The Steel Cage

ORLANDO: It's 2 a.m. and I'm back in my hotel room, about to head out to the balcony to enjoy a cheap cigar and an adult beverage with my brother in law to celebrate a historic night.

If watching Ric Flair's final match was the greatest wrestling moment I ever witnessed in person, tonight was at the very least a close second. Being in the Amway Arena for Ric Flair's farewell ceremony was an absolutely surreal experience, even in the comic book world of pro wrestling.

You saw what I saw - the reunited Four Horsemen, Rick Steamboat, and nearly the entire WWE locker room coming out to salute the Nature Boy one last time. But here's some of what you didn't see.

Almost immediately after the show went off the air, the familiar tolling of a bell sounded, the lights went dark, and the wrestlers parted the aisle to let the Undertaker through. He did his full entrance, stepped into the ring, took off his coat and hat, then shook Flair's hand and embraced him, while whispering in his ear. Undertaker then took his signature pose on one knee and saluted the Nature Boy.

The magic didn't end there. Next out was Vince McMahon, who rushed to the ring with a gigantic smile on his face and then absorbed Flair in a big, enthusiastic hug. He held up Flair's hand in victory and posed for the arena.

Flair shook hands with Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross, who gave Flair an affectionate slap of the cheek. Flair then brought his family back into the ring, and did his strut, took off his jacket, and dropped an elbow and a knee on it, to the crowd's delight. He had the camera zoom in on a gold watch that he said McMahon had just given him.

After taking the microphone and giving the fans one last, emotional, "Thank you," Flair stepped out of the ring, and made his way down the ramp. Fans responded with a rousing, "Thank you, Ric" chant.

Then in absolutely awesome moment, the gathering of wrestlers and WWE officials parted, in unison with 16,000 fans, bowed to the greatest wrestler who ever lived.

Flair shook several hands, and hugged several tearful admirers - including Bob Holly, Chuck Palumbo, John Laurinities and a tearful Stephanie McMahon - before blowing a final kiss to the audience, and disappearing behind the curtain.

Incidentally, local ads had promoted a dark match main event of Finlay and John Cena vs. Randy Orton and JBL. The match never took place. I can't remember a time when I was so pleased with a main event not being delivered as promised.

Nothing could have followed what I was lucky enough to witness in person. I have to give it to WWE - There was a lot of faltering along the way in the storyline of Flair's impending retirement. But in the end, Ric Flair received a send off unlike wrestling world has ever seen, or will likely see again. In an industry in which great careers so often end with a whimper, or even worse, with a tragedy, it's so gratifying to see the greatest of all time go out on the highest of notes. Flair seemed truly, deeply happy, and more importantly, at peace.

Leaving the show, there was traffic on the I-4 headed westbound just outside the arena, as two lanes were closed for construction. But with my car window cracked open, the sound I heard was not the frustration of beeping horns, but rather a constant chorus of "Whoo!" from the cars around me.

Never in my life have I been so grateful to be able to say, "I was there."