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Professional wrestling is a long-running form of entertainment, with many big names we can fondly remember. Kamala, who passed away recently, was one of them. Ric Flair, who was written off last night’s RAW is another.
At age 71, Ric Flair – born Richard Morgan Fliehr – is one of the few professional wrestlers inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame twice. Actually, he was the first one. He is officially recognized as a 16-time World Champion, he was the first to complete the WCW’s Triple Crown, and he repeated this performance with the WWE’s version, holding the Intercontinental Championship, the WWF Championship, and the World Tag Team Championship at the same time.
Wrestling has been with as for more than half a century, staying on the air even when the pandemic reduced most other disciplines to virtual sports this year. And Ric Flair has been a part of it for more than 30 years.
Going pro
Ric Flair was trained by American Wrestling Association founder Verne Gagne, making his professional debut in December 1972. During his time with the AWA, he fought athletes like 2019 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Wahoo McDaniel and André the Giant, among others. Under an agreement between Gagne and the IWE, Flair started competing in Japan in 1973. A year later, he left AWA for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), capturing his first individual title in 1975.
Almost losing everything
Soon, in turn, Ric Flair’s career was nearly cut short by a plane crash in Wilmington, North Carolina that killed the pilot and paralyzed wrestler Johnny Valentine. Flair’s back broke in three places, and doctors told him he’d never wrestle again.
He didn’t listen to his doctors, though. After eight months of rigorous physical therapy, he returned to the ring in February 1976 – he had to change his brawling fighting style, though, to a submission-based one, though.
During the next three years, he feuded with Rocky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, and Greg Valentine, among others, holding five reigns with the NWA.
Clash of the Champions
The inaugural edition of the Clash of the Champions was an event to remember. Held on March 27, 1988, the main card of the evening was Ric Flair and Sting’s fight for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
The two heavyweights fought for 45 full minutes – the time limit imposed on the match. As none of them could score a decision, it was up to the judges to decide the result. Gary Juster awarded the match to Sting, Patty Mullen declared Flair the winner, while Sandy Scott said it was a draw. The match was finally declared a draw, with Flair retaining the title.