The Nature Boy Ric Flair didn’t really need a retirement match. The 16-time (woo!) world champion’s legacy as one of the greatest to ever do it was firmly established decades ago. Besides that, his last match in the WWE — at Wrestlemania XXIV in 2008 — concluded with one of the hackiest but most poignant (in other words, perfect for pro wrestling) moments in recent memory when Shawn Michaels, on the verge of tears, mouthed “I’m sorry, I love you,” to Flair before superkicking him. But wrestlers never really retire, not as long as they can stand on two boots. Now, it was perhaps not the greatest idea for Flair to try to go through the motions one more time, given that he has cardiomyopathy and has endured various heart and kidney problems and surgeries in the past few years. But apparently, no one could tell Flair no, so he booked his final match for the old sports arena at The Fairgrounds Nashville for July 31, the same weekend as SummerSlam. Tickets sold briskly, so the card moved to Municipal Auditorium, where, in 1989, Flair wrestled Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat in what is regarded as one of the greatest matches of all time. This match certainly wasn’t the five-star banger that ’89 was, but it was fine. Flair and his son-in-law Andrade El Idolo defeated Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal. Flair was obviously gassed in the match, and later confirmed he passed out at least twice. It was nice to see The Nature Boy leave the business in a building that held such great memories for him. It was better to see the legend leave the business (barely) on his feet.
Best Wrestling Retirement
