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Paul To Ric: Stop Crying Already

Posted: Apr 7th 2008 By: CMBurnham

A few disclaimers up front.

1) I'm a huge fan of ?emotional? moments on wrestling shows, especially ones based on merit and service more than tragedy.

2) I think Ric Flair deserves every accolade, every clap of the hands, every tribute paid to him at the Hall of Fame, at WrestleMania, and at Monday Night Raw for his retirement ceremony.

3) I cried my eyes my out watching Flair apologize to his children, and in some ways even more so by being such a man as to thank his first two wives at the Hall of Fame.

But jeeeesh, I wish Ric Flair would stop crying already.

The Hall of Fame speech, while edited for television, was a heart-wrenching genuine display of emotion that allowed Richard Fliehr a chance to thank everyone for letting him be - WHOOOOOO! - The Nature Boy Ric Flair all of those years, day and night.

That was an awesome television special. Flair was magnificent. He was gracious, eloquent, charming, choked with a passionate love for the family who sacrificed their time with him so he could be "that other person" that truly dwells inside him.

He was a man filled with pride yet regret; honour yet guilt; deep sorrow, but unparalleled accomplishment.

Then came WrestleMania.

In 10 years, this Mania will be remembered for two things.

In second place comes the fantastic Big Show v Floyd Mayweather match, which not only lived up to it's hype but far surpassed it.

By the way, Mayweather is a total pro for the match he participated in and showed what a phenomenal performer he truly is. Paul Wight is a giant without peer, a larger than ?larger than life? performer who stepped up like Bam Bam Bigelow did against Lawrence Taylor - like Ric Flair carried so many people who never truly understood the seemingly-effortless but totally brilliant job Flair was doing in making them look great.

And in first place, Ric Flair v Shawn Michaels.

That finish was an all time classic. The proud but wounded warrior struggles to his feet and asks for the execution to be given to him with dignity. He wants no mercy. It's not the way of the legends.

As the tears roll down the travel-beaten face of the pride-filled master in the final moments of his reign, the kid who idolized him fights his own conscience and gives the decorated chieftain the right to go out in style.

Shawn Michaels mouths "I'm sorry." He struggles, but continues, "I love you." The WWE audience, wrapped up in the passion of the Flair Fever that had engulfed WrestleMania weekend, never once rolled their eyes at the scene? nor should they have.

Flair's performance had little to do with the physicality of the match and everything to do with delivering 20 minutes of emotion-tugging psychology that had everyone hoping his career would survive another day, even though you knew in your heart the outcome.

And Shawn Michaels? This match itself was a Hall of Fame worthy performance. If WWE opens up a Smithsonian-like museum, the tape of that finish should play over and over and over again. Yup, that good.

Then came Monday.

And yes, I know this going to piss off some of my friends, but if I never see Ric Flair cry again, it'll be too soon.

It would have been great to see Flair go out as the Kiss Stealing, Wheeling Dealing, Limousine Riding, Jet Flying, Sonofagun.

OK, so we're going for yet another emotional moment. We had 'em crying at the Hall of Fame. Had 'em at Mania. OK, one more to go. Let's give it to 'em on Raw.

And after the first set of reunions for Flair, don't you think it was time for the mass curtain call, the standing ovation, the "thank you Ric" chants and goodnight everybody?

It was a treat for everyone to see Ric reunited with Tully and Arn and Windham and JJ.

Anyone who knows the story of how JJ left WWE, and the enormous heat between JJ and Vince will tell you, this was Vince McMahon doing what he felt was right for business.

Hey, there's Ricky Steamboat. That's a nice tribute. Their worst matches against each should be considered all time classics. Those two were magic together. Michaels' appearance and hug makes it complete. That's some great emotion.

But watching Flair cry because Chris Jericho says thank you? Hey, here's John Cena. And he's saluting Flair. Whooop de freakin' do. Yeah yeah, this is basic Thugonomics. What the hell does it have to do with anyone's favorite Flair memories? Cena? Jericho? Where's Fifi the French Maid?

Hell, if we're stretching, bring out the mannequin that doubled as Precious (anyone under 36 or 37 will have to take my word for it).

Raise the 4 Fingers with the Horsemen. Drop the elbow on your own jacket. Whooo a bunch of times. And please, I'm begging someone to tell Vince and Kevin Dunn that f'n song about leaving the memories alone is not something that tugs at the heart, nor does it add to the emotion of a Ric Flair testimonial.

Play Strauss' Sprach Zarathustra - which was the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey - all night long.

That other song is just Vince and Kevin saying: "Here's the WWE touch to it all that makes it so great."

Get over yourselves.

Sorry, I digress.

Triple H belts out something like: "Here's another Horsemen, Dean Malenko!" Cut to Flair, he's bawlin'. Over Dean Malenko?

I'd rather see Tommy Young. Or Tony Schiavone. Or even David Crockett.

Please, someone send down Vince to hit the ring, throw everyone out, demand Flair acknowledge Vince as Lord and Master, and say: "NOW you're joining the club!"

Something... anything...

And maybe this is where Flair puts Vince in the Figure Four, and Vince is tapping like a wildman, especially since Vince didn't tap out a few weeks ago on television.

Nope, Vince just got put through a table and pinned.

And since the WWE champion himself, Randy Orton tapped out to the Figure Four, as did MVP and Kennedy - all men who must be considered big parts of WWE's future - I'm sure Vince will tap and put Flair ov...

More guests of honor. More tears.

Enough already.

By night three of WrestleMania weekend, I just wanted to say "goodbye" to ?The Cause of All This,? not see the aged hero's third night of tears and uncontrollable sobbing.

As an audience member, I was privileged enough already to see the human being behind the public image at the Hall of Fame.

As an audience member, I had the pleasure of seeing the performer work his ass off at WrestleMania and give a performance that as fans of his character, we can all be proud of.

Ric Flair's departure was memorable, so therefore my blog this week should not be considered a criticism but simply a personal observation.

There's nothing wrong with how it was handled. And I'm sure Flair wouldn't change a thing about it. That's his right. It was a tribute to his sacrifice, his career, his lifetime dedication to being The Man.

Just next time, I'd like to see the bug-eyed, half-crazed, surely out-of-his-mind Ric Flair.

The custom-made from head-to-toe personification of the phrase "charismatic character" who just can't help but be the centre of attention.

That's the Ric Flair I want to see. I want to celebrate his career, not mourn it. I just don't want any more boo-hoos.

I'm in the mood for a WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Tags: Ric Flair, WWE, Precious