SKIRMISHER

Although he’s not my favorite grappler (”give me a hell yeah,” and shout “¡viva la raza!, then you’ll have an idea who are my faves), “The Nature Boy” never fails to impress me. He may not have the ageless agility of “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels, he may not have the wreckless abandon of the “suicidal, homicidal, genocidal, death-defying maniac” called Sabu, nor does he have the crowd-drawing charisma of the immortal Hulk Hogan. But World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Superstar Ric Flair is still “THE MAN‘” in the sports entertainment industry – the only “wheelin’ dealin’, kiss stealin’, jet flyin’, limousine ridin’, son of a gun” in the business, and there has been no signs of slowing down. Woooooo!

Just recently (20 August 2006, WWE Summerslam), at 57 years of age, he had a brutal “I Quit Match” match against the “Hardcore Legend” Mick Foley (Cactus Jack/Mankind/Dude Love) in what was perhaps the bloodiest match of his (as well as Foley’s) entire career. And unbelievably, it was the King of Hardcore who quit!

Flair has never had bloodbath matches during his peak in the 70s and 80s, that’s why it’s quite surprising that it appears he’s trying to make up for lost time. This guy, no matter what other wrestling fans say (and what a minority they are), is undoubtedly the greatest wrestler of all time. Most of his colleagues (Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes, Kerry Von Erich/Texas Tornado, etc.) have either retired or passed away. But he’s still battling newcomers such as Randy Orton and Filipino-Greek Batista who are already fit to be his grandsons. That’s why hardcore matches seem to be way out of his league.

He has been plying his trade even before I was born, and was even involved in a plane crash in 1975 that should have ended his career, but it seems that the 16-time world heavyweight champion is still looking for his 17th title run, which I believe would be his last championship before he completely retires. If he ever will.

Actually, he has won various world titles 25 times already. But the WWE recognizes only 16 title reigns. However, ever since he celebrated his 57th birthday here in the Philippines (during the WWE Raw Live Tour in Manila) last 25 February, he has declared that he is still on a quest for gold and glory.

My fearless forecast is that (sans any possible career-ending injuries and death) The Nature Boy will have his 17th global gold at Wrestlemania 25 (2009). By then, he would have turned 60 years. He could even be included in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest athlete.

That is, if Guinness recognizes kayfabe athleticism. And if WWE owner Vince McMahon – who also wrestles from time to time although he’s already a sexagenarian – will just sit his “magnificent ass” down and let his wrestlers do the wrestling for him.

Stumble it!