That Ric Flair tribute was something else
I work Monday nights, so I didn't see the Ric Flair tribute on Raw, but watching the video on WWE.com just now, all I can say is wow.
I should have known it was something special when Meltzer on his Web site called it the most wonderful segment on a wrestling show he had ever seen.
But the outpouring of love and emotion really was something to behold.
I was there in Charlotte in November 2001 the night that Ric Flair (and Jerry Lawler) made their returns, and just to see the energy surrounding the man that night was incredible.
The guy is a true professional and a true gentleman (he always called me "sir" -- mostly because I don't think he ever knew my name, but even so, I started calling people "sir" out of respect as well). What you saw on Raw last night was so amazing because it was REAL. Not because you've seen Ric Flair's last match (because I'm still convinced you haven't) but because you saw virtually every star in wrestling break character to show love and pay tribute to someone who's been in this business for three and a half decades.
The wrestling business is an incredibly flawed one and its problems and politics are well documented. But there's also times when it can be absolutely magical.
I applaud WWE for how they handled things last night on Raw.
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Comments (12)
tully is the man
I thought it was awesome that after all the build up for what appeared to be a lackluster card, WWE completly surprised us by putting together 3 days of some of the best stuff ever presented by a wrestling promotion. I defy anybody to find something packed with more emotion than the past couple days of WWE TV. This weekend far exceeded my expectaions, After a year of just bad news and flat out embarassing storylines, the WWE finally came through with genuine emotion I haven't seen since...well ever. I'm actually proud to be a wrestling fan. Too bad the random JBL/Orton feud is going to kill all of that.
Seth, do you know the story behind the heat Vince has with Ole Anderson? I know some thing's there, I'm just not sure of the whole story.
It was apparent when they introduce Barry W. as one of the original 4 horseman, which all the marks know is not the case. You know what would have blown the roof off the place (and possibly taken a little shine off of Flair) is if TNA and WWE reached an agreement to let Sting appear for the celebration. I bet TNA would have let it happen (maybe under the clause that Sting wear a TNA shirt to the ring or something). Still, it was the probably the most electric moment that was palpable to a TV audience since Jericho made his debut in Chicago.
I thought it would have been great if Sting showed up. But what I was disappointed in, was they should have had Orton come up as a member of Evolution. I mean if HHH announced John Cena's name the way he did (with a lot of enthusiasm) and Edge and Orton were the two biggest clappers, you may as well have had them break character (is that called Kayfabe?) and come on up.
On another note, I'm glad you said he was a nice guy. I've always disliked him for the way he treated Mick Foley. Can you elaborate on that?
I enjoyed last night's show quite a bit; however, I thought it seemed a bit odd that Vince McMahon didn't appear.
He did after the show went of air.
I'm actually gonna disagree Seth - I believe that *was* Flair's last match. Even when he eventually returns to an on-camera role, I can't see him cheapen the whole angle, and the classic he had with HBK by putting on the tights again, well into his 60's. For our sake and his, I hope I'm right.
I think it is the last time you will see him in the ring. But never say never in wrestling.
He is one of those guys that always seemed to do what is best for the business no matter what. Flair, Foley, Sting, Undertaker are a few that come to mind.
What was amazing about the Flair tribute was its uniquness. Wrestling is a business where most times you get carried out when you retire or if you do get a tribute like Flair, it's because you died at an extremely young age.
The only thing I could compare the Flair tribute to was the Raw is Owen, the night after Owen Hart died. I'm just glad Ric didn't have to die to get a tribute like that.
People like Hogan will never get a tribute like Flair did because Ric is universally loved backstage.
As for Windham and Ole, Windham was there because he works with the WWE. I think Ole has animosity with McMahon when McMahon bought Georgis Championship Wrestling from the Briscos where Ole was booking the show. Ole then started a rival prommotion and McMahon was forced to sell his TBS time slot to Jim Crockett.
The thing is Vince tried to make good with Ole when the deal was signed, from what I've heard. But Ole refused, insulted Linda and walked away. I think most of the problems Ole has in and with the wrestling business he caused himself.
Ole doesn't have the best reputation in the business, especially when he ran the book in WCW. So I can believe that Ole insulted Linda.
raw was actually something else. i used to be a huge flair fan but lately i just feel he has become stale and wish he would have turned heel for a while and won the world title...then turn face and retire.
i think they should NOT have announced batista but orton instead. orton is evolution and will be a main eventer for years to come (unlike batista) and hes also the wwe champ...not announcing him was a mistake because he is the champ just like flair intended him to be