Guests: Episodes with Ric Flair
Ric Flair, the exuberant performer, is simply beyond words! With his boundless charisma and relentless energy, he’s truly The Man of 1,000 Faces, each brimming with passion and intensity.
Once upon a time, the Nature Boy was a brown-haired kid in Minnesota, searching for his destiny. He discovered his athletic prowess at a boarding school in Wisconsin, where he excelled in wrestling, football, and track. But it wasn’t until he dropped out of the University of Minnesota that Flair found his true calling in sports entertainment.
A chance encounter with Olympic weightlifter Ken Patera led Flair to the legendary Verne Gagne, who had a star-studded class in his wrestling camp. With his vibrant personality and undeniable talent, Flair quickly made waves in the world of wrestling.
In the American Wrestling Association, Flair faced off against fierce opponents, honing his skills and building his resilience. Moving to the National Wrestling Alliance proved to be a wise decision, despite a devastating plane crash that left him with a broken back. Defying the odds, Flair adapted and transformed, becoming the craftiest and dirtiest player in the game.
After a remarkable recovery, Flair went on to win multiple NWA United States Championships and sparred with future legends. The Nature Boy was truly born when he challenged the original Nature Boy, Buddy Rogers, in 1978. Flair’s iconic look emerged, complete with extravagant suits, ostentatious robes, and exorbitantly expensive shoes.
The 1980s saw Flair’s rise to fame with the formation of The Four Horsemen and his legendary matches in World Championship Wrestling. A dispute with WCW’s president in 1991 brought Flair to WWE, where he claimed his first WWE Championship and later, his second.
Flair’s return to WCW in 1993 saw him take on various title contenders and play a pivotal role during the infamous New World Order invasion. Monday Nitro showcased some of Flair’s most memorable moments, including his willingness to do whatever it took to achieve victory.
In 2001, Flair returned to WWE for a second stint, joining forces with Triple H to form Evolution. A day before his final WrestleMania match against Shawn Michaels in 2008, Flair became the first active performer to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. In 2012, he made history once again as the first two-time inductee, joining The Four Horsemen.
It’s clear that Ric Flair, the unstoppable Secretariat in Disguise, is a force of nature. His indomitable spirit and unwavering passion for the sport have left a lasting impact on the world of wrestling for generations to come.