7. WWE Writers Pitched For Flair Vs. Michaels To Go On Last At WrestleMania
Given that it was an almost certainty that WrestleMania XXIV was going to be Ric Flair's last ever professional (or at least WWE) match, there were many people, both in and out of the company, that hoped he and Shawn Michaels would have the honour of going on last. As we know, Edge versus The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship went on last while Flair/Michaels were the sixth match on the show (before Triple H Vs. John Cena Vs. Randy Orton and Floyd Mayweather Vs. The Big Show). Many interpreted this as a slap in the face to The Nature Boy. How could Flair's last match not close out the show? Because he didn't want it to, that's why. The 16-time World Champion was offered the spot but flat-out refused. The creative team wanted the final shot of the show to be a spotlight shining down on Flair's boots and robe in the ring but Flair strongly disagreed with it. Why? Because he felt that nothing, not even his last ever match, was more important than the World Heavyweight Championship. As good as Edge/Undertaker was, 'Mania XXIV will be remembered by most fans for Michaels/Flair. Still, turning down the main event spot was a pretty selfless thing for Flair to do. Nobody would have begrudged him had he accepted it.
