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Cornette, Flair, Race Open Wrestling Convention

Posted: Aug 8th 2009 By: CMBurnham

Fans who purchased VIP tickets for this weekend's NWA Legends wrestling convention at the University Place Hilton Hotel enjoyed two Q&A sessions hosted by veteran broadcaster Chris Cruise.

Ric Flair and Harley Race kicked off the evening with a retrospective on their classic NWA title match at Starrcade in 1983. Race put over Flair and stood by his decision to pass the torch to the Nature Boy.

With tears in his eyes and the banner showing his face on an advertisement for a North Carolina scratch off, Flair accepted the adulation from his peer and the fans including some who attended their historic confrontation more than 25 years ago.

The two also discussed the buildup behind the match. Although he wouldn't reveal the dollar amount or details, Race acknowledged an offer from Vince McMahon that would have jeopardized the match. Flair says had Race accepted the deal the course of the business may be different today.

Flair acknowledged his son, Reid, and former valet, Baby Doll, who attended.

When comments and questions criticized World Wrestling Entertainment in any way, Flair was diplomatic and defended the company's current crop of top stars.

Race and Flair presented fans with a rare glimpse into the past.

? It was a good thing Jim Cornette's Q&A session ran later in the night, considering the number of four letter words in the vocabulary of the legendary manager of the Midnight Express.

Cornette pulled no punches, verbalizing anything and everything.

As a member of the Total Nonstop Action wrestling roster, he scooted around talk of the company's backstage drama. He also said while he wasn't offered a booker position with TNA, he probably wouldn't take it because of all the stress associated with the job.

Cornette explained what went into the making of his book, surrounding his long run with the Midnight Express and his early beginnings in the business. The outspoken legend had a number of unflattering things to say about Vince McMahon, Santino Marella and WWE's executive producer Kevin Dunn.

Cornette called Dunn a short, balding, Bucky Beaver. The traditionalists in the audience were into the Kentuckian's two-hour diatribe on his views of the wrestling business.