One of the most celebrated and decorated careers in professional wrestling came to its unofficial end on March 30, 2008 when Ric Flair lost a high profile match to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV. As a result of the loss, Flair was forced into retirement. With family at ringside and the world watching, Flair walked the aisle as an active competitor for the last time. The following nights episode of Monday Night Raw became a celebration of one of the greatest careers in the long and illustrious history of sports-entertainment. The show concluded with Flair making his way to the ring, then being joined by his children, his then-wife, Four Horsemen teammates Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and a plethora of WWE Superstars. Tears flowed freely down the face of the Nature Boy as he addressed the millions of fans that had supported him for three decades. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi45gyB0xkc The entire ordeal was an outstanding way to pay tribute to a man so incredibly important to the overall history of the sport. After every five-star classic, every chill-inducing promo and physical battle with the industrys top workers, Flair deserved a tribute befitting a king and that is exactly what WWE gave him.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
