A Book by Tim Hornbaker

Ric Flair’s career spans over FIVE decades (only recently ending), during which he has earned numerous accolades and championships. From his early days in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) to his time in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and ultimately his stints in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), Flair has left an indelible mark on the industry. His flamboyant larger-than-life persona has captivated audiences for decades, making him one of the most recognizable figures in the world of professional wrestling. He’s one of those rare cases where he truly transcends the sport, becoming a household name in many parts of the country. Known for his charismatic promos and his ability to captivate the crowd, Ric Flair’s in-ring skills and entertaining performances have solidified his status as a wrestling legend.

While recent controversies may have tarnished Flair’s reputation to some extent, I think it is negligent to entirely dismiss the man out of hand. Ric Flair’s contributions to professional wrestling cannot be ignored or denied. His legacy will forever be etched in the annals of the sport, and his impact will continue to be felt for years to come. Tim Hornbaker has taken great care to analyze the entire life of Flair, from his upbringing in the 1950’s midwest, to his school days, and most notably his pro wrestling career. The Last Real World Champion: The Legacy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair is perhaps the most well-researched book on Flair that I have ever read, and one that should be in any wrestling fan’s library.

“For more than a century, professional wrestling has cultivated some of the most eccentric and compelling personalities. As the embodiment of flamboyance and intensity, the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair stood at wrestling’s apex for decades, cementing his place as a once-in-a-lifetime athlete and performer. When he was in the ring, fans knew they were witnessing the very best, and he not only became a multi-time world heavyweight champion in the NWA, WCW, and the WWE, but his status as a generational great has been confirmed with inductions into numerous Halls of Fame.”

Ric Flair had a life that could have taken a completely different path from the one he ultimately embarked upon. A lot of people may not realize this, but Flair was abandoned as a child and adopted by Kathleen and Dr. Richard Reid Fliehr. As a young man, Flair stood out as a charismatic and popular high school football star, drawing attention with his athletic prowess and magnetic personality. His ability to charm and captivate others was evident from an early age, making him a true standout among his peers. However, despite his undeniable talent and charm, Flair struggled in the academic sphere. This likely was frustrating to his parents, who where in the academic sphere, his father being a doctor and his mother being a journalist and writer.

School was never a priority for him, and he found himself on the verge of failing out multiple times. In fact, he was even held back a year during his senior year of high school due to academic challenges. He made it into college, but wasn’t particularly focused on his studies, and moved from school to school chasing an elusive football spot. When this alluded him due to his GPA, he chose a rather unique college experience – one that involved spending most of his time in the fraternity dormitory (even after leaving school entirely), indulging in the carefree lifestyle of parties and socializing. This setback could have discouraged many, perhaps even leading him to a life being a washed-out loser, but Flair’s determination and resilience ultimately led him down a different path. When reading this book, I couldn’t help but realize that Flair’s life embodies the old adage that it’s the unexpected turns, the road less traveled, that lead to the most extraordinary destinations.

For Ric, that destination was professional wrestling. Flair had familial and personal connections to Verne Gagne through his school and his mother’s theater work, and a friendship with Ken Patera after a chance encounter at a bar where he was bouncing. After learning of Patera’s goals to be a cross-over professional wrestling star (Patera was an Olympic athlete), Ric Flair was intrigued enough to convince Gagne to allow him to join a training camp. Ric was worried his family would be upset but gained the blessing of his wife and his parents. Ric’s father said, “Go ahead, do it. Just make sure you are the best.” After training in grueling conditions in a barn on rural property, Flair had his debut match against “Scrap Iron” George Gadaski in 1972 for the AWA, and the rest was history.

Eventually, Ric Flair would come across numerous wrestling stars of the time, including a man that would start out as his mentor and eventually become perhaps his most notorious rival – Dusty Rhodes. Dusty took Flair under his wing, providing guidance and mentorship to the aspiring wrestler. Rhodes recognized Flair’s talent and potential, and he saw something special in the young athlete. Over time, their bond grew stronger, with Rhodes teaching Flair the tricks of the trade and helping him refine his in-ring skills. At one point, Ric Flair even expressed interest in portraying Dusty Rhodes’ kayfabe brother, “Rambling” Ricky Rhodes. Thankfully, that idea never came to fruition.

The majority of this book talks about Flair’s greatest triumphs in his career, something that came in the aftermath of a 1975 plane crash that nearly ended his life. Considering the fact that a man like Flair was able to re-invent himself and surpass everyone’s expectations when most men would have retired entirely is impressive to say the least. The book goes over the build up to, and subsequent win of his NWA Heavyweight Championship, and eventually his move to Jim Crockett Promotions which would later become World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The book concentrates on this time period, and largely does not stray too far past the death of WCW.

Those later years are touched on, including the less than great episodes in his life such as the infamous “plane ride from hell” and other accusations that currently plague his career. The book is not a hit piece by any means, and the book strongly advises one to look at the full picture of Flair’s life. Whether you are a fan of his or not, I appreciate that the book pulls no punches and shows both sides of the man, the good, the bad, and everything in-between. I appreciate this approach a lot and it goes to show how good Tim Hornbaker is at his craft.

Tim Hornbaker has really established himself as a prominent figure within the realm of wrestling-related biographies and historical books. His illustrious career spans numerous releases, each fleshed-out with his characteristic attention to detail and meticulous sourcing of facts. As an avid reader and enthusiast of wrestling, I find myself consistently appreciating the depth and accuracy that Hornbaker brings to his writings. He is an author that I really look up to in many ways, and as I venture into graduate school this winter, I’d really like to do something like him even though I am old and contending with a nine to five job.

Hornbaker’s prowess as a historian is evident in his ability to make sense of old news articles, many of which often dismissed or disregarded the world of professional wrestling. By carefully examining these primary sources, he unveils hidden narratives, debunking misconceptions and shedding light on historical events that might have otherwise been overlooked. If he is unable to find something he says it, even though it would be easy to ride on with hearsay or assumptions. It is this attention to detail that sets Hornbaker apart and solidifies his position as an accomplished wrestling historian. Through his writing, Hornbaker not only preserves the legacy of wrestling but also showcases the significance of its cultural impact.

I know there are other Flair books out there, such as Ric Flair: To be the Man written by Flair and Keith Elliot Greenberg. While that book was fine, you could tell it was pumped full of things written in-character and some pretty big tall-tales, an issue I find with the large majority of the books written under the WWE Umbrella. The Last Real World Champion: The Legacy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair by Tim Hornbaker treads on similar territory at times, but goes at everything from an investigative angle. No rock is left unturned, and even the unflattering moments of Ric’s life are discussed. I appreciate this a lot, and as a result I found this book to be far superior. If you are looking for a great book on the life of Ric Flair, you really can’t do much better than this book, and I’d highly recommend it for any wrestling fan.

ECW Press ALWAYS makes great wrestling books, including The Wrestlers’ Wrestlers: The Masters of the Craft of Professional Wrestling, Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling’s Original Sheik, Wreslecrap, and the classic The Death of WCW, just to name a few. To see all these and more that I’ve read, click HERE.

For more information on this book, click HERE.

Note: I was provided a free copy of this book by ECW Press in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks to them for their consideration.