The End of an Era: The Nature Boy Retires

As a child I had two obsessions my father
fretted over, Professional Wrestling and
Soul Train. He bemoaned their derogatory
effect on my character.

I only enjoyed "Rasslin" because of one
man, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. He was always
dressed well, had long blonde hair, sported gold
chains and watches and talked about how wonderful
it was to be him. He flew in jets, was driven around in
limousines and had all the gorgeous women he wanted.
In short, I viewed him as a God.

He'd appear on TBS back in the 80's insulting
everyone, cheating in matches and making people
"learn to love it". He was the "best thing going today!".
His interviews were the stuff of Shakespearean
soliloquies. Anyone who fell short of his impossible
standards were "ham and eggers".

He was the best entertainer in the world for three
decades. Wowing crowds everywhere from North Korea
to New York City. A consummate performer who never
had an off night.

His performances captured my imagination as a child
and still have the vibrancy and glory of the first witnessing
of them. Ric Flair will always be "the Man". He is a legend
unrecognized by so many due to class prejudices against
rasslin. Of course it's fake---just like movies and most
music(production)--does that detract from them?

A part of my childhood has died. Happily I have

buried it in my heart.