03.25.08
The Nature Boy Turns Back The Clock
I probably won’t be shelling out the PPV cash for Wrestlemania XIV this Sunday night, not unless the Braves/Nats game is rained out. And besides, no matter what happens when Ric Flair takes on Shawn Michaels, I think we might’ve already seen a superior performance from the former last night.
“I need one more night”
I believe every word.
“Do you want a champion who looks like a man? Or one who looks like Bertt Grable?” — Dick the Bruiser on Flair, St. Louis, 1982. At this point, with that gasping, struggling, stroke survivor interview style of his, I’m surprised AARP isn’t protesting this over senior abuse.
Uh … that’s supposed to be “Betty Grable,” who the Bruiser was still referencing well into the Reagan Era.
Ben
we might part on this partic. point, but as someone who has usually cringed at the way Flair’s been used over the last decade (at least), this was one instance where I thought being older than dirt served him really well.
I guess I’m just assuming he’ll win.
Has anyone actually lost a “win or retire” match? My memories are vague, but I think most times it’s a cover for someone to jump to another promotion.
Also, I agree with GC that Flair has been abused (although, since I can’t really bring myself to watch any more, I’m assuming a lot). There just isn’t a graceful way for wrestlers to age, because everyone ends up being a combatant at some point. Probably the most apt finish would be some sort of John Henry (the legend, not the Red Sox owner) moment, with Flair dropping dead after locking in the figure-4. That would be the ultimate swerve, then, for Flair to play possum and simply fade away, but it would never happen.
Blassie segued well into retirement/managing. He had no problem in loser leaves town matches, since he could do no wrong in Japan and his widow is Japanese. Will Flair put Shawn Michaels over?
Ben
Woooooooo!
No matter what happens in the square circle, the Nature Boy will always be number one in our hearts.