Professional wrestling isn’t a sport for the outdated. As wrestlers age, they fall out of the limelight, struggling to search out their place in a sport that grows and morphs with the occasions, skewing youthful and youthful.
Unless, you’re the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. At 75, Flair stays within the limelight by means of a collection of reinventions and creations, resembling Wooooo! Energy drink, which has partnered with the Cleveland Cavaliers to be their latest power drink. I spoke to Flair over Zoom in regards to the partnership, in addition to how he sees his legacy permeate all through professional wrestling and tradition.
J.P. Acosta (JA): One of the issues that’s been popping up lately is that “skilled wrestling is cool once more”. Everyone is reaching again into the world of the WWE and AEW, and their recognition is rising. What do you suppose makes professional wrestling cool, and why do you suppose it’s seen a resurgence?
Ric Flair (RF): I feel it’s at all times been related. I feel within the final six months, to have The Rock concerned actually added numerous momentum to it. But it’s at all times been one thing that the American persons are going to like. People are going to like the great man, and dislike the unhealthy man, and it’s very, very superior leisure. I like it to at the present time.
JA: How cool was it seeing the legacy of Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen final all through not solely professional wrestling, however in popular culture as effectively?
RF: It simply type of got here to me, I didn’t search it out. I bought to fulfill with Offset and Metro Boomin and people guys reached out. I’ve executed stuff with Bad Bunny, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg. I’ve been mates with them for years. I don’t know what number of completely different songs I’ve been in from completely different artists that I haven’t been paid for, however my identify being talked about is a giant deal.
JA: As the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) champion, what was it like going from territory to territory, seeing the followers providing you with love or hate?
RF: It was an exceptional expertise. There was numerous work on the market, although. You know, generally I traveled as much as 9 to 12,000 miles per week once I was going forwards and backwards internationally. I used to go from Sydney, to Auckland, then Auckland to St. Louis. Then I went from there to Atlanta, after which again to Japan. I imply, I used to be wrestling an hour each night time, ? It was lengthy journeys however man, the gratitude is phenomenal. In the outdated days, the ‘80s once I went to Japan there can be in all probability 500 individuals ready for me on the airport. They would have a press convention downtown, we’d have enjoyable then prepare for the subsequent day.
JA: Who was your favourite wrestler to work with throughout that point?
RF: My two favourite had been [Ricky] Steamboat and Sting. Loved Wahoo McDaniel, that’s once I was actually younger. Blackjack Mulligan, I imply I’ve been fortunate sufficient to wrestle everyone. I enojyed wrestling [Bruiser] Brody in Japan and in America. I’ve traveled the world, I’ve had a good time and I’m actually lucky to nonetheless be right here.
JA: Were there any occasions the place you needed to change your fashion or modified the best way you wrestled relying on the territory that you just had been in?
RF: No, I by no means modified what I used to be doing. You know, sadly I used to be wrestling numerous guys who weren’t within the type of form to wrestle for an hour, in order that turned tedious at occasions. But that’s the best way it went, we both went an hour or the champion received and that was the golden rule.
JA: It looks like such a bodily taxing factor, professional wrestling. But when the group will get into it, it should be gratifying. What was it like listening to the group get extra into it as you bought deeper right into a match?
RF: It’s nice. Once you may have them, then you possibly can play with them. It’s about getting their consideration, and while you get their consideration, an hour feels extra like 20 minutes. If you don’t have their consideration an hour can really feel like two hours. The massive a part of it’s studying learn how to get the group up and down. That’s generally simpler stated than executed, however you need them to really feel each emotion you’re experiencing.
JA: One of the questions I wished to ask you was about storytelling throughout a match. How did you go about that course of?
RF: Well it simply trusted who I used to be wrestling, it was a special story with each completely different opponent, if that is smart. I can’t actually clarify it, with Steamboat we didn’t even speak we simply knew we had been going, we labored that many hours collectively. And with Sting it was a chance to type of have a instructing course of, however he caught on so rapidly and he turned really easy to work with. We had been on the market simply having enjoyable.
JA: What was it like each being on TV and seeing guys like Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and Sting be on TV and the love that that they had nonetheless stays not solely with the followers, however present wrestlers?
RF: Oh, it’s been nice. I imply it doesn’t change. They’re all very respectful of me, to the purpose the place it’s flattering. You know, I attempt to keep related, concerned in so many alternative issues now nonetheless which is uncommon for somebody my age. I imply, despite the fact that I work for AEW, I can go to a WWE present and nobody says something. I’m not gonna not see my daughter when she’s again and wholesome. I’m going to go and see her and Tony [AEW owner Tony Khan] doesn’t care. That’s the type of man Tony is, and what AEW is.
JA: Tell me just a little bit about your budding WNBA fandom.
RF: Well I’ve at all times preferred it, however this factor between [Indiana Fever G] Caitlin Clark and [Chicago Sky F] Angel Reese have simply been phenomenal. I simply want they paid the women extra, to get that discovered as a result of when Caitlin is within the constructing, it’s packed. I’m positive if we search for Angel it’s the very same factor. There have at all times been such nice feminine athletes, I’m joyful they’re getting the popularity they deserve.
JA: What’s your partnership with the Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be?
RF: It’s with my power drink Woooo Energy, and we sponsor them. We’re additionally working with the Philadelphia 76ers this 12 months too.
JA: What’s it like seeing the legacy of Ric Flair nonetheless residing to at the present time, all through all walks of life?
RF: Well I by no means take it without any consideration. I’m simply grateful that it’s all taking place. I do suppose it’s uncommon that somebody my age continues to be getting as a lot consideration as I’m, however I don’t thoughts it.
JA: My final query for you: who’re a few of your favourite present wrestlers to observe?
RF: Well primary can be my daughter, in fact. But Randy [Orton], AJ [Styles]. I imply I like numerous guys, like MJF. It’s arduous to pick 4 or 5 guys, however I imply we bought nice, nice expertise in each corporations. You know, it’s arduous to say who’s one of the best however I’ve some favorites. The Young Bucks are simply completely sensational. What an exceptional match they gave Sting and Darby [Allin]. (Laughing) Darby is an excessive amount of, man. Orange Cassidy is one in every of my favorites. I imply, all these guys are nice, great individuals.
