Guest Trivia247 Report post Posted May 28, 2003 # For those wondering, Danny Basham, who debuted at last night's Smackdown taping with Doug Basham as "The Basham Brothers", is actually developmental wrestler Danny "The Damaja" Hollie. # Ric Flair and Billy Kidman will be the special guests on Friday's edition of Byte This! # Jones out due to chipped bone Nathan Jones hasn’t been seen on WWE telecasts lately because he chipped a bone in his left elbow two weeks ago. Continue... # Stone Cold salutes the troops In appreciation for the courage, strength and determination of our troops, WWE is extending an offer to all returning U.S. military personnel to enjoy the company's pay-per-view on Sunday, June 15, Bad Blood, for free! Continue... # Thank you, Nature Boy WWE.com welcomes its newest writer -- Spike Dudley! In his first commentary, the "Tough Little Bastard" discusses Ric Flair, and the tribute the Superstars paid to the "Nature Boy" at a recent RAW. Continue... (Thanks to 1wrestling.com & WWE.com) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted May 28, 2003 It's nice to see that WWE.com has become a place for the Jobbed and Injured to play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bravesfan Report post Posted May 28, 2003 Thank you, Nature Boy by Spike Dudley May 28, 2003 Every once in a while, a moment comes along that just flat-out moves us. It doesn't matter if you’re a WWE Superstar, a fan, a backstage technician or the guy who sweeps out the seats after the show. During RAW on May 19, 2003, in Greenville, S.C., I was lucky enough to take part in a truly remarkable tribute to the legendary Ric Flair. RAW's main event pitted World Champion Triple H vs. his mentor, Ric Flair. I don't have to tell anyone how special the night was. Ric had several promos throughout the show that brought back memories of his NWA World Championship glory days. He started the night unsure, lacking confidence. Next we saw Shawn Michaels asking a truly emotional Flair, "Where is the Nature Boy?" Ric, with tears in his eyes, had no answer for Michaels. Flair returned later in the show to finish the promos with a thunderous speech to Triple H, reminding the champ that Flair wrestled thousands of nights and never asked for a night off, especially in his hometown. Ric went on to have a tremendous match against HHH and came within a heartbeat of dethroning the Game. RAW went off the air that night with all of the fans on their feet, giving Flair a standing ovation for his night's performance. I don't think it's necessary for me to list Ric Flair's credentials. From his NWA/ WCW World Title reigns to his WWE return, Flair is the epitome of professionalism, and I really believe every fan knows this. I've been a fan my whole life, and I know my "wrestling world" was rocked the first time I saw Ric Flair wrestle live. It happened to be the 1992 Royal Rumble at the Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, N.Y. Flair entered the Rumble third and wrestled over an hour, outlasting 29 other wrestlers to win the WWE Championship. I became a diehard Flair fan after that magical night. So let's just say it's a given that Ric is one of the best ever and everyone knows it. What you can't know about him, without knowing him personally, is what a truly class act he is. The first time I had the honor of shaking hands with the man, he was the most humble person I've ever met. Ric Flair actually thanked me for welcoming him back to the WWE locker room. Imagine that! Ric Flair thanking Spike Dudley! Class just oozes out of this guy. Ric loves the wrestling business. In the twilight of his career, when he could easily retire and sit around the pool with his family, he is still on the road, entertaining the fans and leading the Superstars of WWE. Ric still arrives at every show early to get in the ring and teach the younger wrestlers. He certainly doesn't have to do this, he wants to because he loves the business. Whether it's a training session in the ring, telling stories about his earlier days or just plain giving advice, Ric perpetually makes the business better. Ric gives and gives and gives. He does this with a smile, with dignity, with class. During the HHH/Flair match on RAW, the Superstars of WWE decided to pay a tribute to the Nature Boy. After the show went off the air and Ric was accepting his ovation from the Greenville crowd, every Superstar in the back walked out on the stage to join in the standing ovation. Ric was visibly moved by this show of respect. We all entered the ring to shake hands and hug him. As we all gathered around, tears of joy rolled down his face. I want you to picture the image of every WWE Superstar in the ring, yet out of character. There were no good guys/bad guys. There was no pretending or gimmicks or acts. The WWE wrestlers truly love Ric, and we wanted this chance to show him. The live crowd could sense the honesty and the realism of this tribute. They stayed on their feet clapping and cheering until we left Ric in the ring alone to say a few words to the fans. To be part of such a magical moment means a lot to me and everyone who took part, wrestlers and fans alike. Maybe once a generation a man comes along with the dignity and class of Ric Flair. Professionally, I'm a better wrestler by his teachings. Personally, I'm a better man for knowing him. It's a joy to go to work and be around a man of his stature. We are all lucky to have him with us. Thank you for being the Nature Boy, but more importantly, thank you for being Ric Flair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Steviekick Report post Posted May 29, 2003 It's good to finally see Spike using his English degree Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EL DANDY~! 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2003 I swear...Spike and I pretty much wrote the same article. I'm touched!!! His Flair love is worth it though. Nicely written. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OnlyMe Report post Posted May 29, 2003 In appreciation for the courage, strength and determination of our troops, WWE is extending an offer to all returning U.S. military personnel to enjoy the company's pay-per-view on Sunday, June 15, Bad Blood, for free! Tickets are selling well, then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EL DANDY~! 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2003 oh yeah...about as well as Pop Tarts to a bunch of bulemics.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OnlyMe Report post Posted May 29, 2003 oh yeah...about as well as Pop Tarts to a bunch of bulemics.. I dunno, they'd buy them and then throw up. But am I talking about the bulemics or the soldiers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mach7 Report post Posted May 29, 2003 I swear...Spike and I pretty much wrote the same article. I'm touched!!! His Flair love is worth it though. Nicely written. Okay, guys, don't get me wrong. I like Ric Flair and have always thought that he was a great wrestler. I just have one question. Why all the love for Flair, yet all the hate for HHH? From what we've all heard, Flair was just as bad a backstage politicker back in the day [especially when he had the book] as HHH is now. I mean, if we're to believe all the HHH stories floating about on the net, then why not believe all the stories about Flair as well? I'm just curious, is all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted May 29, 2003 Okay, guys, don't get me wrong. I like Ric Flair and have always thought that he was a great wrestler. I just have one question. Why all the love for Flair, yet all the hate for HHH? Because he's a great wrestler and interview. That's pretty much all there is to it to be honest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OnlyMe Report post Posted May 29, 2003 Flair could back it up in the ring? I don't know the extent of his politicking, so I'll back out now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted May 29, 2003 Flair was as a political an animal as anyone back in the day when he still had power within the NWA/WCW company. He kept the World title out of the hands of guys that really could have made everyone a whole lot of money like Windham and Luger (who was really over and carryable at the time). While at the same time, dropping the belt to guys like Ronnie Garvin just so Flair could get the strap back in a few months time. So, yeah he was pretty much very protective of his top spot on the cards and basically cut the legs out of anyone that was going to be the next big thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B. Brian Brunzell 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2003 One has to wonder if jones is really hurt, or if the WWE is just making that one up to keep him off tv. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mach7 Report post Posted May 29, 2003 (edited) Flair was as a political an animal as anyone back in the day when he still had power within the NWA/WCW company. He kept the World title out of the hands of guys that really could have made everyone a whole lot of money like Windham and Luger (who was really over and carryable at the time). While at the same time, dropping the belt to guys like Ronnie Garvin just so Flair could get the strap back in a few months time. So, yeah he was pretty much very protective of his top spot on the cards and basically cut the legs out of anyone that was going to be the next big thing. Speaking of Flair & HHH. I know that a lot of people have drawn attention to Triple H's most recent cosmetic changes to look like Flair. But holy crap, does this pic of Flair ever look like the current HHH. I had to do a double take. From Mid Atlantic Wrestling dot Net ..and while we're at it, totally off-topic but what the hell, but man does Randy Savage look like a fruit in this pic (on the left) with his brother. Nice booty shorts, Macho Man! Edited May 29, 2003 by mach7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spaceman Spiff Report post Posted May 29, 2003 You linked the same pic twice, Mach7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mach7 Report post Posted May 29, 2003 Speaking of Flair & HHH. I know that a lot of people have drawn attention to Triple H's most recent cosmetic changes to look like Flair. But holy crap, does this pic of Flair ever look like the current HHH. I had to do a double take. From Mid Atlantic Wrestling dot Net ..and while we're at it, totally off-topic but what the hell, but man does Randy Savage look like a fruit in this pic (on the left) with his brother. Nice booty shorts, Macho Man! D'oh! Fixed! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites