Ric Flair & Gold

[Jonfun]

Who would like to see Ric Flair get one last run at being champion even if its 2 or 3 months. I think it would be great.

[panix04]

i think hes too old and his ring work isnt good enough to be a champ. It would have to be a very well told story for it too work. I certainly dont see him as a legit threat at the moment.

[BlueStar]

Flair has been jobbed out too much in the past to make a viable contender now...

[wooodaddy]

of course he should get it.. the greatest of all time needs the strap one more time.. maybe win it at Wrestlemania and then retire right after that.. :D

[Remianen]

[QUOTE=BlueStar;258473]Flair has been jobbed out too much in the past to make a viable contender now...[/QUOTE] Funny, I thought the same thing about Kane. And whaddaya know.....

[panix04]

[QUOTE=Remianen;258481]Funny, I thought the same thing about Kane. And whaddaya know.....[/QUOTE] yeah, but Ric Flair ain't no big red machine now is he? :D

[flamebrain]

As Panix said, it would have to be a good story to make it work. Maybe a "fluke" win in a multi-man match followed by some beating-the-odds title defences and then dropping it to someone on the rise (MVP?). I mark for Flair as much as the next person but seeing him get worse and worse makes me sad. He shouldn't have an in ring role for much longer in my opinion.

[Jonfun]

Thats why I think they should let him bow out at the top. Snitsky as been jobbed out a lot, now they are pushing him for a main event role.

[ubernoob]

Snitsky also has that monster size about him. Flair isn't going to overpower anyone, nor impress anyone with the size (well... maybe of his leather man boobs, but even Big Vis has him beat now.) It's much much easier to believe that a big man snaps and destroys everyone than it is for an 80-year-old man to snap and find some winning ways in wrestling. As much as I love Flair, I have to take a pass on this idea (unless by gold you mean an IC/US title, that I am all for.)

[Remianen]

[QUOTE=panix04;258483]yeah, but Ric Flair ain't no big red machine now is he? :D[/QUOTE] Yeah, but Flair hasn't been completely humiliated on the biggest stage of all, by a dude with a single digit moveset, has he? Some big red machine... I'm not saying I think Flair should be given a world title run. But using the "he's been jobbed too much to be a legit contender" line is hogwash, in light of what we've seen of late. They could MAKE Flair a legit contender, just like they're trying to MAKE perennial HEAT mainstays into legit contenders. There isn't a single active person on WWE's roster (on ANY brand) who can wrestle a traditional style match better than Flair. Folks talking about "it's sad to see how bad he's gotten" have probably never seen Mil Mascaras wrestle a match TODAY, at Social Security age, and still put the young bucks to shame. The problem is, you have an aging Traditional style wrestler trying to fit his square style into the round hole of Sports Entertainment (where his skillset isn't valued as highly as it could be). In a product where in-ring ability is very much optional (see: Khali, Masters, Snitsky), it's your gimmick that largely determines your value. And his gimmick ("The Dirtiest Player In The Game") isn't utilized half as much as it could/should be. But that's just my view.

[PeterHilton]

[QUOTE=Remianen;258481]Funny, I thought the same thing about Kane. And whaddaya know.....[/QUOTE] C'mon..you really think Kane is a "legitimate contender?" A one-off title shot on a PPV that is normally a throway? How many people honestly think Kane is going to win at the GAB? Kane as champ? I can just smell the buy-rates... A Flair/Edge feud could be really interesting (playing off the Edge as an opportunist..well who does that better than Slick Ric?). And I wouldn't *mind* Flair winning, but he really would only be a transitional champion once SD runs out of people to throw at Edge. And they stil have Rey and possibly Matt Hardy before they build towards Undertaker's return. Edge would win the title right back so it would really be Edge driving the program. (like Cena/Edge last year) I dunno..kinda seems more likely that Batista will turn on Flair and that will be his big feud for this year.

[panix04]

[QUOTE]Yeah, but Flair hasn't been completely humiliated on the biggest stage of all, by a dude with a single digit moveset, has he? Some big red machine...[/QUOTE] I was only being flippant, however like it or not, the WWE are trying to push Khali as a monster and apart from the finish, it was a fairly even match at 'mania, i wouldn't have classed it as a burial. Atleast he got a place on the main card though! :p [QUOTE]I'm not saying I think Flair should be given a world title run. But using the "he's been jobbed too much to be a legit contender" line is hogwash, in light of what we've seen of late. They could MAKE Flair a legit contender, just like they're trying to MAKE perennial HEAT mainstays into legit contenders. There isn't a single active person on WWE's roster (on ANY brand) who can wrestle a traditional style match better than Flair. Folks talking about "it's sad to see how bad he's gotten" have probably never seen Mil Mascaras wrestle a match TODAY, at Social Security age, and still put the young bucks to shame.[/QUOTE] I have to admit i havn't seen Mil Mascaras wrestle, but if you say he is turning it on at the age of 60, im inclined to believe you. However its not Mil we are discussing is it? Ric may be able to 'up his game' and put on the odd good match, but his matches on RAW have been tough to watch at times. Comparing his current ring work to what he was doing, even as recently as 2 or 3 years ago is painful. Don't get me wrong he still has some plus sides, the guy sells a back bodydrop like he was coming off of a trampoline. And his chops sound like they really hurt. But his matches are almost as boring and formulaic as the aforementioned great Khali. I know i am biased, because i have never been a huge fan of the nature boys. But i dont think he has the power to shift merchandise and i dont think that Flair as champ would sell pay per views. I certainly wouldn't pay to see flair Vs Edge. So i stick to my point that in order for a flair title run to work it would have to be some really good storytelling.

[Zobeto227]

Ric Flair is a living legend in professional wrestling and even though he has lost a lot in his older age, He is still one of the best we have ever seen! With that being said, Of Course he should have one more title run! So he won't be able to perform as well as some others may in the ring, but Ric tells a story.... Something that the "new breed" of superstars don't understand. He may be old, he may not move around as well anymore (But in honesty, for his age I think he's pretty damn good cause you don't see many others his age competing in events where he is going to be thrown to the mat hard), but in all honesty it's Flair's character that wins people over! I would LOVE to see him as champion one last time, have him attack someone's knee a couple weeks before... Have him continue to be face but act like the old school "Dirtiest player in the game" character. People will eat it up. Take out the champ's knee for a couple weeks, and then at the PPV he goes nuts and ends up locking in the Figure Four... The crowd would erupt, flair wins the title... Have him hold it for however long it can stay over & then drop the title in a "passing of the torch" kind of moment.

[Remianen]

[QUOTE=PeterHilton;258548]C'mon..you really think Kane is a "legitimate contender?" A one-off title shot on a PPV that is normally a throway? How many people honestly think Kane is going to win at the GAB? Kane as champ? I can just smell the buy-rates...[/QUOTE] Peter, you should know this by now. I don't think WWE has very many legitimate contenders at all. But keep in mind, when forming a personal opinion, I don't poll the soccer moms. Therefore, their views don't factor into my thought process. I'd buy that GAB is a throwaway PPV....but then I think the same about all of 'em, except Wrestlemania and, on occasion, Summerslam. Again, because I know you're going to jump in with the 'buyrates' and such, my personal opinion requires a consensus of one. I believe if they wished, they could make Flair credible to their fanbase. Their fans have bought bigger longshots (see: Gowen, Zach) and will continue to do so. Like I said, Flair's trying to appeal to an audience that he doesn't have the skillset (or look or build) to appeal to. I think if the man went to Japan, he'd do very well. But in the States, where style trumps substance and ability? Hell no. But then, I don't automatically buy the "OMG he's big, he's going to destroy everyone smaller than him" since life experience kinda kills the whole suspension of disbelief thing. AND, for 20+ years, promoters have been booking the "underdog beats the odds" angle so I'm supposed to believe this time it's different? A 300 pounder's windpipe collapses just the same as a 150 pounder, so the whole hoss strat falls apart with me. I can buy Edge's character because it's a basic human instinct (survival). But some big plodding hunk of flesh beating pure speed, doesn't add up. Again, just my view on it. It's why Sports Entertainment product doesn't resonate with me, and hasn't since...hmm, a bloody long time. :p

[wooodaddy]

[QUOTE=Zobeto227;258655]Ric Flair is a living legend in professional wrestling and even though he has lost a lot in his older age, He is still one of the best we have ever seen! With that being said, Of Course he should have one more title run! So he won't be able to perform as well as some others may in the ring, but Ric tells a story.... Something that the "new breed" of superstars don't understand. He may be old, he may not move around as well anymore (But in honesty, for his age I think he's pretty damn good cause you don't see many others his age competing in events where he is going to be thrown to the mat hard), but in all honesty it's Flair's character that wins people over! I would LOVE to see him as champion one last time, have him attack someone's knee a couple weeks before... Have him continue to be face but act like the old school "Dirtiest player in the game" character. People will eat it up. Take out the champ's knee for a couple weeks, and then at the PPV he goes nuts and ends up locking in the Figure Four... The crowd would erupt, flair wins the title... Have him hold it for however long it can stay over & then drop the title in a "passing of the torch" kind of moment.[/QUOTE] :D yes!!!

[panix04]

i dunno, i am a big believer in the old addage, "the bigger they are, the faster i run"

[angeldelayette]

[QUOTE=Zobeto227;258655]Ric Flair is a living legend in professional wrestling and even though he has lost a lot in his older age, He is still one of the best we have ever seen! With that being said, Of Course he should have one more title run! So he won't be able to perform as well as some others may in the ring, but Ric tells a story.... Something that the "new breed" of superstars don't understand. He may be old, he may not move around as well anymore (But in honesty, for his age I think he's pretty damn good cause you don't see many others his age competing in events where he is going to be thrown to the mat hard), but in all honesty it's Flair's character that wins people over! I would LOVE to see him as champion one last time, have him attack someone's knee a couple weeks before... Have him continue to be face but act like the old school "Dirtiest player in the game" character. People will eat it up. Take out the champ's knee for a couple weeks, and then at the PPV he goes nuts and ends up locking in the Figure Four... The crowd would erupt, flair wins the title... Have him hold it for however long it can stay over & then drop the title in a "passing of the torch" kind of moment.[/QUOTE] I think everyone knows what my opinion on a Ric Flair title run would be. I'm all for it. This post got me thinking about the attack that the 4 Horsemen put on Dusty Rhodes back in the day. Where they videotaped following him in a car and attacking him at JCP. That would be perfect for setting up a Flair title run, I think.

[irabowman]

I'd love nothing more than to see him be champion one more time. Also feel defeating ECW champion Nitro would be the best match up. Let him take Nitro to school as he tells him he is going to show what being the dirtiest player in the game means. After this way he can claim to be the greatest WCW, WWE, NWA, ECW champion of all time. Too in this match he tells Nitro he's still the man and can go 60 minutes easy so therefore it will be a Iron-man match.

[panix04]

[QUOTE=irabowman;258952]I'd love nothing more than to see him be champion one more time. Also feel defeating ECW champion Nitro would be the best match up. Let him take Nitro to school as he tells him he is going to show what being the dirtiest player in the game means. After this way he can claim to be the greatest WCW, WWE, NWA, ECW champion of all time. Too in this match he tells Nitro he's still the man and can go 60 minutes easy so therefore it will be a Iron-man match.[/QUOTE] a 60 minute Ric Flair match? If you get two blokes in there prime an iron man match can still get dull, at flairs age? There is no way he could pull off making an hours worth of wrestling watchable, especially not against someone as inexperienced as Johnny Nitro!

[tristram]

[QUOTE=panix04;258955]a 60 minute Ric Flair match? If you get two blokes in there prime an iron man match can still get dull, at flairs age? There is no way he could pull off making an hours worth of wrestling watchable, especially not against someone as inexperienced as Johnny Nitro![/QUOTE] I disagree just quietly. Ric Flair broke his back and was told he'd never wrestle again, and wrestled great hour long broadways. Hell, if Harley Race could push Billy Graham to a great hour long broadway, I'm sure Ric Flair could still do it. Back in his day, you were trained to do it, night in, night out... He's still the man. It wouldn't be especially quick of course, but no hour long broadway really was, they were still great matches.

[panix04]

[QUOTE=tristram;258959]I disagree just quietly. Ric Flair broke his back and was told he'd never wrestle again, and wrestled great hour long broadways. Hell, if Harley Race could push Billy Graham to a great hour long broadway, I'm sure Ric Flair could still do it. [B]Back in his day, you were trained to do it, night in, night out... [/B]He's still the man. It wouldn't be especially quick of course, but no hour long broadway really was, they were still great matches.[/QUOTE] I was trained to do algebra at school, can i still do it 10 years later? nope! :D Don't get me wrong im not trying to crap on somebody that most of the people on here are really fond of. I really believe that father time is catching up with Mr Flair.

[tristram]

Ric Flair hasn't suffered to the extent of so many other stars, he's remarkable how he's carried on as well as he has. The fact is this, the old expression is true with him as it used to be for Dusty Rhodes, he could wrestle a broom and make it look like a million dollars. There would be no better way for Nitro to advance his skills and round them off better than to lose to Flair, and then win it back in an iron man match, whether that be 40 minutes or an hour, Ric Flair would pull it off. Hell, people said he couldn't get hardcore, but he didn't shirk it when he worked an ECW match or two a while ago, from memory, it was one of the most brutal blood baths I've seen in a long time (I think it was against Mick Foley). I would completely agree with you if we were talking about other past superstars like Hogan, Piper etc.., but this guy, he's unbelievable, he's like fine wine, he hasn't aged too badly if you ask me. He STILL delivers arguably the most consistent set of matches in pro wrestling today.

[panix04]

I think we will have to agree to disagree. I still think he has the odd good match in him. But consistency is no longer a word i would label Flair with. Don't get me wrong i have seen flashes of genius from him, but i have also seen some hurrendous stuff as well.

[wooodaddy]

Flair carries people.. it's not him you'd have to worry about in an iron man match.. it's these "next gen" guys who can't wrestle.. Flair is the greatest of all time.. I still love you panix even though you don't like Flair

[ubernoob]

Sorry - in this day and age in the WWE, Flair does not carry people. Give him to a promotion in Japan and he'd have great matches yet, I'm sure... but he doesn't really seem to fit into what the WWE is looking for now.