In the ’70s and ’80s, you could put Ric Flair in the ring with a mop, and he’d get a “broadway” (a one-hour match) out of that cleaning instrument. Flair was known for traveling the world and facing some of the best, but also some of the worst wrestlers to ever step into the ring. But, being the consummate professional that he is, Flair would make even a lunk look legit. In the latter half of the ’80s, Flair began facing a musclebound man from Venice Beach — a man with star qualities that could get by on physical appearance alone. But, Sting was more than that: The man could wrestle.
On the most recent episode of his podcast, Flair announced that he would be inducting Sting into WWE’s Hall of Fame, and the pairing of the two — once again — could not be more apropos.
Sting and Ric Flair had hundreds, if not thousands of great matches — Flair, the veteran with a penchant for using dirty tactics to achieve victory; Sting, the ultimate good guy who held the highest level of integrity. Their clashes were the physical equivalent of Joseph Campbell’s “hero’s journey,” with Sting chasing Flair around arenas looking to take the title from him. On the very last episode of WCW’s Nitro, Sting and Flair engaged in their final match for the company, an ode and swan song to their legendary rivalry.
For this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, there is perhaps no better man to induct Sting into the hallowed halls of pro-wrestling lore. The only thing that would make this better is if Sting press slams Flair off the stage into the waiting arms of Stephanie McMahon.
