RAMBLE ON—GOODBYE, FAREWELL, AMEN
By Greg Stephens on 3/28/2008 9:42 AM
It’s been a year and a half since I wrote my last edition of ‘Ramble On’, a little column I had briefly on PWInsider. In October, 2006, I wrote my last edition because, quite frankly, I became frustrated with the state of wrestling. I write this, my first installment of ‘Ramble On’ since that time, for the only reason that could possibly pull me out of retirement—this Sunday’s match-up between Shawn Michaels and the ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair.
For the past couple of months, Ric Flair’s career has been threatened by the edict of Vince McMahon that the next match Flair loses will be his last—ever. Since that edict issued, Flair has been on a winning streak that has been rare during the recent three years or so for the ‘Nature Boy’.
He has won matches with the figure four, something all die-hard Flair fans love to see. He has won matches by hook and by crook. He’s been the ‘dirtiest player in the game’.
That may come to a close, however, as most expect the streak to end Sunday at Wrestlemania.
I have to write this article because Ric Flair is the reason I have been a wrestling fan for the past thirty years. When I was just nine years old, before the advent of cable television, the very first wrestling program our local stations carried that I recall was Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, Jim Crockett’s ultra-successful promotion from the late seventies.
I would debate anyone that the Mid-Atlantic territory of that time period was the most successful wrestling territory ever. The roster contained a virtual ‘Who’s Who’ of the all-time greats of the business: Blackjack Mulligan, Ricky Steamboat, Rocky Johnson, Ivan Koloff, Iron Sheik, Paul Jones, Roddy Piper, Masked Superstar, Ray Stevens. And that list is just a sampler.
There was one wrestler that captured the attention of this wide-eyed nine year old boy above all others. He had long, blond hair and a big mouth. He was the United States champion, Ric Flair.
Keep in mind, at nine years old, I didn’t know anything about pro wrestling. I don’t claim to now, but I certainly was anything but ‘smart mark’, as some would say. I was a kid. I saw grown men beating each other up, but not bruise. I liked the violence perpetrated by the men that were larger than life.
I liked the violence, but I watched because of Ric Flair.
As I grew, Ric Flair’s career grew as well. By the time I was eleven, Flair had won his first world title from Dusty Rhodes. The very first Saturday night my family had cable television, I watched my first episode of Georgia Championship Wrestling. That night, Gordon Solie introduced the viewers to the new heavyweight champion of the world—Ric Flair!
This past Monday night on RAW, that night in 1981 flashed through my mind when I saw Ric Flair pull his original NWA title belt from a bag. No true Flair fan had to question its authenticity, either. I recognized immediately that the belt was missing the middle snap on the front and had the dented dome—just like I remembered the belt many years ago.
Through the years, we Flair faithful have watched the rise and fall of the Horsemen; the reigniting of the Flair-Steamboat feud; the memorable moment Flair first showed on WWF television as ‘the Real World Champion’, complete with the original big gold belt. As a side note, the fact that Hogan has that original belt is the ultimate wrestling blaspheme as far as I am concerned. Flair made that belt and deserves it back.
I still remember one of my greatest thrills as a wrestling fan was the day I got to meet Ric Flair and Arn Anderson at a promotional autograph signing in Erlanger, Kentucky, the day before Flair faced Hogan in a first blood match at WCW’s No Way Out pay per view. I remember Flair, the face, being strangely aloof with the fans. He hardly spoke to anyone. I later assumed he was in character because, as it turned out, Flair turned heel the next night at the pay per view. Given the fact everyone hated Hogan, Flair’s ability to turn himself heel and put Hogan over as the face is a true testament to his greatness.
I still have the copy of Arn Anderson’s autobiography they both signed that day, and always will.
Many Flair fans hope he retires after Sunday because they believe he is getting too old for the ring and his move set has tapered down significantly. I believe, as a matter of merely my own opinion, that Ric Flair can still be as excellent of a wrestler as he is allowed to be. The fact is simply that, when he wrestles currently, he only has few minutes to get in all the Flair shots everyone wants to see.
I expect Flair will give us a true ‘Flair’ match Sunday against Shawn Michaels, as long as the WWE allows them sufficient time to wrestle. He is still better in the ring than most people in the business, and he is certainly the best today on the mike, an honor he has held for over thirty years.
Assuming this is Flair’s last match, there is one way I want to see it happen. I want Shawn Michaels to come out Sunday, tell Flair and the crowd that, even if this isn’t Flair’s last match, it may be Flair’s last Wrestlemania, and he isn’t worthy to wrestle Flair. At that point, the lights go out, then come back on with no music or fanfare. Standing in the ring, facing face to face with Flair, is Sting. The two of them proceed to wrestle a forty-five minute classic draw, paying homage to that magical encounter the two had at Clash of the Champions. At the end, Flair thanks everyone, says that was the match he needed to have, and retires on top.
Alas, we know that will not happen.
I don’t know what the future holds. I hope that, even if Sunday is Flair’s last match, he remains a part of wrestling. He’d be a great manager or commentator. Or even a great referee. I do know one thing, however. When Flair stops wrestling, I, as a fan, will forever look upon the sport differently. When the Flair chapter finally closes, wrestling will never be the same. I will miss him, as we all will.
‘Nature Boy’, thank you for all you have done. Thank you for your commitment, your dedication, your sacrifice. You will always be the best, and this will always be ‘Flair Country’. WHOOOOO!!!!
