Kevin - is there any truth to the rumor that Nick Bockwinkle and Verne Gagne are also scheduled in a "handicapped" match ??

At this point, he may as well go through with it. His send-off has already been tarnished by his being clobbered in order to advance the Chris Jericho vs. Legends storyline before Wrestlemania 25. If that's not enough, there was also his "streetfight" with Randy Orton on Raw. In my book, that was a match. There was no bell and no referee, but it was a match. There is nothing more to protect, so he may as well make some money if he can.

"Hogan vs. Flair" was, for many years, the mythical match that everybody daydreamed about, and speculated about, and wished for. Eventually the pair did meet, several times over several years in both WWE and WCW. And they *never* had that great match. Never. The best they ever achieved together, I'd say, was "serviceable."

Some guys, the chemistry just isn't there. And if it didn't work back then, it sure as hell won't work now.

I think this could be a good match...

Oh wait, it's 2009, not 1989. Why on earth would anyone pay to see these guys wrestle?

>

And he is exceptional old.

Bischoff said the deal is not final yet. I think it ruins his retirement, but putting myself in Flair's shoes, I doubt I would have made a different choice. The man needs the money.

I do not consider The ROck v. Hogan at Wrestlemania a classic wrestlign match, but the crowd reaction made it amazing. Now, if the nostalgia of seeing Flair v Hogan can draw a similar reaction it could be entertaining to those in attendance. I would be interested in going to see the show, if just to say I saw Hogan wrestle Flair live.

Kevin,

What right do we have to question how another man makes money? Flair is a wrestler, he wrestles for a living. He has had 3 divorces and numerous other expenses, let him live his life how he wants to.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I agree with you that he has every right to earn a living as he sees fit. He can wrestle till he's 100 if that's what he wants to do. But it is our (the fans) right to express our opinion if he does. I was there in Orlando at his Hall of Fame induction, and I was there to see what I thought was his final match ever. It was special. Now, he's just another guy who couldn't walk away who has put himself in a position where he has to wrestle at 60 because he made bad decisions in his personal life.

Are there 2 guys that scream pre-nup more than Hogan and Flair?

I feel very conflicted here. WWE won't hire Flair now that he is associated with the North Carolina lottery and they are now an "upstanding, family friendly" product. Ric needs to make all the money he can while he can. However, like a lot of others, I feel he got a Hollywood ending to his career that will never be repeated, ever. Appearing on Hulk's tour is great, but wrestling Hulk is an idea I'm not fond of at all. Last year I recall Hogan said he should be in the ring with Ric for his final match, not Shawn Michaels. He also said Ric would never stay retired.

If this match happens it seems to validate Hulk's comments, and could be seen as a slap in the face of HBK. Like it or not, it would probably be a slap to the man who orchestrated Flair's sendoff, Vince McMahon. It will be spun differently, but I can't see it another way.

Lastly I agree that the Flair vs. Hogan matches of years past did not live up to the hype. Two complete opposites with no in-ring chemistry. So in 2009 I can't see a match between these two being very good at all. If they just work the crowd, do their signature moves and keep it short, maybe you'll get something that will pass muster. Just don't let me read that Flair has to do the honors in all the matches, Hulk needs to return some "favors" this time if you ask me.

Yay. Break out the Gerital and tanning machines!!!

I am having flashbacks to Vince's old Billionaire Ted skits with The Huckster and Nacho Man. I believe they had a "match" at a ppv where one or both had "heart attacks". Very very sad.

They're still willing to put themselves in the hands of Eric Bischoff?

The only way I would be to see Hulk Hogan wrestle Ric Flair is if they made it a three-way dance with Randy "Macho Man" Savage. That would be priceless.

I'm a wrestling starved Aussie but i wouldn't pay money to see Hogan/Flair
.
Of those possible names you mentioned, the only ones to hold any interest for me are Mr. Kennedy and Umaga, but neither would be enough of a draw for me to sit through a Brutus/Knobbs match.

I'll go to the TNA shows that are coming down to Australia next year, mainly to see Kurt Angle (who i've never had the joy of seeing live), Styles, Samoa Joe, Sabin and Kaz.

Ric Flair is a joke - nuff said ;

Your blog and knowledge of wrestling are flawless, but your comments about Hogan and Flair's matches being "pathetic" -- never mind your general disrespect for Bret Hart -- are pretty harsh.

why australia?

I'd be ok if it were Flair vs. Steamboat (based on Ricky's recent RAW appearances). Or maybe one more Flair vs. Dusty go-around (if only for the train wreck value). But Hogan vs. Flair? No thanks.
If it weren't for the internet, though, would we even know about these Australian matches?

Well, I'm not happy they're Down Under, as it's just embarrassing, but at least TNA hasn't picked them up yet, touch wood. Then I'd be stuck buying expensive indie DVDs for the wrestling fix.

This will be a great tour and great match. Hulk and Ric are 2 of the biggest names in the sport. With Eric B on this its going to be BIG and I'm hoping it leads to a new company that justs the Wwe out of biz. Till then ill being watching TNA and waiting to see this great match. eric b told bill apter that no talks have happened so ill beleave bill a

These guys need to watch the movie The Wrestler. Tragic.

this is an utter travesty, for one reason Kevin- its the "Hulkamania" tour, not the "Legends: Flair vs. Hogan" or "Icons: Hogan and Flair" tour- there is ONE headliner, even if this is a historic match-up. Flair didnt WANT to retire, so i would love to see him come back, but to play second bannana to someone not even on his level? And work with Bischoff again, who ruined his self esteem? I think Flair is going to regret this down the road... and I am heart broken. Lets see if they alternate "wins" on different nights, or if the greatest wrestler of all time gets defeated by a leg drop on a weekly basis...

I would go see the match, for the same reason I go to see Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, Ratt, etc whenever they roll through town. They certainly don't rock as hard as they used to, but it's still incredibly fun to see legendary 80's icons on the grand stage, even if they haven't aged so gracefully. Also, many of these bands did "farewell" tours at some point (Ozzy, KISS) but I'm always happy to get one more chance to see them.

If these two old geezers want to "wrestle" that's their business. The real true idiots are the ones who would pay to see it.

I look forward to the final battles between Flair and Hogan. Yes, they may be higher in age but they still have more charisma and passion than the majority of the WWE roster. Who cares that they are older? We are talking about two of the biggest names this sport will ever see. I say we all just enjoy this ride while it lasts, while we still can see the larger-then-life characters like Flair and Hogan battle it out.

LOL, please! Hogan may be a stiff, but Flair has looked HORRIBLE in the ring since 2000. He turns red and looks like he's about to have a heart attack...screams in pain all the time...and cannot take a real bump to save his life. It was pathetic and sad seeing him wrestle in the WWE after all those great matches in the NWA/WCW. He is not even a shadow of his former self. He looks like GARBAGE.

after the Thor crack about doing autograph signings in VFW's i guess i would be making my comeback 2.

Hey Kevin does this Mean Chris Jericho was right all along?

I'm curious what kind of money Flair could raise if people were given a way to contribute so he'd never have to wrestle again?

I don't have a problem with him doing whatever he has to do, but it's just sad to see the mighty fall from grace.

Seamus- LOL !

As long as both Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair do some of their signature moves have the in ring charisma, I think the match up is still worth paying for. There will only every be one Hulk Hogan and one Ric Flair, and both are apparently prepared to put in all on the line to entertain the fans while they still can, and make a pay day in the process, which will help go towards the massive expenses they have both endured in the past few years. I think wrestling fans owe it to the guys and themselves to pay to see the match. You also can't blame them for wanting to have a working holiday down under here in Australia, and make a pay day and party with us Australians. Enjoy the match up and take the opportunity to see both legends go at while they can. Let's also see some technical wrestlers and other entertaining talent get locked into the card. Hulk and Flair, thanks for the memories over the decades, and we look forward to seeing you do your thing in Australia.

It is obvious we Australians are the test case for this. But considering the tickets are more expensive the the WWE ones, I am not going. Actually even if they were cheaper I wouldn't be going. I will hold off until WWE comes next year and if TNA are bringing a decent card I will go see them. But I can not justify paying $80 to go see something that I know I will leave before the main event, because there is no way I could sit through Hogan and Flair and keep my love of the sport.

I THINK YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT.THOSE TWO ICONS WILL DO MORE IN THE RING THAN YOU'LL EVER DO YOU LOOSER

RESPONSE FROM KE: You know ... ah, never mind. It's too easy.

Kevin said - "... ah , never mind . It's too easy ."
My chuckle for the day Kev .