Rick Flair

Richard Morgan Fliehr, known professionally as Ric Flair, was born on February 25, 1949, in Memphis, Tennessee. He began his professional wrestling training under Verne Gagne after leaving a medical student program at Minnesota University. Flair made his professional wrestling debut on December 10, 1972, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. His early career included time with Gagne’s Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club before he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to join Jim Crockett Promotions, a National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) member.

Flair captured his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1981, marking the beginning of a decorated career. He officially held this title ten times. His career further advanced through World Championship Wrestling (WCW), formed after Ted Turner acquired Jim Crockett Promotions, and later World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Over his career, Flair has been recognized as a World Champion 21 times across the NWA, WWE, and WCW (including WCWI). He holds the distinction of being the only wrestler to have held all four versions of these major titles.

Throughout his extensive career, Flair was known for his flamboyant persona and in-ring abilities. A significant personal challenge occurred on October 4, 1975, when he survived a plane crash in Wilmington, North Carolina, sustaining a broken back. Doctors initially stated he would never wrestle again, but Flair returned to the ring in January 1976. He continued to compete for nearly five decades, concluding his in-ring career on July 31, 2022. Beyond wrestling, Flair has taken on roles as a booker for WCW in 1989-1990 and 1994, and as a manager and on-air official in various promotions.