Black Widow
08-22-2008, 11:09 PM
RIC FLAIR'S break from World Wrestling Entertainment has lead to his agents negotiating deals with anyone who can meet the money and terms it takes to hire the Nature Boy for the day.
With financial issues looming and a reported separation from his third wife, Flair apparently made the decision to take the "short term money" available to him on the open market over the guaranteed $500,000 he was making with WWE.
It's a little painful to watch, because bluntly, Flair deserves better.
I didn't realise it until I watched the video of Flair doing a promo for a small independent group in Chicago. The PCW promotion is just one of many independent wrestling leagues that are smartly taking advantage of the opportunity to use the legendary multi-time World Champion in conjunction with their shows.
Instead of promoters sending Flair information so that he can talk about the young talent - which is how we used Terry Funk in the original ECW - they are happy just having the Nature Boy do the 'kiss stealin', 'wheelin' dealin' promos and talk about kissing every girl in town.
It's sad to see Flair advertised for some low rent wrestling shows at this stage of his life.
He should really be above that. I don't know what his take will be in 12 months, but unless it's significantly above the half million dollars he was making from Vince McMahon, I just don't understand what he's trying to accomplish.
Vince has been looking for the fabled Babe Ruth of pro wrestling for years. His father envisioned the role for 1950s great Antonino Rocca.
Both Vince Snr and today's Vincent Kennedy McMahon thought Bruno Sammartino would fill the role. Then VKM thought Hulk Hogan could do it. It appears everytime the McMahons groom someone for the role, that person runs away from it like it's a life sentence.
I don't know if Flair was unhappy with his perceived role in WWE, and if he was, I don't know why. I do know that every day Flair was kept out of the ring, was another day the momentum built for a big moment when he would be announced as the guest referee for Wrestlemania or SummerSlam.
Every mention of his name - said by the announcers with great reverence - only whet the appetite for another "Whoo", another chop, another strut, another speech, another appearance by the Nature Boy himself.
His name carried weight. His appearance on a radio show helped promote events. His handshake meant something to sponsors and advertisers. And for that, he was being paid $500,000.
Since I've left World Wrestling Entertainment, the only public connection I keep with the industry is through these blogs, which form part of the Heyman Hustle series here on The Sun.
If you check with the producers and vendors and promotions, you'll see I've turned down numerous conventions, autograph signings, guest appearances, booker deals, shoot tapes, you name it. That's me.
I'm not saying Flair shouldn't take advantage of his earning potential right now. And I hope he makes millions in whatever he does.
But seeing him in these ads for every rinky dink out there just makes him look ancient instead of being relevant, which he still can be.
Flair belongs on the big stage, not where kids go to get noticed and legends go to hang on.
I'm not knocking Flair. Please don't think or claim "Heyman rips into Flair," or think that I've forgotten the days when ECW was a tiny little indy as well.
YOU watch the video. Please. And then make up your own mind.
Is this how you want to see Flair nowadays? Isn't just a little uncomfortable? Doesn't it just seem "wrong"?
the sun.co.uk
With financial issues looming and a reported separation from his third wife, Flair apparently made the decision to take the "short term money" available to him on the open market over the guaranteed $500,000 he was making with WWE.
It's a little painful to watch, because bluntly, Flair deserves better.
I didn't realise it until I watched the video of Flair doing a promo for a small independent group in Chicago. The PCW promotion is just one of many independent wrestling leagues that are smartly taking advantage of the opportunity to use the legendary multi-time World Champion in conjunction with their shows.
Instead of promoters sending Flair information so that he can talk about the young talent - which is how we used Terry Funk in the original ECW - they are happy just having the Nature Boy do the 'kiss stealin', 'wheelin' dealin' promos and talk about kissing every girl in town.
It's sad to see Flair advertised for some low rent wrestling shows at this stage of his life.
He should really be above that. I don't know what his take will be in 12 months, but unless it's significantly above the half million dollars he was making from Vince McMahon, I just don't understand what he's trying to accomplish.
Vince has been looking for the fabled Babe Ruth of pro wrestling for years. His father envisioned the role for 1950s great Antonino Rocca.
Both Vince Snr and today's Vincent Kennedy McMahon thought Bruno Sammartino would fill the role. Then VKM thought Hulk Hogan could do it. It appears everytime the McMahons groom someone for the role, that person runs away from it like it's a life sentence.
I don't know if Flair was unhappy with his perceived role in WWE, and if he was, I don't know why. I do know that every day Flair was kept out of the ring, was another day the momentum built for a big moment when he would be announced as the guest referee for Wrestlemania or SummerSlam.
Every mention of his name - said by the announcers with great reverence - only whet the appetite for another "Whoo", another chop, another strut, another speech, another appearance by the Nature Boy himself.
His name carried weight. His appearance on a radio show helped promote events. His handshake meant something to sponsors and advertisers. And for that, he was being paid $500,000.
Since I've left World Wrestling Entertainment, the only public connection I keep with the industry is through these blogs, which form part of the Heyman Hustle series here on The Sun.
If you check with the producers and vendors and promotions, you'll see I've turned down numerous conventions, autograph signings, guest appearances, booker deals, shoot tapes, you name it. That's me.
I'm not saying Flair shouldn't take advantage of his earning potential right now. And I hope he makes millions in whatever he does.
But seeing him in these ads for every rinky dink out there just makes him look ancient instead of being relevant, which he still can be.
Flair belongs on the big stage, not where kids go to get noticed and legends go to hang on.
I'm not knocking Flair. Please don't think or claim "Heyman rips into Flair," or think that I've forgotten the days when ECW was a tiny little indy as well.
YOU watch the video. Please. And then make up your own mind.
Is this how you want to see Flair nowadays? Isn't just a little uncomfortable? Doesn't it just seem "wrong"?
the sun.co.uk