Brilliant Ric Flair interview

[Fro 0]

Foley can't go 60 minutes? He could go thirty when he was on top at least.

 

I believe Foley and Eddie Gilbert had a 2 out of 3 falls match with different stips that went 45 minutes, at least.

 

Foley's not in an elite class of wrestlers as far as mat wrestling, but he's not incompetent (see his match versus Michaels). If Flair was really objective he'd mention how great a talker Foley is.

 

I'm not too surprised Flair still holds that opinion of Foley.

 

Even though HHH can be pretty darn good (when he wants to be), he's not the best in the business today. But if I were in Flair's position, I'd be kissing up too. And I'm thankful for Flair doing so, because if Meltzer is to be believed, Flair has had a lot of influence (influence on HHH/Michaels who are influencing Vince and Steph) as far as Eddy and Benoit being champs and focusing on more wrestling and wrestling history.

 

Yes, it was a really good interview.

[Guest JMA]

Foley isn't a technical master in the ring, but to call him "just a stunt man" is ludacris. He was one of the best brawlers in the world in his prime and could make any crowd get into a match even without taking sick bumps. He's also cut some of the best promos EVER in wrestling history.

 

From what I've read of Foley's book, he only criticized Flair's booking ability - not his wrestling ability. In fact, he called Flair, "one of the best."

[Guest Choken One]

That was the problem, While flair was HELL BENT on getting Austin and Rhodes over as the top stars to pass the torch to...Cactus Jack was getting insanely over during his run with Vader but Flair never paid attention and decided to stick Foley into the tags thus killing his push for good.

[4hartthreat 0]

Just about everyone here is bitching at Flair for "sucking Shawn and HHH's dicks," but what about all of you who are turning right around and sucking Foley's? You want a nice pot and kettle situation, there's a good one.

 

Flair > Foley, it's a simple fact. Anyone that trys to argue otherwise is fooling themselves. And on the styles thing, he's right! Foley only does one thing, kill himself. All those matches you people are using to show Foley's great wrestling ability is bullshit. Every single one of those matches is just a big brawl. Are they good? Sure, but they don't exhibit any wrestling skills from Foley. And as for Flair, he has branched out some in his style. For example, while you wouldn't know it looking at it by today's standards, his I Quit match with Funk from the Clash was considered revolutionary and one of the more brutal matches of its time.

 

And the guy who said Flair landed a top rope move in 2000 to beat Jarrett for the title is just dead wrong. Flair beat Jarrett with a small package to win the title. I remember that because in the return match two weeks later, they used the exact same spot for an awesome near fall.

[Guest BillyTheStud]

Just because Flair is better than Foley doesn't give Flair the right to pass off Foley as simply a garbage wrestler. The great majority of wrestling fans will agree than Foley is more talented than Triple H, and he's also agruably in HBK's league.

[NoCalMike 0]

I wish Flair would retire already. He hasn't been watchable to me in a long time. Sure I can get a kick out of his promos which I have no problem with him doing(as a manager), but he needs to just hang up the wrestling boots already.

 

Also, I am sorry, but with Eddy and Benoit on your roster, how in the hell could you call Triple H the greatest wrestler in the world? Is this kayfabe or what? I have no problem with him getting off on HBK, because HBK was the best in his era, but Triple H was never the best of any era, including the 2000 heel era where everyone says Triple was at his own personal best, even then he wasn't best in the world.

[chaosrage 0]

He wrestled one match differently 15 years ago. Let's give him a medal.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

That was the problem, While flair was HELL BENT on getting Austin and Rhodes over as the top stars to pass the torch to...Cactus Jack was getting insanely over during his run with Vader but Flair never paid attention and decided to stick Foley into the tags thus killing his push for good.

Flair didn't want to put Austin over. Flair was the one who broke up the Blondes. Dusty wanted to put Dustin over. Flair put over his friends. He played the same games as everyone else as a booker, its just when Hogan came in, his power overuled Flairs.

 

Why are all of the big names so hard on Foley? Both Flair and Hogan have ultimately ripped on him for no reason. But check this out, Foley's legacy is probably more intact because he went out right before he started to embarass himself. Flair and Hogan have been embarassing themselves for atleast 5 years, possibly even 10.

 

Sure Flair wrestled 60 minute matches all of the time, but many could if they were laying in a throat choke for a combined 25 minutes of it. Foley was a high impact competitor, he made his matches (aside from barb wire and jumpign of hell in a cells) seem more believable. I get much more out of Jack and Vader legitimatelly punching each other in the face than having Flair use 226 neck chops in a match.

 

I'm not necessarily saying that Foley is better than Flair, but he surely shouldn't be pissed on. He deserves all of the accolades he has gotten. People won't be remember when Foley can barely function in the ring, with tits down to his bell button, trying to keep up with the other stars. If Flair didn't have the charisma he has, he'd be one of the most embarassing superstars ever. Folks, he really isn't very good anymore. And he wrestles and embarasses himself while Foley retired and preserves his legacy? Somehow I respect Foley more for knowing when to quit.

[Hektik 0]

Flair didn't want to put Austin over.  Flair was the one who broke up the Blondes.  Dusty wanted to put Dustin over.  Flair put over his friends.  He played the same games as everyone else as a booker, its just when Hogan came in, his power overuled Flairs.

It was actually Eric Bischoff who broke up the Blondes. Ric Flair was given booking powers in November/December of 93. Flair's plans for 94 were to push Steve Austin as the top heel and drop the WCW title to him. Bischoff was able to sign Hogan so plans were changed. Flair did a quick heel turn and Hogan won the title in his first match. Steve Austin was quickly forgotten since Hogan had creative control of his character. Flair, and later Sullivan, only booked the undercard.

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

That was the problem, While flair was HELL BENT on getting Austin and Rhodes over as the top stars to pass the torch to...Cactus Jack was getting insanely over during his run with Vader but Flair never paid attention and decided to stick Foley into the tags thus killing his push for good.

Flair didn't want to put Austin over. Flair was the one who broke up the Blondes. Dusty wanted to put Dustin over. Flair put over his friends. He played the same games as everyone else as a booker, its just when Hogan came in, his power overuled Flairs.

 

Why are all of the big names so hard on Foley? Both Flair and Hogan have ultimately ripped on him for no reason. But check this out, Foley's legacy is probably more intact because he went out right before he started to embarass himself. Flair and Hogan have been embarassing themselves for atleast 5 years, possibly even 10.

 

Sure Flair wrestled 60 minute matches all of the time, but many could if they were laying in a throat choke for a combined 25 minutes of it. Foley was a high impact competitor, he made his matches (aside from barb wire and jumpign of hell in a cells) seem more believable. I get much more out of Jack and Vader legitimatelly punching each other in the face than having Flair use 226 neck chops in a match.

 

I'm not necessarily saying that Foley is better than Flair, but he surely shouldn't be pissed on. He deserves all of the accolades he has gotten. People won't be remember when Foley can barely function in the ring, with tits down to his bell button, trying to keep up with the other stars. If Flair didn't have the charisma he has, he'd be one of the most embarassing superstars ever. Folks, he really isn't very good anymore. And he wrestles and embarasses himself while Foley retired and preserves his legacy? Somehow I respect Foley more for knowing when to quit.

Bischoff broke up the blondes. Flair groomed Austin to take his spot as #1 heel. Why do you think Austin went from nothing post-Blondes break up to US champ and feuding with ME'ers by the summer when Flair was booking. Then Hogan took over and Austin got pushed out.

 

And I find it funny how much everyone's sucking Foley's dick. His legacy is pissed on everytime he takes a fucking stupid pointless bump(HHH/Nash anyone?) or comes back for absolutely no reason(refereeing the invasion ref match). Hogan's comments were totally justified on Foley while Flair's are a bit harsh.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

That was the problem, While flair was HELL BENT on getting Austin and Rhodes over as the top stars to pass the torch to...Cactus Jack was getting insanely over during his run with Vader but Flair never paid attention and decided to stick Foley into the tags thus killing his push for good.

Flair didn't want to put Austin over. Flair was the one who broke up the Blondes. Dusty wanted to put Dustin over. Flair put over his friends. He played the same games as everyone else as a booker, its just when Hogan came in, his power overuled Flairs.

 

Why are all of the big names so hard on Foley? Both Flair and Hogan have ultimately ripped on him for no reason. But check this out, Foley's legacy is probably more intact because he went out right before he started to embarass himself. Flair and Hogan have been embarassing themselves for atleast 5 years, possibly even 10.

 

Sure Flair wrestled 60 minute matches all of the time, but many could if they were laying in a throat choke for a combined 25 minutes of it. Foley was a high impact competitor, he made his matches (aside from barb wire and jumpign of hell in a cells) seem more believable. I get much more out of Jack and Vader legitimatelly punching each other in the face than having Flair use 226 neck chops in a match.

 

I'm not necessarily saying that Foley is better than Flair, but he surely shouldn't be pissed on. He deserves all of the accolades he has gotten. People won't be remember when Foley can barely function in the ring, with tits down to his bell button, trying to keep up with the other stars. If Flair didn't have the charisma he has, he'd be one of the most embarassing superstars ever. Folks, he really isn't very good anymore. And he wrestles and embarasses himself while Foley retired and preserves his legacy? Somehow I respect Foley more for knowing when to quit.

Bischoff broke up the blondes. Flair groomed Austin to take his spot as #1 heel. Why do you think Austin went from nothing post-Blondes break up to US champ and feuding with ME'ers by the summer when Flair was booking. Then Hogan took over and Austin got pushed out.

 

And I find it funny how much everyone's sucking Foley's dick. His legacy is pissed on everytime he takes a fucking stupid pointless bump(HHH/Nash anyone?) or comes back for absolutely no reason(refereeing the invasion ref match). Hogan's comments were totally justified on Foley while Flair's are a bit harsh.

Hogan is fucked. No one respects him as a person or as a wrestler. You don't see Foley quitting because he doesn't want to put someone over, do you? Look, he came back solely to give orton the rub....and he has looked better in 4 years off than Hogan has in 15 years. That is what pro wrestling is about, Hogan doesn't give a fuck about wrestling...he cares about himself. I'm surprised you smarks don't know any better than that.

[haVoc 0]

Who was praising Hogan?

[Guest wildpegasus]

Foley's just not a bump machine. He has good offence and knows what he's doing in the ring.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

I don't think comparing Foley and Flair is a valid argument as that's comparing apples and oranges. As for HHH being the best, I doubt it. And I'll go on the record as saying I would pay good money to watch Raven ME. Probably more than I would to see Flair/Batista vs. whoever, or HHH. Take that Nature Boy.

[haVoc 0]

I been paying anywhere from $10 - $50 to see Triple H main event for pretty much 4 years now.

 

I can't imagine doing that for Raven.

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

When did I defend Hogan? I just said his criticism of Foley was grounded in truth much more than Flair's.

 

And I wouldn't pay a penny for Raven. I'd pay to watch an HHH match over a Raven match any day of the week.

[Guest Choken One]

Same Here.

 

I could less about watching a drug abused Past his prime(as if he ever had one) do the same fucking generic match he has done the last 10 years.

 

Anyone that blows more then 5 bucks to see that sack of shit should be shot on the spot.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

What's with all the Foley love? I realize he is popular, and he has a lot of charisma, but he himself would be the first to admit that he wasn't a good wrestler. He said it in both books and on his DVD. Flair, along with others (my father thinks the exact same way), don't like hardcore brawls, and that happens to be what Foley is good at. It is that style that Flair criticizes. Foley is NOT a good mat wrestler, and that is what Flair is commenting on. He probably didn't like ECW either, and he's not a fan of lucha libre. A lot of the time I agree with him. He didn't mention it, but RVD is a terrible wrestler too, for many of the same reasons. Just Foley is better at building emotion.

 

I liked Raven when he was feuding with Benoit and when he was Johnny Polo, but that's it. I wouldn't pay anything to see him now.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

Foley vs. Vader, vs. Sting, vs. Austin, vs. HHH seem to tell a different story.

I couldn't agree more. Not to mention, Foley wrestled his sorry ass off for Shawn Michaels at Mind Games, IYH 1996. However, Foley still isn't even in the same league as Flair, not even remotely close, and, as mentioned earlier, they wrestle two different styles, so it isn't fair to compare the two.

 

Calling Triple H the best wrestler alive today is like taking a DVD of Benoit's life work and breaking it in his face. HHH has been working his ass off recently and I've always been a fan of him when he is motivated and works hard, but that still doesn't make him a better *wrestler* than guys like Benoit, Guerrero & Michaels.

 

The HBK love is warranted, though.

 

UYI