The review
Going in. Steamboat had taken the NWA World Heavyweight title from Flair at Chi-Town Rumble on February 20, 1989. The rematch went out free on TBS as the main event of Clash of the Champions VI: two out of three falls, an hour on the clock.
The first fall. A long, careful opening of chops, holds and counter-holds, built to go the distance. Steamboat takes the first fall with a small package after a Flair cheating attempt backfires.
The second fall. Flair goes to work on the legs and back, the Nature Boy in full heel mode. He evens it up with a roll-up/cradle , setting up a deciding fall with the clock running down.
The third fall. Both men exhausted, near-fall after near-fall. Steamboat wins with a double chickenwing, with the lasting controversy that Flair’s foot was under the bottom rope and the referee missed it. Steamboat retains, two falls to one, close to the hour mark.
Aftermath. The disputed finish set up the rubber match at WrestleWar ’89 (May 7, 1989, Nashville), judged by Lou Thesz, Pat O’Connor and Terry Funk. Flair regained the title, and Funk’s attack afterward launched the Flair–Funk feud.