Don't Hate...Appreciate: The Reason Ric Flair Vs. Hulk Hogan Is Good!

Earlier this week it was confirmed that on Hulk Hogan's Hulk-A-Mania tour in Australia, Ric Flair will be his opponent for a few matches.

Of course this sent many wrestling fans into an outrage because many believe Ric Flair shouldn't "demean" his legacy by coming out of retirement to wrestle The Hulkster.

However, I am overjoyed to see Hulk Hogan and The Nature Boy lock up one more time. I've been the biggest fan of Ric Flair my entire life.

I would often be ridiculed when I was younger for Ric Flair being my favorite because in my age group wrestling was about Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Rock, DDP, Sting, nWo, and many others.

As a youngster, I collected many items of Nature Boy memorabilia, in which I still collect to this day.

To me, Ric Flair is like fine wine, I know he isn't as good as he was back in the 80's or even 90's for that matter but as a fan when you see Ric Flair, your seeing something special.

Now we all know the problems that Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair are facing with their family life. Hulk Hogan is getting raped by his ex-wife's lawyers as well as the Florida Government. Ric Flair pays an estimated $20,000 a month in alimony, to each wife.

I never thought I would see the day where Ric Flair actually had more money than Hulk Hogan but it is the truth, Flair seems to be picking his life back up and gaining plenty of opportunities.

Hogan however is spending most of his time in a courtroom surrounded by Florida's finest. I feel sorry for Hogan, and a lot of guys feel sorry for Hogan. I feel bad for Flair too, but Flair isn't getting hit as bad as Hogan.

Hogan has already sold so much of his possessions and has to watch some punk 19 year old kid, drive around town in his cars. Hogan needed a gameplan.

Hogan and Jimmy Hart came up with a plan for Hulk to actually use his earning power and make some money. Hulk can't really make any movies right now with all the time it would take. Hogan needs dough and needs it fast.

What is the fastest way for Hogan to make some money? He knew he had to make some Wrestling appearances for certain, but what about one last hoorah. Hulk Hogan is feeling good, better than he's felt in a while. Of course, he's not going to look like he's 20, but He never did.

Hulk and Jimmy Hart begin to plan a Super Event. Let's face it, Hogan won't get hired in TNA, because of the Jarrett relationship, He's not going to WWE, because let's face it, Vince has nothing for him at this particular time.

So Hogan did the best thing he could do given the situation, He called Eric Bischoff. Hogan knew that he needed a great promoting mind to pull an event like this off and draw big money.

Bischoff is the perfect man for the job, he's a wrestling mind, he has a lot of money, he has his own production company and he's a marketing genius.

Bischoff however knew that Hogan needed names other then himself to draw this big money deal. Hogan called in the usual Jimmy Hart of course, The Nasty Boys, but something was missing. Hogan needed an opponent and a worthy adversary at that. Hogan made the Big Call.

I'm sure that Ric Flair pondered about the deal a little, but what ultimately made this decision, is the huge pay it would return to both men. Ric Flair is happy retired, I know this because I have spoke to people close to him.

Ladies and Gentleman, Wrestling is a Fraternity of Brothers. These men put their bodies on the line for our entertainment every day. Nobody can convince me otherwise that Wrestlers aren't some of the greatest athletes in the world.

What this situation cries out to me more than anything is that The Hulkster needed some help. I feel that Ric Flair saw an opportunity to do what he is best at doing, elevating people.

If anybody can get in that ring and make Hogan look like a million bucks it's Ric Flair. Flair made a 36 year career out of elevating talent. He is widely respected as the Greatest of All-Time by many, sure as hell by me. I see this as an opportunity for two "brothers" to help each other out.

I think it's amazing what Hogan said to news reporters in North Carolina last year when he refereed a bout between The Flairs versus The Nasty Boys. Hogan said "You see this guy, he is the greatest wrestler of all time." He hugged Flair in front of 20 cameras and put Flair over as "The Greatest of All-Time."

That means something, As Flair said back in May of 2003 "There is nothing like the respect of your peers." I think both men are stand-up gentlemen and I believe this Australia Tour will be a great high note for the fans in Australia and for fans of Professional Wrestling, period.