Ric Flair 332287 226143227 2008-07-17T00:39:03Z RandySavageFTW 6630708 /* Bret Hart */ {{Infobox Wrestler |name=Ric Flair |names='''Ric Flair'''<br>[[The Black Scorpion (professional wrestling)|The Black Scorpion]] |image=Ric Flair in Seoul, South Korea.jpg |img_capt= |real_height=6 ft. 1 in. (185 cm)<ref name=arrest>{{cite web|title="Office of the Sheriff: Mecklenburg County, North Carolina"|url=http://arrestinquiryweb.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/ArrestAndCharges.aspx?FirstName=RICHARD&MiddleName=&LastName=FLIEHR&PID=205445&ArrestNumber=1259762&BrowseLastName=&BrowseFirstName=&BrowseArrest=&BrowseArrestDate=&BrowseLastDayArrests=|accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> |real_weight=230 lb. (105 kg)<ref name=arrest /> |height=6 ft. 1 in. (185 cm)<ref name="wwe-bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/ricflair/bio/|title=Ric Flair Bio|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-13}}</ref> |weight=243 lb. (110 kg)<ref name="wwe-bio"/> |birth_date={{birth date and age|1949|2|25}}<ref name="PS55">{{cite news|title=Power Slam|work=This Month in History: February|publisher=SW Publishing|id=55|page=28|date=January 1999|accessdate=2007-07-14}}</ref> |birth_place=[[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]<ref name="PS55"/> |death_date= |death_place= |resides=[[Charlotte, North Carolina]] |billed=[[Charlotte, North Carolina]]<ref name="wwe-bio"/> |trainer=[[Verne Gagne]]<ref name="wwe-bio"/><ref name="slam">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/flair.html|title=Ric Flair|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-11-13}}</ref><br>[[Hiro Matsuda]] |debut=[[December 10]] [[1972]] |retired=[[March 30]] [[2008]]}} '''Richard Morgan Fliehr'''<ref name="PS55"/> (born [[February 25]] [[1949]], in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]<ref name="PS55"/>) better known by his [[ring name]], '''Ric Flair''', is a retired [[United States|American]] [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]]. Also known as "The Nature Boy," Flair is among the most well known wrestlers in the world, and has been one of wrestling's biggest stars since the late 1970s. Flair is recognized by [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) as a 16-time [[Championship (professional wrestling)|world champion]], although his actual tally of world championship reigns varies by source. In [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), he also had two stints as a [[List of professional wrestling slang#B|booker]]—from 1989-1990 and again in 1994.<ref>Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.160)</ref> According to WWE, Flair is an eight-time National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Champion, six-time WCW Champion and two-time WWF/E Champion. He was also the winner of the [[Royal Rumble (1992)|1992 Royal Rumble]]. ==Early life== Ric Flair was born on [[February 25]] [[1949]]. Various places have been given for his birthplace; in his autobiography Flair claims he was born in [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. His birth name is not known due to a scandal at the [[Tennessee Children's Home Society]] in Memphis. His adopted parents named him Richard Fliehr. As a teen, Flair took a job as a lifeguard at a local pool, where he received his first exposure to the wrestling business when he met the legendary [[Vachon family|Vachon brothers]]. In both 1966 and 1968, Flair won the state private school wrestling championship; and he was then recruited to the [[University of Minnesota]] on a football scholarship, where he played alongside [[Greg Gagne (wrestler)|Greg Gagne]], the son of [[Verne Gagne]]. Flair dropped out of college before receiving his degree, and he then worked as a bouncer at a nearby club, where he met Olympic weightlifter [[Ken Patera]], who was preparing for a ring career at Verne Gagne’s wrestling school. Patera introduced Flair to Verne Gagne, who agreed to take him on as a member of what would be perhaps the single greatest training class in wrestling history (in addition to Ric Flair and Ken Patera, the group also included Greg Gagne, the [[Iron Sheik]] and [[Jim Brunzell]]). ==Career== ===American Wrestling Association=== Under the tutelage of Verne Gagne<ref name="slam"/> and [[Billy Robinson]], Fliehr made fast progress; and in 1972, he made his debut, battling George Gadaski to a 10-minute draw while adopting the ring name “Ric Flair.”<ref name="slam"/> Then weighing nearly 300 pounds with short brown hair, Flair scarcely resembled his future “Nature Boy” image; but he drew attention with his charismatic personality and ring endurance. During his time in the [[American Wrestling Association|AWA]], Flair had matches with [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]], [[André the Giant]], [[Larry Hennig]], and [[Wahoo McDaniel]].<ref name="Acclerator Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/flair.html#nwama|title=Ric Flair|accessdate=2008-03-06|publisher=Acclerator3359.com}}</ref> ===National Wrestling Alliance=== In 1974, Flair left the AWA for [[Jim Crockett]]'s Mid-Atlantic region in the [[National Wrestling Alliance]];<ref name="Acclerator Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/flair.html#nwama|title=Ric Flair|accessdate=2008-03-06|publisher=Acclerator3359.com}}</ref> and he soon captured his first title when, on [[February 8]] [[1975]], he beat [[Paul Jones (wrestler)|Paul Jones]] for the [[WCW World Television Championship|Mid-Atlantic TV Championship]]. On [[October 4]] [[1975]], however, Flair’s career nearly ended when he was in a serious plane crash in [[Wilmington, North Carolina]] that took the life of the pilot and paralyzed [[Johnny Valentine]] (also on board were “Mr. Wrestling I” [[Tim Woods]], Bob Bruggers, and promoter David Crockett).<ref name="slam1">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/planecrash-can.html|title=The plane crash that changed wrestling|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-11-13|date=2000-12-28|author=Molinaro, John}}</ref> Flair broke his back in three places; and at age 26, he was told by doctors that he would never wrestle again.<ref name="slam1"/> Flair conducted a rigorous physical therapy schedule, however, and he returned to the ring just six months later, where he resumed his now-legendary feud with [[Wahoo McDaniel]] in February 1976.<ref name="slam1"/> The crash did force Flair to change his wrestling technique away from the power brawling style he had used early on, which led him to adopt the "Nature Boy" style he would use throughout his career. Groomed by Jim Crockett Jr. as his future top star, Ric Flair won the [[WWE United States Championship|NWA United States Heavyweight Championship]] when he defeated [[Bobo Brazil]] on [[July 29]] [[1977]]; and during the next three years, he held five reigns as U.S. Champion while feuding with [[Ricky Steamboat]], [[Roddy Piper]], [[Mr. Wrestling II]], [[Jimmy Snuka]], and [[Greg Valentine]] (with whom he also formed a championship tag team). Flair, however, reached elite status when he began referring to himself as “The Nature Boy,” which incited a notorious 1978 feud with the original “Nature Boy,” [["Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers|Buddy Rogers]], who put Flair [[List of professional wrestling slang#O|over]] in a now-famous encounter. ====NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1981–1986)==== Then on [[September 17]] [[1981]], Flair reached the top of the mountain when he beat [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]] for his first [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. In the following years, Flair eventually established himself as the promotion’s main franchise in the midst of emerging competition from [[Vince McMahon]]’s [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]. With his outlandish wit and entertaining interview style, Flair embodied the role of the World Champion- sporting bleached blond hair, elegant jewelry, designer suits, and elaborate custom robes while dishing out his trademark chops and feared [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|Figure Four Leglock]]. All the while, Flair taunted his opponents with his famous “Wooo!” shout while boasting and said many famous quotes like “To be 'The Man,' you gotta beat the man!" and "Whether you like it or not, learn to love it, ‘cause it’s the best thing going today!” In 1982, [[Jack Veneno]] and Flair had a series of matches. Veneno defeated Flair for the World Title, but the NWA did not recognize this change. Flair also wrestled matches with Ricky Steamboat throughout the year. [[Harley Race]] won the title from Flair in 1983, but Flair regained the title at [[Starrcade (1983)|Starrcade 1983]] in [[Greensboro, North Carolina]] in a [[professional wrestling match types#Cages|Steel Cage match]]; afterwards, Race and Flair fought in many different matches in early 1984. Flair won the NWA title, officially, seven more times. As the NWA champion, he defended his belt around the world. Flair lost the title to Race and won it back in the span of three days in [[New Zealand]] in March 1984. At the first [[David Von Erich]] Memorial Parade of Champions at [[Texas Stadium]], Flair was pinned by [[Kerry Von Erich]]. Flair regained the title eighteen days later in [[Japan]]. He then reigned for two years, two months, and two days, losing his title to Dusty Rhodes on July 26 at [[The Great American Bash#1986|The Great American Bash 1986]]; Dusty had been a notable foe in Flair's career, and both men began a famous feud with one another after Flair helped break Dusty's leg on [[September 29]] [[1985]]. Flair regained the title two weeks later. Flair defended his titles against opponents like Harley Race, [[Ricky Steamboat]], [[Roddy Piper]], Kerry Von Erich, [[Jay Youngblood]], [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]], [[Ron Garvin|Ronnie Garvin]], [[Magnum T.A.]], and Dusty Rhodes throughout his career, as well. ====The Four Horsemen==== {{main|Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|l1=Four Horsemen}} In the spring of 1985, the tag team of [[Ole Anderson]] & [[Arn Anderson]] began aiding Ric Flair (whom [[Anderson family|they claimed as a “cousin”]]) in attacks against [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]], [[Magnum T.A.]], and [[Sam Houston (wrestler)|Sam Houston]]. A few weeks later, the Andersons interrupted Houston’s match against [[Tully Blanchard]], and the three heels combined to rough up the youngster while sending a message to the rest of the NWA. Shortly thereafter, Flair, Blanchard, and the Andersons formalized their alliance, calling themselves the Four Horsemen, with Blanchard’s manager [[J.J. Dillon]] also coming on board. Upon the group’s inception, it was clear that the Horsemen were unlike any heel faction that had ever existed. The four rule breakers immediately used their strength in numbers to decimate the NWA’s top fan favorites while controlling the majority of the championship titles; and over the years, there would be various incarnations of the group, including [[Lex Luger]], [[Barry Windham]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Chris Benoit]], and even [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]. ===World Championship Wrestling (1986–1991)=== By 1986, wrestling promoter [[Jim Crockett, Jr.|Jim Crockett]] had consolidated the various NWA member promotions he owned into a single entity, running under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance. Controlling much of the traditional NWA territories in the southeast and Midwestern United States, Crockett looked to expand nationally, and built his promotion around Flair as champion. During this time, Flair's bookings as champion were tightly controlled by Crockett, and a [[Big Gold Belt|custom championship belt]] was created for Flair. In 1987, Flair and Barry Windham had a series of matches for the NWA World Championship. Flair defeated Windham at the Crockett Cup tournament and they fought to a time limit draw in January. Flair lost the NWA World Championship due to his flamboyant ways in [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]] to [[Ron Garvin]] on [[September 25]] [[1987]]. Garvin held the title for two months before losing to Flair on [[November 26]] [[1987]] at WCW's first pay-per-vew event, [[Starrcade (1987)|Starrcade]], in [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]]. In early 1988, rising star [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] had challenged Flair to a match at the first ever [[Clash_of_Champions#Clash_of_the_Champions_I|Clash of Champions]]. Flair accepted, and fought Sting to a 45 minute time-limit. The match is known as the match that made Sting a huge star in the NWA. In late 1988, [[List of professional wrestling slang#B|booker]] [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]] proposed that Flair lose the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to [[Rick Steiner]] in a short match at [[Starrcade (1988)|Starrcade '88]] when no agreement could be met regarding the finish to the scheduled main event between him and [[Lex Luger]]. Feeling that Rhodes had always conspired to make him look weak as champion, Flair refused and threatened to leave WCW if Rhodes was not removed as booker. Rhodes was fired for various issues within the company, and former JCP booker George Scott was given his role as a booker. Scott immediately negotiated to bring in Ricky Steamboat for a series of matches. On [[February 20]], [[1989]], at [[Chi-Town Rumble]] in Chicago, Steamboat pinned Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. This prompted a series of rematches, where Steamboat was presented as a "family man" (often accompanied by his wife and young son), while Flair opposed him as an immoral, fast-living "ladies man." Following a best-of-three falls match with Steamboat that lasted just short of the sixty-minute time limit (and ended with a disputed finish where Steamboat retained the title) at ''[[Clash of the Champions|Clash of the Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun]]'' on April 2, Flair regained the title from Steamboat on May 7 at [[WrestleWar#1989|WrestleWar '89]]. This match has been cited by many as one of the greatest wrestling matches in history and was voted 1989's "[[PWI Match of the Year|Match of the Year]]" by [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]. Flair was attacked by [[Terry Funk]] (serving as a judge for the match, as per its stipulations) after the match when Flair refused to grant Funk a title match, telling Funk that he had spent too much time in Hollywood and out of wrestling, and was not a listed title contender. The attack reached its conclusion when Funk gave Flair a piledriver onto the judges' table. Months later, a "recovered" Flair returned to competition in an emotional match against Funk at [[The Great American Bash#1989|The Great American Bash]]. The two continued feuding through the summer and eventually Flair reformed the Four Horsemen, with the surprise addition of longtime rival Sting, to combat Funk's [[J-Tex Corporation]]. This led to an [["I Quit" match]] at ''[[Clash of the Champions|Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout]]''. Before the match, Funk stated that he would shake Flair's hand if he lost, a promise he kept when he shouted, "Yes, I quit!" after being in Flair's [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|Figure four leglock]]. Flair then kicked Sting out of the Horsemen upon his challenge for the NWA Championship, resulting in a revived feud between the two which had to be delayed due to Sting injuring his knee, forcing WCW to slot Lex Luger as Flair's main challenger until Sting returned. On [[July 7]] [[1990]], Flair dropped the title to Sting at [[The Great American Bash#1990|The Great American Bash]]. After being unmasked as the Black Scorpion at [[Starrcade (1990)|Starrcade 1990]], Flair regained the title from Sting on [[January 11]], [[1991]], in front of a near empty house due to the blizzard conditions in the New York City area. Prior to this reign, WCW split their recognition of a World Heavyweight Champion from the NWA, and Flair was subsequently recognized as the first [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|WCW World Heavyweight Champion]], while still being recognized as NWA World Champion. At the Clash of the Champions on January 30, he wrestled [[Scott Steiner]] to a draw. On [[March 21]], [[1991]], [[Tatsumi Fujinami]] defeated Flair in a controversial match in [[Tokyo]] at the [[WCW/New Japan Supershow#I|WCW/New Japan Supershow]]. While the NWA recognized Fujinami as their new champion, WCW did not because Fujinami had backdropped Flair over the top rope in a violation of WCW rules. On [[May 19]], [[1991]], Flair defeated Fujinami at [[SuperBrawl#SuperBrawl I|SuperBrawl]] in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]] to reclaim the NWA title and retain the WCW title. In doing so, he became an eight time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, breaking Harley Race's record. On June 14, at the Clash of the Champions, he defeated [[Bobby Eaton]] in an epic two-out-of-three falls match. In the summer of 1991, Flair had a contract dispute with WCW president [[Jim Herd]], who wanted him to take a substantial pay cut. Herd had removed Flair as head booker in February 1990 and wanted to reduce Flair's role in the promotion even further, despite the fact that Flair was still a top draw. According to Flair, Herd also proposed changes in his appearance (''i.e.'' by shaving his hair, wearing a diamond earring and going by the name "[[Spartacus]]") as well as his in-ring name in order to "change with the times,"<ref name="sun">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/06/27/516827.html|title=slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/06/27/516827.html|title= Flair rips Mick Foley|author=Tim Baines|publisher=Ottawa Sun|date=2004-06-27|accessdate=2007-05-14}}</ref> a move that [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]] equated with "changing [[Mickey Mantle]]'s (uniform) number" as an example of unnecessarily altering a legend. Flair disagreed with the proposals, and two weeks before the [[The Great American Bash#1991|1991 Great American Bash]], Herd fired him. Flair's popularity in WCW was proven during his absence, as broadcasts were often punctuated by unignorable chants of ''"We want Flair!"'' While Flair had left for the WWF he was still recognized as the WCW World Champion until [[July 1]] [[1991]], when the title was officially vacated. Though, the NWA does not recognize this entire run as a whole as Flair had lost an NWA title bout against [[Tatsumi Fujinami]] on [[March 21]] [[1991]] in Japan (in a non-WCW matchup). Flair then regained the NWA title from Fujinami on [[May 19]] [[1991]] on [[SuperBrawl|SuperBrawl I]] (in a title fight according to NWA, but non-title fight according to WCW), but since Fujinami was never recognized by WCW to have beaten Flair before for the Championship title and thus he was never recognized as a WCW Champion, the title was then stripped from Flair on [[July 1]] [[1991]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html|title=www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html|title =NWA World Heavyweight Title|publisher=Puroresu Dojo|accessdate=2007-05-14}}</ref> ===World Wrestling Federation (1991–1993)=== Flair signed with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWF]] in August, 1991, and began appearing on television the next month. Initially, he appeared on WWF shows with the "[[Big Gold Belt]]," calling himself "The Real World Heavyweight Champion." WCW sued Flair in an attempt to reclaim the belt, but Flair claimed that he owned the belt in lieu of the [[United States dollar|$]]25,000 deposit paid by NWA champions upon winning the title, which had not been returned to him when he was fired from WCW. The matter was settled later that year, with Flair's deposit being returned to him along with interest. Led by his "financial advisor" [[Bobby Heenan]] and his "executive consultant" [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]], Flair repeatedly issued challenges to WWF notables like [[Roddy Piper]] and [[Hulk Hogan]], wrestling a team led by Piper at [[Survivor Series (1991)|Survivor Series 1991]] and helping [[The Undertaker]] defeat Hogan for his WWF Title that same night.<ref name= "cardspg90"/> At the [[Royal Rumble (1992)|Royal Rumble 1992]], he won the Rumble match to claim the vacant [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]]. Flair drew number three in the Rumble match and lasted a then-record 59 minutes, last eliminating [[Sid Eudy|Sid Justice]] with help from Hulk Hogan, who had been eliminated by Justice seconds earlier.<ref name= "cardspg90">{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|pages=89–90}}</ref> In so doing, Flair joined [[Buddy Rogers (wrestler)|Buddy Rogers]] as the only men to win the WWF and NWA World Championships in their careers. After a planned program with Hogan was scrapped due to Hogan's hiatus following the WWF's steroid scandal, [[Randy Savage]] challenged Flair for the WWF title at [[WrestleMania VIII]]. Flair [[kayfabe]] taunted Savage by claiming that he had a prior relationship with Savage's wife, [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]], and that he had the pictures to prove it (which were later revealed to be doctored photos). Savage defeated Flair for the title at WrestleMania.<ref name= "cardspg90"/> In July 1992, as Savage prepared to defend the title against [[Warrior (wrestler)|The Ultimate Warrior]] at [[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam]],<ref name= "cardspg90"/> Flair and Mr. Perfect sowed distrust between the two by suggesting that they would back one or the other during their match. They actually attacked both Savage and Warrior and injured Savage's knee sufficiently, an injury that Flair exploited to regain the title in a match with Savage on September 1. Due to an inner ear injury that affected his [[equilibrium]], his second reign would be short-lived, as he lost the title to [[Bret Hart]] on October 12, 1992. Flair teamed with [[Scott Hall|Razor Ramon]] to take on Savage and Perfect at the [[Survivor Series (1992)|Survivor Series 1992]].<ref name=cards91>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|pages=90-91}}</ref> After losing a [[Professional wrestling match types#Retirement match|Loser Leaves the WWF match]] to Mr. Perfect on an episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/1993.html|title=RAW 1993 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|author=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair appeared in the [[Royal Rumble (1993)|1993 Royal Rumble]] (although the match with Perfect had been taped six days prior, it did not air until the following night) and then fulfilled his remaining house show commitments, making his last appearance on February 10, 1993, before returning to WCW.<ref>http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/93.htm</ref> On ''The Ultimate Ric Flair Collection'' [[DVD]], Flair described his first stint with the WWF as "the greatest year and a half of my career, outside the time I spent with [[Arn Anderson|Arn]] and [[Four Horsemen (wrestling)|The Four Horsemen]]." ===World Championship Wrestling (1993–2001)=== Flair returned to WCW in February 1993 and hosted a short-lived talk show in WCW called ''A Flair for the Gold''. [[Arn Anderson]] usually appeared at the bar on the show's set, and Flair's maid, Fifi (portrayed by ''Wendy Barlow''), cleaned or bore gifts. Flair briefly held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for a tenth time after defeating [[Barry Windham]] at [[Beach Blast#1993|Beach Blast]] before WCW finally left the NWA in September 1993. WCW planned to have [[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]] face [[Big Van Vader|Vader]] for the WCW World title at [[Starrcade (1993)|Starrcade 1993]] but Sid was fired after a violent real-life altercation with Arn Anderson in [[London]]. Flair was placed in the match, which was held in his adopted hometown of [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. The match was billed that if Flair lost, he would retire from wrestling. The match ended with Flair using a chop block and roll-up on the gigantic Vader to win the title. In June 1994, Flair defeated [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] in a unification match, merging the [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]] with the WCW World Championship. Flair later feuded with [[Hulk Hogan]] upon Hogan's arrival in WCW in June 1994, losing the WCW World Championship to him in July at [[Bash at the Beach#1994|Bash at the Beach]]. Flair lost a retirement match to Hogan at [[Halloween Havoc#1994|Halloween Havoc]] and took a few months off before returning as a wrestler and part-time manager in 1995 (explained on-air by having Flair nag Hogan for months until Hogan agreed to let Flair come back). He and Randy Savage renewed hostilities when Savage arrived in WCW late in 1994, and their feud continued off-and-on for almost two years with each wrestler winning the WCW World Championship from each other at different times. Flair defeated Savage in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage]] at [[SuperBrawl#SuperBrawl VI|SuperBrawl VI]] to win the WCW World title, which saw Savage betrayed by Elizabeth in favor of Flair. Flair also defeated [[Konnan]] on July 7 at [[Bash at the Beach (1996)|Bash at the Beach 1996]] to win the United States Championship. He vacated it in November of that year due to an arm injury. Flair played a major role in the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] storyline in late 1996 and throughout 1997. He and the Horsemen often took the lead in the war against [[Scott Hall]], [[Kevin Nash]], and Hulk Hogan. Flair feuded with [[Roddy Piper]], [[Sean Waltman|Syxx]], and his old nemesis, [[Curt Hennig]], in 1997 after Hennig was offered a spot in the Four Horsemen only to turn on Flair and the Horsemen at [[Fall Brawl#1997|Fall Brawl '97]]. Hennig punctuated the act by slamming the cage door onto Flair's head. In April 1998, Flair became embroiled in a dispute with WCW president [[Eric Bischoff]] when he failed to appear at a televised event. Bischoff had placed Flair on the show only three days prior, and Flair had earlier requested time off on the same night to see his son, Reid, wrestle in a [[Greco-Roman wrestling]] tournament. He made a surprise return on [[September 14]] [[1998]] to ceremoniously reform the Four Horsemen (along with [[Steve McMichael]], [[Dean Malenko]], and [[Chris Benoit]]). Flair feuded with Bischoff for several months afterward, culminating in a [[Professional wrestling match types#First Blood match|First Blood]] cage match at [[Uncensored#1999|Uncensored 1999]] against Hulk Hogan where both Bischoff's presidency and Hogan's WCW World Heavyweight Championship were on the line. Despite being the first to bleed, Flair won the match by submission thanks to biased referee [[Charles Robinson]], who counted Hogan out. Robinson would be nicknamed "Lil' Naitch," idolizing Flair and officiating all of Flair's matches in his favor. As on-air "president," Flair began abusing his power much like Bischoff had, favoring [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]s over faces and even awarding the [[WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] to his son [[David Flair|David]] and resorting to whatever means necessary to keep David U.S. Champion. Flair eventually formed a stable of followers which included [[Roddy Piper]], [[Arn Anderson]], and the [[Jersey Triad]] to keep things in order. Flair's reign as president came to an end on the July 19 episode of ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]'', facing Sting for the WCW presidency. During the course of the match, Sting had Flair in his Scorpion Death Lock, but with the referee knocked out no decision could be reached. A returning Eric Bischoff came to the ring and began ordering the timekeeper to ring the bell, which he eventually did, awarding the match and the presidency to Sting (who promptly gave it up upon receiving it). Flair won the WCW World Championship twice during 2000, WCW's last full year of operation. When WCW was purchased by the WWF in March 2001, Flair was the leader of the heel group called the [[Magnificent Seven (professional wrestling)|Magnificent Seven]]. During the final episode of ''Nitro'', he gave a speech regarding the company's greatness. Later in the night, Flair lost the final match in ''Nitro'' history to Sting on [[March 26]] [[2001]]. Nevertheless, Flair has repeatedly stated in various interviews how happy he was when WCW finally closed down, although at the same time he was sad that a lot of people were going to lose their jobs.<ref>WWE: The Monday Night Wars DVD</ref> ===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== ====2001–2004==== [[Image:Flairwmx8blood.jpg|right|thumb|A bloody Flair at WrestleMania X8.]] After a hiatus from pro wrestling, Flair returned to the WWF in November 2001 as the on-camera co-owner of the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/011119.html|title=Raw - 19 November 2001 Results|accessdate= 2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair reappeared on ''Raw'' following the end of the "[[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|WCW/ECW Invasion]]" that culminated in a "Winner Take All" match at [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series 2001]] won by the WWF.<ref name=cards109>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|pages=109–110}}</ref> Flair's new on-screen role was that of the co-owner of the WWF, with the explanation that [[Shane McMahon|Shane]] and [[Stephanie McMahon]] had sold him their stock in the company to a [[consortium]] (namely Flair) prior to purchasing [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling|ECW]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/011119.html|title=RAW - 19 November 2001 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair's feud with [[Vince McMahon]] led them to a match at the [[Royal Rumble (2002)|Royal Rumble 2002]] in a Street Fight, where Flair defeated McMahon.<ref name=cards109/> That match was Ric Flair's first match since his return to the WWF. Flair also wrestled [[The Undertaker]] at [[WrestleMania X8]] in 2002 where Flair lost a bloody brawl.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wrestlemania18.html|title=WrestleMania X-8 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> From then, the "co-owner" angle culminated in early 2002, when the WWF was split into competing "brands," with Flair taking control of the ''Raw'' brand, while Vince controlled ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown!]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020325.html|title=RAW - 25 March 2002 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> After [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] abruptly left WWE while in a program with Flair, a match was hotshotted between Flair and Vince for sole ownership of WWE, which McMahon won, thanks to interference by [[Brock Lesnar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020610.html|title= RAW - 10 June 2002 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair later turned heel (then face, then heel again) over the next two months, before joining [[Triple H]]'s "[[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]]" stable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030124.html|title=RAW - 24 January 2003 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair won the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]] with [[Dave Batista|Batista]] twice in 2003-04.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|pages=114}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040322.html|title=RAW - 22 March 2004 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> ====2005–2007==== At [[Unforgiven (2005)|Unforgiven 2005]], Flair defeated [[Carly Colón|Carlito]] for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]],<ref name=cards118>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|pages=118}}</ref> becoming the thirteenth [[Triple Crown Championship|Triple Crown Champion]] in WWE history. He defended the title in a feud with [[Triple H]] before losing it to [[Shelton Benjamin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060220.html|title=RAW - February 20, 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair then took some time off in mid-2006 to rest and marry for the third time; he returned in June to work a program with [[Mick Foley]] that played off their legitimate past animosity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060612.html|title=RAW - June 12, 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair defeated Foley at [[SummerSlam (2006)|SummerSlam]] in an [["I Quit" match]].<ref name= "cardspg122"/> Subsequently, he was involved in a rivalry with the [[Spirit Squad]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''. On [[November 5]] [[2006]] at [[Cyber Sunday (2006)|Cyber Sunday]], he captured the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]] from the Squad with [[Roddy Piper]].<ref name= "cardspg122">{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007|pages=121–122}}</ref> On the November 13 edition of ''Raw'', Flair and Piper lost the Tag Titles to [[Rated-RKO]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061113.html|title=RAW - November 13, 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> due to a disc problem with Piper and had to be flown immediately back to the USA as soon as ''Raw'' was off the air. On [[November 26]] [[2006]] at [[Survivor Series (2006)|Survivor Series]], Flair was the sole survivor of a match that featured himself, [[Ron Simmons]] (replacing an injured Piper), [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]] and [[Sgt. Slaughter]] versus the Spirit Squad.<ref name= "cardspg122"/> Flair then left television due to his divorce hearings. On the [[December 11]] [[2006]] edition of ''Raw'', Flair returned to team up with DX again. They defeated Rated-RKO and [[Ken Doane|Kenny Dykstra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061211.html|title=RAW - December 11, 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> [[Image:Flaircarlitotorrie.jpg|left|thumb|Flair became a mentor for Carlito in 2007.]] Ric Flair then became a team with Carlito after Flair said that Carlito had no heart.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2007|work=Arena Reports|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|month=May|page=130}}</ref> Ric Flair defeated Carlito in a match after which Carlito realized that Flair was right.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070212.html|title=RAW - February 12, 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair then became a mentor of Carlito. The two faced off in a Money in the Bank qualifying match which ended in a no contest after [[The Great Khali]] attacked both men.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070305.html|title=RAW - March 5, 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair and Carlito got a second chance in a Money in the Bank Triple Threat qualifying match against [[Randy Orton]], who won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070312.html|title=RAW -March 12, 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair and Carlito got yet another chance when they both competed in a battle royal for [[Adam Copeland|Edge]]'s spot, and Flair appeared to have won the battle royal when Edge, who had faked a knee injury earlier in the match, ran into the ring and eliminated Flair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070319.html|title=RAW - March 19, 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair and Carlito faced off against [[Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch]] in a #1 contender's match for the World Tag Team Championship but were defeated. After weeks of conflict between Flair and Carlito,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04162007/|title=Italian Intercontinental surprise|date=2007-04-16|last=Starr|first=Noah|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04232007/|title=A sign of things to come?|date=2007-04-23|last=Starr|first=Noah|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> the team split up when Carlito attacked Flair during a match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04302007/|title=Khali's claim|date=2007-04-30|last=Starr|first=Noah|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> At [[Judgment Day (2007)|Judgment Day]], Ric Flair defeated Carlito with the [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|Figure four leglock]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/matches/4124402211/results/|title=Schooled|date=2007-05-20|last=Starr|first=Noah|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> His career was put at risk following a match with [[Randy Orton]] on [[June 4]] [[2007]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06042007/|title=Crazy like a fox?|date=2007-06-04|last=Clayton|first=Corey|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> On the June 11 edition of ''Raw'', Flair was drafted from ''Raw'' to ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' as part of the [[2007 WWE Draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06112007/|title=One wild night|date=2008-06-11|last=McAvennie|first=Mike|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> He briefly feuded against [[Montel Vontavious Porter]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06222007/|title=A taste of vengeance|date=2007-06-22|last=Rote|first=Andrew|accesssdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/4842036/resultsflairMVP06242007/|title=MVP puts on legendary show with win over Flair|date=2007-06-24|last=Clayton|first=Corey|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> and rejoined forces with Batista to feud with The Great Khali.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08032007/|title=Handing notice|date=2007-08-03|last=Fuhrman|first=Alissa|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08102007/|title=Answer to the challenge?|date=2007-08-10|last=Fuhrman|first=Alissa|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> ==== 2007-Retirement==== After a three month absence, Flair returned to WWE programming on the November 26 edition of ''Raw'' to announce that he would "never retire."<ref name="retirement story start">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/articles/spacemountainopen|title=Win or go home - for good|date=2007-11-26|last=Robinson|first=Bryan|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref name="Nov 26, 08">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/|title=Legend of the Fall|date=2008-11-26|last=Adkins|first=Greg|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]] retaliated by announcing that the next match Flair lost would result in a forced retirement.<ref name="retirement story start"/> Later in the night, Flair defeated Orton after a distraction by [[Chris Jericho]].<ref name="retirement story start"/><ref name="Nov 26, 08"/> It was revealed on the 15th anniversary of ''Raw'' that the win or retire ultimatum only applied in singles matches. Since then, Flair had won many "career threatening" matches, which includes victories over [[Triple H]], [[Eddie Fatu|Umaga]], MVP, [[Mr. Kennedy]], and WWE Chairman [[Vince McMahon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12312007/|title=Life Goes On|date=2007-12-31|last=Adkins|first=Greg|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/6141204/results/|title=A Flair for greatness|date=2008-01-27|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6323434/results/|title=Never Say Die|date=2008-02-17|last=Adkins|first=Greg|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> On [[March 29]] [[2008]], Flair was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] as a part of the [[List of members of the WWE Hall of Fame|Class of 2008]] by Triple H. The day after, Flair wrestled his final match at [[WrestleMania XXIV]] in [[Orlando, Florida]] on [[March 30]], [[2008]], losing to [[Shawn Michaels]] after being hit with [[Superkick|Sweet Chin Music]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464438/results/|title=WrestleMania XXIV results: Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels|accessdate=2007-03-30|date=March 30, 2008}}</ref> On ''Raw'' the next day, Flair delivered his farewell address. Afterwards, Triple H brought out many current and retired superstars to thank Flair for all he has done, including Shawn Michaels, some of the [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] and even [[The Undertaker]]. This event represented a rare moment in the WWE as both the [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heels]] and the [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyfaces]] broke [[kayfabe|character]] and came out to the ring together. Flair made an appearance on the [[June 16]] Edition of Raw to confront Chris Jericho and challenged him to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Parking Lot Brawl|fight in the parking lot]], but was ejected from the building by Vince McMahon. Flair made another appearance the following week on the June 23 edition of Raw helping McMahon give away money during the [[Vince McMahon#McMahon's Million Dollar Mania|McMahon's Million Dollar Mania]]. ==Legacy== [[Image:Ric Flair - Wooooo.jpg|right|thumb|''"Woooooo!"'']] Flair became [[over (professional wrestling)|over]] with the crowd, often due to his in-ring antics, including cheating ways (earning him the distinction of being "the dirtiest player in the game"), his trademark strut and his shouting of ''"Woooooo!"'' While his charisma has never been in question, Flair's moveset has become limited in recent years, mainly punches, chops, back body drops and various devious maneuvers (this is due mainly to his age and years of competition taking a toll on his body). Some exceptions where he has stepped outside this small package of moves include a ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'' contest against [[Kurt Angle]] in June 2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/050627.html|title=RAW - 27 June 2005 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> an [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] match at Unforgiven 2005,<ref name=cards118/> and a match with [[Triple H]] in December 2007. The trading of yelling ''"Woooooo!"'' long outlived any controversy and has carried over to WWE and almost all other [[North America]]n [[professional wrestling promotion|promotions]]. The chant has since become a tribute to Flair.<ref name="wwe-bio"/> Since the late 1970s, he has worn ornate fur-lined robes of many colors with sequins,<ref name="wwe-bio"/> and since the early 1980s, his approach to the ring was usually heralded by the playing of the "Dawn" section of [[Richard Strauss]]' ''[[Also sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss)|Also sprach Zarathustra]]'' (famous for being used in the motion picture ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''). Both are signature of the extravagance and grandeur that his trademark character represents. On [[May 19]] [[2003]], Triple H defended the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] in a match against Flair.<ref name="May 19 OWOW raw"/> After ''Raw'' went off the air, most of the people who were backstage came out to honor Flair, including Vince, Shane, and Stephanie McMahon.<ref name="May 19 OWOW raw"/> Triple H then appeared, and after a stare down, he placed the World Heavyweight Championship belt on Flair's shoulder and embraced him. Flair then gave a speech thanking everyone for the tribute.<ref name="May 19 OWOW raw">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030519.html|title=RAW -May 19, 2003 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair released his [[autobiography]], ''[[To Be the Man]]'', in July 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/07/21/showbuzz/index.html|title=Ric Flair, author|accessdate=2008-03-16|publisher=CNN}}</ref> The title is taken from one of his [[catchphrase]]s, ''"To be the man, you gotta beat the man!"'' On [[April 8]] [[2008]], Flair was on the ''[[John Boy and Billy]]'' radio show and he announced he is currently writing another book. On the [[February 18]] [[2008]] edition of ''Raw'', [[Shawn Michaels]] announced Flair as the first inductee into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] Class of 2008. The induction ceremony took place on [[March 29]] [[2008]], with [[Triple H]] inducting him. This made him the first and only person to be inducted while still an active competitor as of [[2008]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02182008/|title=Hall Monitor|date=2008-02-18|last=Adkins|first=Greg|accessdate=2008-03-16|publisher=WWE}}</ref> On [[March 24]] [[2008]], Mayor Bob Coble, of Columbia, South Carolina, declared March 24 to be Ric Flair Day in Columbia. Flair also received the key to the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=60068|title=Key to City|date=2008-03-24|last=Santaella|first=Tony|accessdate=2008-03-24|publisher=WLTX}}</ref> Seven days later on the March 31 edition of ''Raw'', Flair made his farewell speech, which led to Triple H introducing various people from Ric Flair's past, such as [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|The Four Horsemen]], [[Ricky Steamboat]], and others who came out to give an emotional farewell. Afterwards, the entire WWE roster came out to say thank you to Flair. On June 7, it was announced that Ric Flair will be inducted into the [[NWA Hall of Fame]] in Atlanta, Georgia, his second straight Hall of Fame induction in four months, but he will not be participating in the event. ==Real-life feuds== ===Bret Hart=== In 2004, Flair engaged in an off-screen rivalry with [[Bret Hart]] in which both accused each other of performing the same routines in most of their matches. In Flair's autobiography, Flair criticizes Hart for over-exploiting the death of his brother, [[Owen Hart]], and the controversy surrounding the [[Montreal Screwjob]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE|title=www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE|title=Flair Pulls No Punches In Book|author=Mike Mooneyham|date=2004-07-04|accessdate=2007-05-14}}</ref> Flair also claimed in his autobiography that Hart was not a formidable [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|draw]] in the United States, a claim which Hart dismissed as "plain ridiculous." Hart stated that during the 1990s he was "consistently main eventing in front of, not sold out buildings, but entirely sold out tours."<ref>Bret Hart: Calgary Sun Column, 2004</ref> ===Shane Douglas=== Flair has had a long running feud with [[Shane Douglas]]. Douglas accused Flair of sabotaging his push in the NWA/WCW after getting a solid push and a rub from his tag team partner Ricky Steamboat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosD/douglas_00aug23.html|title=The Franchise on Flair & Russo|author=John F. Molinaro|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-05-14|date=2000-04-23}}</ref> Flair, in turn, responded that Douglas was always the guy that would blame his shortcomings on others. He called Douglas out as well as accused him of steroid abuse during a broadcast of the Internet radio show ''WCW Live!'' in which he said that he would meet him anytime and anywhere if he ''"took the needle out of his ass."'' They were able to come to a working relationship during Douglas' last stint with WCW. ===Mick Foley=== Flair has also had issues with [[Mick Foley]]. In his 1999 autobiography ''[[Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|Have a Nice Day!]]'', Foley said, ''"Flair was every bit as bad on the booking side of things as he was great on the wrestling side of it."''<ref>Foley, Mick. ''Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks'' (p.2)</ref> This was in reference to how poorly Foley thought he was booked during his WCW career when Flair was on the booking committee. Flair responded in his autobiography, writing, ''"I do not care how many thumbtacks Mick Foley has fallen on, how many ladders he's fallen off, how many continents he's supposedly bled on, he will always be known as a glorified stuntman."'' They have since buried the hatchet and are now friends.<ref name="sun"/> ==In wrestling== [[Image:Figure 4!!!.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Flair applying the [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on [[Mr. Kennedy]].]] [[Image:HBK-and-Flair-backhand-chops.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Flair and [[Shawn Michaels]] delivering [[Professional wrestling attacks#Backhand chop|Knife edge chops]] to [[Michael Brendli|Mikey]]]] *'''Finishing and signature moves''' **'''''[[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|Figure four leglock]]''''' <!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style--> **[[Professional wrestling attacks#Chop block|Chop block]], usually as a setup for the '''''Figure four leglock''''' **[[Professional wrestling attacks#Elbow drop|Elbow drop]] **[[Professional wrestling throws#Inverted atomic drop|Inverted atomic drop]] **[[Professional wrestling attacks#Backhand chop|Knife edge chop]], usually with Flair shouting "Wooooooooo!" **Multiple [[suplex]] variations ***[[Suplex#Belly to back suplex|Belly to back]] ***[[Suplex#Double underhook suplex|Double arm]] ***[[Suplex#Vertical suplex|Vertical]] **[[Professional wrestling attacks#Knee drop|Running jumping knee drop]] **[[Professional wrestling throws#Shin breaker|Shin breaker]], usually as a setup for the '''''Figure four leglock''''' **[[Pin (professional wrestling)#Small package|Small package rollup]] *'''Signature illegal moves''' **[[Professional wrestling attacks#Eye poke|Thumb to the eye]] **[[Professional wrestling attacks#Eye rake|Eye rake]] **[[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|Low blow]] **[[Professional wrestling attacks#Testicular claw|Testicular claw]] **[[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|Various roll-ups]] while holding tights or with his feet on the ropes *'''Other signatures''' **Shouting "Woooooooo!". **His confident strut. **Throwing an object down (such as his suit jacket or [[Mick Foley]]'s autobiography, due to their rivalry) and subsequently dropping an elbow onto it. **The "Flair Flop," where after being pummeled (usually in the corner), he will confidently stride out and look to have regained his composure, only to flop flat on his face. **Offering to shake his opponent's hand before the match begins. Just before his opponent grabs his hand, he'll pull back, strut, & then say, "Woo!" **After being floored to the mat, holds his hands up whilst kneeling down submissively and begs his opponent not to strike him (often yelling "Nooo!" in the process); thus catching them off-guard, and usually then resulting in a low blow or a thumb to the eyes. **Being caught and thrown off the top turnbuckle whenever he tries a move from there. **Being thrown towards the turnbuckle, flipping over the top rope and landing on the apron, followed by one of two things: 1. Flair runs along the apron to the next available corner, climbs to the top rope where, almost always, he will be grabbed by his opponent and body slammed back into the ring; or 2. Flair runs along the apron towards the next corner, but is clotheslined (either by his opponent or an opposing partner in a tag match) before he gets to the corner. **Asking the referee to check the time, and low-blowing or otherwise cheating while the referee had his back turned. This back when matches had time limits, something that generally does not occur anymore. *'''Nicknames''' **'''"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair.''' **'''Naitch.''' (Short for "Nature Boy") **'''The Dirtiest Player in the Game.''' **'''The Man.''' **'''The [[Limousine]] Ridin', [[private jet|Jet]] Flying, Kiss Stealin', Wheelin' Dealin', Son of a Gun.''' **[[Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)|Space Mountain]] **The Sixty-Minute Man - In reference to the numerous times he wrestled to the sixty minute time limit common to World Title matches during his heyday. *'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Managers]]''' **[[Debra Marshall|Debra]] **[[Sherri Martel]] **[[James J. Dillon]] **[[Yasuhiro Kojima|Hiro Matsuda]] **[[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] **[[Bobby Heenan|Bobby "The Brain" Heenan]] **[[Curt Hennig]] **[[Miss Elizabeth]] **[[Jimmy Hart]] *'''Wrestlers managed''' **[[David Flair]] **[[Triple H]] **[[Dave Batista|Batista]] **[[Randy Orton]] **[[Paul Wight|Big Show]] **[[Carly Colón|Carlito]] ==Championships and accomplishments== *'''[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]''' **[[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html NWA World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> *'''[[Heart of America Sports Attractions|Central States Wrestling]]''' **[[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html NWA World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> *'''[[Jim Crockett Promotions|Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling | Jim Crockett Promotions]] | [[World Championship Wrestling]]''' **[[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship#Title history|4 times]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/ma-h.html NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) - with Rip Hawk (1), [[Greg Valentine]] (1) and [[Big John Studd]] (1)<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/ma-t.html NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[WCW World Television Championship|NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Television Champions|1 time]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-tv.html NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[WCW World Television Championship|NWA Television Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Television Champions|1 time]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-tv.html NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[WWE United States Championship|NWA United States Heavyweight Championship ''(Mid-Atlantic version)'']] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|4 times]])<sup>1</sup><ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-us-h.html NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions|6 times]])<sup>2</sup><ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html NWA World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[WCW World Tag Team Championship|NWA World Tag Team Championship ''(Mid-Atlantic version)'']] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|3 times]]) - with Greg Valentine (2) and [[Blackjack Mulligan]] (1)<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-nwa-t.html NWA World Tag Team Title (Mid-Atlantic/WCW) history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WCW International World Heavyweight Champions|2 times]])<sup>3</sup><ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-in-h.html WCW International World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> '''(Last)''' **[[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|1 time]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-us-h.html NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|7 times]]) <ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-h.html WCW World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>'''(First)''' *'''[[National Wrestling Alliance]]''' **[[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])<sup>4</sup><ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html NWA World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[NWA Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2008) *'''[[St. Louis Wrestling Club]]''' **[[NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship#Title History|1 time]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mo/mo-h.html NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> **[[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html NWA World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref> *'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment]]''' **[[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|1 time]])<ref name=th/> **[[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|2 times]])<ref name=th>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/ricflair/titlehistory|title=Title history: Ric Flair|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2008-03-12}}</ref> **[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|3 times]]) - with [[Dave Batista|Batista]] (2) and [[Roddy Piper]] (1)<ref name=th/> **[[Royal Rumble|WWF Royal Rumble]] ([[Royal Rumble (1992)|1992]])<ref name=th/> **[[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[List of members of the WWE Hall of Fame|Class of 2008]]) **[[Triple Crown Championship]] (13th) *'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]''' **([[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum#Modern Era (1985-1996)|Class of 2005]]) *'''[[St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame]]''' **([[St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame#Class of 2007|Class of 2007]]) *'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]] ** Ranked '''#2''' of the PWI 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" (2003) ** [[PWI Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1987) <small>[[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] vs. [[Super Powers (professional wrestling)|Super Powers]] & [[Road Warriors]]</small> ** Feud of the Year (1988, 1990) <small> vs. [[Lex Luger]]</small> ** Feud of the Year (1989) <small>vs. [[Terry Funk]]</small> ** [[PWI Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (1983) <small>vs. [[Harley Race]] (June 10)</small> ** Match of the Year (1984) <small>vs. [[Kerry Von Erich]] (May 6)</small> ** Match of the Year (1986) <small>vs. [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]] at [[The Great American Bash#1986|The Great American Bash]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]]</small> ** Match of the Year (1989) <small>vs. [[Ricky Steamboat]] at [[WrestleWar#1989|WrestleWar]]</small> ** [[PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (1978, 1987) ** [[PWI Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]] (1975) ** [[PWI Wrestler of the Year|Wrestler of the Year]] (1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1992) *'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]''' ** [[Dave Meltzer#Rating system|5 Star Match]] (1987) <small> vs. [[Barry Windham]] (April 11, [[Jim Crockett Promotions#Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup|Crockett Cup Tournament]])</small> ** 5 Star Match (1989) <small>vs. Ricky Steamboat (February 20, [[Chi-Town Rumble]])</small> ** 5 Star Match (1989) <small>vs. Ricky Steamboat (April 2, [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions VI|Clash of the Champions]])</small> ** 5 Star Match (1989) <small>vs. Ricky Steamboat (May 7, WrestleWar)</small> ** 5 Star Match (1989) <small>vs. Terry Funk (November 15, [["I Quit" match]], [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions IX|Clash of the Champions]])</small> **5 Star Match (1991) <small>with [[Larry Zbyszko]], Barry Windham and [[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]] vs. [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]], [[Brian Pillman]], [[Rick Steiner]] and [[Scott Steiner]] (February 24, [[WarGames match]], [[WrestleWar#1991|WCW WrestleWar]]</small>) ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Heel|Best Heel]] (1990) ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best on Interviews|Best Interviews]] (1991, 1992, 1994) ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1989) <small> vs. Terry Funk </small> ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (1983) <small> vs. Harley Race at [[Starrcade (1983)|Starrcade]] </small> ** Match of the Year (1986) <small> vs. Barry Windham on February 14 </small> ** Match of the Year (1988) <small> vs. Sting at [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions I|Clash of the Champions]] </small> ** Match of the Year (1989) <small> vs. Ricky Steamboat at WrestleWar</small> ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Charismatic|Most Charismatic]] (1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1993) ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Outstanding|Most Outstanding]] (1986, 1987, 1989) ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Readers' Favorite Wrestler|Readers' Favorite Wrestler]] (1984-1993, 1996) ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Feud of the Year|Worst Feud of the Year]] (1990) <small>vs. [[Junkyard Dog|The Junkyard Dog]]</small> ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Worked Match of the Year|Worst Worked Match of the Year]] (1996) <small>with [[Arn Anderson]], [[Tonga Fifita|Meng]], [[Sione Vailahi|The Barbarian]], [[Lex Luger]], [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]], Z-Gangsta and The Ultimate Solution vs. [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]], [[Uncensored#1996|WCW Uncensored]], [[Professional wrestling match types#Triple Cage match|Towers of Doom match]], [[Tupelo, Mississippi|Tupelo, MS]], March 24</small> ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Lou Thesz/Ric Flair award (Wrestler of the Year)|Wrestler of the Year]] (1982-1986, 1989, 1990, 1992) ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|WON Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#1996 inductees|Class of 1996]]) <small><sup>1</sup>Flair did win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA United States Championships five times and the five reigns were recognized even after World Championship Wrestling took control over the championship and renamed it the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship in 1991. After WCW's purchase by WWE, the lineage of the championships were kept and used to give the WWE United States Championship a prestigious history. However, WWE does not recognize some of the reigns of some wrestlers when the title was still the Mid-Atlantic NWA United States Championship. As of now, only four of Flair's five reigns with the [[WWE United States Championship|NWA United States Heavyweight Championship ''(Mid-Atlantic version)'']] are officially recognized by WWE.</small><br> <small><sup>2</sup>His last four reigns with the championship were after Jim Crockett, Jr. sold his promotion to Ted Turner in November of 1988, which became [[World Championship Wrestling]]. The NWA World Heavyweight Championship was defended exclusively in WCW until WCW's withdrawal from the National Wrestling Alliance in 1993.</small><br> <small><sup>3</sup>Title reigns aren't recognized by [[World Wrestling Entertainment]].</small><br> <small><sup>4</sup>He won the title for the third time in Kallang, Singapore. Records are unclear as to which promotion hosted the event.</small> ==Personal life== Flair does not know his full birth name. In the opening chapter of his autobiography ''[[To Be the Man]]'', titled "Black Market Baby," he notes that his birth name is given on different documents as Fred Phillips, Fred Demaree, and Fred Stewart. The chapter title is a reference to the fact that the Tennessee Children's Home Society, the agency with which he was placed for [[adoption]],<ref>Flair, Ric. Ric Flair: To Be the Man (p.?)</ref> was revealed in 1950 to have fraudulently induced thousands of mothers to give up their children for adoption. The future Ric Flair was adopted when he was six weeks old by a physician (father), Richard Reid Fliehr, and a theater writer (mother), Kathleen Virginia Kinsmiller. At the time of his adoption, his father was completing a residency in [[gynecology]] in [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]]. Shortly afterwards, the family settled in [[Edina, Minnesota]], where the young Richard Fliehr lived throughout his childhood. He later attended [[Wayland Academy]], a coeducational boarding school in [[Beaver Dam, Wisconsin]]. Flair's son [[David Flair|David]] is a semi-retired professional wrestler. Flair's younger son Reid, who signed a developmental contract with WWE near the end of 2007,<ref>[http://www.greensborosports.com/index.php WWE has signed Reid Fliehr of Charlotte, N.C., 19, the youngest son of Ric Flair, to a developmental contract. He will be starting in Florida Championship Wrestling in January.]</ref> is an accomplished high school wrestler and made several appearances on WCW television along with his sister Ashley and half-sister Megan.<ref name=Marvez>{{cite news|title=Alex Marvez's weekly look at professional wrestling|publisher=Scripps Howard News Service|url=http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=PROWRESTLING04-03-04-04|date=[[2003-03-04]]|accessdate=2007-09-15|quote=Not only is Flair's daughter Megan set to give birth to her first child on May 9, two of his other children are also excelling in high school athletics. Ashley Fliehr is one of the top volleyball players in North Carolina, while Reid Fliehr posted a 34-10 amateur wrestling record as a freshman.}}</ref> In December 2005, a [[magistrate]] issued arrest warrants for Flair after a [[Road rage (phenomenon)|road rage]] incident that took place in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], in which Flair allegedly got out of his car, grabbed a motorist by the neck, and kicked the door of the motorist's sport utility vehicle. Flair was charged with injury to personal property and simple assault and battery, both misdemeanors. This incident was ridiculed on WWE programming, most notably by the wrestler [[Adam Copeland|Edge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051205.html|title=RAW - 5 December 2005 Results|accessdate=2007-04-30|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> The charges were dropped after the witnesses failed to show for a scheduled court appearance. Flair is sometimes seen attending the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] [[National Hockey League|NHL]] [[ice hockey]] games at the [[RBC Center]] in [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]. When the Hurricanes score, one of a couple of videos appears on the scoreboard. One shows Flair in a Hurricanes jersey saying, "That's another Carolina Hurricanes goal! Woooooo!" Flair is also seen in the open segments of every [[Carolina Panthers]] home game. He ends his segment with his trademark "Woooooo" in which the crowd usually imitates. Flair is also a big fan of the [[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]] [[South Carolina Gamecocks|Gamecocks]], and has appeared in the pregame video for the Gamecocks. Flair has appeared in several motion pictures including: ''[[The Wrestler (1974 film)|The Wrestler]]'' (1974) and ''Sting: Moment of Truth'' (2004). Flair became a grandfather in 2004 when his eldest daughter, Megan Fliehr-Ketzner, gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Morgan Lee Ketzner on May 9.<ref name=Marvez/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/02/980288-sun.html|title=Going toe to toe with Ric Flair|first=Tim|last=Baines|publisher=[[Ottawa Sun]]|date=[[2005-04-02]]|accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref> On [[May 27]] [[2006]], Ric married his third wife, fitness competitor Tiffany VanDemark.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rfgolds.com/ricflairweddingpics.htm|title=Ric Flair Wedding Pics|work=A TRIBUTE TO "NATURE BOY" RIC FLAIR|accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref> In September 2007, Flair opened a financial business called ''Ric Flair Finance''.<ref>[http://www.ricflairfinance.com Ric Flair Finance // Welcome to Ric Flair Finance<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=John|last=Carney|url=http://www.dealbreaker.com/2007/09/the_finance_company_that_makes.php|title=The Finance Company That Makes You Want To Go "Wooo!"|publisher=Dealbreaker.com|date=[[2007-09-13]]|accessdate=2007-09-15 }}</ref> ===Politics=== Flair has long supported Republican political candidates in [[North Carolina]] politics.<ref name="governor">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/jan18_gov.html |title=Flair aims to be N.C governor |publisher=SLAM! Wrestling |accessdate=2008-03-11 |date=February 8, 2000}}</ref> In 2000, Flair explored the possibility of running for [[Governor]] of North Carolina,<ref name="governor"/> but never filed the papers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/feb8_gov.html|title=Flair doesn't file to be N.C. governor - yet|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-03-11|date=February 8, 2000}}</ref> In the 2008 presidential race, Ric Flair declared his support for the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] presidential candidate [[Mike Huckabee]]. He said of Huckabee, "[Huckabee] is a quality person, self-made, a great family man and he has a great vision for our country. And I'm here to excite the crowd."<ref>[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/25/huckabee-tailgates-and-welcomes-wrestler-support/ Huckabee tailgates and welcomes wrestler support]</ref> ==Notes== {{Reflist|2}} ==References== *{{cite book|last=Flair|first=Ric|coauthors=Keith Elliot Greenberg, Mark Madden (ed.)|title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man|year=2005|publisher=Pocket Books|location=New York|isbn=0743491815|oclc=60523429}} *{{cite book|author=Mick Foley|title=Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|publisher=HarperCollins|date=2000|isbn=0061031011}} *{{cite video|title=Ric Flair & The Four Horsemen|year=2007|publisher=WWE Home Video|location=Stamford, Connecticut|oclc=144971907}} *[http://www.ddtdigest.com/features/flairnws.htm Where Flair got the "Nature Boy" name] *[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1129051ric1.html Ric Flair at TheSmokingGun.com] *[http://www.wrestleinfo.com/Page3.html Ric Flair career bio at Wrestleinfo.com] *[http://www.cpol.net/tonyd/ricflair.htm A record of Flair's title victories] ==External links== {{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}} {{wikiquote}} *[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/ricflair/ WWE Profile] *{{imdb name|id=0282310|name=Ric Flair}} <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> {{Persondata |NAME= Flair, Ric |ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |SHORT DESCRIPTION=Professional wrestler |DATE OF BIRTH=1949-2-25 |PLACE OF BIRTH= [[Memphis, Tennessee]] |DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH= }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Flair, Ric}} [[Category:1949 births]] [[Category:American adoptees]] [[Category:American writers]] [[Category:American professional wrestlers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Charlotte, North Carolina]] [[Category:People from Minnesota]] [[Category:People from North Carolina]] [[Category:Professional wrestling executives]] [[Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]] [[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] [[Category:World Wrestling Council]] [[Category:WWE Hall of Fame]] [[bar:Ric Flair]] [[da:Ric Flair]] [[de:Ric Flair]] [[es:Richard Fliehr]] [[fr:Ric Flair]] [[ko:릭 플레어]] [[it:Ric Flair]] [[he:ריק פלייר]] [[nl:Ric Flair]] [[ja:リック・フレアー]] [[no:Ric Flair]] [[pl:Ric Flair]] [[pt:Ric Flair]] [[ro:Ric Flair]] [[ru:Рик Флэр]] [[fi:Ric Flair]] [[sv:Ric Flair]] [[th:ริก แฟลร์]] [[vi:Ric Flair]] [[tr:Ric Flair]]