40 Years Of Fascinating WWE WrestleMania Facts (Part 3)

7. WrestleMania XXIV - Ric Flair Was A Rare Good Sport

Kurt Angle Shawn Michaels Bobby Heenan
WWE

Ahead of Revolution 2024, AEW executed what was perhaps the most believable swerve ever.

In order to gain a measure of revenge on the Young Bucks for bloodying Sting's family, Ric Flair pretended to be in a bit of a mood. He thought he'd be more "involved" in the Sting retirement tour celebrations and threatened to turn heel out of jealousy. This incredibly convincing ruse lulled the Young Bucks into a beat-down on the go-home edition of Dynamite. Of course they were prepared to believe that Flair had thrown himself a pity party. Ric Flair craves the spotlight like an infant craves milk.

You might be surprised to learn, then, that Ric Flair - per Bryan Alvarez's Figure Four Weekly column penned at the time - turned down the opportunity to headline WrestleMania XXIV in his retirement match against Shawn Michaels. The match was unforgettable. Even when it went "wrong" - that failed bridge-up spot was heartbreaking - it resonated with a near-unprecedented level of pathos. Flair however knew that the business would need to move on - hell, he probably knew that he'd still be a part of it and renege on the stip - and told WWE to put a World title match on last.

As unpleasant as it is to even moderately put the guy over in 2024, this fact really is astonishing.

 
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Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!