Anyone who has known me, followed me, read my stuff, or listened to my podcast, knows that I am a huge Ric Flair mark. One of many reasons why is his unmatched ability on the microphone.
On any given episode of World Championship Wrestling, fans were treated to a classic Ric Flair promo (with the awesome Tony Schiavone holding the stick).
Flair would get a hell of a lot accomplished in just a few minutes.
He'd cement his character. We all know the drill here. Flair certainly didn't shy away from discussing his wealth of material possessions, including everything from the alligator shoes, to the $25,000 Rollex watch, to one of his many, many suits (which were custom made by Michael’s of Kansas City). The cherry on top was, of course, the Big Gold Belt, which debuted in late 1986. It was a beautiful, eye-popping title, and certainly suited the Nature Boy.
He'd put over his allies, and his opponents. Even before Tully Blanchard and his "cousins" the Andersons joined him in forming the Four Horsemen, Naitch would always pay them compliments on-air. Flair was also very generous in his remarks on James E. Cornette and the Midnight Express. And even with regards to his opponents, though he of course would talk some smack (see: the Ricky Morton training bra saga and the Magnum TA suit angle), Flair would also make sure to discuss their positive traits as well. After all, if Flair was going to end up winning, he'd want to have beaten somebody who mattered.
He'd put over the NWA. "If we're making the most, we must be working for the best!" Flair was proud to be an NWA guy. And his pride in the promotion seemed to come out even more as the Crockett / McMahon cable and ppv war escalated in the late '80s. As Starrcade '87 approached, and Vince countered by debuting the Survivor Series, Flair told the audience in promoting Crockett's signature show, "there's nothing else going on!"
He'd entertain. Hey, go check out Flair's rant the night after Starrcade '98, or his bloody promo on Triple H on Raw in '05 and try and say they're anything but absolutely awesome.