Mar 19th 2024 04:01am

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Wrestlemania, Woos And Partying Like A Rock Star

Wrestlemania, Woos And Partying Like A Rock Star

Posted: Mar 25th 2008 By: CMBurnham

From the feather boas to the line at Space Mountain, Ric Flair's persona is the closest thing to rock royalty the wrestling world has ever seen (insert Van Hammer joke here). But how much of it is Flair's real personality?

"Every bit of it," Flair says. "Much to the dismay of a lot of people, especially my first two wives. As a matter of a fact, I've said publicly that the Rolling Stones could never have hung with the Horsemen. I'm sure of it."

I'm talking to Flair over the phone the week before Wrestlemania and what could be the legend's last match in a sport-defining career full of chest chops, low blows, and figure-four leglocks.

But my biggest memory of Flair isn't from the ring. It's from one of those rock star moments where I was hanging with a friend at a THQ party back when they had the WCW license, and my buddy started talking to Flair about some bar the wrestler likes to frequent in the Bay Area. Just so happens my friend was one of the bartenders there, and the two hit it off immediately. Flair walked off after a few stories only to return with three women. The Nature Boy pointed at my friend and said, "You're a bartender--tell the girls some funny stories."

At this point, my friend (who will go nameless to protect the not so innocent) turned red and completely froze. All he could do was point at Flair and say, "This guy's a nut."

This guy's a nut? He blew it. Flair put his arms around two of the girls and left right there. From that point on, the phrase "This guy's a nut" has become legendary with all our friends, as our night of potential partying with the hardest partier in the business ended almost as soon as it started (we never even made it in the limo!).

"When I say we've had a lot of fun, I want to say that I haven't done anything that I shouldn't have," Flair says about his party lifestyle. "I'm talking about drinking and partying and enjoying the notoriety that went with the territory. I just had a lot of fun, and it was so easy back then just because back then, there wasn't a door that wouldn't open for us, and I took that time to walk through the door. I'll go to sleep tomorrow night, then the next night, you find a reason not to go to sleep until the next night. I could find something to do in Hays, Kansas, and that's pretty hard to do."

Back when I was a kid, there were two types of wrestling fans: Flair fans and Hogan fans, as the debate between the NWA and the then WWF was heated beyond belief. The scale started to tip (at least on our block) with one word--Wrestlemania. Entering its 24th year, Wrestlemania has helped transform the sport of professional wrestling into an entertainment spectacle. It's an event that then NWA champ Flair knew was going to be huge from the moment he first heard about it.

"The thing about me that people don't understand is that I knew Vince [McMahon] from way back, I even knew his father. And anybody who knew Vince knew that he was going places and he was going to do huge things for this business. He just had this vision forever, and this vision just keeps getting bigger every day, as does our product."

But even though Flair saw the grand scale of what Mania could become, he didn't think anything could live up to being NWA champ.

"I didn't think of it as being any bigger than anything I was doing, I just thought it was cool. I was so focused on what I was doing and on the NWA back then that I never lost sleep over it and I never saw Hogan as the World Champion in the same arena that I was in. That's not slighting Hogan and all of his success, but I just never thought he was at the same level I was, much less any bigger. I was NWA champion. Ask any wrestler from yesteryear and he will tell you, that was the title that everybody wanted to have."

This Sunday, Flair steps onto that same stage he saw introduced so many years ago, fighting another one of the greats, Shawn Michaels. "We're pulling out all the stops," Flair tells me about the match. "There's only one person who can prevent that match from being the best match on that card and that would be me. I've got to make it happen. If Ric Flair shows up, there isn't anything that could follow it."

And who would count Flair out at this point? It seems like every time you start hearing the whispers of retirement or washed up, Flair does something so remarkable in the ring, and it brings back memories of greatness. To me, Flair's TLC match with Edge says it all. "That was awesome," Flair says of the match. "I wanted to have another one but it never came to fruition. Edge is an awesome performer. And that was my youngest daughter and my oldest daughter and my wife in the front row screaming that night." They couldn't believe the former champ put on the crimson mask and climbed to the top of the ladder at his age, still giving the fans those mark-out moments you might expect from someone trying to make a name for themselves, but not from someone whose name has become synonymous with the sport.

When I ask Flair why he wanted to do the match, however, I'm shocked by his answer.

"I didn't want to try it. They made me do it."

And as far as his career winding down, Flair says he's never considered how it should end. "The reason retirement is sitting in front of me all the time is because people keep asking me about it. I don't dwell on that. Isn't that funny? It happened and I couldn't be in a better place, but right now I'm thinking about what I could do to make my match the best match at Wrestlemania, and if I find a way to win, then I'm showing up on Raw Monday night."

And if Flair is looking to steal the show, he couldn't have a better opponent than HBK, the man who has stolen so many shows he could be charged with a crime.

"That's how good he is, so you know I've got to show up," Flair laughs. When I ask him to rank Michaels among the best of all time he puts HBK in the top three. And while he wouldn't rank his top five wrestlers of all time, he gave me two other names he says would be in the top. "Ricky Steamboat and Triple H," he says. "Triple H's work ethic alone brings him up to that level. There are just so many things that go into being in the category that don't get discussed. Longevity is one. Consistency and health is number two. And going into the arena, not TV, but the arena every night wanting to make sure that whether there were 100 or 10,000 people, that they went home saying, 'Holy s---, that was something really cool that happened tonight.'"

In the end, it's that same criteria that ranks Ric Flair right up there, in my mind, ahead of even the names he's submitted, as the best to ever put on a pair of tights and shed blood for the respect and enjoyment of his fans.

And from my own experience, he's even willing to share some of the perks of being a superstar with a couple of guys who play videogames as the Nature Boy and shout "Woo!", even if they've never taken a real bump.

This guy's more than just a nut. He's Mick Jagger with a suplex. And next time we see him, we'll be sure to have some better stories. I just hope for my friend's sake, Flair's still willing to share.

 

Tags: Ric Flair, WCW, NWA, WWF

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
Stan Hansen and the AWA Championship Belt Scandal

Stan Hansen and the AWA Championship Belt Scandal

Although Stan Hansen earned countless championships over the span of his 28-year career, he was always a man who knew whe... Read More

All News

The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted about Thunderbolt Patterson being part of the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame class saying “He was a champion in the ri... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1956 Don Evans def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1974 The Texan def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 2004 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the TPW Hardcore Champion
  • 2006 Seth Allen def. Cody Jones for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 2016 The K. C. Wolves/The Diamond Dogs (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2016 Double D def. Damon Windsor for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Anarchy [2nd] became the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Ronnie Morton became the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 2022 Murder, Inc. (Mr. Nasty & Killbane) def. The OMGs (John Omari & Mike Anthony) for the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 2022 Moonshine Mantell became the WCR Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 03-17 to Sat: 03-23

  • 03-17 1982 Bob Roop def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-17 2006 Beau Dalton & Bobby Dalton def. Tommy Smash for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-17 2007 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-17 2007 Dexter Hardaway became the SWCW Sooner Xtreme Champion
  • 03-17 2007 John O'Malley def. Ryan Davidson for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 03-17 2007 Canadian Red Devil def. Rocco Valentino for the FCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-17 2007 AWOL def. Rocco Valentino for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-17 2007 Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-17 2012 John E. Stone def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 03-17 2012 Aaron Neil def. Jermaine Johnson for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-17 2012 The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-17 2021 El Torito def. Flyin’ Ryan for the MWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-17 2023 Edge Stone def. Shane Taylor for the TexPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-17 2024 Micro Tiger def. Disco Don for the MWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-18 1963 Louie Tillet def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 03-18 1976 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) def. Greg Valentine & Gorgeous George, Jr. for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 03-18 2006 Aaron Neil def. Big Van Vader for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-18 2006 John O'Malley def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-18 2006 The Old School Assassins (Brad Michaels & Seth Allen) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-18 2012 Drake Gallows def. The Canadian Red Devil for the BYEW Caution Champion
  • 03-18 2012 Prophet def. Sam Stackhouse for the BYEW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-18 2017 Arrow Club (Ky-Ote & Kyle Hawk) became the IWR Tag Team Champions
  • 03-18 2022 Doz Camachos (Onyx Camacho & Zarek Camacho) def. The Unit (Charlie Haas & Dane Griffin) for the TexPro Tag Team Champions
  • 03-18 2023 Nashoba def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 03-18 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 03-19 1956 Don Evans def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 03-19 1974 The Texan def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-19 2004 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the TPW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-19 2006 Seth Allen def. Cody Jones for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 03-19 2016 The K. C. Wolves/The Diamond Dogs (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-19 2016 Double D def. Damon Windsor for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-19 2022 Anarchy [2nd] became the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-19 2022 Ronnie Morton became the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 03-19 2022 Murder, Inc. (Mr. Nasty & Killbane) def. The OMGs (John Omari & Mike Anthony) for the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 03-19 2022 Moonshine Mantell became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-20 1962 Bull Curry def. Jack Dalton 1st for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 03-20 1970 The Spoiler def. Tarzan Baxter for the TSW North American Champion
  • 03-20 1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champion
  • 03-20 2009 Brandon Groom became the TAP Pure Xtreme Champion
  • 03-20 2021 Dimitri Alexandrov def. Tim Rockwell for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 03-20 2022 Little Foot def. Li’l Show for the MWF Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-21 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Billy Red Lyons for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 03-21 1998 Rocco Valentino def. Jimmy Kane for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-21 1998 Generation X (Zane Morris & Ian St. James) def. Body Count (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 03-21 1998 Bernard Funk def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-21 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-21 2009 3rd Rail def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-21 2015 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 03-22 1980 The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy) def. Ted DiBiase & Paul Orndorff for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 03-22 2008 Canadian Red Devil became the TAP Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-22 2008 The Innovators (Anarchy 2nd & Fuel) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 03-22 2008 Tim Rockwell became the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Champion
  • 03-22 2008 Dominique Lereaux became the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 03-22 2008 Sage became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 03-22 2008 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Shane Sanchez) def. Death Row [1st] (Blade [1st] & Shank) for the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-22 2008 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Rage) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Shane Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-22 2014 MHM, Inc. (Ray Martinez, Alabastair Hunt & K. P. Moore) became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 03-22 2015 A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 03-23 2007 AWOL def. Mustafa Sharmoot for the AACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-23 2013 Hurricane Ross became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-23 2013 Pretty In Pink (Michael Duplanti & Mike Rose) became the NAW Tag Team Champion
  • 03-23 2013 Damien Morte became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 03-23 2013 Johnny Z became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
03-19
  • C. G. Mullins Mar 19th Today!
  • Kelsey King Mar 19th Today!
  • Scott Casey Mar 19th Today!
  • Matt Sydal Mar 19th Today!
  • Lisa Gennero Mar 19th Today!
  • Matt Majestic Mar 19th Today!
  • Rick McGraw Mar 19th Today!
  • Sting Mar 20th
  • J. D. Richardson Mar 20th
  • Sol Azteka Mar 20th
  • Sexy Diamante Mar 20th
  • Scott Summers Mar 20th
  • D Money Mar 20th
  • Al Madril Mar 20th
  • Terrance M. Garvin Mar 20th
  • Frank Dalton Mar 21st
  • Mike York Mar 21st
  • Shawn Sanders Mar 21st
  • Scott Sanders Mar 21st
  • Niles Plonk Mar 22nd
  • Luc Lapointe Mar 22nd
  • Seth Shai Mar 23rd
  • Sophia Mar 23rd
  • Karl Karlson Mar 23rd
  • Mr. Chale Mar 23rd
  • Ryuma Go Mar 23rd
  • Tank Patton Mar 23rd
  • Devion Black Mar 23rd
  • Cruze Mar 24th
  • Ricky Wingrave Mar 24th
  • Merc Mar 24th
  • Cruze Mar 24th
  • Fran Gravette Mar 24th
  • Buddy Fuller Mar 24th
  • Gorgeous George Mar 24th
  • Jake Hager Mar 24th
  • Clinton Starks Mar 24th
  • Rey Leon Mar 25th
  • Jake McCoy Mar 25th
  • Seigfried Stanke Mar 25th
  • Elephant Boy Mar 26th
  • Mike Mondo Mar 26th
  • John Swenski Mar 26th
  • Tom Hanley Mar 26th
  • Ron McFarlane Mar 26th
  • Gordon Nelson Mar 27th
  • Charlie Haas Mar 27th
  • Sheeva Mar 28th
  • Maddox Jones Mar 28th
  • Caine Carter Mar 28th
  • Keith Knight Mar 29th
  • Michael Hayes Mar 29th
  • Ron Garvin Mar 30th
  • Riley Grinn Mar 30th
  • Spur the Clown Mar 30th
  • Mace [1st] Mar 31st
  • Glenn Wade Apr 1st
  • K-Rob Apr 1st
  • Mighty Atlas Apr 1st
  • Oni Wiki Wiki Apr 1st
  • Richard Sharpe Apr 1st

More Look Back In History

Current Champions

Core Professional Wrestling

Skylar Slice

Women’s Champion
Skylar Slice

 
  • Heavyweight Champion: Merc
  • Tag Team Champions: Canadian Rez Devils
  • 918 Champion: Cappuccino Jones