In July 2022, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair wrestled what is believed to be his “last match”. Flair teamed up with his son-in-law, Andrade El Idolo, to defeat “Double J” Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal in a tag match. The match was heavily promoted under the Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) banner, with many wrestling legends such as The Undertaker, Mick Foley, Bret “Hitman” Hart, Diamond Dallas Page (DDP), and others in attendance for his final match.
Since that time, Flair has spoken about the match and is proud of how well it was received by fans and his peers. He told his son-in-law and co-host, Conrad Thompson on their podcast, To Be The Man, that he “regretted” stating this would be his match, toying with the idea that he was considering at least one more match down the road.
After witnessing Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat announce that he was coming out of retirement to wrestle one more match, The Nature Boy was inspired to reconsider apparently. Ric Flair posted a tweet earlier on Monday thanking all the fans who wished him a happy 50th anniversary in the wrestling business and went on to say that, “he will never retire”.
Flair wrote: “Thank You To Everyone Who Helped Me Celebrate My 50 Years In The Business! One Thing Is For Certain… I WILL NEVER RETIRE! WOOOOO! #50YearsOfFlair”
Thank You To Everyone Who Helped Me Celebrate My 50 Years In The Business! One Thing Is For Certain… I WILL NEVER RETIRE! WOOOOO! #50YearsOfFlair pic.twitter.com/tOhGVpcrJB
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) September 26, 2022
Ric Flair: “I Will Never Retire”
Why The Nature Boy May Wish to Reconsider
The tweet may be taken out of context and was a way for Flair to get the internet wrestling community talking, or he could be seriously considering coming out of retirement for another match or two. The tweet regarding the prospect of Ric Flair maybe, or maybe not, planning to retire can be interpreted one way or the other.
Speaking as a wrestling fan and as a fan of “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair since the day I started watching pro wrestling over thirty years ago, I have to respectfully disagree with Flair. We are well aware the man is 73 years old with health issues, a pacemaker, and has a hard time moving around inside the ring. I believe that “Naitch” went out the best way possible and worked a good match for what it was worth.
To see Flair back into the ring under any circumstances beyond this point would be a slap to the face of every fan who paid a ticket to attend his supposed “final match”. Every fan who purchased the event through streaming services like FITE TV. Most of all, this would tarnish his legacy and put Flair’s own life at risk. For those fans who always laughed and poked fun at The Nature Boy, stating that he has a deathwish and wants to die in the ring doing what he loves, he would be giving those people that satisfaction.
I do not want to see Ric Flair, much less any wrestler for that matter, pass away inside the ring. I do not want to wake up and see that headline. Bad enough that I had to witness Owen Hart die on worldwide television back in 1999 due to a tragic accident. I don’t want to see one of my childhood heroes die at the hands of his own selfish pride and/or ego.
In closing, enough is enough, Ric! You’ve had your historic career. You have an incredible legacy to be proud of. The flair legacy will be carried on through your daughter, Ashley (Charlotte Flair) and son-in-law, Andrade El Idolo. Now is the time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor as a 21 (not 16-time) former World Heavyweight Champion.
They say to, “be the man, you gotta beat the man”. In my eyes, you are the man, and no one will ever come close to lacing up your boots. Thank you for all your hard work, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears that you’ve sacrificed for this industry and inspiring wrestling reporters such as myself to have a position to be able to write and discuss your legacy today. It has been an honor and privilege to write this piece in your honor.
Thank you, Ric Flair. Thank you for the memories!
Woooooooooo!!!!!
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