The pro wrestling world received a horrible scare a couple of weeks ago, when news came out that Ric Flair had been hospitalized. For several days, things looked very dire, but luckily, Flair’s health took a turn for the better. Since then, he has been on the mend, and has even released a video statement (and a new shirt).
The world just isn’t ready to lose Flair just yet, because nothing and no one will ever be able to replace the Nature Boy. Flair retired back at WrestleMania 24 in 2008, of course, and no one really counts that Hulk Hogan Australia tour or Flair’s run in TNA, so he essentially has been done with wrestling for a decade now.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t a thousand pro wrestlers who would love to be able to lace ’em up and take on the greatest of all time. And that long list includes even one of his greatest rivals, Terry Funk.
On the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast, Funk stopped by to talk about the fact that he’s still wrestling at age 73, and lament the fact that he’ll probably never get a chance to mix it up with Flair again.
“I sent my regards to [Flair] and I wish him the best. It is very important to me that he comes along and to be very honest with you when you take a look at the old timers there are not many of us that are left and that are headed to the ring. I’d like to see Ric come back and come into the ring and I’d like to go into the ring with him. I really mean that. I’d like to have one more chance and basically I think Ric would like to be in the ring with me too. It is just like with Lawler, I am looking forward to this. It is very important to me and I have no intention of anything but coming out on top at the end of the night. It means a great deal to me because if I don’t than I’ll be totally upset with myself because this will probably be the very last time I get in the ring with him.”
So there you go: no less an authority than Terry Funk is hoping that Flair not only bounces back from his illness, but that he decides to un-retire, as well. Well, it’s nice to know that even someone as accomplished and beloved as Funk can still have dreams. Dream big, kid. Reach for the stars.
