- Chuck Palumbo had heat from many wrestlers in the Smackdown! lockerroom, almost all of whom were happy to see him moved to RAW.
- Referee Tim White needs another shoulder operation, which would be his fifth surgery. He has not been able to ref since the Chris Jericho vs. Christian Wrestlemania match.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Subscription information available at wrestlingobserver.com
Report of Ric Flair on Sky Sports News 4:30pm (British Summer
Time) 15th April 2004
Report by: Stevie V., rajah.com reader
Ric Flair was introduced by the presenters as as 16 time world champ with
30 years in the business.
The first question he was asked was just how does he do it? Flair responed
that he has been lucky that later on in his career he has avoided serious
injuries and is just happy to still be around.
The presenter then brought up the plane crash from 1975 which killed the
pilot and left Johnny Valentine paralysed, Ric said that he was lucky to
walk away from it and was glad to have a second chance at the business.
Then Ric was asked about what changes he has seen in wrestling over his
long career and he said that the main changes in the business relate to
Marketing in that these days wrestlers are seen on national television all
overr the world - visibility is that much greater.
Then the show moved onto questions sent through e-mail or text
John from Coventry asked whether or not Flair felt that the greater amount
of showmanship these days was a better thing or a worse thing for the
business?
Flair said that he likes the paychecks he gets these days more than he did
25/30 years ago. He went on to say that he feels one of the reasons he has
been so sucessfull has been due to his ability to adapt and change with the
business. He also feels that the showmanship in wrestling has led to
showmanship in other sports and he pointed out nicknames and cheerleaders
as being examples of this.
He was then asked about his nickname of "The Nature Boy" and said that he
can't claim to have made it up but he did steal it from one of the greats
Buddy Rogers.
Andy from St Albans asked about who makes the costumes for the wrestlers
and Ric mentioned Lydia Walker who designed his robes for him for years and
how the robes became a part of his persona as much as his blond hair.
He was then asked about what title he felt best about winning. Ric
mentioned his first run in 1981 and also winning the title again in 1983 as
showing that he was worthy to wear the title again. He said that these days
he doesn't look so much to titles, he is just happier to be working and
enjoying himself in the company.
The presenters then briefly touched on his epic feuds with the likes of
Steamboat, Rhodes, Race, Savage and Hogan.
An e-mail question then asked Flair the size of his feet....and for all
those of you wondering out there he wears size 13's.
Then the presenters mentioned that several e-mails had asked for a
trademark Flair "wooooo" and he duly obliged.
This was followed by a hilarious segment in which the presenter let Ric
demonstrate the Figure Four on him. Very funny stuff - especially when you
take into account the size of the sky sports studio.
This was followed by more questions from e-mails, and Nick from Kingston
asked what flair had left to accomplish in the business? Flair made it
clear that he didn't really have anything left to accomplish and then
stated again that he was enjoying his role in the company especially the PR
stuff.
The next question regarded the role of Women in WWE, and Flair said that it
amazes him to see these very beautiful feminine women backstage go out to
the ring and fight like the men and get hurt just like the men. He
mentioned Lita's broken neck at this point.
The famous 'Strut' was briefly mentioned although sadly not demonstrated.
Ric was then asked where the business was going by the presenter who also
added "what is the next evolution?" Ric said that he felt the business had
been in a valley for a while but is now climbing and will continue to grow,
both in attendances at home and especially overseas. He also mentioned that
WWE was establishing new talent as major players ready for the future.
THe next topic mentioned was Backlash coming up this sunday, and Ric's
opponent Shelton Benjamin. Ric said that he felt Benjamin could be a huge
future star and that he had a great amateur background but wouldn't be
ready to climb the mountain just yet, the mountain being Flair himself.
The final question asked Flair what he would have done if he never became a
wrestler. He said he would have loved to have been a movie star, he feels
it is too late for him to do that now but is happy for the guys who are
doing it such as the Rock and HHH.
The presenters thanked Ric for coming and that was that.
Overall a good interview - Ric came off as an intelligent guy and the
presenters had done some research although they clearly didn't know that
much about the business.
