Young-At-Heart Nature Boy Is Turning 60 Today
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 By: CMBurnham
What do you get the man who has everything, has done everything, and to be him, you have to beat him?
I get a chocolate birthday cake with ?Happy Birthday Ric? on top and ?60? beneath it. Love the cake. But hoped 60 would be bigger. Hoped 60 would be big enough to see from a low-flying plane.
We could get everybody in the restaurant to sing ?Happy Birthday.?
?You do,? says Ric Flair, ?and I'll never talk to you again.?
The Nature Boy turns 60 today.
?Can you believe it?? asks Flair.
I can't.
The year Flair was born, Harry Truman was president, 31-year-old Billy Graham completed a hugely successful tent campaign and Sam Snead won his first Masters. The most popular movie and record were ? oops, movies and records had not yet been invented.
Does this mean you are now the Nature Man?
?Does that mean I'm going to grow up anytime soon?? asks Flair. ?I feel like I'm 25. That's the problem.?
The problem is to feel 60 when you're 25.
We open the white box at Dean & Deluca at Phillips Place, the restaurant Flair chooses for the interview, and carefully extract the dark cake. Customers see ?60? and express surprise. When Flair walks to the counter to get a cup of coffee, a woman who appears older than he is comes over and looks at the number.
?Sixty?? she asks. ?I thought he was 80.?
?I don't feel any different,? Flair says when he returns, almost everybody in the restaurant watching him. ?Sixty doesn't bother me. Fifty didn't bother me. Forty did because somebody told me I'd have to stop wrestling.?
Flair still works for WWE in public relations, but you know he'll wrestle again. Nobody has ever done it, professionally wrestling, as well.
Here is what 60 looks like.
Flair's face is tan, his hair is blond and he's in shape. He weighed 232 pounds when he wrestled his last match, and on Tuesday he weighs, pre-cake, 233. He works out at least four days a week and bench presses 300 pounds. He wrestles with his kids, David and Reid. It's not, however, like horsing around with your kids in the living room and letting them jump onto your back from the top of the sofa. David and Reid wrestle professionally.
Flair has four children, three grandchildren and a deep sense of peace.
?Charlotte's amazing,? he says between bites of cake. ?Isn't it amazing? And it just keeps getting better. The respect people have for me, the way they treat me ? I wouldn't leave it for the world.?
The only other athlete/icon I've encountered who so willingly embraces fans and signs autographs is Richard Petty.
Flair is not introspective. He won't wake up this morning and look back. He admits he could have made better decisions and saved more money.
?But what would I do with it?? he asks. ?At the end of the day, I'm the happiest man alive.?
Ever tempted to lie about your age? ?Never,? says Flair. ?Isn't that funny? I'm at ease being myself. I never had to be anyone else.?
Supplemental Information
Polling Booth
Why didn't you vote in the Oklafan Year End Polls?
Upcoming Events
- Jimmy Hart and Matt Riddle · Aug 10 10:00am · Cox Business Convention Center · Tulsa
- Jimmy Hart and Matt Riddle · Aug 11 11:00am · Cox Business Convention Center · Tulsa
- Jake Hager and Jimmy Hart · Oct 5 10:00am · A. J. Horton Event Center · McAlester
- Jake Hager and Jimmy Hart · Oct 6 10:00am · A. J, Horton Event Center · McAlester
Spotlight in History
- 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Champion
- 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Champion
- 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
- 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
- 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
Week of Sun 06-16 to Sat: 06-22
- 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Champion
- 06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Champion
- 06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
- 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
- 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Champion
- 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
- 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
- 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
- 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
- 06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
- 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
- 06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Champions
- 06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Champion
- 06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
- 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
- 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
- 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
- 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
- 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
- 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Champions
- 06-21 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
- 06-21 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 06-21 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Champion
- 06-21 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 06-21 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Champion
- 06-21 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Champion
- 06-22 2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
- 06-22 2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- Paul Jones Jun 16th Today!
- Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th Today!
- Brock Landers Jun 16th Today!
- Ted Arcidi Jun 16th Today!
- Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th Today!
- Chuck Hinds Jun 16th Today!
- Jef Tiger Jun 16th Today!
- Ray Martinez Jun 17th
- Mario Galento Jun 17th
- Rob Justice Jun 17th
- Talos Jun 17th
- Bad Boy Jun 18th
- Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
- Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
- Andy Dalton Jun 18th
- Johnny Angel Jun 18th
- Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
- Cam the CODA Jun 18th
- Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
- Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
- Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
- Billy the Kid Jun 19th
- Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
- Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
- Mike Two Jun 19th
- David Kyzer Jun 20th
- Jon Cross Jun 20th
- Professor Ito Jun 20th
- Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
- Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
- Super Star Jun 21st
- Rick Russo Jun 21st
- Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
- Athena Jun 23rd
- Don Kent Jun 24th
- Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
- Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
- X-Storms Jun 25th
- Kody Lane Jun 25th
- Paul Puertorico Jun 26th
- Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
- Kuda Jun 27th
- Jason Kirby Jun 27th
- Ignition Jun 27th
- Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
- Reckless Jun 27th
- Boris Malenko Jun 28th
- Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
- J. J. Blake Jun 28th
- Malico Jun 28th
- John Tidwell Jun 28th
- Doc Hearon Jun 28th
- Bill Dromo Jun 28th
- Kenny Mack Jun 28th
- Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
- Barbara Galento Jun 29th
Most Active Members
- Striker
- Michael York
- The Mayne Event
- cphs_sweethearts
- Talon