Whether you like him, or where you don’t, you will love “The Last Real World Champion” by Tim Hornbaker, on the life and times of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. In the 1980’s, Flair and Hulk Hogan were two of the biggest stars in the pro wrestling circuit, and when their paths finally crossed, the ultimate dream match was finally realized.
The author takes you back to Flair being adopted, and his supportive parents telling he could whatever he wanted. Flair father’s found time to take his son Ric to live matches, as the future world champion developed a passion for the sport. Flair was selected to train with the legendary Verne Gagne, who ran a wrestling camp in a barn outside Minneapolis. Hornbaker’s research is meticulous, and he tries to pin down when Flair actually made his in ring debut with best available evidence.
Flair seemed out of place with Gagne’s wrestling promotion, and “The Nature Boy” look the leap of faith to move to Charlotte, where a broke Flair was able to borrow money to get back on his feet. It was here Flair captured his first wrestling title, the first of many. Additionally, Flair started doing his patented “Wooo! and dawning lavish customized wrestling robes. Not even a plane crash in 1975 could slow down his meteorite rise.
In 1981, the National Wrestling Alliance showed the ultimate fate in Flair, by deciding to make him the prestigious NWA Heavyweight World Champion. He also developed his “diamonds are forever” tagline, and traveling extensively defending the NWA title in the different territories. Flair was raking in the money, but appeared to be spending it just as fast. He also was introduced to a new foe outside the ring, the IRS, for falling to pay his taxes.
As Vince McMahon was changing the wrestling landscape by invading talent from rival promotions, Flair formed the dreaded Four Horsemen. The WWF was becoming a cartoon wrestling promotion, but Flair’s home base (Crockett Promotions) concentrated on athleticism and compelling story lines. But after Ted Turner bought Crockett Promotions, Flair had a falling out, and joined the WWF in 1991.
Hornbaker does a fabulous job detailing the wrestling politics that surrounded Flair, such as his bitter legal squabble with Eric Bischoff, the president of WCW. The authors breaks down Flair’s many triumphs and tragedies. such as being inducted into the WWE hall of Fame twice, but also losing his developing wrestling protege son Reid in 2013. Hornbaker documents Flair’s marriages and divorces, and his pride and joy in watching daughter Charlotte blossom into a wrestling superstar.
This book truly takes you down memory lane, and is highly recommended.
By: Tim Hornbaker
Narrated by: Joe Hempel
Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
Release date: 10-03-23
