Wrestling fans aren't perceived as an overly emotional lot. We're loud, boisterous, usually flipping off heels with sometimes clever homemade signs or hand and finger gestures. Rarely is there room for rare displays of tenderness in regards to our fandom. Okay, okay. Maybe there's a raucous cheer whenever we see Macho Man finally marry Miss Elizabeth in the ring or yelps of joy when Barry Horowitz or some other underdog makes good and scores a long-awaited win. For the most part, however, the only emotional response is a cheer or jeer born of the bloodlust of being caught up in the moment.
Every so often, however, a wrestler inspires fans to be moved in a state close to tears. This past week on Monday Night RAW, Ric Flair made his triumphant comeback in his hometown of Charlotte, NC. In an unusually poignant moment for professional wrestling, a teary-eyed Flair thanked the fans of Charlotte as well as fans worldwide for their continued support. Coming off of an absence from ring and television action of several months, Flair's homecoming was well-received, to say the least.
Nearly goading the fans into believing that he was announcing his retirement that night in Charlotte, Flair gave an impassioned speech underscoring his love for the wrestling business and vowed to stick around until his final breath. As per part of this newly scripted storyline with Flair at its heart, Vince McMahon stepped in, announcing a decree that Flair could wrestle as long as he wanted to, so long as he didn't lose. One loss in the ring -- either via pinfall, submission, disqualification, or otherwise -- and Flair will be forced into retirement.
I'll admit it. As jaded and cynical of a viewer and smart mark as I am at times, I couldn't help but get a little misty with the way Flair's story arc played out on Monday night. Many of us fans are so used to seeing a wrestling landscape with Ric Flair as a part of it that it's hard to imagine a card without Flair's name somewhere on the marquee. A wrestling world without Ric Flair is not something I want to contemplate.
There are probably a lot more fans out there who may feel the same way, too. Whereas most are sharply divided into camps of pro- or anti- Cena, Orton, Batista, et. al; nearly every single wrestling fan still finds themselves marking out for Ric Flair with an almost unquestioning loyalty. Even Hulk Hogan, yet another high-profile star from the '80s heyday of wrestling, still has an opinionated divide of fans and detractors. While Hogan as a performer is certainly entertaining, his in-ring skills as a wrestler are debatable. On the other hand, Flair is top-notch in all areas as a performer with strong psychology, skills in the ring, and a tremendous gift for giving consistently great promos.
For instance, take Flair's promo on the February 5, 2007 edition of RAW directed at Carlito. Heralded by fans as one of the best and most memorable wrestling promos in recent history, that promo seems to have laid the groundwork for this current angle. Flair alluded to Carlito that he was told by Vince McMahon that if he wants to stay, he "has to prove it to him," venting frustration that younger guys are taking his spot on the roster, youth not necessarily equating a passion for wrestling.
Although he's definitely a bit slower than he was in the '70s, '80s and '90s, the Nature Boy of the 21st century can still put on a good match. Morever, it's evident that Flair has a willingness to help put over younger talent. Where it would be easy for a performer of his caliber to play the ego card and refuse to job to an up-and-comer who has yet to make his mark, Flair seems to be the first in line to make the assist.
It's not that Ric Flair is the most original performer out there. Borrowing the moniker and swagger of the original "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers and adding a touch of the attitude and flamboyant ring robes of Golden Age wrestler, Gorgeous George, a great part of Flair's early schtick had already been done before. Flair just updated it for the '70s and '80s fans who witnessed him in the early stage of his career, embodying the "Me Generation"'s appreciation for a man who was "custom made, from head to toe."
The antithesis of "The Common Man," the uber-beloved Dusty Rhodes, it was hard to pick sides as to which man to root for in the feud. The angel on your shoulder wanted you to cheer on the earnest, down-to-earth (yet funky like a monkey!) Rhodes while the devilish voice screamed out a "Wooo!", spurring you to root for Ric Flair.
Many a wrestler has employed the eye gouge, the low blow, and even begging off to get the better of an opponent, however, many of these moves have become synonymous with The Dirtiest Player In the Game. Flair just made it fun. You can't help but like it when he pokes someone in the eye or turns the tables in his favor with a low blow. He's just so darn likeable, in spite of being "the Dirtiest Player In the Game." Like Rogers and Gorgeous George before him, Ric Flair was something of an anti-hero. Naitch epitomized class and a debonair sort of cockiness that it was hard not to like him, even at his dirtiest. As a solid performer in the ring, it was still his mike skills that enabled his character to connect so well with the fans.
However, it's the enthusiasm of not just the Nature Boy, Slick Ric, or the Dirtiest Player In the Game -- or any other epithet he's garnered over the years -- but Ric Flair, the man himself radiates a certain joy at being within a 50 foot radius of anything that has to do with wrestling. Check out any sort of moment, be it Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony or otherwise where a fellow wrestler is recognized for their efforts. Nine times out of ten, you see Ric Flair sitting front and center, laughing smiling like a kid on Christmas morning --or choking up a bit, profoundly touched by someone else's moment. The man seems genuinely happy to see his colleagues get their due. Nevertheless, it's impossible not to smile when you see Flair's infectious grin in reaction to his fellow wrestlers having their moment in the spotlight.
Pick up any of the numerous wrestling biographies and autobiographies on the market. Nearly every wrestler with a memoir has some sort of a story to tell about how Ric Flair either influenced them or, upon reaching the professional stage, volunteered valuable insight and tips, or just shared a story with them. Even on DVDs or interviews, many a wrestler talks about how emotional Naitch gets when approached by the next generation of superstars for sage advice or just to hear his stories. You don't expect that level of humility from a legend, which makes it that much cooler.
Undoubtedly, Ric Flair has inspired the current generation of wrestlers currently duking it out each week. As evidenced by the rare, touching moments displayed on RAW with several main eventers like Shawn Michaels and Triple H coming up to Flair and showing some love to the Nature Boy. Yeah, we all know it's scripted, but there's probably a large grain of truth in the applause given to Flair by the entire RAW locker room as he headed off to face his opponent, Randy Orton, that night. Flair ultimately emerged the victor (with a little help from the newly-returned Chris Jericho), beating Orton in a non-title main event match. However, this is just the beginning of what will probably mark the last leg of Ric Flair's tenure as an in-ring performer.
Maybe what makes it so hard to fathom is that Ric Flair has been such a main event mainstay for several generations of fans that it's hard to imagine a generation that won't have the benefit of seeing him perform on a regular basis. Even though he's "retired" before, it's more of a reality that this may be the Nature Boy's last hurrah, a chance to go out on top as a 17-time World Champion.
Considering the injuries sustained by younger wrestlers requiring significant recovery time, it's understandable that nonstop touring and wrestling can take its toll on a man pushing 60. Not only can it take a physical toll, but continuing to wrestle can also take its toll on Flair's legacy. Sure, it would be hard to diminish his considerable accomplishments. Thankfully, through the magic of DVD and archived footage, it's easy to check out Flair in his prime with the Four Horsemen, in feuds with Dusty Rhodes, or at any other moment in his illustrious career. While it's undoubtedly appreciated by younger talent and even the fans that he's willing to roll for them, he shouldn't have to
Ideally, I'd love to see Flair stick around as a manager or a color commentator. Clearly, he still has a lot to offer to newer wrestlers breaking onto the scene and that the fans welcome his presence as much as he wants to be there. I'd like to see him retire a winner. As fans, we all know professional wrestling is scripted, however, sometimes it's nice to see a happy ending written into a hero's story. Here's hoping Flair gets one more ride to the top of Space Mountain.
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