Ric Flair’s rise to wrestling superstardom is inseparable from his unique approach to the business—an approach that contrasts sharply with that of his contemporary, Hulk Hogan. While Hogan’s legacy is marred by stories of backstage politics, paranoia, and a refusal to pass the torch, Flair is remembered as a generous performer who understood that his success was intertwined with the success of his opponents.
The Three Faces of Ric Flair
To fully appreciate Ric Flair’s impact, it’s crucial to understand the three distinct personas that define him: Honest Flair, Performer Flair, and Petulant Flair.
Honest Flair is the man behind the character—the one who wrote his autobiography and made booking decisions for WCW. This Flair was introspective and realistic, recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of his peers and himself. When he speaks as Honest Flair, he offers a candid view of the wrestling world. For instance, while Performer Flair might praise Kerry von Erich as a legend in front of the camera, Honest Flair, in his autobiography, describes von Erich as someone who struggled with the demands of wrestling at the highest level, lacking the focus and skill needed to carry a match of great length and complexity. This duality shows Flair’s ability to separate the on-screen character from the off-screen reality, offering a more nuanced understanding of the business.
As a WCW booker, Honest Flair was notable for his eye for talent and his willingness to put over younger wrestlers. He saw the potential in future stars like Brian Pillman and Alex Wright, and even though his status in the industry could have allowed him to book himself as an unbeatable champion, Flair often chose to lose to others when it made sense for the storyline. This humility and long-term vision helped WCW maintain its competitive edge and fostered the development of future stars. Unlike Hogan, who was infamous for using his backstage clout to remain at the top, Flair was more concerned with the overall health of the promotion and the business.
Performer Flair, on the other hand, is the Ric Flair most fans know—the larger-than-life character who lived and breathed the “Nature Boy” persona. This Flair is the embodiment of excess, with his flashy robes, endless bragging, and tales of a rockstar lifestyle. Performer Flair was always on, always ready to entertain, whether in the ring, on the mic, or during interviews. His promos were legendary, filled with hyperbole and bravado, but also with a deep sense of wrestling history. No other wrestler could so effortlessly weave together the details of past matches, opponents, and events, giving his promos a richness that added layers to his feuds and rivalries. For example, when Flair talked about his previous battles with legends like Harley Race or Dusty Rhodes, he wasn’t just hyping himself—he was building a narrative that connected his current opponent to the grand history of the sport.
Petulant Flair represents the darker, more contentious side of Ric Flair. While less dominant in his later years, this aspect of Flair’s personality occasionally surfaced, particularly in moments of frustration or when he felt his legacy was being disrespected. An example of this is his recent spat with WWE and Becky Lynch over the use of “The Man” moniker, a phrase Flair believed was his intellectual property, derived from his iconic catchphrase, “To be the man, you gotta beat the man.” Flair’s public demand for acknowledgment (and possibly compensation) was seen by many as petty, especially considering the phrase’s broader cultural adoption. This side of Flair isn’t always negative, though—Petulant Flair also emerged in moments of defiance that became legendary, such as when Jim Herd, a former Pizza Hut executive turned WCW head, proposed that Flair adopt a comic-book-style gladiator gimmick named Spartacus. Flair flatly refused, eventually leaving WCW and taking the championship belt with him to WWF, where he had one of the most memorable runs of his career. His defiance against absurd creative decisions preserved his legacy and showcased his understanding of what made his character work.
Flair’s Mastery of Wrestling Storytelling
Ric Flair’s greatest strength was his ability to tell a story—both in the ring and on the microphone. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Flair’s matches weren’t just about physicality; they were about psychology, drama, and the build-up to a climactic moment. He had a unique ability to adapt his style to suit different opponents, whether it was the hard-hitting brawls with Harley Race, the high-flying technical battles with Ricky Steamboat, or the power struggles with strongmen like Lex Luger. Flair’s in-ring adaptability made him a versatile and consistent performer, capable of delivering compelling matches with virtually anyone.
One of Flair’s most distinguishing traits was his use of history in his promos. While other wrestlers relied on catchphrases or simple taunts, Flair would often recount specific matches, dates, and opponents, painting a picture of his career as an ongoing saga. This not only elevated his current feuds but also educated fans about wrestling’s rich history. For younger viewers, Flair’s promos were a window into the past, introducing them to legends they may not have seen, like Harley Race or the Von Erichs. This ability to contextualize his career within the broader history of wrestling made Flair seem larger than life, a man who had battled through eras and come out on top.
While some critics, like Bret Hart, have argued that Flair’s matches were formulaic, this critique misses the point of Flair’s style. Like any great performer, Flair understood that certain elements worked because they resonated with audiences. His so-called “pat” moves weren’t a sign of laziness; they were the tools of a master craftsman who knew how to keep a crowd engaged. Just as rock music relies on certain chords and horror movies on specific scares, Flair’s repetition of certain spots or sequences was a deliberate choice to ensure maximum impact. His ability to maintain crowd interest over the course of long matches—sometimes lasting up to an hour—speaks to his skill in pacing and storytelling.
Elevating Others and Defining an Era
What truly sets Ric Flair apart from other wrestling legends is his willingness to elevate those around him. While Hogan’s approach was to dominate and remain the undisputed top star, often at the expense of others’ careers, Flair’s philosophy was the opposite. He understood that the wrestling business was about making stars, not just being one. His rivalries with Sting, Steamboat, and Luger, among others, are prime examples of how Flair used his status to build up his opponents, making them look like legitimate threats and, in turn, raising the stakes of his own matches.
This selflessness extended beyond the ring. As a booker, Flair was instrumental in identifying and nurturing new talent, often putting them over even when it meant losing himself. This approach not only kept the product fresh but also ensured that the next generation of wrestlers was ready to take the reins. Flair’s understanding that a strong opponent made for a stronger champion is a lesson that many of his peers never fully grasped. This mindset is what made Flair a true leader in the industry and solidified his legacy as one of wrestling’s greatest icons.
Flair’s impact on WCW’s rise in the mid-1990s cannot be overstated. While many attribute the company’s success to the arrival of Hulk Hogan and the subsequent nWo storyline, it was Flair who laid the groundwork. His feud with Randy Savage, which saw both men at their most unhinged, brought a level of intensity and unpredictability that had been missing from WCW’s main event scene. This rivalry, more than any other, marked the point where WCW began to seriously compete with WWF in the Monday night ratings war. Flair’s ability to reinvent himself, stay relevant, and drive compelling storylines was key to WCW’s ascendance and, ultimately, its ability to challenge WWF’s dominance.
The Anti-Hogan
Ric Flair’s career is a study in contrasts, especially when compared to Hulk Hogan. Where Hogan was a symbol of invincibility and often refused to lose cleanly, Flair was a wrestler who understood the importance of vulnerability. Flair’s 16 world championship reigns are a testament not just to his greatness but to his willingness to lose the title, often in ways that made his opponents look like world-beaters. This approach created a cycle where Flair’s loss set up an even bigger win down the line, keeping fans invested and ensuring that each title change felt significant.
Hogan’s booking, particularly during his WCW run, often left his opponents worse off than before. Wrestlers who were fed to Hogan would typically be relegated to the mid-card or lose their momentum entirely after their programs with him ended. In contrast, Flair’s rivalries often had the opposite effect, leaving his opponents in a better position than before. Whether it was Sting, Steamboat, or Luger, Flair’s feuds were designed to elevate, not diminish. This difference in philosophy is a key reason why Flair is remembered not just as a champion but as a kingmaker.
Flair’s influence extends beyond his own career. He is the wrestler who made stars, who understood that his legacy was tied not just to his victories but to the health of the business as a whole. His ability to balance personal success with the success of others is what truly makes him the most important wrestler of the past 40 years. Where Hogan’s legacy is one of dominance and control, Flair’s is one of collaboration and elevation. He wasn’t just the best at what he did—he made sure that the entire wrestling world was better because of it.
