But one guy I just didn't understand was Ric Flair.
I guess for most humble, small-town kids he simply wasn't a wrestler you'd gravitate toward, what with his braggadocio and expensive clothing and elaborate robes and all.
But over the past year or so I've added the first two cards to my wrestling card collection—Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage—and it's caused me to take a look back at 1980s and 1990s wrestling as a whole. Seeing the entire picture now, as an adult, makes me think that Ric Flair was absolutely hilarious. And brilliant.
I mean, take a typical wrestler's persona and then multiply it to the nth power. What do you get?
You get Ric Flair.
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| 1991 Impel WCW #45, Ric Flair |
You get exactly Ric Flair.
From his trademark "Woooo!" to his wheelin' and dealin' to this pre-match discourse of supreme confidence:
It's perfect.
I know, I know. It's goofy. And ridiculous. But it's also perfect. So I had to add the Ric Flair card you see above to my wrestling collection.
Here's to the man. I hope all of you add a "Woooo!" to your comments.
Savage, Steamboat, Hogan, and Snuka were all part of the WWF generation I grew up watching as well. I'm guessing it was around the mid to late 80's... and I don't think Flair was there yet. But I do remember him in the WCW and I remember opening up packs of 1991 Impel back when I worked at my LCS.
ReplyDeleteIf any trading card design can define that era, it's 1991 WCW Impel. It must have been fun working at a card shop back then, Fuji!
DeleteYeah that border screams 90's. And it was a blast... although the last few months of working there, the owner stopped paying us. We eventually received a huge check on our final day of work.
DeleteTrying to imagine how many packs you must have bought and opened during your time there...
Delete1992 Royal Rumble - Best Rumble in history which is a large part of Ric Flair being Flair and Bobby Heenan being awesome on commentary.
ReplyDeleteGood tip, CrazieJoe. Might have to try to find some video clips online.
DeleteMy sis and I loved The Fantastics and R&R Express back in the day. Never did like Flair but we never rooted for the bad boys.
ReplyDeleteBetween CrazieJoe's tip and yours, I'll have enough wrestling clips to last me a while. Thanks, Julie!
DeleteI would also add that Rick Flair has the best Rick Flair hair of any man I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteHard to argue, Sean!
DeleteThese 1980s and 1990s wrestling cards are gaining popularity again and costs are really starting to rise. WooooooO!
ReplyDeleteFinally, someone left a "Woooo!" in the comment section. Thanks, SumoMenkoMan!
DeleteGreat card. That photos screams Ric Flair. Always enjoyed him and gained a greater appreciation as I've gotten older as well. Fun post.
ReplyDeleteRight? There are plenty of Ric Flair cards in the 1991 WCW set, but the picture on this particular card is worth a thousand words, isn't it?
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