Wrestlemania XXIV saw an emotional tale, told beautifully between the four sides of the squared circle, by two of the best to ever step foot inside a WWE ring. Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair brought the wrestling world to a collective standing ovation, flooding the formally known Florida Citrus Bowl with a sea of tears. The pair arguably stole the show.
Ric Flair’s Success Continued Through Multiple Generations
Ric Flair was a four-decade veteran of the wrestling industry by 2008, making himself a major star outside the confines of the WWE. He was a marquee figure in both the NWA and WCW, so much so that when he walked into the WWF in 1991, he quickly won the world title, before once again leaving, and cementing his place as a top star elsewhere.
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When WWE bought out WCW, ending the Monday Night Wars, Flair carried his legacy as one of the greatest champions of all time into the company. Flair would have many great moments, feuds, and matches, notably being part of the Evolution stable. One thing that stood out about his run was that despite mixing it up with biggest names, such as Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, and The Undertaker during his tenure, he never seemed to hog the spotlight from the stars of the day.
Fans Knew That Ric Flair’s Time Was Coming To An End
At times, Flair would drop into the tag team or midcard divisions, squaring off against younger talent who needed a push, or otherwise allowing other members of the roster to take his spot in the upper card. At the time, especially with his age, this made all the sense in the world, and many benefitted from sharing the ring with Flair, even if just from name value alone.
It felt like Flair was immortal, with him still performing to a decent standard at nearly 60 years old. In late 2007, Flair made the claim that he would never retire – a believable statement. This prompted the chairman, Vince McMahon, to state that the next time he lost a match, he would be forced to retire. With Flair at this late point of his career, fans knew this likely wasn’t just a storyline quirk – it was the final stages of an illustrious career.
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This would prompt a final WWE run, taking on the likes of Randy Orton, Umaga, and MVP, among others, and even Mr. McMahon himself. Flair kept pulling out wins, desperately clutching to his career. Flair, however, wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to fight the best in order to prove to himself that he could still be at the top, and therefore challenged none other than Mr. Wrestlemania himself, Shawn Michaels, to a match at Wrestlemania XXIV. Michaels, knowing he had the advantage, didn’t want to accept, forcing Flair to prod, poke, slap, and claw until it was accepted.
From Bell To Bell, Wrestlemania Produced A Classic Encounter
The match was a masterpiece. What else would anyone expect from the caliber of performers that these two were? Flair was given one last shot to pull out his signature moves, cheap shots, struts, and woos. The pair put on a match full of hard-hitting action, technical brilliance, scary spots, all mixed with wonderful entertainment and tension. Though Flair had claimed that he would be proud to have Michaels retire him, it was clear he was fighting to win. Through the match, his desperation was felt, with Flair not shy to enact underhanded tactics. Michaels showed hesitation throughout the affair, not wanting to be the one to put the final nail in the coffin, which at times nearly cost him the match.
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The latter stages of the match will forever live in the hearts of wrestling fans, in a moment in which time stopped. Flair, knowing he had no fight left, with tears streaming down his cheeks, looked up at his opponent from his knees, begging Michaels to give him everything he had. Michaels uttered the legendary words of ‘I’m sorry, I love you’, before obliging, delivering one final Sweet Chin Music, covering Flair for the three-count.
Everything About Flair Vs. Michaels Made This The Full Package
Fans and family alike were in pieces, as Flair and Michaels embraced, with the Nature Boy unable to hold back his sobs, knowing that this was his final match in WWE. From Flair’s family at ringside, to the supersized marvel that is a Wrestlemania-clothed stadium, with the glitz, glamour, fireworks, and electricity, this all molded together into a masterclass. The match was unequivocally perfect from bell to bell, which was no surprise to anyone given Flair's history, and Michaels' ability to tell a story in the ring.
The only thing that perhaps tainted this match in the aftermath, was Flair continuing to wrestle for a short time after WWE, in order to bring in funds. However, in the context and enclosed world of WWE, this was special, and still remains special to this day, although Flair's legacy has become a little tainted in modern day.
