Salutations all! As most of you might have heard, ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair is currently being hospitalized, in a medically induced coma, and is awaiting surgery from what I hear is organ failure (Please don’t quote me on that though). Honestly, I’ve been kind of confused from all the stories that have been coming out but i digress. I’m writing this here post to share what kind of influence Ric Flair had on my life. I’ll try to keep it short.

As long as I can remember, while watching WWF or WCW. I’ve always been a fan of the “heel” or the “bad guy” if you’re unfamiliar with wrestling insider terms. Growing up, there was no better heel than Ric Flair. The 16x World Champ was extravagant, cocky, brash, and villainous during his in-ring career. He bragged about his skill in and outside the ring, how much money he had, and how much better he was than all of the fans in attendance and watching at home. All these qualities and traits that would make me absolutely HATE any other man, didn’t apply to Flair. He made being the bad guy ‘cool’.

“I’m every woman’s dream, and every man’s nightmare”

– Ric Flair

In a world (of wrestling) filled with ‘Do gooding’ gigantic tanned meat heads in ripped shirts. Flair stood alone, looking proper in his gator shoes, perfectly quaffed hair, and custom tailored suites and robes. He was unique in every way. Watching Flair break the mold of what a Wrestler should look and act like changed me. I didn’t want to be like everyone else. I didn’t want to like what everyone else liked. I didn’t want to dress how everyone else did. I strived to set myself apart from the people around me at a young age and that’s definitely something I still do to this very day. Sure I became a little bit of a snob or as some of you would call it “a hipster” but being that way helped me develop appreciation for originality in all walks of life. I loved being different, the feeling was freeing to me. I credit Ric Flair for teaching me something that most people don’t get until their late 20’s. Now I know I could have totally misinterpreted what Flair was all about when I was young. if so, it was probably the best mistake I’ve ever made.

I’m Hoping and praying that he pulls through this ordeal. Me and the rest of SSB would love to see him recover and strut out of that hospital and straight into a limousine.