10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Nov 28)

2. Ric Flair's Royal Rumble Win Was Decided At The Last Minute

Joining the WWF in late-1991, 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair was a tremendous capture for the organisation. As the top star in WCW, Flair was also one of the best in-ring performers in the world. Right from the off, there were talks about putting him against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VIII the next Spring. That wouldn't end up happening, but it wasn't until after the Royal Rumble that plans changed. Apparently, officials were far from happy with reactions on the house show circuit towards Hogan vs. Flair matches, and Vince McMahon chose to go in a different direction. Nonetheless, Flair was chosen as the man to win the 1992 Royal Rumble match, thus winning the WWF Heavyweight Title. Incredibly, Flair told on his own podcast this week that this wasn't one of the initial plans. Right up until an hour before the bout actually took place, the company weren't sure who was going to win the thing. Eventually, shortly before he stepped through the curtain to begin the match, Flair was told he'd be there at the end. Management clearly trusted that the veteran would be able to handle the pressure of working for over 60 minutes on the fly.