Ric Flair — PICS

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January 5, 2017 10:16AM EST

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Ric Flair Enters The WWE Hall of Fame

Ric Flair Enters The WWE Hall of Fame — He was born Richard Morgan Fleihr, but the world would come to know him as ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. Considered the greatest professional wrestler of all time by many, Ric would carve out a legacy inside the squared circle while wrestling for such promotions like the NWA, WCW and the WWF/WWE. From his start in the American Wrestling Association in 1972, Ric would gain critical acclaim and fan scorn/admiration with his legendary matches with Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race, and Sting. In 1985, Ric joined forces with Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson and Ole Anderson to form what many consider to be the premier faction in all of professional wrestling: the Four Horsemen. The group would have numerous members throughout the years, but Flair and Arn Anderson would remain the constants.

Ric’s time in the ring seemingly came to an end in 2008 at WWE’s WrestleMania XXIV, after he lost a match with Shawn Michaels that had Ric’s career on the line. However, he would make sporadic appearances in other promotions up until his actual retirement in 2012. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – the first man to receive such an honor – first in 2008 by himself, and again in 2012 as part of the Four Horsemen.

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Ric Flair

Ric Flair — One of his nicknames was the “stylin’, profilin’, limousine ridin’, jet flyin’, kiss-stealin’, wheelin n’ dealin’, son-of-a-gun.” Here, Ric Flair attends an event for WWE 2k18 at WrestleMania 34 in 2018.

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Ric Flair At A 2013 Autograph Signing

Ric Flair At A 2013 Autograph Signing — Ric Flair would finally retire – for good – in 2012. Though he was ‘retired’ after losing to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV, he returned to action at non-WWE events (including at TNA, the company’s chief rival at the time.)

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Ric Flair At Atlanta Falcons’ Training Camp in 2017

Ric Flair At Atlanta Falcons’ Training Camp in 2017 — Though he was born in Memphis and grew up in Minnesota, Ric Flair is deeply associated with the south, due to his work with Jim Crockett Promotions and the NWA. Here, he appears at an Atlanta Falcons training camp in 2017.

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Ric Flair Stylin’ and Profilin’

Ric Flair Stylin’ and Profilin’ — Ric Flair’s rivalries with his fellow wrestlers carried outside of the ring. He and Bret Hart had a long-running feud, as did he and Shane Douglas. Rick insulted Mick Foley in his book, clashed with Hulk Hogan, and talked trash about Bruno Sammartino. Outside of Shane Douglas, Ric reconciled with all these men.

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Ric Flair Flashes The Four Horsemen Sign

Ric Flair Flashes The Four Horsemen Sign — Besides being known for being “The Nature Boy,” Ric Flair is famous for being a founding member of The Four Horsemen. Though there have been many members of the group over the years, Ric has been in every incarnation.

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Ric Flair

Ric Flair — Outside of his record-breaking number of world title reigns (some claim it’s 16, while others say it’s more around 25) Ric Flair would be most proud of his children. He has four – Megan, David, the late Reid, and Ashley, who competes under the ring-name Charlotte Flair.

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Ric Flair Poses

Ric Flair Poses — Ric Flair

(REX Shutterstock)

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Ric Flair At WrestleMania

Ric Flair At WrestleMania — Ric Flair’s biggest rivals included the late Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, and Sting. Many fell to the ‘Dirtiest Player In The Game’s machinations and/or his painful Figure-Four leglock.

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Ric Flair Looking Tan

Ric Flair Looking Tan — Ric Flair has the distinction of being the first man to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice. He was first inducted on his own in 2008, in celebration of his phenomenal career. He would be inducted a second time in 2012, as part of the Four Horsemen.

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