When I was growing up, we didn't have cable. II was aware of Ric Flair, but my exposure to pro wrestling was limited to the WWF, AWA and WCCW.
I would read about Flair in the magazines, but it is hard to capture the magnitude of Falir through printed word.
Eventually, I got cable and was able to see Flair wrestle. Flair might not have had the worldwide recognizability, exposure or fame of others, but nobody was better in the ring or on the mic. Flair had it all.
As cable television and the internet expanded, Flair did start to gain more mainstream exposure. Flair
Flair is one of the many wrestlers that Days of the Dead has had as celebrity guests. I always look forward to the guest announcements for each show. It always follows the same pattern. A wrestler is announced and a large number of fans cheer and congratulate the Days crew. Then there is a backlash from the hardcore horror fans who dislike wrestlers "invading" their area.
That argument is so silly. The lines for these wrestlers are always lengthy. It clearly is working for DotD. How does it hurt the horror fans anyway?
Getting back to Flair, he was simply one of the classiest, coolest guests DotD has had. The larger-than-life Flair might still be a jet-flyin', limousine-ridin', kiss-stealin', wheelin'-dealin', son of a gun, but he was the consummate professional during the convention.
I continually applaud the Days crew for bringing in wrestlers like Flair. They could have crumbled under the pressure of those hardcore horror folks, but they didn't. They continue to bring in wrestlers and have actually started bringing in multiple wrestlers now. It is obviously working. This is just one reason why I trust, respect and support DotD always.
The next Days show will be February 2-4 in Atlanta, GA. All guest announcements have not been made yet, but you can bet there will be at least one wrestling legend as a celebrity guest. You can get all of the info and updates at DaysoftheDead.com.
In the meantime, I highly encourage everyone to check out the ESPN Ric Flair 30 For 30. It's a great look behind the myth of Flair. It is sad, thrilling, poignant.
Ric Flair and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2016.
No comments:
Post a Comment