Everybody say 'Woo!'
Best-selling author Ric Flair reminds fans why he's the man
By DANNY HOOLEY, Staff Writer
RALEIGH
-- "We are the most recognized athletes anywhere in the world," World Wrestling Entertainment star Ric Flair said a couple of weeks ago during a phone interview.
That may be true -- after all, WWE plays in 170 markets worldwide. Wrestling became mainstream big business in the 1990s, and it created international stars.
So, who's the greatest wrestling star of all time?
"Duh," answered Mike Reagan, 31, of Fuquay, with a derisive snort. He stood proudly with a commemorative Ric Flair championship belt slung over his shoulder Friday, minutes after Flair had autographed a photo for him at the Wal-Mart Supercenter off U.S. 70 at the Alexander Place Promenade.
Reagan and a friend arrived there early to get in front of a line that stretched from the photo frames aisle where Flair was seated, around two corners, and all the way to the men's apparel section near the front of the store.
Some stood on tiptoes behind the boxed TVs and entertainment centers across the aisle from the star to sneak peeks. A few took photos with digital cameras, some with cell phones.
Beginning at 6 p.m., Flair the "Nature Boy" sat and signed copies of his best-selling autobiography "To Be The Man" (World Wrestling Entertainment Books), flashing a friendly smile all around as he posed for pictures with fans for $2. Proceeds went to the Children's Miracle Network.
Flair looks fit at 55. The blinding effect of his snowy hair is accentuated by a deep tan that makes George Hamilton look like late night talk show host Conan O'Brien. He was quiet compared to the famous hyper persona. Not once did he break out the famous "woooo" he copped from an old Jerry Lee Lewis record back in the early '70s, as a rising star on WRAL's "Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling."
Fans at Wal-Mart loved him anyway.
"I've always admired him as being the dirtiest player in the game," said Charles Nichols, 19, a lifelong wrestling fan who lives in Wakefield. "I've always wanted that reputation."
Widely considered to be the master of rabble-rousing "ring psychology," Flair can play heel or hero -- preferably, heel. He's a great post-match interview. His robes are splendid. And his figure-four leg lock is a classic finishing move.
He began grappling the likes of Wahoo McDaniel and Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones in the 1970s for short change. He fought his way up through the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, now known as WWE.
"To Be The Man" chronicles his life from adoption by the Fliehr family of Minnesota from the unscrupulous Tennessee Children's Home Society (later the subject of a "60 Minutes" expose) to his WWE comeback in 2001 after some industry insiders had written him off.
Surely, at his age, those "bumps" he takes in the ring have to hurt. How long can he last?
"I don't know," he said with a chuckle. "That's up to [WWE]. I wasn't supposed to have been wrestling now."
If he ever quits, North Carolina's Republican Party may have a job for him. Flair has campaigned enthusiastically over the years for Rep. Sue Myrick, Sen. Elizabeth Dole and both Presidents Bush.
It has long been rumored that Flair, a fixture of Charlotte, would run for governor. Flair said he was once approached by the party for his speaking skills, political I.Q and, perhaps most importantly, name recognition.
"The reason I didn't run was because of the book," he said. "Now if they want me to run, I'll run. Because there's nothing I haven't told 'em." He laughed.
His favorite subject these days is his kids.
Flair said he couldn't wait until his youngest daughter Ashley's volleyball team at Charlotte's Providence Senior High School plays against Durham rival Riverside. He said Providence was going to "kick their butt, like they did last year."
Flair said he'll be on the sidelines for that one. Look out, Riverside: "Woooooo ..."
credit:
http://www.northraleighnews.com/front/story/1524271p-7697167c.html
