So I'm watching RAW last night with some non-wrestling fans and am pretty excited about Hogan/Flair coming up, even though they're both way past their prime, it IS still Hogan/Flair. So the match starts and it's ok for two 50 year old guys, but the other people I'm watching with are cracking up because they're so old and slow. Then comes one of the most terrible things I've ever heard, "Man, has Ric Flair EVER had a good match" "I'VE never seen one". These are casual fans who watch every now and again, know some of the wrestler's names, but still see it as a joke. What's sad is that they just don't know the legacy of Ric Flair and his history of "broom stick" matches. I attempted to explain, but knew they'd never understand, so I watched the rest of the match while they laughed at the "two old guys". This is why he should stay out of the ring, it's ruining his legacy. I mean, the announcers can go on and on about how Flair and wrestling go hand and hand and how this is a Legend vs. Legend match, but to the casual fan they're trying to win back, they're just two slow old guys to laugh at when they're in the ring.
The legacy will not be lost amongst TRUE fans. As far as casual fans go, such as your friends, there really isn't any legacy to be lost. They don't watch enough to know, or even care. The only way to earn a legacy with them is to say "What?" all the time.
BTW, I also thought that Flair/Hogan was a decent match last night, especially considering their age.
Originally posted by ges7184The legacy will not be lost amongst TRUE fans. As far as casual fans go, such as your friends, there really isn't any legacy to be lost. They don't watch enough to know, or even care. The only way to earn a legacy with them is to say "What?" all the time.
BTW, I also thought that Flair/Hogan was a decent match last night, especially considering their age.
Actually, "true" fans should be the ones who are most disgusted with Flair's performances, since he goes in the ring each and every time knowing that his matches will suck, yet he issues a slap in the face to each and every one of his fans by working anyway.
From a true fan (me):
Get the fuck out of the ring you old, flabby, greedy son of a bitch.
Right, I understand that among TRUE fans who have been around for a long time, the legacy will always be there, but for the casual fan they're trying to win back, putting two 50 year olds in the ring isn't going to cut it. I enjoyed the match, but they enjoyed ripping on it. That's not the way to get the fan base back. What's funny though, is that the casual fans I know love the Undertaker and want him to win the belt. So they make fun of Hogan and Flair for being so old and slow, but want UT to win. Guess we'll never be able to understand the mind of the casual fan.
Actually, I think Flair has had some of the better matches this year. His Royal Rumble match with McMahon was far better than, say, anything involving the nWo. Also, his WMX8 match with the Undertaker was the best match on the card. (C'mon, go back and watch Hogan-Rock again. I dare you.)
This is why I feel Flair will get over more as a heel this time around, in the WWE, than what was happening every time he tried to turn heel in the WCW. In WCW, the old NWA crowd was still watching it and he was there Hogan, except with talent. Flair was the guy, heel or face, that was most prominent on TV for most of the 80's, and in the late 90's when he was more of a respected legend than anything else. Because of this, turning Flair heel was very difficult.
WWE is a completely different stroy. The Flair history is known by the smallest of the total audience, and those people cannot overshadow the ones that might know about the last six to seven years at most.
The obvious downside of this, like how this thread was started, not many fans know just how great Flair was. They only see him as a cheap McMahon rip-off, when in fact Flair got the best match out of Hogan I have seen since he came back to the WWE.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at the man.
I really don't like the idea "Well, it was a good match for two guys that age."
Look at that talent roster, for God's sake. It is LOADED. There is absolutely no reason you should have to put disclaimers (such as age) on declaring any match to be good.
When you have the talent and depth of WWE, there are no excuses for not putting out a top-level product all the time.
This has been the worst in-ring product year I can remember in a long time thus far. 1999 was pretty bad too, but right now, I'd say 2002 is even worse than 3 years ago.
Originally posted by sergeialBy my tastes, it was an entertaining match for guys of any age. Flair/Hogan was my favorite match since Jericho/HHH a week and a half ago.
These fans live on the likes of Undertaker, SCSA, The Rock and HHH, guys who fight from second zero without letup. They don't appreciate those who are willing to give extended time selling opponents' moves.
Originally posted by deadbeaterThese fans live on the likes of Undertaker, SCSA, The Rock and HHH, guys who fight from second zero without letup. They don't appreciate those who are willing to give extended time selling opponents' moves.
Are we watching the same Undertaker, the man who put on possibly the single slowest match in wrestling history at the last PPV?
"You used it to shove your miserable daughter down our throats week in and week out...not anymore!" - Ric Flair gives me hope, Raw 3/18/02
"I thought it was cool how HHH just tossed Jericho out of the ring and made him vanish, possibly into another dimension, at the end of the match." - Dr. Unlikely says the funniest thing I've ever read on Wienerville
Pandas are People Too!!! So let me get this straight. Its a sad commentary on Ric Flair's career that a bunch of drunken buffoons call him an old man and have NO understanding of wrestling?? Give me a break man. A sad commentary on Ric Flair's career was jobbing to Eric Bischoff. A sad commentary on Ric Flair's career was getting his head shaved by Vince Russo, even though the angle was MONEY BAY BEE!! MONEY NEW YAWK STYLE!!
Ric is NOT ruining his legacy. Ric Flair can make Hogan look good in the ring. Hell, Ric Flair can make LEX LUGER look good in the ring. The Rock, Austin and Triple H could never accomplish that even if they all had 30 years experience and 200 belt reigns. So let your bum friends laugh and foam diarhetic from the mouth about Flair all they want. You know the truth, and that's all that matters.
(edited by PandaMask on 14.5.02 2205)
We Won! FUCK YOU WRESTLING FANBOYS!! WWF FOR LIFE!! *Insert Nelson laugh here*
Ooh, I don't agree Flair's a bad worker killing his legacy. WWE as it is in its current state is killing Flair's legacy.
Don't believe old men belong in the sport? Pick yourself up a copy of Slamboree 1994, one of my FAVORITE shows EVER!
Terry Funk faces Tully Blanchard in a legends match. For a couple of old guys, they certainly work an awesome match!
Larry Zbyzsko faces Lord Steven Regal, Zbyzsko having come out of retirement to take on the arrogant Brit. Again, a really good quality match.
Ric Flair takes on Barry Windham for the WCW World Heavyweight Title, in a match that's pretty good, Flair at age 44 at that point.
It's all about perception. WWE has spent a long time disrespecting history and wrestling - and doesn't give matches time to work themselves out. Flair's not a Sportz Entertainment wrestler. He can't work for 4 minutes and call it quits, it's not his style. He needs 15 to strut his stuff and prove he is indeed still The Man.
Certain styles belong in certain promotions. Flair does not belong in WWE.
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