10 Most Influential Wrestlers Ever
10. The Nature Boy Ric Flair
At the height of his game, Ric Flair was travelling all over the USA, all over North America, all over the world, wrestling nearly every single night - well over 300 times a year. Not only was there that quantity, but also quality: it's universally acknowledged that Flair almost never put a foot wrong, drawing large to huge crowds everywhere with almost faultless performances. That's an amazing legacy for anyone but when we talk about the height of Ric Flairs game, we're talking about a period stretching from around 1979 to 1991.
Hulk Hogan may have helped to invent the modern sports entertainer, but for thirteen years, give or take, Ric Flair was professional wrestling. A classic all-rounder, Flair could play babyface or heel to perfection, and his promos were things of beauty. If you're only familiar with the Nature Boy from seeing him at long past his best in WWE, then you've missed out on something astonishing.
Sixteen world titles is nothing to sniff at either, especially when four of his title runs went over twelve months. But Flair wasnt just the top guy: he may have been the least selfish champion in wrestling history. He made everyone he wrestled look like a million dollars, from Ricky Steamboat to the Junkyard Dog. And he carried the NWA on his back for more than a decade.
While plenty of his peers seem to have issues with Flair personally (and especially as a booker), professionally is a different matter entirely. Despite his best days being more than two decades behind him, youll still find plenty of people - fans and performers alike - who'll happily call Ric Flair the greatest wrestler of all time without a second thought.