Paul heymans take on flair retirement

shinzon

courtesy of www.thesun.co.uk/wrestlling

A few disclaimers up front.


1) I'm a huge fan of ‘emotional’ moments on wrestling shows, especially ones based on merit and service more than tragedy.


2) I think Ric Flair deserves every accolade, every clap of the hands, every tribute paid to him at the Hall of Fame, at WrestleMania, and at Monday Night Raw for his retirement ceremony.


3) I cried my eyes my out watching Flair apologize to his children, and in some ways even more so by being such a man as to thank his first two wives at the Hall of Fame.


But jeeeesh, I wish Ric Flair would stop crying already.


The Hall of Fame speech, while edited for television, was a heart-wrenching genuine display of emotion that allowed Richard Fliehr a chance to thank everyone for letting him be - WHOOOOOO! - The Nature Boy Ric Flair all of those years, day and night.


That was an awesome television special. Flair was magnificent. He was gracious, eloquent, charming, choked with a passionate love for the family who sacrificed their time with him so he could be "that other person" that truly dwells inside him.


He was a man filled with pride yet regret; honour yet guilt; deep sorrow, but unparalleled accomplishment.


Then came WrestleMania.


In 10 years, this Mania will be remembered for two things.


In second place comes the fantastic Big Show v Floyd Mayweather match, which not only lived up to it's hype but far surpassed it.


By the way, Mayweather is a total pro for the match he participated in and showed what a phenomenal performer he truly is. Paul Wight is a giant without peer, a larger than ‘larger than life’ performer who stepped up like Bam Bam Bigelow did against Lawrence Taylor - like Ric Flair carried so many people who never truly understood the seemingly-effortless but totally brilliant job Flair was doing in making them look great.


And in first place, Ric Flair v Shawn Michaels.


That finish was an all time classic. The proud but wounded warrior struggles to his feet and asks for the execution to be given to him with dignity. He wants no mercy. It's not the way of the legends.


As the tears roll down the travel-beaten face of the pride-filled master in the final moments of his reign, the kid who idolized him fights his own conscience and gives the decorated chieftain the right to go out in style.


Shawn Michaels mouths "I'm sorry." He struggles, but continues, "I love you." The WWE audience, wrapped up in the passion of the Flair Fever that had engulfed WrestleMania weekend, never once rolled their eyes at the scene¿ nor should they have.



Flair's performance had little to do with the physicality of the match and everything to do with delivering 20 minutes of emotion-tugging psychology that had everyone hoping his career would survive another day, even though you knew in your heart the outcome.


And Shawn Michaels? This match itself was a Hall of Fame worthy performance. If WWE opens up a Smithsonian-like museum, the tape of that finish should play over and over and over again. Yup, that good.


Then came Monday.


And yes, I know this going to piss off some of my friends, but if I never see Ric Flair cry again, it'll be too soon.


It would have been great to see Flair go out as the Kiss Stealing, Wheeling Dealing, Limousine Riding, Jet Flying, Sonofagun.


OK, so we're going for yet another emotional moment. We had 'em crying at the Hall of Fame. Had 'em at Mania. OK, one more to go. Let's give it to 'em on Raw.


And after the first set of reunions for Flair, don't you think it was time for the mass curtain call, the standing ovation, the "thank you Ric" chants and goodnight everybody?


It was a treat for everyone to see Ric reunited with Tully and Arn and Windham and JJ.


Anyone who knows the story of how JJ left WWE, and the enormous heat between JJ and Vince will tell you, this was Vince McMahon doing what he felt was right for business.


Hey, there's Ricky Steamboat. That's a nice tribute. Their worst matches against each should be considered all time classics. Those two were magic together. Michaels' appearance and hug makes it complete. That's some great emotion.


But watching Flair cry because Chris Jericho says thank you? Hey, here's John Cena. And he's saluting Flair. Whooop de freakin' do. Yeah yeah, this is basic Thugonomics. What the hell does it have to do with anyone's favorite Flair memories? Cena? Jericho? Where's Fifi the French Maid?




Hell, if we're stretching, bring out the mannequin that doubled as Precious (anyone under 36 or 37 will have to take my word for it).


Raise the 4 Fingers with the Horsemen. Drop the elbow on your own jacket. Whooo a bunch of times. And please, I'm begging someone to tell Vince and Kevin Dunn that f'n song about leaving the memories alone is not something that tugs at the heart, nor does it add to the emotion of a Ric Flair testimonial.


Play Strauss' Sprach Zarathustra - which was the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey - all night long.


That other song is just Vince and Kevin saying: "Here's the WWE touch to it all that makes it so great."


Get over yourselves.


Sorry, I digress.


Triple H belts out something like: "Here's another Horsemen, Dean Malenko!" Cut to Flair, he's bawlin'. Over Dean Malenko?


I'd rather see Tommy Young. Or Tony Schiavone. Or even David Crockett.


Please, someone send down Vince to hit the ring, throw everyone out, demand Flair acknowledge Vince as Lord and Master, and say: "NOW you're joining the club!"


Something... anything...


And maybe this is where Flair puts Vince in the Figure Four, and Vince is tapping like a wildman, especially since Vince didn't tap out a few weeks ago on television.




FEELING RAW ... Cena and Jericho cause tears



Nope, Vince just got put through a table and pinned.


And since the WWE champion himself, Randy Orton tapped out to the Figure Four, as did MVP and Kennedy - all men who must be considered big parts of WWE's future - I'm sure Vince will tap and put Flair ov...


More guests of honor. More tears.


Enough already.


By night three of WrestleMania weekend, I just wanted to say "goodbye" to ‘The Cause of All This,’ not see the aged hero's third night of tears and uncontrollable sobbing.


As an audience member, I was privileged enough already to see the human being behind the public image at the Hall of Fame.


As an audience member, I had the pleasure of seeing the performer work his ass off at WrestleMania and give a performance that as fans of his character, we can all be proud of.


Ric Flair's departure was memorable, so therefore my blog this week should not be considered a criticism but simply a personal observation.


There's nothing wrong with how it was handled. And I'm sure Flair wouldn't change a thing about it. That's his right. It was a tribute to his sacrifice, his career, his lifetime dedication to being The Man.


Just next time, I'd like to see the bug-eyed, half-crazed, surely out-of-his-mind Ric Flair.


The custom-made from head-to-toe personification of the phrase "charismatic character" who just can't help but be the centre of attention.


That's the Ric Flair I want to see. I want to celebrate his career, not mourn it. I just don't want any more boo-hoos.


I'm in the mood for a WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Interesting to say the least

Shin

Mossy Monk

I do agree on the use of that song that they kept playing again and again.

HBK

I agree on the points of Jericho & Cena coming out...did anyone else sitting there watching think for a second 'why????'......they shud of just come out with everyone else on the Ramp......I guess i understand fromm WWE point of view, Cena is there 'top' guy,so maybe thats why but......still...kinda ruined it

I didnt mind the song tbh

Vince135792003

I tried to read through it last week and couldn't finish it. Just one big long ramble.

Bubs101

I think he has a point when he says that he'd like to have seen Flair go out like he is most fondly remembered but I think we got a two examples of that in the Michaels match, the low blow and eye rake, which were good enough for me

Fozzy

HBK wrote: »

I agree on the points of Jericho & Cena coming out...did anyone else sitting there watching think for a second 'why????'......they shud of just come out with everyone else on the Ramp......I guess i understand fromm WWE point of view, Cena is there 'top' guy,so maybe thats why but......still...kinda ruined it

I didnt mind the song tbh

Just because they've never done much on tv together doesn't mean that they're not good friends in real life

Heyman just can't resist turning anything into an angle!

Dickmcsavage

The whole time during the RAW segment, I was expecting Vince or HHH to present Flair with a replica World Heavyweight Championship belt and declare him 'the lifetime World Heavyweight Champion'. That would have made it perfect. After all he rarely goes a promo without mentioning hows he's a 16 time World Champion.

Edit: With regards to the 'Leave the memories alone' song that they kept using...I kinda liked it. I didn't like it in a 'oh, thats an amazing song' type of way but myself and my mates got a laugh out of how cheesey it is. During the last few sessions we've had, we've ended up at some stage just singing 'YOU'LL NEVER CHANGE! YOU'LL NEVER CHANGE! YOU'LL NEVER CHANGE! YOU'LL NEVER CHANGE!'.

Dragan

Dickmcsavage wrote: »

The whole time during the RAW segment, I was expecting Vince or HHH to present Flair with a replica World Heavyweight Championship belt and declare him 'the lifetime World Heavyweight Champion'. That would have made it perfect. After all he rarely goes a promo without mentioning hows he's a 16 time World Champion.

No point in doing that when Trips is gonna beat 16.

Cactus Col

Heyman is a douche. I think WWE did the whole thing perfectly and I doubt anybody could have done a better job. People are always gonna find fault with the music, personally I would've thought it a terrible idea to play Also Sprach Zarathustra all night.

fatal

Usually I like hearing Heyman's comments on things but this one is just one big bull**** ramble.Its fairly hard to read the entire thing aswell

Heyman's complaining about the WWE?

Well thats a suprise ::)


Anyway,

The song was perfect for it. It made sense (lyrics wise) and it wasnt a slow, dragged out song. Slow songs are good for video promos, but you need a decent tempo song for playing to a live audience.



As for the whole Cena/Jericho thing.

I'm pretty sure Jericho and Flair are good friends, stemming from their WCW days. Just because they don't appear on-screen together all the time means nothing. Look at how Big Show climbed up onto the apron to hug Flair.


As for Cena. Well, Cena is the face of WWE. John Cena saluting Flair, was the WWE saluting Flair.




Heyman just can't help but moan and complain.

Dickmcsavage

Dragan wrote: »

No point in doing that when Trips is gonna beat 16.

Well we don't know that for sure although it is highly possible. What we do know now is that Flair has had more title reigns than anyone (I think) and so he should have been given a lifetime World Heavyweight Title in commemoration of that achivement.

Mr.Nice Guy

Heyman is, as usual, spot on. Why the hostility towards the guy? The retirement of Flair was well done certainly but they clearly overdid it on the schmalz. People actually disagree on that?

Anyone who doesn't think Flair can turn on the waterworks should look at some of his 'emotional' speeches in WCW. In reality Flair was dreadfully unhappy in WCW and didn't give a sh*t about the place. He admitted as much in interviews in recent years acknowledging that when he cried tears for WCW he was putting it on. I've no problem thus with Flair putting it on for his WWE retirement because he's doing what he does best - performing. He's trying to give something to the WWE fans. He's performing even at the end like an actor giving his final scene. I can understand that and still appreciate the situation for what it was.

For people to come on and slag Heyman though and try to say that it wasn't over-emotional I find laughable. Be realistic.

The Hall of Fame night showed the genuine emotion in my personal opinion. As Heyman said that was Richard Fliehr - the father, husband and hard-working man in his fifties. That was for him.

Sunday and Monday night's stuff was Ric Flair the performer. The Nature Boy's last dance. That was for you, the viewer.

Heyman's simply saying he didn't like how it was done because he felt it was too sappy and I can appreciate the point he's making. I didn't mind it as much as he did because I can make allowances for the American love of weepy moments.

Fozzy

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I've no problem thus with Flair putting it on for his WWE retirement because he's doing what he does best - performing. He's trying to give something to the WWE fans. He's performing even at the end like an actor giving his final scene. I can understand that and still appreciate the situation for what it was.

You honestly think that he put that on? That there wasn't genuine emotion?

Actually, remember that time when the whole roster came out after Raw one night and I think HHH gave him his title and they lifted Ric up on their shoulders? Ric acted much the same way as last week in much the same situation, but that obviously wasn't for the viewers. He didn't know about it and it wasn't being aired. Why the cynicism this time round?

Mr.Nice Guy

Fozzy wrote: »

You honestly think that he put that on? That there wasn't genuine emotion?

Actually, remember that time when the whole roster came out after Raw one night and I think HHH gave him his title and they lifted Ric up on their shoulders? Ric acted much the same way as last week in much the same situation, but that obviously wasn't for the viewers. He didn't know about it and it wasn't being aired. Why the cynicism this time round?

I'm not saying there wasn't genuine emotion being felt by Flair as I'm sure there was but I do think Flair made more out of it from a performance point of view (as he has done in the past to great effect). I think that was Heyman's complaint. That there was just too much of it on show.

Vince135792003

People are allowed to disagree with what Heyman wrote in an article. He's not always spot on either. His lead heel champ for a while there, that being Shane Douglas did the whole "Flair is dead" thing (obviously referring to his career) for a while. I didn't think that was spot on then or now.

His point (from what i see) after a really long ramble to get there was:

There was nothing wrong with the Flair ending. It was just overly emotional for me. I wanted Flair to go out in character being the Ric Flair that I remember in his prime.

And I disagree. Also I disagree with your opinion that you think he made more out of the emotion he felt.


Just one thing that occurred to me was that I think there's also a tendency from people in Ireland to down play the enormity of Ric Flair's career because even if your a long time fan, you still didn't see 50% of his career (and youtube and dvd's can only do so much for the percentage of people that try to get an overall perspective on his career). And for the people that don't Ric Flairs first appearance for many fans in Ireland was in 2002 when returned to WWE tv.

And when you don't live through something, it's hard to truly appreciate it.

That's not me pointing the fingers at anyone. I'm just speaking generally from talking to people I know for whom Hogan would be their guy or Bret Hart would be their guy because that's when they started watching. They don't totally grasp Ric Flair because it's impossible for them to.

I've read his book, watched his dvd's and all the rest of it and still I feel I don't totally get it. His career was so unique that unless you lived through it, you can't totally appreciate it I don't think.

Dickmcsavage

Mr. Nice Guy, I'm amazed that you think that Flairs emotion at the end of RAW was exaggerated. I'm just thinking if you were to say that to the naitch I'm sure you would be on the recieving end of a swift knife edge chop! Think about it, regardless of your line of work, all these people that you are really close to and even a few old friends that you haven't seen you for a while hold a retirement bash entirely in your name. Of course it's gonna be emotional.

EDIT: BTW (and I apologise for going off topic here) I really want to get one of Flairs DVD's. There's two available at the moment isn't there? A Ric Flair one and then a four Horsemen one? Basically I'm wondering would it be better to hold out for the new DVD coming out in July?

shinzon

I can see peoples points of view on this, its hard to separate The Naitch from Richard fliehr sometimes, I think the hall of fame speech is where the character and the man truly separated, Mondays raw was half naitch half the man imo

Nothing wrong in that as he still deserved everything that he got that weekend, and still say when wrestling gets it right it tugs at the heart strings like nothing else can

shin

Charlie

One aspect which Heyman was certainly spot on about was that god damn 'leave the memories' alone song. That was cringeworthy for me as it seemed like they (WWE & Vince) used it to milk peoples emotion.

Flairs own theme should have been used throughout.

Vince135792003

charlie mchugh wrote: »

One aspect which Heyman was certainly spot on about was that god damn 'leave the memories' alone song. That was cringeworthy for me as it seemed like they (WWE & Vince) used it to milk peoples emotion.
.

I had no problem with the song.

EdK

charlie mchugh wrote: »

One aspect which Heyman was certainly spot on about was that god damn 'leave the memories' alone song. That was cringeworthy for me as it seemed like they (WWE & Vince) used it to milk peoples emotion.

Flairs own theme should have been used throughout.

How irritating would that have been?, plus you wouldn't have been able to hear aword with the constant wooing

Fozzy

charlie mchugh wrote: »

One aspect which Heyman was certainly spot on about was that god damn 'leave the memories' alone song. That was cringeworthy for me as it seemed like they (WWE & Vince) used it to milk peoples emotion.

Flairs own theme should have been used throughout.

Flair's theme would've sounded ridiculous all night I think. Other people obviously liked the song they used though, the sales of that bands album have increased 15 times in two weeks

Mr.Nice Guy

Dickmcsavage wrote: »

Mr. Nice Guy, I'm amazed that you think that Flairs emotion at the end of RAW was exaggerated. I'm just thinking if you were to say that to the naitch I'm sure you would be on the recieving end of a swift knife edge chop! Think about it, regardless of your line of work, all these people that you are really close to and even a few old friends that you haven't seen you for a while hold a retirement bash entirely in your name. Of course it's gonna be emotional.

I'm sure I would get a chop (and maybe a few slaps!) but I mean no disrespect. It's just that when there's a cameraman three inches from Flair's face at all times - including after the show went off the air by the way - it seems to me like the whole thing was more for you, the viewer, than for Richard Fliehr the man. As I say I think his night was really the Hall of Fame ceremony. I also, like Heyman, thought it was emotional when Flair spoke about his wives and I particularly liked the bit where he scolds the fans for yelling out and says something like "I'm being serious here". I think that was truly real emotion on show.

I also agree that song was played to death. Not the worst song I've ever heard but little different to their usual PPV tracks.

Vince135792003

Dickmcsavage wrote: »

Mr. Nice Guy, I'm amazed that you think that Flairs emotion at the end of RAW was exaggerated. I'm just thinking if you were to say that to the naitch I'm sure you would be on the recieving end of a swift knife edge chop! Think about it, regardless of your line of work, all these people that you are really close to and even a few old friends that you haven't seen you for a while hold a retirement bash entirely in your name. Of course it's gonna be emotional.

I agree.