How Good Was Ric Flair Actually?

7. Time's Test

There are two ways of answering this question, and they're wildly different in approach.

From the positive side, Ric Flair's work in wrestling is immortal. 1980s Ric Flair was not only ahead of his time, but his heel work was also so perfect that if you dropped Mid-South Wrestling Ric into WWE or AEW, he'd instantly be the best heel in the world today. MJF's methodical, main-event in-ring style and aura owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Flair at his best. More womanizing than Dominik Mysterio could ever wish to be, and more antagonistic than Liv Morgan at her most belligerent, Flair's formula has no expiry date.

For evidence, ask yourself who are the hottest things in WWE today? Oba Femi and Trick Williams. Oba styles his entrance to the ring on Flair's trademark strut, and Trick appears in a flamboyant robe and tells us all about the "lemon pepper steppers" on his feet. When the curtain comes down on her career, Charlotte Flair will also be in contention to be the most decorated women's wrestler of all time. Whichever way you look at it, the long-lasting legacy that Ric Flair leaves behind is impenetrable. 

Well, almost.

The unfortunate sideshow to this is Flair himself. The Nature Boy being several sandwiches short of a picnic is not news, but his interviews have become more tragic in his old age. Ric's inability to let his glory days go has seen him wrestle well beyond his best, live a lifestyle that's not befitting of a man of his vintage, and he leaves longtime fans deeply concerned for his mental and physical well-being on a regular basis. We'd love to ignore all of this and concentrate on the long-lasting quality of his work and his influence, but his unfortunate present makes that increasingly difficult.

8.5/10