Why should I like Ric Flair?

[Autobahn]

I have read a lot of comments on Flair over the years about how people consider him to be one of the best of all time.

Granted, i only came to know of Ric Flair around 1997 during the WCW years and beyond, so this is all I have seen of him. I havent seen any of Flairs work before this time and am sure that this was considered his 'prime' years from what I know.

So given what I have seen of Flair, I have no idea why it could be justified for him to even be considered one of the best of all time. What makes him as good as he is considered?

Video proof is welcome and encouraged. Thankyou and have a nice evening TPWW.

[Sixx]

Actually, I don't get the love for Flair. Never have.

[Gertner]

1. He had some pretty legendary feuds with Funk, Race and Steamboat
2. Led one of the most revolutionary stables in the 4 Horsemen
3. One of the fews top level guys actually willing to put over others. Understood that in order to grow the business that you had to have others who were over in order to make money
4. Put up with A LOT of crap in WCW: The Jim Herd crap, Hogan and company pushing him aside, WCW burying him constantly and still putting out his best effort when others didn't.
5. Great on the mic.
6. Never known to bitch and moan.

I'm not a huge Flair fan, but I respect his accomplishments.

[Theo Dious]

Watch the 92 Royal Rumble. That is all.

[Schlomey]

Your best bet is to get the 3 disk set the WWE put out on him a few years ago right after WM24. It has a great documentary and a handful of classic matches.

I am a Flair fan. Not a "lifer" who would call him the greatest of all time in regards to in ring action. He WAS easily one of the best talkers the industry has ever had and has been a part of some amazing feuds. Flair has a way of making you care about what he is doing because of his passionate promos.

The flop is one of my all time favorite things..I don't care if it is awkward and obviously cheesy and overplayed. It makes me happy every time.

His matches sometimes bore me, especially some of the older stuff. He did follow a pattern and formula for most of his matches but that doesn't mean that he couldn't put on spectacular performances with guys like HBK, Sting, Race & Rhodes (the Dusty variety).

Some matches/performers that Flair worked well with:

Flair vs HHH - steel cage IC title match
Flair vs HBK - WM 24 - he let it all hang out.
Flair vs Harley Race
Flair vs Muta
Flair vs Rhodes
Flair vs Sting
Flair vs Steamboat
Flair vs Savage
Flair's 4 Horsemen WCW stuff
Flair and McMahon stuff
Royal Rumble 92 for sure *edit*

[edyhdrawde]

In his prime Ric Flair was the man. Many consider him the greatest because after his plane accident he returned and totally changed his in ring style. Before he was a bulky muscled brawler and he returned trimmed and more of a technical wrestler.

True he was also not afraid to put over other talent. I mean he gave Ricky Morton his only taste of the main event in their feud. Look for some of his matches against Greg Valentine, Magnum TA, Roddy Piper as well as Buddy Landell and Ricky Morton for two guys he put over who didn't really deserve it.

[Schlomey]

things that make him unique:

1. the way he takes a backdrop.
2. The way he hit a turnbuckle
3. his stomp
4. the flop
5. elbow dropping suit jackets



make the list grow

[Nicky Fives]

6. The WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO's

[Anybody Thrilla]

things that make him unique:

1. the way he takes a backdrop.
2. The way he hit a turnbuckle
3. his stomp
4. the flop
5. elbow dropping suit jackets



make the list grow

I thought he had to take backdrops that way because he fucked up his back in that plane crash. That's like saying that Zach Gowen's dropkick is unique.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Flair's not necessarily better than everyone else, he just had a completely unique way of going about his business that made him stand out.

[Sixx]

That's like saying that Zach Gowen's dropkick is unique.

It so is.

[Steveviscious89]

Given that you are one of the 1997ers, this comes as no surprise because I wasn't big on Flair either. This was not a good time to watch Flair in action because the nWo storyline was dominating the entire format, and Flair didn't have much time unless he was getting his teeth kicked in. But everything these guys are saying is true; he put on some great matches in his day and can even entertain to this day if he had to. He is known as the best in ring performer because it didn't seem to matter who he was in the ring with, they always came out smellin like a rose. Also, I don't recall him ever having a major injury to deal with...another calling card of a top notch wrestler....although my memory could be slipping.

[Schlomey]

I thought he had to take backdrops that way because he fucked up his back in that plane crash. That's like saying that Zach Gowen's dropkick is unique.

You are correct but it unique that EVERY TIME he lands on his "back" he turns to his side....Just because he is protecting his back doesn't mean the way he falls isn't unique.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I think it made him look like an asshole. How about that?

[Schlomey]

I think it made him look weak. But the greater good inside of me knows he does it for a good reason...but yeah he does look like a pussy when he falls.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I never really liked Flair in the ring, but enjoyed his promos and such. He's like Orton in that respect for me, especially as I liked some gimmick matches from both men.

I've just watched the DVD of SummerSlam 2006 and I love the match with Foley.

[Anybody Thrilla]

...But the greater good inside of me knows he does it for a good reason...

....what?

[Schlomey]

....what?


meaning like I decided to call it unique instead of pathetic.

[Jordan]

Do your own research man, stop being lazy. I'm sure they have a Flair DVD or something, find it.

[Seth82]

you need to watch Flair's matches from the late 70's and 80's to understand why he is great

his legendary feuds with Dusty Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat are some of the best in the biz

he gave Sting a main event match at the first Clash of the Champions when Sting was still fairly new to the business

by the time you saw him in 1997 he simply was not the same man anymore

his promos during the 4 Horsemen era of the 80's are among the best

[jskinnyg]

Your best bet is to get the 3 disk set the WWE put out on him a few years ago right after WM24. It has a great documentary and a handful of classic matches.

I am a Flair fan. Not a "lifer" who would call him the greatest of all time in regards to in ring action. He WAS easily one of the best talkers the industry has ever had and has been a part of some amazing feuds. Flair has a way of making you care about what he is doing because of his passionate promos.

The flop is one of my all time favorite things..I don't care if it is awkward and obviously cheesy and overplayed. It makes me happy every time.

His matches sometimes bore me, especially some of the older stuff. He did follow a pattern and formula for most of his matches but that doesn't mean that he couldn't put on spectacular performances with guys like HBK, Sting, Race & Rhodes (the Dusty variety).

Some matches/performers that Flair worked well with:

Flair vs HHH - steel cage IC title match
Flair vs HBK - WM 24 - he let it all hang out.
Flair vs Harley Race
Flair vs Muta
Flair vs Rhodes
Flair vs Sting
Flair vs Steamboat
Flair vs Savage
Flair's 4 Horsemen WCW stuff
Flair and McMahon stuff
Royal Rumble 92 for sure *edit*

WHEW... I am just glad that the Schlome wrote it all out for me... I agree, I am not a lifer, but most certainly he is one of the best of all time... NO ONE will have a career as long as this guy's... Do I think he should still be wrestling? Not really... But mentoring the guy's in the back and being in more of a manager role like now, absolutely...

And Yes, Schlomey, the Flair Flop makes me fucking happy every time too, awesome... Actually Robert Rude does a good Flair Flop...

[kareru]

because he is god

god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[kareru]

anyway, this is probably my favourite of the recent Ric Flair promos, 40 or so years in the business and still has so much more to show.

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[Heisenberg]

His mic skills and energy are the best.

[TheAdamEvansFan]

Ric Flair shouldn't be wrestling. I feel like I'm watching a Nursing Home charity event everytime I see him in the ring. I'd rather see Mae Young out there in a bikini, humping the Rock.

[jskinnyg]

because he is god

god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god god
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

:lol::lol:Awesome...

[BigDaddyCool]

BECAUSE FUCK YOU, THAT IS WHY YOU SANDYDICK HOLE

[CSL]

Because

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that's why

[Supreme Olajuwon]

This thread is not being fair to Flair.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

The Flair flop was so good, it was his finisher in the WCW games :'(

[Gerard]

His Tits are mesmerizing. :naughty:

[Supreme Olajuwon]

The Flair flop was so good, it was his finisher in the WCW games :'(

The Flair flop was so good, it was Hogan's finisher in the WCW games :'(

[Smokey]

Ric Flair shouldn't be wrestling. I feel like I'm watching a Nursing Home charity event everytime I see him in the ring. I'd rather see Mae Young out there in a bikini, humping the Rock.

Sounds like u into some gay ass shit

Whats wrong with u playboy

[djoutcry]

Me no like Flair. Me find Flair boring and annoying. Me like cookie though. Om nom nom.

[NormanSmiley]

you should like ric flair for the simple fact that he did business the right way. in the same exact respect you should hate hogan

[CSL]

no

[LK]

anyway, this is probably my favourite of the recent Ric Flair promos, 40 or so years in the business and still has so much more to show.

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Is it just me or was that quite uncomfortable viewing?

[Shisen Kopf]

Woooooooooooo! Bc flair is one of the best rasslers of all time.

[weather vane]

flair is the best

[#BROKEN Hasney]

The Flair flop was so good, it was Hogan's finisher in the WCW games :'(

Why the fuck must you undermine me at every opportunity?

If the next words are something along the lines of me being so easy to undermine, I swear to god that I will end you in some threatening internet way.

[James Steele]

Watch this and tell me you don't get goosebumps and want to see Wahoo vs Flair:

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cWZI2cBEy2o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Seth82]

Watch this and tell me you don't get goosebumps and want to see Wahoo vs Flair:

<IFRAME height=390 src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cWZI2cBEy2o" frameBorder=0 width=480 allowfullscreen></IFRAME>

yeah that's one of the best Flair promos of all time

:y:

[James Steele]

http://www.rfgolds.com/Ric%20Flair%20Interview%20Pic-medium.jpg
FUCK THE HATERS, I'M RIC FLAIR!

[Providence Peep]

I can't believe some of the posts in this thread. Don't you guys have ANY respect for the elderly????????

[Autobahn]

Watch this and tell me you don't get goosebumps and want to see Wahoo vs Flair:

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cWZI2cBEy2o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Pretty awesome promo. Checking out 92 rumble as well as it has been mentioned a few times in this thread.

[Mr.Pewterschmidt]

I can't believe some of the posts in this thread. Don't you guys have ANY respect for the elderly????????
:lol:

[Volare]

Meh, funny is funny.

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[Stickman]

anyway, this is probably my favourite of the recent Ric Flair promos, 40 or so years in the business and still has so much more to show.

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This reminded me how good Foley is on the stick.

[Jordan]

That was an AMAZING segment.

[Optimus Bone 69]

I never liked him when i was yonger, but the older i got the more i thought he was a class above the rest

[DLVH84]

I've followed Flair since 1988, when I started watching wrestling.

In the late-1980s and early-1990s WCW, I was amazed that Flair defended the title against everybody...Sting, Lex Luger, Ricky Steamboat, Terry Funk, Brad Armstrong, Scott Steiner, and Bobby Eaton, among others. And every one of those matches were classics, despite the Jim Herd bullshit.

[Rock Bottom]

rofl at foley and flair promo