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Hobbling to Heartbreak at WrestleMania? by James De Medeiros |
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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 Related Article: Austin: Flair Not Getting Proper Sendoff by Mike Moneyham
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Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan don’t agree on a lot of things, but both of them have come forward with interesting comments in the last few weeks. Both of these WWE legends made statements indicating that Ric Flair should be in a main event at WrestleMania. Hogan has told various media outlets that WrestleMania is lacking a true main event, and that he and Flair should meet with both careers on the line to give the show a legitimate main event. Meanwhile, Austin told Mike Mooneyham of Charleston’s Post and Courier that he’s disappointed with the way WWE has neglected to follow through on his original story-line, which was to have concluded with Flair receiving a world title shot at WrestleMania.
If history is any indication, that may
soon change. Rumors indicate that Flair may wrestle Shawn Michaels
at the company’s premiere event. WWE has always done their best to
promote all of Michaels’ matches, and this one should be no
different. Currently, Flair is wrestling with a story-line leg
injury suffered at the hands of a frustrated MVP. If that “injury”
isn’t forgotten, it will likely play some role in the career-ending
match. WWE has also announced that Ric Flair will become the first
active wrestler to be inducted into their Hall of Fame. That
induction ceremony may become the most entertaining “WrestleMania
moment” to emerge from the weekend, as it may well be the last time
Flair is given the opportunity to speak from the heart without any
script. To Mid-Atlantic wrestling fans, who witnessed the legendary
wrestler’s transformation into the greatest promo man in history,
this will unquestionably be one of the most compelling moments of
Flair’s latest 7 year WWE stint.
James De Medeiros Published 2/23/08 Photo: © WWE.com Previous updates: Ric Flair's Last Run Derailed? Flair Promises to "Go Out in a Blaze of Glory" Ric Flair: The Final Countdown Flair Proves He's Still Wrestling's MVP
Links to Jim De Medeiros Flair updates can always be found in the Smoke Filled Rooms section of the website.
© 2008 Mid-Atlantic Gateway |
How
is it possible that both Austin and Hogan – two men who approach the
industry with different perspectives – can see this, but WWE cannot?
One obvious answer is that Vince McMahon has never been keen on
promoting older wrestlers. That being said, though, McMahon did win
the WWF World Championship at the age of 54, at a time when WWF
business was at its peak and they had the most to lose. When
considering this, giving the title to a 59 year-old Ric Flair – a
recognized 16-time World champion – shouldn’t be considered that
much of a stretch. But, for whatever reason, WWE doesn’t seem to
want to put the title on Flair. Sadly, following the tremendous
match with Triple H at the end of 2007, the Flair retirement
story-line has never been allowed to gather much momentum. WWE has
seemingly given the story-line very little effort and attention, as
Flair has been placed in little-promoted programs with newer stars –
MVP and Mr. Kennedy.