Ric Flair may be a two-time WWE Hall of Famer and sixteen-time champion of the world but now The Nature Boy has his very own day in Nashville, Tennessee.
On May 16th it was confirmed that Ric Flair will be stepping back in the ring for one final match as part of Starrcast on July 31st. Flair hasn’t wrestled since competing against Sting back in September 2011 during his stint with TNA.
The announcement was met with a mix of intrigue, criticism, and concern, due to the Nature Boy being 73 years old and having suffered a number of serious health issues in recent years.
The event for Ric Flair’s final match sold out in less than 24 hours but it has now switched venues heading from the Nashville Fairgrounds to the much larger Nashville Municipal Auditorium.
Now July 31st will be a day forever synonymous with Ric Flair in Music City, USA going forward as the Deputy Mayor of Nashville, Brenda Haywood addressed the recent Starrcast press conference to declare the date “Ric Flair Day”:
“With professional wrestling legend here today, the Nature Boy, that brings so much excitement to us all, I’m a retired teacher, we call it value added. He’s just adding to the value of our city.”
“Ric Flair, he is set to have his final match here in Nashville on Sunday, July the 31st. And Mayor Cooper, now hear this, don’t get it twisted, Mayor Cooper has dedicated July 31st to be the ‘Ric Flair Day’ here in Nashville.”
Flair’s final opponent has not yet been announced but the card for the show is beginning to take shape with IMPACT World Champion Josh Alexander taking on MLW’s Jacob Fatu. It has also been confirmed that there will be some New Japan Pro Wrestling stars also on the show.
Inside The Ropes’ very own Kenny McIntosh will be hosting a special panel at Starrcast V, which will feature Bret Hart looking back on his legendary clash with the British Bulldog at SummerSlam 30 years ago.