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
Latest News
Will Ospreay vs. Shane Taylor announced for next AEW Collision & Rampage block
Will Ospreay will be in action next Saturday. During Collision, it was announced that... Read More
The Scoop
NEWS WWE uploaded a video with A. J. Styles getting in the best shape of his life for “Backlash”. You can watch the video by clicking [url=https://ww... Read More
EC3 Opens Up About His Time In WWE, Being NWA Champion, What’s Next For Him, More
In the latest exclusive interview with PWMania’s Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell), E... Read More
Spotlight in History
- 1979 Wahoo McDaniel def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 1984 Magnum T. A. def. Mr. Wrestling II for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
- 2006 Justin Lee def. Gary Gram for the NWA-U X Division Champion
- 2012 Les Mayne became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 2016 Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse def. Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
- 2017 Garrett Murphy def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Champion
- 2023 Lunchador def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
- 2023 Rush Freeman became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
- 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. Dark Forces (San La Muerte & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
Week of Sun 05-12 to Sat: 05-18
- 05-12 2002 Rocco Valentino became the OCW Oklahoma Television Champion
- 05-12 2012 The New Era [2nd] (Richie Adams & Goldeneye) def. The Dramatic Athletes (Jake McCoy & X-Cal) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 05-12 2012 Venus became the IZW Queens Champion
- 05-12 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Bobby Starr for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 05-12 2013 Impact, Inc. (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Shawn Sanders & Tyson Jaymes for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
- 05-12 2018 Garrett Murphy became the NAW Lightweight Champion
- 05-12 2018 Big Smooth def. Dusty Gold for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-12 2018 Brayden def. Kareem Sadat for the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
- 05-12 2018 Gavin Dixon def. Mikey [2nd] for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-12 2023 Ronnie Morton def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
- 05-13 1979 Wahoo McDaniel def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-13 1984 Magnum T. A. def. Mr. Wrestling II for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-13 2006 Justin Lee def. Gary Gram for the NWA-U X Division Champion
- 05-13 2012 Les Mayne became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 05-13 2016 Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse def. Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 05-13 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Drake Gallows for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
- 05-13 2017 Garrett Murphy def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Champion
- 05-13 2023 Lunchador def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
- 05-13 2023 Rush Freeman became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
- 05-13 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. Dark Forces (San La Muerte & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
- 05-14 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 05-14 1975 Danny Miller def. Skandor Akbar for the TSW North American Champion
- 05-14 2004 Butch Dalton def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-14 2004 Devon Monroe def. Mitch Carter for the TPW Light Heavyweight Champion
- 05-14 2005 John O'Malley became the IZW Hardcore Champion
- 05-14 2005 Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-15 1959 Mike DiBiase def. Dory Funk for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 05-15 2010 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Bobby Star) def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 05-15 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-15 2015 Charlie Haas def. Jerome Daniels for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
- 05-15 2021 Killbane def. The Canadian Red Devil for the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
- 05-16 1963 Bull Curry became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-16 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Akbar Army (Jerry Brown & Ron McFarlane) for the TSW Tag Team Champions
- 05-16 2009 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-16 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Team Bull (Aaron Neil & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-16 2015 Clint Cassidy def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE United States Champion
- 05-16 2015 Brett Stopp def. Fuel for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-16 2015 Anarchy [2nd] def. Brett Stopp for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-17 1965 Bull Curry def. Karl Kox for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 05-17 1986 Bruiser Brody def. Rick Rude for the WCCW Television Champion
- 05-17 1987 The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) def. Rick Steiner & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Champions
- 05-17 1996 The Bad Boyz (Krull Danzig & Brett Knight) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) for the WWEmp Tag Team Champions
- 05-17 2008 El Super Colibri def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 05-17 2008 Michael York def. Brett Taylor for the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
- 05-17 2008 Michael York became the SECW Eastern Oklahoma Title Champion
- 05-17 2008 Michael York became the SECW Eastern Oklahoma Champion
- 05-17 2009 Kevin Morgan became the AWFUL Heavyweight Champion
- 05-17 2014 The Sexy Camachos (Angel Camacho & Roberto Camacho & Vinnie Camacho) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-18 1970 Boris Malenko def. Mil Mascaras for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 1973 Jose Lothario def. Blackjack Mulligan for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 1984 Gino Hernandez def. Jimmy Garvin for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 2007 Lonnie Valdez & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
- 05-18 2013 The P.I.N.K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) def. Bobby Burns & Sam Stackhouse (substituting for Psycho Sawyer) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 05-18 2013 B-Arthur became the SRPW Womens Champion
- 05-18 2013 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Mercenary for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
- 05-18 2014 Striker def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 05-18 2019 Skylar Slice def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Champion
- Dave Ryda May 13th Today!
- Prince Mahalli May 13th Today!
- Payton Scott May 13th Today!
- Danny Hodge May 13th Today!
- Maggie Rae May 13th Today!
- Little Boy Blue May 13th Today!
- Karl Krupp May 13th Today!
- Stan Kowalski May 13th Today!
- Lars Manderson May 13th Today!
- Pete Maguire May 13th Today!
- Big Van Vader May 14th
- Shawn Bragan May 14th
- C. M. Burnham May 14th
- Robert Fuller May 14th
- Scott Irwin May 14th
- Steve Williams May 14th
- Tommy Rogers May 14th
- Joe Cuedo May 15th
- Koko May 15th
- Kevin Von Erich May 15th
- Oscar Amazing May 15th
- Andrew Bridge May 15th
- Erwin IV May 15th
- Ryan Martin May 16th
- Ryker James May 16th
- Alan Jefferson May 16th
- Buddy Roberts May 16th
- Buddy Knox May 16th
- Kyle Hawk May 17th
- Dan Maestro May 17th
- J. B. Pain May 17th
- Mike Pappas May 17th
- Wage May 17th
- Billy Red Lyons May 17th
- Luna Nightshade May 18th
- J. R. Wind May 18th
- Matt Riviera May 18th
- Kristopher Haiden May 18th
- Gajo May 18th
- Akuma Jones May 18th
- Jimmy Snuka May 18th
- Bateman May 19th
- Andre the Giant May 19th
- Will Chambers May 19th
- Buzz Markley May 19th
- Dick Slater May 19th
- Mongol May 19th
- Dale Veasey May 20th
- Chuey Martinez May 21st
- Ivan Kalmikoff May 21st
- Babyface D'Amanti May 23rd
- Slash May 23rd
- Donna Christanello May 23rd
- Santana Jackson May 23rd
- Gemini [2nd] May 24th
- Lucas May 24th
- Ricky Romero May 24th
- Michael York May 25th
- Dark Journey May 25th
- Dominique Lereaux May 25th
- Quarky Storm May 25th
- Guy Atticus May 25th
- Tank Bryson May 26th
- Michael Duplanti May 26th
- Justin Adams May 26th
- Reggie Lincoln May 26th
Most Active Members
- Striker
- Michael York
- The Mayne Event
- cphs_sweethearts
- Talon