Jun 7th 2026 05:01pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Flair Shows Class On And Off The Court

Flair Shows Class On And Off The Court

Posted: Apr 1st 2008 By: CMBurnham

A legendary world champion ? 16 times a champion, in fact ? "retired" Sunday night.

Although professional wrestlers never really quit the business. There's always at least 20-30 one last matches left in them.

Wrestlers retire and unretire more times than the Who, the Judds and Roger Clemens put together.

For 35 years, Ric Flair wrestled all around the world, in front of 100 people in dingy, poorly lighted school gyms and in front of 150,000 fans on a national holiday in North, yes North Korea.

Sunday night, before 75,000 fans breaking every attendance and box office record at Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando, Fla., Flair hung up his boots after losing a farewell match to his good friend Shawn Michaels. He was ready to go. It was time.

The night before, Flair was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame. Wrestler after wrestler, fan after fan, said how much they loved him, how they thought he was the greatest wrestler in history and told their favorite Flair story.

It was a weird thing. Practically none of the stories involved Flair inside the ring. Not that he didn't do incredible things inside the ring. His shenanigans outside the ring are just more incredible. He really was, as he loved to scream on TV wrestling, "a kiss-stealing, wheeling dealing, jet-flying, limousine-riding son of a gun."

Here's a Ric Flair story for you.

The U.S. Clay Courts Tennis Championships moved to Houston in 2001. Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale brought the tournament to the Westside Tennis Club. The Clay Courts was traditionally one of the stodgiest events on the tennis calendar.

You knew that was going to end. Mattress Mack and I cooked up a little stunt. On opening night of the tournament, between the two featured singles matches, there would be a special exhibition doubles contest.

Two championship tennis kids, one age 7, the other age 9, would play against "Houston Chronicle columnist Ken Hoffman and a mystery partner."


Publicity
I began dropping hints in my column who my mystery partner was. I went on local radio and television shows to pump the event. I said, "My partner has won matches in 40 countries around the world. My partner has won more titles than Martina Navratilova." Clues like that.

I made it sound like my partner was Stefanie Graf.

Hey, I never said "tennis" matches or "tennis" titles.

My partner was Ric Flair.

The afternoon of our match, I met Flair at Westside. I thanked him for agreeing to do this and asked, "How often do you get to play tennis with your crazy wrestling schedule?"

He said he had never touched a tennis racket in his life.

Uh-oh. I don't think we're going to beat the kids.

First thing we had to do was get him some tennis clothes and a racket.

Flair has some of the most outrageous ring robes with feather boas and patent-leather boots ? but no white shorts and Nike tennis shoes.

About then, the tennis players noticed that Flair was in the club, and they began asking for his autograph. James Blake, a top 10 world player and Yale man, pleaded with Flair to use one of his rackets.

Flair surprised everybody with his gentle nature and politeness. He called all the tennis players "sir." He called me "sir" even after I begged him not to do that.

OK, let's start the match. ESPN tennis announcer Cliff Drysdale is the chair umpire and emcee. He is pretty stodgy himself, with an accent that sounds English but is really South African. He introduces the kids one at a time. Then he introduces me.

Then, "and Ken's partner is" and rattles off the business about being a world champion and performing around the world.

Flair's wrestling entrance music, the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey, begins playing over the loudspeaker.

Flair walked on the court. This was 10 times better ? and funnier ? than Steffi Graf. Flair wore pure white shorts and a white shirt. He body was so tan he was almost red. His hair was pure white. His muscles were bulging. He looked amazing, ridiculous and incredible.

I couldn't stop laughing. I've been party to some pretty stupid things, but this was my new favorite. I've played doubles tennis with Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and President George Bush. Sure that was exciting.

But now my partner is Ric Flair!

In true pro wrestling fashion, we had rehearsed a few bits. I hit a ball a few inches past the baseline. Drysdale called it "out, love-15."

I walked up the chair and complained. "Hey, it was in! Don't cheat us just because you want the kids to win."

Drysdale sternly told me to get back on the court and be quiet. If I complained one more time, he'd penalize us a point, and one more time after that, he'd disqualify us. I slinked back, embarrassed by Drysdale's tongue-lashing.

The next point, I hit the ball into the stands on a fly.

Drysdale announced, "Out! Love-30."

This time, I motioned for Flair to complain. Flair dropped his racket, got a menacing look on his face and began climbing the steps to reach Drysdale.

Drysdale acted scared and announced, "On second thought, the ball was in, 15-all."

A few points later, one of the kids hit the ball softly to Flair on purpose. Flair smacked it with a mighty overhead ? his only point of the match ? and strutted around the court like he had just pinned the Masked Destroyer at the Sam Houston Coliseum.

The crowd loved it. They came to watch tennis, and a wrestling match broke out.

After the match, which we lost (just like wrestling, the baby faces usually win), Flair signed autographs for everybody who wanted one ? and the line was long. He asked me, "Did that go all right tonight?"

I said, "Sure, thanks," and thought nothing of what he just asked me.

Until Wrestlemania, when I heard about 25 wrestlers tell a Ric Flair story, and each one ended with "and then he asked me if he had done all right."

That's how you get to be a champion 16 times.

 

Tags: Ric Flair

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS Speaking on his podcast this week, Rikishi revealed that he finally feels like WWE is listening to his ideas and vision for the future of his family... Read More

All Columns

Upcoming Events

Complete Calendar

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1969 Jose Lothario def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 Ky-ote Johammed def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 2008 Mo'Body Gillespie def. Ky-ote Johammed for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 2013 Bobby Starr def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 2013 Ignition def. Super Skunk Ape, Jr. for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Michael York for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 2014 Steven Sterling def. Sam Stackhouse for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 2014 Jake O'Brien def. The Canadian Red Devil for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 2014 Terry Montana def. Ignition for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 2014 Havoc def. Buster Cherry for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 2014 Rick Russo def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2014 Terry Pantera became the BPPW Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 2025 Frankie Lee def. K. J. Gold for the RDW Iron Man Title

Week of Sun 06-07 to Sat: 06-13

  • 06-07 1969 Jose Lothario def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 06-07 2008 Ky-ote Johammed def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-07 2008 Mo'Body Gillespie def. Ky-ote Johammed for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-07 2013 Bobby Starr def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 06-07 2013 Ignition def. Super Skunk Ape, Jr. for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-07 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Michael York for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 06-07 2014 Steven Sterling def. Sam Stackhouse for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 06-07 2014 Jake O'Brien def. The Canadian Red Devil for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 06-07 2014 Terry Montana def. Ignition for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-07 2014 Havoc def. Buster Cherry for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 06-07 2014 Rick Russo def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 06-07 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 06-07 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 06-07 2014 Terry Pantera became the BPPW Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-07 2025 Frankie Lee def. K. J. Gold for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 06-08 1959 Frankie Kovacs & Jerry Miller def. Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 06-08 2013 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-08 2013 Hurricane Ross def. Billy Ray for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-08 2019 Michael Duplanti def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 06-08 2019 Big Smooth def. Hurricane Ross for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-08 2024 Billie the Kiid became the NAW Indigenous Land Champion
  • 06-08 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-08 2024 Eddie LeVaughn def. Romeo Reese for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 06-08 2024 Michael Duplanti became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 06-08 2024 Speeding Bullet (Mike Gunnz & Stephen Nitro) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Manico) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-09 1959 The Golden Giant became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-09 1966 Johnny Valentine def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-09 1980 The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) def. Junkyard Dog & Buck Robley for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 06-09 1989 Jeff Jarrett & Mil Mascaras def. Super Zodiac & Cactus Jack for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 06-09 2017 The Rising (Matt Durden & Riker) def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 06-09 2023 Koko became the CPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-09 2023 The Regime (Derek James & Logan Knight & Merc & Skylar Slice/Sgt. Slice) def. The Roll Modelz (Malik Mayfield & Olivier Vegos) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-09 2023 Mr. Nasty def. Mascara Purpura for the CPW 918 Title
  • 06-09 2023 Red James def. Mr. Nasty for the CPW 918 Title
  • 06-10 1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-10 1985 Tim Brooks def. Scott Casey for the WCCW Television Title
  • 06-10 2006 Dexter Hardaway became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-10 2023 MLP became the XDWF New GenX Champion
  • 06-11 1984 Chris Adams became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-11 2009 Sage became the SWCW Art of War Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien def. Robbie Awesome for the MERC Patriot Title
  • 06-11 2011 The Ring Intruders (Jon Cross & Fuel) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien became the SRPW Patriot Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 06-11 2011 Tim Storm def. Michael Faith for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 06-11 2022 Pastor Brent & Andrew Fenix def. The Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 06-11 2022 Connor Smith def. Romeo Reese for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 06-11 2022 Umbra def. Koko for the WAH Living Hope Title
  • 06-11 2022 Dan Webber def. Paul Puertorico for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 06-12 1982 The Spoiler def. Frank Dusek for the WCCW Television Title
  • 06-12 2009 El Latino became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-12 2021 Brawler Morrison def. Blade [2nd] for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 06-13 1960 Tony Borne def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-13 1969 Chuck Karbo became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-13 1978 Karl Krupp became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-13 1998 The Bad Boys (Splash Jackson & Bull Schmitt) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 06-13 2008 Brent Albright def. Slam Shady for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 06-13 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 06-13 2008 Josh Michaels became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2009 The Canadian Red Devil became the ComPro Showtime Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Seth Angel & Adrian Dell def. Nemesis (Bobby Starr & Damien Morte) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 06-13 2015 Killista def. Paul Puertorico for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-13 2015 Rolling Thunder def. Michael Duplanti for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-13 2015 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
  • 06-13 2015 Michael Wolf def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 06-13 2015 Jake O'Brien def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
06-07
  • Morgan Levay Jun 7th Today!
  • Stevie Caballero Jun 7th Today!
  • Mick Foley Jun 7th Today!
  • Gideon Vane Jun 7th Today!
  • Steve Hartley Jun 7th Today!
  • Michele Leone Jun 8th
  • Eddie Sullivan Jun 8th
  • Rick Vyper Jun 8th
  • Mustafa Bin Akbar Jun 8th
  • Jamie Jun 9th
  • Jim Barnett Jun 9th
  • Mark Wilson Jun 9th
  • Dutch Savage Jun 9th
  • Dick Listener Jun 9th
  • Jeff Wolfenbarger Jun 9th
  • Largus RagnaBrok Jun 10th
  • Dick Dunn Jun 10th
  • J. D. Richards Jun 11th
  • Mathmagician Jun 11th
  • Magnum T. A. Jun 11th
  • King Parsons Jun 11th
  • Lady Sensacion Jun 12th
  • Stan Pulaski Jun 12th
  • Baby Blimp Jun 12th
  • Rolling Thunder Jun 12th
  • Zac Royal Jun 12th
  • Deuce Rodriguez Jun 12th
  • D'Licious Jun 12th
  • Chandler Hopkins Jun 13th
  • John Pfanz Jun 13th
  • Dustin Heritage Jun 13th
  • Mikey D Jun 13th
  • Neo Genesis Jun 13th
  • Bill Ash Jun 13th
  • Alex Shepard Jun 13th
  • Geronimo Jun 13th
  • Buzz Sawyer Jun 14th
  • Jaxon Stone Jun 15th
  • Trey the Bae Jun 15th
  • Lilith Grimm Jun 15th
  • Paul Linam Jun 15th
  • Sean Ryan Jun 15th
  • Brad Armstrong Jun 15th
  • Brock Landers Jun 16th
  • Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th
  • Chuck Hinds Jun 16th
  • Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th
  • Ted Arcidi Jun 16th
  • Jef Tiger Jun 16th
  • Leslie Lorenzo Jun 16th
  • Paul Jones Jun 16th
  • Rob Justice Jun 17th
  • Talos Jun 17th
  • Mario Galento Jun 17th
  • Ray Martinez Jun 17th
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1