Ric Flair is a certifiable national treasure. A bonkers, batshit, often imitated, never duplicated, Falcons-rooting, (allegedly-) Halle Berry-bedding, son of a gun. He’s a big old weirdo, one of the most beloved and greatest and most accomplished wrestlers of all time, and an absolute American icon. He’s also kind of, sort of, the sort of addled personality you might see late at night on a local used car commercial. Or maybe hawking mattresses.
So it’s a true bit of inspired genius that U.S. Auto Sales has put together a series of commercials featuring Flair as “Papa Flair,” a maniac used car dealer who assaults his employees and hangs out with slightly concerned young women with questionable hair. In fact, it has a lot in common with Famous B’s commercial from Lucha Underground, but that’s neither here nor there.
The first commercial in the series is called “Ode To Dusty,” and while I’m not sure where the actual ode to Dusty is — no one gets their arm broken — it gets the tone started on the right foot. You start tones with your feet, right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkRJdDZtJQI
Perhaps few things are as terrifying as the thought of a crazed Ric Flair applying the figure four leglock on hot pavement, with no regard for his opponent’s personal safety or well-being.
The second ad is perhaps my favorite of the lot, because it features a Flair OUTTA NOWHERE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeFZW0iYM80
Gotta keep your eyes peeled for those unexpected Drop Flairs, people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcNND2NQNCw
I can only hope that this ad campaign continues, forever and ever. And make sure you don’t sleep on the codas in these videos, which feature Flair judo-ing a chump and then strutting away in slow motion. Long live Ric Flair. Please don’t buy a car from him.
