That was the greatest Raw segment I can ever remember.

The Horsemen had the greatest entrance music ever.

I was glad that Steamboat got a loud pop.

Arn Anderson is still built like a tank.

WWE could put on a great show just with their road agents:

Sarge, Steamboat, Arn, IRS, Finlay, Tony Garea, Brother Love, Dean Malenko, etc.

Also- Do you think we'll see Flair on TV again, and was it just me or did Cade and Murdoch seem to be working stiff with Cryme Tyme?

great show last night. vince sure knows how to send someone out in style.

I tuned in for the last 10 minutes of the program . All I can say is Wow ! I'm glad I didnt't miss Flairs farewell. Truthfully I didn't intend on watching any of it . Within afew minutes I don't know who was crying more , me or Flair . Bringing out the Horseman , J.J. Dillon , Steamboat, turned me into mush ! By the way , just a great job this weekend Kevin . Probably the most attention I've paid to WWE in quite a while . Kudos for still maintaining TNA coverage in the mix .

I hope that Flair meant it when he said he won't wrestle again. If he were to unretire, it would take away from that beautiful segment on Raw. I don't often get choked up while watching a wrestling show, so I don't want anything to mess with my fond memory of last night.

When will The Dragon Be inducted to the Hall of Fame...? I'd say it's about time... and While I'm on the Subject what about The longest reigning Champion of all time Bob Backlund? And the second longest Bruno Sammartino...? And what about the Horsemen as a unit? Or The Road Warriors?
The WWE has gotten much better in recent years at honoring the past, but there are still some obvious omissions based on personal biases.
On the Subject of Ric Flair's retirement ceremony... WOW!
it was sending chills up my spine. I could not help but wonder what his contemporaries thought as they watched and reflected on how their own careers ended with a whimper and not a bang. Perhaps you reap what you sow, eh, Randy Savage, Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, et al?

Just a thought!

The Flair segment to end the show was unforgettable, although I would've saved the Four Horsemen and Steamboat to be among the last guys to come out and pay tribute.
My biggest qualm with the show was the mystifying booking of having CM Punk lose cleanly to Y2J the night after winning MITB. What kind of way is that to build momentum for the guy and establish him as a credible world title threat? Unless this foreshadows Punk being the first person to actually cash in the briefcase and lose (Kennedy never actually cashed it in so I don't count him). Just please don't have him cash it in for an ECW title match. That would make him look incredibly stupid.
And it seems the only person Marella hasn't jobbed to lately is the popcorn vendor.

Flair was a washed up bum when he entered WWE and left the way he came in as far as I am concerned. He should have stayed in the NWA fold but no.... he chose to seek greener pastures..

Heenan brought him in, and what did the GREAT Ric Flair do? Promptly lose to Hogan over and over again, a preview of WWE burying anything that reeked of NWA. Which is fine by me... it only served to underscore how overrated he was, and how washed up he could be.

His best years were some 20 years ago, the years of the GOB and the prime-time of the original Horsemen, Even then I suspected he was juiced. I mean come on... Look at at that fat kid who entered the sport and then all of a sudden he is cut? gimme a break...

(OOOOOH, but he could go 60 minutes!!!! Sure, my Grandma could too with rest holds... give me a break)

I will let you weeping Sallies boo-hoo about how Flair FINALLY decided he was too old for the sport, and wonder if that no talent son of his, David Flair, can possibly break into the major feds again without his old mans help.

Gotta say it one more time, Thanks for the memories Ric. Been a big Ric Flair fan since the very start and to see him go out like this was very rewarding for such a great career. First the Hall of Fame induction, the a great wrestling match at Wrestlemania and then a great send off on Raw Monday night. The only part I wish i'd seen was when the Undertaker came out and then Vince came out also. That part was never shown on tv. I thought Orton cut a great promo to start off Raw and his match with Matt Hardy was a good one to. The Jericho/CM Punk match was also good. The Maria/Santino match lousy from the start. Santino looks like a loser to me. Now it's anyones guess as to what the next storylines will be. What will HBK be doing with Flair retired. I thought Batista was going into a storyline with Umaga or will there be a change there. I guess we will have to wait and see.

i think it be cool if flair returned to smackdown as the GM

Hi Kevin -- been reading your blog for awhile now, but this is my first comment. As long as Ric Flair has been around, and as much good as he has done for WWE and the business in general, I was a little disturbed that Vince McMahon didn't at least come out and extend a handshake or something. Anyway, great blog. Keep it up!

That was one of, if not the best segment I have ever seen on a RAW program. It was so great to see all of the old NWA/WCW greats return to send the Nature boy off. There was just one piece missing....the only thing missing was Sting. I know it wasn't possible due to his involvement with TNA, but man it would've definitely been the cherry on top.

Thanks for the great tribute article to a great man! My Grandfather took me to my first Wrestling match in 1962 when I was 8 years old. The top bill was Fritz VonErich vs. Wahoo McDaniel. My Grandfather was yelling 'break his leg Fritz!' I tugged his sleeve and asked, 'Grandfather don't you know that this is fake?'. He looked down at me and whispered, 'Sure I do, but it's fun!'. I have been hooked every since. Thanks Again.

Ric Flair is the man!

Flair was a washed up bum when he entered WWE and left the way he came in as far as I am concerned. He should have stayed in the NWA fold but no.... he chose to seek greener pastures..

Heenan brought him in, and what did the GREAT Ric Flair do? Promptly lose to Hogan over and over again, a preview of WWE burying anything that reeked of NWA. Which is fine by me... it only served to underscore how overrated he was, and how washed up he could be.

His best years were some 20 years ago, the years of the GOB and the prime-time of the original Horsemen, Even then I suspected he was juiced. I mean come on... Look at at that fat kid who entered the sport and then all of a sudden he is cut? gimme a break...

(OOOOOH, but he could go 60 minutes!!!! Sure, my Grandma could too with rest holds... give me a break)

I will let you weeping Sallies boo-hoo about how Flair FINALLY decided he was too old for the sport, and wonder if that no talent son of his, David Flair, can possibly break into the major feds again without his old mans help
------------------------------------------------------
You sound like the rest of these Snot nosed punks...Fact is you are NOT worthy to lace up the man's BOOTS.
I HAVE watched Ric Flair since the NWA days. Met the man in person
And for MY dollar, there is NO ONE better. You forget that most of these matches are SCRIPTED, they KNOW who will win BEFORE its even started.
Yet you would have the guts to run your mouth knowing full well you couldnt last 5 minutes in the ring with the man he is NOW let alone the man he was in his prime.
I would be willing to bet you couldnt last 5 minutes with the WORST on the roster.

I also thought that it was a shame that Vince didn't come out at the end. And that Sting wasn't there. I'm sure something could have been worked out, especially if WWE hadn't had such a hardcore stance on TNA performers showing up at the HOF ceremony.

does anyone know the name of the song and the artist who sang the the song that was playing for the Flair farewell segment on Raw.

First, I am compelled to address a couple of the comments preceeding mine.
Zelmas, you are obviously either ignorant or just a jealous hater by nature. Flair has retired and he's STILL not washed up!! The fact that you are unable to recognize the talent and greatness that is Ric Flair should automatically disqualify you from posting to an article like this {it should also disqualify you from reproducing, on a separate note}.
Oh, and for Doug, Vince did come out to honor Flair; it was just after the show went off the air. He and Steph came out as did Undertaker.
As for me, I've been watching RF entertain since I was about 6 or 7. I started off hating him, but as I grew older and wiser, I realized that he personified what made wrestling so much fun. He always made his opponent look good, and usually did so while winning the match. He also could hold an arena with 7k or 70k in the palm of his hand, making them adore or abhor him, whichever the situation called for. He was the consumate professional. He was the best of our time - probably of all time. Enough said.

I noticed that the "original" Horsemen were not fully represented, nor did I think they would be. I knew there was no way Ole Anderson would be there. I remember talking to Ole about Flair at a convention a year ago and he had absolutely nothing good to say about the man. Ric Flair actually started out in the shadow of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew. He rose above being a "cousin" of the Andersons by creating a formula that made every opponant he faced look like a champion. He put the business ahead of personal glory and yet he still became the biggest superstar in wrestling history. I find it striking that Ric Flair retires with the respect and admiration of his peers and millions of fans. Ole sits around now wishing he was dead and the only thing he has left to hold onto is his contempt. I mention Ole not because his story is unique. It isn't. So many other wrestler's careers ended with the same bitter pill swallowed. What sets Ric Flair apart from the "also-rans" is not his in-ring work or his technical prowess. It was his desire to give the audience the best show he could possibly give...and part of that is making sure his peers got over in the process.

Great Blog I Have Been Searching Everywhere to find the Name of the song for Ric Flairs Goodbye on Raw and Cant find it anywhere . Happen to Know the song and Group ???? Any Help Would be appreciated

Man, that was an awesome tribute to the most charismatic performer of all time but where was Vince. Is it possible that Vince really pushed Flair out? Also speaking of charisma, could someone lend some to Randy Orton? I have to turn the channel every time he cuts a promo.

Hey Doug after the show ended vinnce, stephanie and taker all came down to the ring and celebrated with him. And, who do u think gave the go ahead for the segment - vince. Use your brain.
Anyway - in my view the most memorable raw segment i have seen, and also very sad. I felt the whole hall of fame + wrestlemania + raw was an amzing send off for Ric, and rightly so.

Raw was much better this week than in recent weeks, the Orton promo was brilliant, and also the jericho-punk and hardy-orton matches were a breath of fresh air.
Overall a very memorable raw.

Ric Flair will always be the best of teh best. People say he is one of the wwe legends, but I say that he is LEGEND! He will always be remembered. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I too thought the Flair segment was great. I agree with the person who said a Sting appearance would have been perfect. Does anyone know if Flair mentioned Sting during any of the weekend speeches? I always assumed they were friends, but I didn't know if any of the WWE/TNA conflict prevented him from being mentioned. I would love to hear comments or some type of interview from Sting about Flair and him retiring.

Great work Kevin!

For those asking about the song played during the end of the show its called "Leave the Memories Alone" by Fuel.

I was really mad about how Vince wasn't there. I have been watching Ric Flair for ever since I was 4 years old now that im 18 its tough to see such a great legend leave. Ric Flair will be missed

In addition to Sting, it would have been great if so many of Ric Flair's other contemporaries had been able to make a special appearance to honor him at his retirement ceremony like Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A., Nikita Koloff, Lex Luger, Ronnie Garvin, Kevin Von Erich, and Bobby Heenan. As far as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage go, it is an example of what could've, would've, and should've been. Hopefully this event leaves an indeliable impression behind with the current generation of wrestlers as to how to conduct their careers and be remembered with the complete respect of the fans and their peers.

"Zelmas", everyone is entitled to their opinion its just that yours appears to be among the minority . Of course Flair was better 20 years ago . I saw him then too . Only difference between me and some of the other people posting and possibly yourself is that 20 years ago I was in my twenties , I wasn't 5 years old . That being said I can actually recall seeing him and not relying on what others have said . No one cares that his physical abilities have waned . People still enjoyed hearing him "talk the talk" even if he could no longer "walk the walk" . Space Mountain rides were a thing of the past , he made a living off of being "RICK FLAIR' . Don't be such a hater , give credit where credit is due.

You sound like the rest of these Snot nosed punks...Fact is you are NOT worthy to lace up the man's BOOTS.

WANG, LACING UP BOOTS IS PRIMO WORK FOR BOOT-LICKING STOOGES LIKE YOU

I HAVE watched Ric Flair since the NWA days. Met the man in person

HO-HUM... SO HAVE I AT SOME NC CARNIVAL OR MAYBE IT WAS THE OPENING OF A SNO-CONE DUMP IN GLEN BURNIE, MD. HE IS, ALWAYS WAS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE A INDY WRESTLER TRYING TO MAKE IT IN A MANS WORLD.

And for MY dollar, there is NO ONE better.

AS I POINTED OUT, HE WAS GREAT UNTIL HE SOLD OUT TO WWE AND BECAME A JTTS FOR HOGAN. AFTER THAT, HE LOOKED SCRIPTED, CANNED...

You forget that most of these matches are SCRIPTED, they KNOW who will win BEFORE its even started.

I AGREE. flair JOBBING WAS SCRIPTED...AND I AGREE WITH YOU. THEY WERE BADLY DONE. flair CAME ACROSS LIKE.. LIKE. RANDY "DONT CALL ME HULK" HOGAN... A WASHED UP JOBBER...

Yet you would have the guts to run your mouth knowing full well you couldnt last 5 minutes in the ring with the man he is NOW let alone the man he was in his prime.

OH REEEEALLLLY? WANT TO BET?

I would be willing to bet you couldnt last 5 minutes with the WORST on the roster.

OK... ME AND A WRESTLER OF MY CHOICE, MURRAY HAPPER... AGAINST YOU, WANG, AND RIC flair....
FAIR ENOUGH?

Posted by: Hang

Thank you Ric.WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Heroes are common
Legends are Rare
Diamonds and Forever
And so is Ric Flair

Thanks Ric
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Iam 26 and I have been a Ric Flair fan all of my life. Kurt Angle chickened out when Ric told him he could become the greatest wrestler of all time. And thats big coming from naitch. And Triple H has stepped it up, Orton ,and so has the Big Show. I was crying like a ball baby watching his hall of fame induction. And then seeing Raw it was worse. I can hardly keep myself together now thinking of it. Randy Orton Iam calling you out as Ric Flair did Kurt Angle. You are looking like Ric Flair did 20 years ago. Keep it going and you can become one of the best ever. You heard it from a fan that doesnt even like you. But he admires your skills. Ric you will be sorely missed by all of us. Ric Thank you. To his family for sacrificing him for 35 long years, thank you. And these memmories I will cherish for a lifetime Ric. If you are ever in Kansas City at an Autograph Session, Please make an announcement. Thank you for everything. This time you can actually say a man is bigger than a sport. And his name is Ric Flair.

Vince wasn't out there because they were following through with the story line. Sure, everyone knows Flair wasn't really forced to retire because of losing at WrestleMania, but that's what McMahon stipulated months ago. WWE has been known to contradict itself before, but it would've looked silly for Vince to come out. I'm sure he gave Ric his love in the back.

Ric flair if anyone did not honor they have no nature in their eyes.WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ahh, the warm and fuzzy memories of my youth watching NWA wrestling when I lived in Virginia in the late 70's... Watching Ric became a ritual for me and my brother every weekend.

It would have been great if they could have trotted out Blackjack Mulligan for the retirement - he and Ric had some great fueds / partnerships during that time. Also, I remember Ric and Greg Valentine losing their tag team belts to a couple of unknowns that showed up one day (in a televised match no less - that NEVER happened) - Jimmy Snuka and Paul Orndorf. Lastly, was there ever a better angle than when Ric rubbed Ricky Steamboat's face all over the ring mat (thankfully, that incident has now been posted on YouTube)? Good times!

To me, that was truely the golden age of wrestling. The Hulk Hogan /Macho Man / Sting era that followed got so corny - all a wrestler needed to win a match was a cheer from the audience. A lot of those matches are pretty unwatchable now. And today if you don't look like a superhero, you're not going to make it. The fact that Ric was not only successful but dominated in all of these distinctly different eras speaks volumes of his ability and charisma. The wrestlers of today could learn a thing a two from watching Ric's old promos and matches.

Just watched Mitb it was belting.
Props to all the guys esp. Benjamin and Morrison, both these guys will surely follow CM Punk to Raw or Smackdown next draft. Morrison deserves a massive singles push now he has proved himself on the big stage and with his skills (his lucha libre spots put Mysterio in the shade, and the rest of his game is solid) he could surely do something to remember in a PPV main event.

Originally the idea had been thrown around to make the Mania match Sting versus Flair but Flair said he wanted to wrestle Shawn because he was the best. Plus Flair's last WCW match was against Sting and that just would have been a re-tread. As for the person who ask why Dusty wasn't there it was because he is running Florida Championship Wrestling for the WWE.

With Ric gone the WWE only has great workers left, Shawn and The Game, when they are done I too will be.

The last 10 - 15 minutes of RAW might have been the best in the history of the show. I had tears in my eyes watching this. Jim Ross said it best...."Ric Flair deserves his own wing in the WWE Hall of Fame."

One other thing -- watch some of those promos from 20 years ago....all the things you see in hiphop videos -- Flair was doing that back then. Rolex watches. Custom made suits. Gator boots. Large amounts of cash. Limos. Scantilly clad women. Flair did it.

The RIC FLAIR dvd set -- that should have been more than 3 dvds. That's how much work the Nature Boy put in. one dvd could just be interviews. There have been plenty of guys that carried a company (Cena, Savage, Hogan, etc...) but no one carried the sport like Flair. He's gone -- but will never be forgotten. Thank you Ric.

It would be better to have Ric as the Chairman of WWE or the GM of Raw so that he is one the more dominant show with HHH and HBK.

thanks for the memories ric. i've been a fan since i've heard of your history and when you returned to be gm of raw it choked me up to see you. my favorite memorie is when i saw you wrestle hhh in the greensboro colisium on december 29, 2007. i was in the crowd to see it from the 13th row. wooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

what and excellent raw show!

Ric's farewell made me get a lump in my throat and then that was it when i seen the man himself crying, i was gone too, i was balling my eyes out!
he was sent out in style but i hope to still see Flair on the wrestling circuit doing otherstuff! i do truley beleive that Flair is retired and that he wont wrestle again. if he did it would take away the lovely moment that happened on RAW!

Ric will be missed, and i thank him so much for all he's done for the business!

I was pleased WWE gave Flair a fitting send-off, but I agree with Paul Heyman's comments. Why was it necessary to bring out Cena and Jericho individually to pay tribute?
Jericho has had a few matches with Flair, but neither of them have any real history with him. Big Show would have been more appropriate choice, given the fact that Flair praised him in his HOF speech. And if they wanted to use some current stars, why not Orton or Edge or Carlito, who have had recents feuds with him? They broke kayfabe, anyway, so what does it matter that they're heels?