Flair For Life: Shaping The World Of Professional Wrestling
Posted: May 8th 2010 By: CMBurnham
Ric Flair said it best about himself: "The stylin', profilin', limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin' n' dealin' son of a gun!"
The women loved him. The men wanted to be like him. Ric Flair, and arguably Ric Flair alone, helped launch what is better known today as "sports entertainment." Flair's charismatic microphone skills, and in-ring moves and antics helped move wrestling shows from small ballrooms, to sold out arenas around the globe.
It's hard to imagine what sports entertainment would be like today if Flair weren't around. Years ago, right here in Wilmington, that could have very well been the case.
Wilmington's Legion Stadium was sold out that night. October 4th, 1975. Five thousand fans gathered around the squared circle to see a show featuring guys like Johnny Valentine, Bob Bruggers, Wahoo McDaniel, and a young up-and-comer named Ric Flair.
Just minutes before the show started, across town, R.C. Shackelford was on his way to the New Hanover County Airports (now, ILM). At the time he was the airport's assistant manager. All of the sudden, he heard on his radio information about a plane that had gone down near the runway. Shackelford raced to the intersection of Gordon Road and North 23rd Street. He was one of the first ones to view the badly damaged Cessna.
"There were four or five very large men in the aircraft," said Shackelford. "They were in a considerable amount of pain."
Suffering from multiple injuries were, Johnny Valentine, Bob Bruggers, Tim Woods and 24-year-old, Ric Flair. Also injured, was wrestling announcer, David Crockett, and the pilot, Joseph Farkas. About an hour earlier, they had departed from Charlotte and were on their way to the show in Wilmington.
"We ran out of gas at 4000 feet," said Flair. "We landed and crashed right into the railroad embankment a half mile from the runway."
An NTSB report shows that Farkas miscalculated the amount of fuel he was supposed to put in the plane. Farkas would be the only one to succumb to his injuries. He ended up in a coma and died a year later.
After getting all of the men out of the plane, Shackelford remembers the enormous number of onlookers.
"About the only folks we didn't see were the inmates from the prison across the street," said Shackleford. "I imagine they would have been there if they could get out."
Back at Legion Stadium, a young wrestling fan named Sean Hudson was sitting ringside.
"The local announcer for the matches came to the ring and said there was a plane crash and it involved some of the wrestlers," said Hudson.
The show went on, but without some of its top performers. Some of those involved in the plane crash suffered broken backs and would never step in the ring again.
Even with a broken back, Flair was one of the fortunate ones. After his recovery, he got back in the ring and went on to win multiple heavyweight championships.
"The rest is history. I'm very lucky," said Flair.
We, as fans of sports entertainment, are also lucky. We are lucky enough to have witnessed the "Nature Boy" make history in the ring over the past four decades. Without his contributions to the world of professional wrestling, it's safe to say, we would have been dealt a serious body slam.
Supplemental Information
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Spotlight in History
- 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
- 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
- 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
- 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title
Week of Sun 04-19 to Sat: 04-25
- 04-19 1987 Bubba Rogers def. One Man Gang for the UWF Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Luchadore & The Canadian Red Devil) def. La M (El Choppo & Jesus Rodriguez) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 04-19 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. Nathan Sensation for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 04-19 2013 Bree Ann def. Barbi Hayden for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
- 04-19 2014 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2014 Jake O'Brien def. Brian Breaker for the OWA Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2014 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2014 Randy Price def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 04-19 2014 Miss Diss Lexia def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
- 04-19 2014 Erica def. Miss Diss Lexia for the IZW Queens Title
- 04-19 2014 Brandon Groom def. Warhammer for the BPPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2024 Killa Kate became the TexPro Rose Champion
- 04-19 2024 Kari Wright def. Tommy Prince for the TexPro Dynasty Title
- 04-19 2024 K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) def. Rock-N-Rugged (Rook Tyler & Gabe Welder for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
- 04-19 2025 Rook Tyler def. Auzzy for the TexPro Dynasty Title
- 04-19 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 04-19 2026 Gideon Vane became the WTW Open Promotions Champion
- 04-20 1980 Toru Tanaka def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 04-20 2013 The Canadian Red Devil became the OWA Heavyweight Champion
- 04-20 2013 Daemon Storm def. Justin Dynamic for the UWE United States Title
- 04-20 2018 Jack Swagger def. MVP for the IWR Heavyweight Title
- 04-20 2019 B. M. F. (Kareem Sadat & Maniac Mike) became the EmpCW Tag Team Champions
- 04-20 2019 Double D became the EmpCW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-20 2024 Malachi & Ozzy Hendrix def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
- 04-20 2024 Kevin James Sanchez def. Montego Seeka for the EPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-21 1967 The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 04-21 1979 Mike George def. Jerry Stubbs for the TSW Louisiana Title
- 04-21 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 04-21 2007 Kareem Sadat def. K-Rob for the AACW Hardcore Title
- 04-21 2007 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. The Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 04-21 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Spyder for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
- 04-21 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 04-21 2018 The Untamed (Rex Andrews & Ryan Davidson) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 04-21 2023 Leo Fox def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Apex Title
- 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
- 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Texas Title
- 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
- 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
- 04-22 1940 Jesse James def. Danny McShain for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-22 1955 Ricki Starr def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
- 04-22 1968 The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2/Smasher Sloan) def. Fritz Von Erich & Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 04-22 1980 Terry Gordy def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 04-22 1985 The Great Kabuki became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 04-22 2006 Michael York def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-22 2016 Brock Landers def. Mascara La Parka for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 04-22 2016 Mascara La Parka def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 04-22 2017 Double D def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 04-22 2017 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the ComPro Ladies Title
- 04-22 2018 Chaz Sharpe became the ASP Inter-County Champion
- 04-22 2018 Johnny Kove & Tristan Thorne became the ASP Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
- 04-22 2018 Damon Windsor def. Chandler Hopkins for the IWR Revolutionary Title
- 04-22 2022 Drake Gallows & Fester Cluck def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
- 04-22 2022 Duncan Kincaid became the RDW Iron Man Champion
- 04-22 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Ozzy Hendrix) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
- 04-22 2023 Devion Black def. Adrian Vega for the EPW All-American Title
- 04-22 2023 Logan Knight def. Gemini [2nd] for the EPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-23 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
- 04-23 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-23 1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-23 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-23 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 04-23 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 04-23 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 04-23 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
- 04-23 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
- 04-23 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 04-23 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title
- 04-24 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 04-24 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-24 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
- 04-24 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
- 04-24 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 04-24 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 04-25 1969 Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treach Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-25 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
- 04-25 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-25 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
- 04-25 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-25 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-25 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
- 04-25 2008 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
- 04-25 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
- 04-25 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
- 04-25 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 04-25 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Title
- 04-25 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
- 04-25 2021 Brandon Barricade def. Red for the ASP All Time Title
- 04-25 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions
- Moose Apr 23rd Today!
- Tony Atlas Apr 23rd Today!
- Blade [2nd] Apr 23rd Today!
- Terry Gordy Apr 23rd Today!
- Ethan Price Apr 24th
- Lou Thesz Apr 24th
- Lance Von Erich Apr 24th
- Bobby Joe Bristow Apr 25th
- Walker Stewart Apr 25th
- Zack Zilla Apr 25th
- Max Mercer Apr 25th
- Brett Stopp Apr 25th
- Crash Davis Apr 25th
- Eric Roberts Apr 25th
- Carl Fergie Apr 25th
- Justin Dynamic Apr 26th
- Havoc Apr 26th
- Karl Kox Apr 26th
- Yasu Fuji Apr 27th
- Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th
- Siva Afi Apr 28th
- Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th
- Sunshine Apr 29th
- Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
- Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
- Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
- Dustin Tibbs Apr 30th
- Prince Maivia May 1st
- Big Bossman May 2nd
- Kari Wright May 2nd
- Don Fields May 2nd
- Americos May 2nd
- Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
- Barrett Brown May 2nd
- Johnny Humble May 3rd
- Lily McKenzie May 3rd
- Lester Welch May 3rd
- Bull Schmitt May 4th
- Jay Hazzard May 4th
- Dory Funk May 4th
- El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
- Malik Mayfield May 4th
- Bill Watts May 5th
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- El Gallardo May 5th
- Olivier Vegos May 5th
- Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
- Zane Morris May 5th
- Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
- Princess Victoria May 5th
- Maria Brigitte May 5th
- Claire Watson May 6th
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