Oklafan.com v5 Beta > News > Will Nature Boy Be Put Out To Retire?

Home
News

Will Nature Boy Be Put Out To Retire?

Posted: Jan 4th 2008 By: CMBurnham

Ric Flair sits at a little table at Dean & Deluca in Phillips Place, cup of latte in front of him. He looks cool in his faded jeans and black sweater, hair blond and face tan. But he's not cool. He can't be.

Admit that the pressure you are under is enormous, Ric Flair.

"I admit it," he says.

On Nov. 26, Flair fought on a World Wrestling Entertainment card at Bobcats Arena. Before he did, the Nature Boy said into the microphone that the time would come for him to retire.

You should have heard the place. Fans whispered, exclaimed, leaned forward in their chairs, struggled and in some cases failed to hold back tears. After 341/2 years in the ring, Charlotte's own Ric Flair was going to walk away.

Then, with thousands of fans hanging not on every word but on every consonant and every vowel, Flair said: "I have to announce to you that -- I will never retire! I will only retire when I'm dead in this ring!"

And he broke into his trademark strut.

But wait. As fans roared, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon emerged with an announcement of his own. Flair would not dictate the terms of his retirement. McMahon would.

"The first match you lose, Ric, your career is over," the chairman said.

Flair had engaged in several loser-leave-town matches. But loser leave the profession?

"I've never heard of it before," Flair, the world's youngest 58-year-old, says Thursday. "Any loss -- tag team, DQ, counted out, pin -- I leave that night."

To force Flair out, McMahon has matched him against champion Randy Orton, Umaga the Human Bulldozer and the great Triple H. This is like matching the Carolina Panthers against New England, Indianapolis and Jacksonville. Flair was all but out against each. Yet, somehow he prevailed.

His next match is Jan. 14 in Mobile, Ala., against an opponent yet to be named, and those can be the worst kind.

McMahon isn't making this easy, is he?

"No, he's not," says Flair.

Think of the pressure. The first time the Nature Boy loses a fight he loses his job.

This would be like Raymond Felton being run off by the Bobcats the next time he shoots a 19-footer instead of hitting the open man.

This would be like John Fox/Marty Hurney being canned by the Panthers the next time they miss on a draft pick.

This would be like reading a substandard sports column in the Charlotte Observer and never seeing the mug shot of Tom Sorensen again.

"I'm not looking forward to it but I can see myself retired," Flair says.

No you can't. You are the man who survived the plane crash and gall bladder surgery, Ricky Steamboat and Handsome Harley Race, the crazy match in Trinidad and, oh yeah, some very late nights.

This is the Year of the Old Guy, Ric Flair. Look at Brett Favre.

Oh, and if you really can see yourself retired, what were you doing at the WWE training center in Tampa last week, not a camera upon you, quietly working on your game?

Tags: WWE, Ric Flair

Supplemental Information

Latest News

First three WWE ID contracted wrestlers announced, more to come Friday

The first three members of the WWE ID program were announced Thursday with more to come in the next ... Read More

All News

The Scoop

NEWS Michael Hayes and Bruce Prichard are currently on temporary leave from WWE. Dave Meltzer first reported the news on Wednesday. The longtime WWE cre... Read More

All Columns

WWE NXT Champ Ethan Page on Switch to The CW, CM Punk & Carrying Show

Ethan Page may have an “All Ego” in-ring persona, but in actuality, the driven pro wrestler h... Read More

All Interviews

First three WWE ID contracted wrestlers announced, more to come Friday

The first three members of the WWE ID program were announced Thursday with more to come in the next ... Read More

All News

Upcoming Events

There are currently no upcoming appearences.

Complete Calendar

Spotlight in History

1976 Bill Watts & Billy Robinson def. Karl Kox & Ken Patera for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
1987 Matt Borne def. Ted Arcidi for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
2002 Kool Ade def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Champion
2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Kool Ade for the ACW Hardcore Champion
2007 Cheerleader Melissa became the AACW Womens Champion
2007 Oliver John became the AACW Internet Champion
2007 Jack Dalton [2nd]/Jack Legacy became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
2007 J. D. Rebel & Fuel became the SECW Tag Team Champions
2011 Uncle Mikey & Michael Titus became the ACW Tag Team Champions
2018 Alex Royal def. J. D. for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion

Week of Sun 11-10 to Sat: 11-16

11-10 1976 Bill Watts & Billy Robinson def. Karl Kox & Ken Patera for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
11-10 1987 Matt Borne def. Ted Arcidi for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
11-10 2002 Kool Ade def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Champion
11-10 2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Kool Ade for the ACW Hardcore Champion
11-10 2007 Cheerleader Melissa became the AACW Womens Champion
11-10 2007 Oliver John became the AACW Internet Champion
11-10 2007 Jack Dalton [2nd]/Jack Legacy became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
11-10 2007 J. D. Rebel & Fuel became the SECW Tag Team Champions
11-10 2011 Uncle Mikey & Michael Titus became the ACW Tag Team Champions
11-10 2018 Alex Royal def. J. D. for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
11-11 1964 Danny Hodge became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
11-11 1985 Eddie Gilbert & The Nightmare def. Wendell Cooley & Al Perez for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
11-11 1988 Eric Embry def. Jeff Jarrett for the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
11-11 2006 Mustafa Sharmoot def. Glen Steel for the AACW Heavyweight Champion
11-11 2017 Running Wolf def. Dusty Gold for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
11-11 2022 Nova Phoenix became the CPW Women’s Champion
11-11 2022 Koko def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Champion
11-12 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. Mike George & Bob Sweetan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
11-12 2002 Baby B def. Jeffrey Parker for the ACW Hardcore Champion
11-12 2011 The Jersey Kings (Scott Riley & King James) def. Pork Chop & Shane Cortez for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
11-12 2022 Ronnie Morton def. Ryan the Ripper for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
11-12 2022 Andrew Fenix def. Dove Puro for the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
11-12 2022 San La Muerte became the WAH Spotlight Champion
11-12 2022 Elijah Sparks def. San La Muerte for the WAH Spotlight Champion
11-13 1950 Verne Gagne became the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
11-13 1964 Angelo Savoldi def. Hiro Matsuda for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
11-13 1965 Mike Clancy became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
11-13 1965 Jack Brisco became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
11-13 2010 Arrogant Money (Randy Price & Austin Tacious) def. Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
11-13 2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Arrogant Money (Randy Price & Austin Tacious) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
11-13 2015 The Pen Palz (Skyler Fayden & Dimitri Alexandrov) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
11-13 2015 Lance Osburn became the SRPW United States Champion
11-13 2015 Jon Cross def. Riker for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
11-13 2021 Rebel Hearts (Christian Temple & Justin Gray) def. The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the EPW Tag Team Champions
11-13 2021 Striker def. Warren Powers for the EPW All-American Champion
11-13 2022 Subject to Death (Leo Fox & Derek James & Cade Fite) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
11-13 2022 Derek James became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
11-13 2022 Cappuccino Jones def. Derek James for the BPW Lion Heart Champion
11-14 1980 Bruiser Brody def. Stan Stasiak for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
11-14 2009 Goldeneye def. Sage for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
11-14 2009 John O'Malley def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
11-14 2009 Running Wolf def. Michael H for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
11-14 2010 Greatness On Demand (Rage Logan & Damon Windsor) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
11-14 2015 Aaron Neil def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Champion
11-14 2015 Nemesis (Bobby Starr & Damien Morte) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
11-14 2015 Rolling Thunder became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
11-14 2020 Alex Royal def. Sam Stackhouse for the WFC Heavyweight Champion
11-14 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. Tim Rockwell for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
11-15 1963 Bull Curry def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
11-15 2003 Northern Threat (Luc Lapointe & Dexter Hardaway) def. X-Cal for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
11-15 2013 Miss Diss Lexia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
11-15 2014 Double D & Jermaine Johnson def. The Old School Studs (Randy Price & Gary Tool) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
11-16 1942 Fred Nelson became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
11-16 1965 Jack Brisco def. Don Kent for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
11-16 2013 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
11-16 2013 Kevin James Sanchez def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
11-16 2019 Karnage def. Naomi Sanders for the BPW 365 Champion
11-16 2019 Sam Stackhouse def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Champion

11-10

Bob Orton, Jr. Nov 10th Today!
Kinzer Keel Nov 10th Today!
Danny Savich Nov 10th Today!
Marshall Von Erich Nov 10th Today!
Brandon Moxley Nov 11th
Luigi Columbo Nov 11th
Little Cloud Nov 11th
Green Dragon Nov 11th
Alex Perez Nov 11th
Terrale Tempo Nov 12th
Gary Tool Nov 12th
Varik Vayne Nov 12th
Thud Powell Nov 12th
Ty Thunder Nov 12th
Austin Tacious Nov 12th
Brett Taylor Nov 12th
Vickie Lynn McCoy Nov 12th
Big Smooth Nov 13th
L. J. McDaniels Nov 13th
Kirk Castle Nov 14th
Tiny Bell Nov 14th
Kyle Kelly Nov 14th
Shane Sanders Nov 14th
Sean Pearl Nov 15th
Super Beast Nov 15th
Killer Cross Nov 15th
Armin Syzlack Nov 15th
Killer Cross Nov 15th
Brieanna Bringle Nov 16th
Josh Hogan Nov 17th
Kenny K Nov 17th
Drake Gallows Nov 17th
Snowman Nov 17th
Chase Bristow Nov 17th
Brent Wall Nov 17th
Johnny Graves Nov 17th
Johnny Weaver Nov 17th
Kikutaro Nov 17th
Reaper Nov 18th
Chris Russo Nov 18th
Everett Kibbons Nov 18th
Turnbuckle Tim Nov 19th
Ricky Gibson Nov 19th
S. L. U. G. G. Nov 20th
Red Berry Nov 20th
Casey Platinum Nov 20th
El Matador Uno Nov 20th
Afa Nov 21st
Johnny Rich Nov 21st
Shane Douglas Nov 21st
Ed Ferrara Nov 22nd
Kooter Daniels Nov 22nd
Crazy Horse Nov 22nd
Farmer Jones Nov 23rd
Sgt. Hartman Nov 23rd
Kyle King Nov 23rd
Selena Nov 23rd
Skruffy Nov 23rd

1976 Bill Watts & Billy Robinson def. Karl Kox & Ken Patera for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
1987 Matt Borne def. Ted Arcidi for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
2002 Kool Ade def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Champion
2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Kool Ade for the ACW Hardcore Champion
2007 Cheerleader Melissa became the AACW Womens Champion
2007 Oliver John became the AACW Internet Champion
2007 Jack Dalton [2nd]/Jack Legacy became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
2007 J. D. Rebel & Fuel became the SECW Tag Team Champions
2011 Uncle Mikey & Michael Titus became the ACW Tag Team Champions
2018 Alex Royal def. J. D. for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion

More Look Back In History