The stylin’, profilin’, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin’ n’ dealin’ son of a gun Ric Flair turns 67-years-old Thursday. That is 67 years of better living than all of us will ever endure.
That’s right, folks. The man who proclaimed all you girls could ride “Space Mountain” all night long is still going strong today. A man who survived two plane crashes obviously knows how to keep L-I-V-I-N.
The “Nature Boy” Ric Flair is the most decorated world champion in history —eight-time National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Champion, six-time World Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion, and two-time World Wrestling Federation Champion. (For full stats, visit WrestleZone.)
A true legend and the most iconic performer in the history of sports entertainment, he’s the first person that comes to mind when you see that big gold belt, and throughout his legacy there was never a promo Flair couldn’t deliver, a fancy wardrobe he could pass up, or an audience he couldn’t entertain.
To celebrate the 16-time world champion, we take a look back at our favorite memories and why we love the “Nature Boy” so much.
WOOOO!
Best Ric Flair Moments and Memories
His Robes
His Promos
There is an enormous list of great promos that Flair delivered for the NWA, WCW, and WWE. He never let a moment pass where he didn’t show off his flashiness, swoon over women, or brag about how rich and good looking he was. He psyched his opponents out with his amped-up voice and “Wooooo” catchphrase. If he spent more money on spilled liquor than you made all year, he’d let you know. He lived large in and out of the ring.
The Formation of The Four Horsemen
There was that time where they followed Dusty Rhodes and jumped him in the parking lot, tying him to a truck and breaking his arm. There was also that time at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia back in 1985 when Flair would break Rhodes’ ankle inside the steel cage that caused a riot by fans. It was fantastic television for that time. Basically, “The Four Horsemen” ran roughshod over everyone, and it was great.
The “I Quit” Match with Terry Funk
In November of 1989 at Clash of the Champions IV, Flair battled Terry Funk in an “I Quit” match that received a 5-star rating by wrestling experts. It was a physical match with great storytelling until Flair clamped on the “Figure Four Leglock,” which caused Funk to finally say, “I quit.”
1992 WWF Royal Rumble
Flair’s Last Match at WrestleMania XXIV vs. Shawn Michaels
This is perhaps the only pro wrestling match where it’s acceptable to shed man tears. It was Ric Flair’s last match due to the initial stipulation that if he lost to Shawn Michaels, he must retire. Flair held his own for a good portion of the match until Michaels hit him with “Sweet Chin Music” twice but was reluctant to pin. Flair staggered to get up until finally Michaels said to Flair, “I’m sorry, I love you,” before delivering a third “Sweet Chin Music” to finally end the legendary career.
Taking on “Macho Man” Randy Savage at WrestleMania VIII
Against David Von Erich, Parade of Champions at Texas Stadium
In front of 50,000 fans at Texas Stadium, Kerry Von Erich beat Flair to become the NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
The event was to pay tribute to Kerry’s brother David, who was in a feud with Flair and was booked to win the title before his death. Kerry would fill in for his brother and win the title in his honor. The fans were ecstatic, and Flair earns even more respect for his performance at doing the job.
That 1989 rivalry with Ricky Steamboat
Wrestling’s best and most famous trilogy is the saga of Flair and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. In 1989, fans were treated to three amazing installments in this NWA Championship feud, which began at Chi-Town Rumble, progressed to Clash of the Champions VI and concluded at WrestleWar.
Steamboat won the first match to become NWA Champion. The second match was a two out of three falls match, which Steamboat retained in controversial fashion to set up the rubber match at WrestleWar. Flair would win the final match when he reversed a scoop slam into an “inside cradle” to win.
Their chemistry together was flawless.
Flair captures NWA gold vs. Harley Race at Starrcade 1983
Toward the end, Flair would lock on a “Figure Four Leglock” until Race would break it up by getting to the ropes. Frustrated, Flair climbed to the top of the cage and hit a “body press” off the top turnbuckle for the win.
Stepping into the steel cage with Triple H at Taboo Tuesday
“The Game” has always looked up to Flair and idolized him, which was one of the driving inspirations to form Evolution. Flair served as the master while Triple H was the apprentice. It had the ingredients for a great story. In 2005 at Taboo Tuesday, Flair entered as the Intercontinental Champion and stepped into the steel cage with Triple H. It was a blood-soaked match filled with brutality and the white-haired Flair would leave with red-stained hair. After taking a beating most of the match, Flair countered a pedigree into a back-body drop and followed it with a few chair shots to Triple H before crawling out of the cage to victory.
The battle with Sting at Clash of the Champions
Since neither Sting nor Flair got the win before time expired, the decision was left to the three judges. It was like something out of Rocky. The first judge scored in favor of Sting, the second favored Flair and the third had it as a draw. The crowd was furious that Flair escaped with the belt.
Getting down to his boxers in the ring during a promo to Eric Bischoff
How can you not love a crazy Flair undressing in front of thousands of people and then running the ropes just to drop an elbow on no one in the middle of the ring?
Flair takes the WCW title off of Big Van Vader at 1993 Starrcade
Outside of the Steamboat matches, this is one of the best treats for Flair fans. There was so much drama and hype, and it was filled with everything you love about pro wrestling during this era. The WCW World Heavyweight Championship match also had a stipulation that if Flair lost, he must retire. Big Van Vander was the champion and a monster favorite. Flair would play the underdog role.
Vader dominated for a lot of the match, but Flair made a comeback, which would end in a Flair victory after he grabbed Vader’s leg for a roll-up pinfall.
2008 Hall of Fame speech
Photos by WWE and Getty
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports, a surfing enthusiast, a wrestling connoisseur and an expert on all things Patrick Swayze. You can follow him on Twitter @JoshuaCaudill85 or “like”CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
