I confess to no longer watching
wrestling, having long ago lost interest in the current product,
both WWE and TNA. But Ric Flair continues to be the common thread
that links us from today back to 1974, when Flair first made a big
splash in the wrestling business right in front of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling fans. He took the
wrestling world by storm, and hasn't let it go yet.
I suspect many of you don't watch the
current product either. But I think we all still have a common interest in
The Champ. So occasionally James De Medeiros will update
us on what's happening with our hometown boy, the "Nature Boy" Ric
Flair.
And yes, I now confess to be recording
the WWE shows again on my DVR - just to follow what
appears to be these final few weeks of Flair's in-ring career.
-D. Bourne
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While Ric Flair may no longer be the
performer he once was, the fact remains that he is the most
respected wrestler on the WWE roster. His tenure in the business has
provided a legacy that very few will ever come close to matching,
much less surpassing. Ending his legendary career would
unquestionably be the biggest victory in the career of whichever
superstar fortunate enough to be tapped for the honor. With that in
mind, it should come as no surprise that the MVP in today’s
wrestling world would challenge Ric Flair, the man who has already
been considered by most historians as the most valuable performer in
the history of the industry.
In the weeks leading up to their
contest, Flair had a relatively light schedule. He faced William
Regal on the January 14th edition of Monday Night Raw. Whatever
magic the two created in the ring during their fabled 1994 Marquis
of Queensbury challenge was noticeably missing as their rushed Raw
match-up resulted in a decisive victory for the “Nature Boy.” Flair
followed up that victory with another count-out victory in a rare
house show match in State College, Pennsylvania against “The World’s
Strongest Man,” Mark Henry.
© WWE.com
However, the magic that may have been
missing in those under-promoted matches was clearly present whenever
Flair and Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) shared the ring. Their
first two encounters occurred on the “talk show” hosted by MVP
appropriately entitled, the VIP Lounge. Immediately, MVP reminded
Flair that – at the Vengeance Pay-Per-View on June 24, 2007 – their
only match against each other, MVP defeated Flair. He asserted that
when they clashed at the Royal Rumble, he would again defeat Flair
thereby ending his career. MVP then reminded Flair that he, MVP, was
“half-man, half-amazing.” Flair responded, “you’re half-man,
half-amazing, and I am the man.” The crowd erupted. He added that
“when you think about the fact that the Naitch has wrestled Harley
Race, Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Buddy Rogers, The Rock, Austin,
Triple H, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker – the list goes on – I look
at my loss to you as a blemish on my career that I have to correct.”
MVP again reiterated that, “at the Royal Rumble, when I retire you,
you’ll be looking at the greatest day of my life, and the last day
of your career.” He concluded stating that, “the whole world will
know – when I beat you 1,2,3 – that the greatest of all-time isn’t
better than me.” Flair fired back with a thunderous chop, which
knocked his disrespectful future opponent to the mat. The stage was
set for their showdown at the Royal Rumble.
The Royal Rumble event would take on
even greater significance as it would also likely mark Flair’s last
appearance in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. His first
appearance was on March 1, 1976 when he defeated Pete Sanchez and
began his ascent in the industry following his 1975 plane crash. The
Madison Square Garden crowd gave Flair a thunderous ovation
befitting his legendary career. He took the house microphone and
told the audience, “I wanted to tell you once again what a great
honor it has been to wrestle all these years in Madison Square
Garden.” Flair added that “I have to tell you the level of respect
that you have paid me all these years is unbelievable.” With those
brief words, MVP entered the arena. The match began with the crowd
chanting “Flair!” Flair took control of the contest in the early
going working over his opponent with vicious chops. MVP retaliated
with a thunderous boot to Flair’s head. The MSG crowd gasped, just
as they would whenever Flair appeared to be in trouble. Eventually,
Flair regained control attempted to put his adversary in the
legendary Figure Four Leglock twice before MVP again regained the
decisive advantage with yet another kick to Flair’s head that
resulted in a near fall. Flair narrowly escaped by putting his foot
on the rope at the last possible moment, but MVP remained
relentless. MVP superplexed Flair and scored another near fall.
Moments later, MVP attempted to place Flair in his Playmaker
maneuver, which earned MVP his only victory over Flair just months
earlier. This time, however, Flair countered the move and MVP him in
the Figure Four Leglock capturing the victory. The MSG audience
exploded and gave Flair a standing ovation. An emotional Ric Flair
basked in the glory of what will likely be his last victory in the
world’s most famous arena.
As is usually the case in the wrestling
world, he did not have long to savor the victory before being
challenged by yet another brash, young superstar. Backstage, Mr.
Kennedy congratulated the “Nature Boy” on his victory before being
interrupted by Shawn Michaels who also congratulated Flair. The next
night, Mr. Kennedy formally challenged Flair to a match at the No
Way Out Pay-Per-View explaining that a victory ending the career of
Ric Flair would have even “more historic value” than even a WWE
championship. Flair agreed to the match that will take place in Las
Vegas, Nevada – the city notorious for being the playground of
legendary figures including Elvis Presley, the Rat Pack and the Four
Horsemen. Unquestionably, if given the opportunity, Flair will
provide Las Vegas with one more epic tale at the No Way Out event.
James De Medeiros
January 28, 2008
Published 2/1/08
Photo: © WWE.com
Editor's note: This article was
written before the match aired on Smackdown Friday night (2/1) where
MVP injured Ric Flair. Hopefully, James will update us soon on
that development in the current story.
Previous updates:
Ric
Flair's Last Run Derailed?
Flair
Promises to "Go Out in a Blaze of Glory"
Ric Flair: The Final Countdown
Happy
WOO Year!
Links to Jim De Medeiros Flair updates
can always be found in the Smoke
Filled Rooms section of the website.
© 2008 Mid-Atlantic Gateway
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