20 Wrestling Gimmicks That Got WEIRD Rip-Offs
5. Ric Flair (‘Nature Boy’ Paul Lee)
Big pop if Paul Lee shouts, "Wooooooooooah!" instead of Ric Flair's trademark, "Woooooooooo!" whenever he wrestles. In fairness, some would point out that Ric nabbed the 'Nature Boy' gimmick from Buddy Rogers originally, so he can't lay claim to being the first ever anyway. Therefore, maybe Paul is onto something - somebody can steal 'Nature Boy' from him soon enough.
'Nature Boy' Nathan Frazer on NXT? Don't rule it out. Actually do...do rule it out.
Lee's act is something special from a 'so bad its good' perspective. He's dedicated to the Flair cause, shall we say. Paul dons Ric-ish robes, walks to the ring like he's about to headline the Chi-Town Rumble vs. Ricky Steamboat in 1989, and also uses familiar spots like the "Flair Flop", figure four leg lock and more. Even he hasn't learned never to visit the top turnbuckle and get launched off it during every single match.
Bonus points go to Lee for combining Flair's robes with the sunglasses he'd occasionally wear when suited and booted on old NWA episodes during the mid-80s. Without being cruel, those shades don't look nearly as expensive as the lavish ones Ric used to rock during his prime. Not a problem. Some wannabe babyface hero on an indy spot show would only snatch them off Paul's face and stomp on them anyway.
Not content to stop at cosplaying Flair, Paul has also been Jackie Fargo Jr. Perhaps he can vanish for a while then come back as Greg Valentine II whilst he's at it. Better not give him more ideas, eh?