As noted at the top of the article, there are some things you just don't want to mess with. In this case, having the multi-time and then-current World Heavyweight Champion of your competition joining your brand is one of them, because that's just the kind of thing you want to rub in everyone's face as much as possible. Making the deal with "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair all the sweeter is that when he first appeared on Vince's brand, he not only had his gimmick and reputation, but the hardware to back it up as well. Thanks to a $25,000 deposit placed on the belt at the time of acquiring the belt, it was effectively his to take with him until such time WCW would return his money. Suffice to say, one might think this would lead those in charge of the company to be more forward-thinking before firing people- their champions, especially- but as we'll soon get to, that wouldn't always the case. Flair would return to his stomping grounds in WCW, of course, and remain with the company until its closure, stylin' and profilin' all the while. And once the Invasion storyline had concluded- Woo! -Flair would strut his way back into WWE's ring as only The Nature Boy can.
Former Nintendo Power writer, current Nintendo Force writer. Wrote the book on Mega Man (The Robot Master Field Guide). Was once fired by Vince McMahon. Dabbles in video games, comic books, toys, and fast food curiosities. Once had a new species of exotic bird named after him. It died.
You can find more of his writings, musings, and other such things on his websites at Nyteworks.net.
