Our guest today is the one and only, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. His career has lasted over four decades and he has no plan to stop. Not mention, his daughter has continued the legacy, and has made a name for herself, all on her own. In the episode, we talk about his newest venture, Celebrity Slots, classic highlights from his career, how wrestling has changed since he began, and much more.
Our guest today is the one and only, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. His career has lasted over four decades and he has no plan to stop. Not mention, his daughter has continued the legacy, and has made a name for herself, all on her own. In the episode, we talk about his newest venture, Celebrity Slots, classic highlights from his career, how wrestling has changed since he began, and much more.
The unmistakable strut. The overdramatic flop. The flagrant low blow. The… "Woooooooo!"
Such an animated performer like Ric Flair can't be encapsulated in words. He's a man of vibrant actions and endless sound bites. If Dean Malenko is "The Man of 1,000 Holds," then Flair is absolutely "The Man of 1,000 Faces" – each one more flushed red with intensity than the last.
There was a time when Flair didn't blaze through arenas like a fireball of charisma, but that was before he found his calling as "The Nature Boy." Prior to stealing kisses, flying on jets and riding in limousines, the 16-time World Heavyweight Champion was an adopted, brown-haired kid in Minnesota with a chip on his shoulder.
Flair showcased his athletic ability early in life, competing in wrestling, football and track at a boarding school in Wisconsin. After winning the state private school wrestling championship in 1966 and 1968, he was recruited to the University of Minnesota on a football scholarship. But it wasn't until he dropped out that he got his first big opportunity as a sports entertainer.
Working as a bouncer at a nightclub, Flair met Olympic weightlifter Ken Patera, who introduced the young "Slick Ric" to legendary performer and tough-as-nails trainer Verne Gagne. The 10-time AWA World Heavyweight Champ had quite a class for his wrestling camp in 1971, which also included Patera, The Iron Sheik and Jim Brunzell. From there, it was simply a matter of time before Flair would start to turn heads with his colorful personality and in-ring prowess. And....the rest is history.
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