The Piledriver Report 06.03.09: Ric Flair- Just Call It a Comeback?

Posted by Ronny Sarnecky on 06.03.2009

Over the last several months, Ric Flair has gotten the itch to lace the boots once again, and become an active wrestler. While there have been reasons why Flair wants to return, there are also valid reasons why the “Nature Boy” should stay retired. The Piledriver Report answers the question of what should Ric Flair do?

Should he, or shouldn't he? That seems to be the big question regarding Ric Flair these days. Should Ric Flair stay retired, or should he walk down that aisle and wrestle once again? This is an interesting question that doesn't have a right or wrong answer. It's a question that is based more on what your opinion is then on what is the correct route that the "Nature Boy" should take.

Ric Flair is arguably the greatest performer in the history of professional wrestling. The list of great matches that he has been a part of is long and glorious. On any given night, the fans could witness Ric Flair wrestle under the lights for an hour. Thus, his moniker of being a "sixty minute man." Sorry Ric, but you didn't get that name from your cheating ways. He was also a great promo man. Hearing him on the mic, you either wanted to see him get his ass kicked, or you wanted Flair to keep the title because he was so cool. There was no in between regarding your feelings on Flair.

Watching Flair perform, you knew that you were witnessing greatness. It didn't matter who he was in the ring with. Ricky Steamboat, Terry Funk, Lex Luger, Sting, Dusty Rhodes, Magnum TA, Randy Savage, or Hulk Hogan. Each feud left the fans with memories they would keep for the rest of their life. Even during the later part of his career, when motivated, Ric Flair could still put on a hell of a show.

As great as Ric Flair was, the problem is that he is no longer that same performer. Can he still give the fans a magical night in the ring? Probably. Not on most nights, but depending on the opponent, he could probably turn back the hands of time. He did at WrestleMania XXIV against Shawn Michaels. However, Shawn Michaels, like Flair, is one of the greatest performers of all-time. The greatness of that match had as much to do with the "Heartbreak Kid's" performance, as it did with Ric Flair's. At 60 years old, the days of Ric Flair being able to "work with a broom" are long gone.

Regardless of age, the one area in Flair's game that has not declined is his ability to cut a promo. Over the past couple of years, Ric Flair has given some really good interviews. In his pseudo-feud with Carlito around WrestleMania XXIII, Ric Flair went on a tirade on Carlito regarding his work ethic. Last year, his interviews against Shawn Michaels leading up to their WrestleMania match were some of the best non-scripted promos in the business. The image of Ric Flair pulling out the old NWA World Heavyweight title belt from a bag, and talking about his legacy gave the fans a powerful image.

The biggest variable in trying to figure out whether or not Flair should come back has to do with the way Ric Flair left the company in 2008. When Mick Foley "retired" in 2000, some fans complained when Foley came back to the ring. After all, here was yet another wrestling retirement that didn't last. However, the majority of fans were not upset when Foley came back. For the most part, he was missed, and the fans were glad to have him back.

Ric Flair's retirement was different though. Where Foley's retirement was not full of pomp and circumstance, Flair's retirement was a farewell fit for royalty. Never before has a wrestler been given the send off that Ric Flair was presented with. Not Hulk Hogan, not The Rock, not Steve Austin, and not Bruno Sammartino.

WrestleMania Weekend could have been re-titled WrestleMania XXIV: A Tribute to the "Nature Boy." From the Hall of Fame ceremony, to Flair's match against Shawn Michaels, to the tearful standing ovation after the match, to the even more tears the next night on RAW, the WWE showed Ric Flair the utmost respect they have ever shown anyone. What makes the celebration of Ric Flair's career even more amazing is when you realize that Flair created his greatness in Jim Crockett Promotions, and not for Vince McMahon. Can you see any other wrestler getting the same kind of send of that Flair got? Perhaps Shawn Michaels may get something similar. However, that's about it. The Undertaker would, except that would be totally against the character that Mark Calaway has played during the past nineteen years.

Flair had the perfect send off. It was as perfect as you can get in wrestling. However, was it too perfect? What I mean is the "Flair Goodbye" segment on RAW was so emotional that it created one of those rare "do you remember where you were when this happened" moments that only come around a few times in ones life time. A moment like this should live in your mind forever, and become even greater with age. You do not want anything to tarnish this memory. Would a Ric Flair return ruin the greatness that is the "Flair Goodbye?"

Professional wrestling is a work. The winners and losers are predetermined. Many spots in each match are prearranged. Storylines are written in advance of them happening. The Flair sendoff was a work. The only thing spontaneous about the "good bye" was the tears that fell from the wrestlers' eyes. It doesn't matter. Even if every action in the segment was preplanned, it was still special. The Ric Flair send off was the closest thing the wrestling audience will ever get to seeing one of their favorite performers' "number retired." Like an aging Hall of Fame ballplayer, the fans witnessed every moment, good and bad, of this player's career. When the player decides to hang up the spikes, and his team retires his jersey, it's more then just saying his number will no longer be worn. The jersey retirement is a celebration, as much for the fans and their memories of the greatness this player once had, as it is for the player himself. This is why the "Flair Goodbye" means so much to wrestling fans around the world.

An internal reason of debate for Ric Flair has to do with his "final" match against Shawn Michaels. He has said in several interviews that he has too much respect for Shawn, and would need Shawn's seal of approval before having another match. It's nice to hear Flair say that, but at the same time, is it enough to keep Ric Flair away from wrestling in a match ever again? Probably not. Despite the gorgeous watch that Shawn bought Flair to honor their match, I can't see Michaels standing in Flair's way.

The question remains "what should Ric Flair do?" I've been thinking a lot lately on what my opinion is regarding this question. Personally, I'd rather not see Ric Flair wrestle in another match. We have seen the best of Ric Flair. The days of the "Nature Boy" tearing the house down are long gone. He may find lightening in a bottle on one night when the stars are perfectly aligned. However, the odds are he will not. Today, seeing Ric Flair's name on the marquee is not going to be a determining factor on whether or not I order a pay per view.

I want to remember Shawn saying, "I'm sorry. I love you" before he levels Flair with Sweet Chin Music. I want to remember Ric Flair's family in tears around the ring. I want to remember wrestlers past and present inside and around the ring saying good-bye to the "Nature Boy."

What I don't want to remember is a sagging Flair struggling to keep up with the youth in the WWE. I don't want to see Flair be a main player for a few months, only to be then used as fodder to put over wrestlers who do not deserve the rub of beating a man that is the legend that Ric Flair is. I don't want to see Ric Flair come back wrestling for only a few months, or wrestling for some indy promoter in front of a few hundred people where he later regrets not having the WrestleMania XXIV weekend be the bookend to his in-ring career.

When Ric Flair says that he is more talented then 90% of the people in the company, he is right. He is more talented ON THE MIC. There is a place for Ric Flair in the WWE. He doesn't have to sit completely on the sidelines. Ric Flair never lost his gift for gab. He can use his mouth for his post in-ring career. He would be a perfect General Manager for one of the many WWE brands. However, if he wants a more active role then that, he could become a manager. Flair could manage a younger wrestler that "he sees something in." He could turn this wrestler in his protégé, thus giving him a rub. Eventually, the protégé will feel he has learned all he can from Flair, and would turn on him, ala Larry Zybysko when Bruno Sammartino was his mentor. Flair can then get a main event babyface to defend his honor, and a new heel main eventer, Flair's former protégé, is born.

This is what I would like to see happen. After all, I can't picture the wrestling industry without Ric Flair. I can't fault Flair if he decides to put the boots on again. Sure, I would be disappointed. However, I won't criticize him for the decision. If he thinks he can still go, and still has the drive and passion, whom are we to stop him from earning a living doing what he loves to do? The golden question is WILL he return? The WWE already planted the seeds by having him fight in a street fight during this past Monday night's RAW telecast. I think this was a three-layered test. It was a test to see if the fans will accept Flair back in the ring. It was a test to see if Flair still has the itch, or did an "unsanctioned street fight" cure that itch. It was a test to see if the WWE thinks he could come back as an in-ring competitor.

I ask for a final time, what will Ric Flair do? In my opinion, Ric Flair will wrestle in a ring again. Why, because professional wrestlers never retire. Neither will Ric Flair.