WrestleMania Retrospective: The Curtain Call of Ric Flair

Never has his moniker been more apt than on Sunday, March 30, 2008. 

At WrestleMania XXIV, The Heartbreak Kid indeed broke the hearts of millions of fans, not to mention his own, when he delivered an astonishing third Sweet Chin Music for the pin in the most emotional retirement match in the history of professional wrestling. 

Shawn Michaels gave everything he had in the ring, and outside of it, including unabashed, heart-wrenching emotion. Why?

To make, quite simply, the best and most sincere tribute he could conceivably give to the incomparable legend, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.

For weeks, the slow burning build was powerful, impacful, and everything that it ought to be in the context of the storyline witnessed by fans of all ages. 

It started with a respectful and heartfelt Michaels announcing the impending induction of his idol into the Hall of Fame. The next week, Flair came out into the center of the ring and challenged the younger wrestler to a match at WrestleMania. 

A man who gave 35 incredible years to the business, the Nature Boy couldn’t think of a better opponent than his protege for the Grandest Stage in the industry. 

Michaels is a man who grew up admiring Ric Flair and later patterned his own career after his hero; he is a man who states unequivocally that his passion for the business directly correlates to the inspiration given him by Ric Flair. 

It is the belief of Flair that Michaels is the greatest in-ring performer of his generation, surpassing just about everyone who came before him and everyone who is active in the industry today. This sentiment is widely accepted by the most knowledgable professionals in the business.

Up to this point, Flair had survived the onslaught of the WWE Champion Randy Orton, Umaga, Triple H, MVP, and Mr. Kennedy. With such an impressive record of victories, the Nature Boy wanted to test his mettle against The Showstopper.

Michaels, however, was hesitant. So with the first of what would be several stirring promos from both men, Flair set the tone for this epic match with the most convincing of arguments. 

If Michaels truly felt that Flair was the greatest of all time, if Michaels truly held the utmost respect for Flair, then The Heartbreak Kid could not deny him. 

What followed the initial acceptance was a masterful play on the emotions of Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and the fans of the WWE. 

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