Jul 24th 2026 01:49am

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Vanity Flair: Stylish Wrestling Kingpin To Put Career On Line At WrestleMania

Vanity Flair: Stylish Wrestling Kingpin To Put Career On Line At WrestleMania

Posted: Mar 27th 2008 By: CMBurnham

When 16-time World Heavyweight wrestling champ Ric Flair steps into the ring at Wrestlemania XXIV on Sunday, he?ll be going up against the man he?s mentored for years and he?ll be putting his career at stake. At least that?s how the storyline goes: If Shawn Michaels pulls out a win over Flair, Flair must retire.

Flair ? real name Richard Fliehr ? has been a bright light in pro wrestling since he first took a lesson from Verne Gagne in 1972. The long blond hair (ideal for when Flair splits his forehead open during battle and ?puts on a crimson mask?), the wonderfully gaudy full-length robes, the brazen attitude, the technical skill, the grasp of in-ring psychology ? all of this has earned Flair the respect and admiration coworkers, and the cheers of crowds over the years. He broke his back during a plane crash in 1975, but he rebounded and has been going strong ever since. He borrowed his nickname ?Nature Boy? from the great wrestler ?Nature Boy? Buddy Rogers.

Recently named as an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame, Flair took some time last week to share some thoughts about the business that?s made him an international superstar.

When did you first seriously think about becoming a pro wrestler?

In 1972. That was the year I started. I always liked it as a kid. I wasn?t over the top, but I did enjoy it. I met and was living with Ken Patera, who was an Olympic weightlifter. Ken had moved to Minneapolis with the arrangement that (wrestler and trainer) Verne Gagne would sponsor him for the ?72 Olympic games in Munich.

So that?s how you hooked up with Verne and started training?

Yes. When Verne talked to me about wrestling he said, ?I don?t accept quitters into this school. So if you start, you?re gonna finish.? I said that was no problem. But it was so hard, I quit twice. The first time I quit, he came over to my house and threw me out in my front yard and beat the crap out of me. I don?t mean he punched me, he just threw me around. He said, ?I told you that you weren?t going to quit and I?m telling you again now.? So I went about two more weeks, and it was so hard I quit again. I just didn?t go. He didn?t come to my house, he just called me and said, ?You be here in the next hour.? So I went back out there, and the rest is history (laughs).

What was so difficult for you?

I never envisioned the conditioning aspect of pro wrestling. I had no idea. The first day we got there, we were running two miles at his farm, doing 500 free squats, 200 pushups ? I about died the first day.

You?ve said in the past that Rick Steamboat was the greatest wrestler you ever competed against. Does that still stand?

That still stands. But the problem with that statement now is that there?s nobody better in the business than Shawn Michaels, who I?m wrestling at Wrestlemania.

What?s your opinion of the way Vince McMahon has run his wrestling company?

Not only is he a genius, I?ve never seen anybody that will tackle anything at any level, and never flinch.

You?re popular and respected in the business, and have reaped plenty of rewards. Has there been a downside?

No. I wish I?d stood up for myself a couple time in the ?90s, which I didn?t do. But other than that, the only problems I?ve had in this business were self-inflicted. Confidence problems.

Are you in any pain?

Not at all. I feel great.

So many wrestlers talk about nagging aches and pains every day.

Here?s what I say to some of them. What are you hurting from? What did you do yesterday that?s making you hurt today? We?ve got some 24-year-old kids that are talking about being hurt. But there?s no sympathy, man. You can?t approach a sport and be whining at 24 years of age. If you are, then you?re in the wrong business.

 

Tags: Ric Flair, Verne Gagne, WWE, Ken Patera

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

3
Jim Ross gives update on potential AEW return date

Jim Ross gives update on potential AEW return date

Jim Ross is optimistic that he’ll be back on AEW commentary sooner rather than later. On the episode of his Grillin... Read More

All News

The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS “Must CTV” Colton Theron Vaught has been invited to a WWE tryout during “SummerSlam” week in Minneapolis, MN. Barbie Leslie says one of t... Read More

All Columns

Upcoming Events

Complete Calendar

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1983 Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan def. Ted DiBiase & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 2005 Brandon Groom & American Anarchy became the NWA-U Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 2010 The Hardcore Connection (Maniac Mike & Shane Sanchez) def. X-Rated (Bobby Star & Kevin James Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 2010 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2010 Brandon Walker def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Brandon Walker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2019 Antonio Vega def. Shawn Sanders for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 2020 Derek James def. Alex Royal for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 2020 Size Matters (Sam Stackhouse & Mike Starr) def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 2020 Ethan Cole def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 2022 Sam Stackhouse became the WCR Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 07-19 to Sat: 07-25

  • 07-19 1968 Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith def. The Spoiler & Gary Hart for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-19 1968 Jack Dalton [1st] & Jim Dalton became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 1971 Thunderbolt Patterson & Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine & Wahoo McDaniel for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-19 1982 Bill Irwin def. Brian Adias for the WCCW Television Title
  • 07-19 2008 Dane Griffin def. Les Mayne for the 3DW Texoma Title
  • 07-19 2013 Big Daddy Moore became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Shawn Sanders became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Xavior def. Paul Puertorico for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 07-19 2019 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & Mascara La Parka) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Father Padge became the MajCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Brandon Warhawk became the MajCW Flawless Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Hell's Kitchen (The Canadian Red Devil & The Lunchador) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Lunchador became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Nightwolf became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Cardinal Sin def. Lunchador for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-19 2024 Jason Simon/Bishop Simon def. Nightwolf for the MajCW Native American Title
  • 07-19 2024 Deacon Hendrix def. Cardinal Sin for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-19 2024 Tyler Shade def. Deacon Hendrix for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-20 1961 Waldo Von Erich def. Tony Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-20 1979 Gino Hernandez & El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario & El Halcon for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 1986 Eddie Gilbert & Sting def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the UWF Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2008 The Forsaken (Michael Faith & Halo) def. Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2013 Drake Gallows became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 07-20 2013 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-20 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) became the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 07-20 2018 Double D def. Colby Black for the MSWA eXpress Title
  • 07-20 2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
  • 07-21 1947 Buddy Rogers def. Dale Levin for the NWA Midwest World Title
  • 07-21 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. The Assassin & The Angel [1st] for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 07-21 2012 The Mercenary became the UWE United States Champion
  • 07-21 2012 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 07-21 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Jake O'Brien for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2012 Angel Blue def. Venus for the IZW Queens Title
  • 07-21 2018 Drake Gallows def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2018 Alex Royal def. Drake Gallows for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1959 Danny McShain def. The Zebra Kid for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1960 Danny Hodge def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1981 Bob Roop def. Super Destroyer for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 07-22 1985 Butch Reed def. Dutch Mantell for the MSW Television Title
  • 07-22 2012 Cody Jones def. Les Mayne for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 07-22 2016 Nathan Estrada def. Adrian Dell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2016 Steven Cruze def. Seth Angel for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 07-22 2017 Future Hall of Famers/Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Damien Morte & Jermaine Johnson) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-22 2017 Ryan Davidson def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2017 Aaron Anders def. Brian Breaker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 2017 Wesley Crane def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE United States Title
  • 07-22 2023 Tyler Midas def. The Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 07-23 1967 Karl Kox def. Waldo Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-23 1979 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody became the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champions
  • 07-23 2004 Rocco Valentino def. Justin Lee for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2005 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 07-23 2011 John E. Stone def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2011 Double D def. Michael Barry for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 07-23 2011 Teila & El Hoto Loco def. Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2011 Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal def. Teila & El Hoto Loco for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2021 Ky-Ote def. Dane Griffin for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 07-23 2026 MLP def. Vincent Cross for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
  • 07-23 2026 Bang Bang Bennett def. MLP for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
  • 07-23 2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
  • 07-24 1983 Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan def. Ted DiBiase & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2005 Brandon Groom & American Anarchy became the NWA-U Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 07-24 2010 The Hardcore Connection (Maniac Mike & Shane Sanchez) def. X-Rated (Bobby Star & Kevin James Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2010 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-24 2010 Brandon Walker def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Brandon Walker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2019 Antonio Vega def. Shawn Sanders for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 07-24 2020 Derek James def. Alex Royal for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 07-24 2020 Size Matters (Sam Stackhouse & Mike Starr) def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2020 Ethan Cole def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 07-24 2022 Sam Stackhouse became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-25 1957 Duke Keomuka def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1962 Hiro Matsuda & Don Kent def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1966 Tony Borne def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1977 Captain USA def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1980 Ken Mantell became the MSW Louisiana Champion
  • 07-25 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Ed Wiskowski & Mike George for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2009 Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) def. Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2015 La Famiglia (Luke Grayson & Thomas Knight) def. Seth Angel & Adrian Dell for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Real Dirty Brawlers (Brawler Morrison & Thrash) def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Jon Cross def. Luke Langley for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2020 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2021 Thrash def. Luke Savage for the ASP Mid-American Title
07-24
  • Original Oklahoma Outlaw Jul 24th Today!
  • Anthony Wild Jul 24th Today!
  • Skip Young Jul 24th Today!
  • Joe Savoldi Jul 24th Today!
  • Jack Gamble Jul 25th
  • Pastor Brent Jul 25th
  • Kevin Morgan Jul 25th
  • Norman Charles Jul 25th
  • Red River Jack [2nd] Jul 25th
  • Yali Sapphire Jul 25th
  • Athan Sorrow Jul 25th
  • Lee Cook Jul 26th
  • Mike Bytheway Jul 26th
  • Jack Van Bebber Jul 27th
  • T. J. Muniz Jul 27th
  • Nova Phoenix Jul 27th
  • Matt Borne Jul 27th
  • Eric Rose Jul 27th
  • Johnny Idol Jul 27th
  • Tom Simon Jul 27th
  • Brixton Barricade Jul 28th
  • Sammy Guevara Jul 28th
  • Tim Woods Jul 28th
  • Butch Malone Jul 28th
  • Herb Calvert Jul 28th
  • Luke Brown Jul 28th
  • Brian Lakewood Jul 28th
  • Dan Webber Jul 29th
  • Oliver John Jul 29th
  • Betty Boucher Jul 29th
  • Boss Campbell Jul 29th
  • Antonio Vega Jul 29th
  • Billy Starr Jul 29th
  • Scott Steiner Jul 29th
  • Bobby Whitlock Jul 29th
  • Ace Archuleta Jul 29th
  • Derek James Jul 30th
  • Trey Bearhill Jul 31st
  • Kid Kash Jul 31st
  • Floyd Maystorm Jul 31st
  • Wayne Black Jul 31st
  • Dale Robinson Aug 1st
  • Eric the Red Aug 1st
  • Everett Rattan Aug 1st
  • Jimmy Golden Aug 1st
  • Joel Deaton Aug 1st
  • Amanda Barricade Aug 2nd
  • Tim Rockwell Aug 2nd
  • Jack Vaughn Aug 2nd
  • Gorgeous George, Jr. Aug 2nd
  • Capt. Rowdy Aug 2nd
  • Bull Ramos Aug 3rd
  • Haystacks Calhoun Aug 3rd
  • Altar Boy Sanchez Aug 3rd
  • Karl Gotch Aug 3rd
  • Ronnie Morton Aug 3rd
  • Ellis Bashara Aug 4th
  • Tyson Jaymes Aug 4th
  • Alaskan Aug 4th
  • Stormi Renee Aug 4th
  • Roy Dunn Aug 4th
  • Stan Lane Aug 5th
  • Glen Steel Aug 5th
  • Jimmy Valiant Aug 6th
  • Grizzly Smith Aug 6th
  • Samedi Aug 6th
  • Timothy Johnston Aug 6th

More Look Back In History