the time call it a betrayal.

Even as a kid, that made zero sense. It was every man for himself. Face vs face. Heel vs heel. Face vs heel. Sid Justice had every right to eliminate Hulk Hogan, yet WWF 'logic' at the time made it sound like Justice had performed the ultimate betrayal.

Even something that the mainstream consider 'lowbrow' needs to have logic.

I used to buy as many wrestling magazines as I could back then, but the non-WWF ones had logic. I remember a letter - I think it was in one of the Starlog mags - where someone defended Sid Justice. But the WWF publications talked about Justice 'betraying' Hogan.

Yes, I know the plan was for Ric Flair to win. And Justice had to be eliminated. Maybe Hogan and Justice could have gone toe-to-toe and a sneaky Flair could have found a way for them to cause them to eliminate each other. But even as a Hulkamaniac, it was silly to see Hogan have a tantrum after being eliminated. I mean, Warrior and Tugboat didn't have tantrums when he eliminated them in 1990/1991.