When HHH hated Ric Flair.

[BlackJackRobby]

Isn't it funny how the world turns.

In 98' HHH said awful things about Ric, and has even been known to be one of the more major influences on making sure Flair did not get signed.

It went from that to, HHH writing his forward in the Flair autobiography.

Then to a 2004? send-off that every person in the back came out and held Flair up.

And finally the greatest exit you can see someone getting.

I just find it strange me being a Hogan/Bret/Mick mark that these guys won't ever really get there massive send-offs.

Heck even SCSA's send off was more the Rock coming out and ripping him to shreads when he walked off on RAW.

So it seems to me that HHH was able to get Ric this nice and proper send off when others get nothing really.

I know I'm totally bitter and apologize for it, but then I see posts where people are ranting on Hogans private life etc.

I have seen posts going after Brets also.

Ric admits often in his book how bad he was at most of those things outside wrestling, and people like Mick admit that he was worse then he himself admits.

I don't ever see people dumping on that fact though.

Okay small rant over.

[lildude8218]

He did the same thing with Hogan. Badmouthed him, then when he came in to the company in 2002 he put him over as the greatest of all time. Then after Hogan left he talked bad about him again. Triple H is just a politician and a company man.

[Tiger Millionaire]

I really think the main difference between Hogan, SCSA and Flair(I won't even count Hart, he isn't in their league. Neither is Foley, and I'm a Foley mark) is that Flair got to a point where he mellowed out, and was willing to play second fiddle, and just be a wrestler. Alot of these guys, especially the guys that reach the peak become so protective and so paranoid about their character, it ends up where they don't walk away, where they are not willing to go to the midcard. It also helped that he got in good with a guy like Trips, so he knows deep down he won't get embarrased. But he was willing to play that 2nd banana to Trips. The same can be said for Michaels, although not to the same extent Flair is.

[Deleted]

Apr 2, 2008 15:54:39 GMT -5 BlackJackRobby said:

Ric admits often in his book how bad he was at most of those things outside wrestling, and people like Mick admit that he was worse then he himself admits.

I don't ever see people dumping on that fact though.

Okay small rant over.

Miss this thread?

officialfan.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=WWE&action=display&thread=106362


Anyway, that's the way of the world. They became friends and Trips (as well as Shawn and the rest) wanted to make it special for him. I think Foley had a pretty good send off with the match against Trips at No Way Out (and then again with Orton, IMO) but, couldn't stop coming back for more (same with Austin whose last in ring stuff should have been with Rock @ Mania XIX). Flair may end up the same way where he tarnishes these past few days with multiple returns. Bret's refusal to work with WWE (understandable so) has prevented him from getting a moment like Flair had.

[HMARK Center]

Apr 2, 2008 16:01:42 GMT -5 Tiger Millionaire said:

I really think the main difference between Hogan, SCSA and Flair(I won't even count Hart, he isn't in their league. Neither is Foley, and I'm a Foley mark) is that Flair got to a point where he mellowed out, and was willing to play second fiddle, and just be a wrestler. Alot of these guys, especially the guys that reach the peak become so protective and so paranoid about their character, it ends up where they don't walk away, where they are not willing to go to the midcard. It also helped that he got in good with a guy like Trips, so he knows deep down he won't get embarrased. But he was willing to play that 2nd banana to Trips. The same can be said for Michaels, although not to the same extent Flair is.

Hart is definitely in the discussion, dude. I'm a shameless Bret mark, but, not for nothing, it's not like SCSA had a sustained run at the top. He was HUGE, to be sure, and drew insane money for a few years, but the magic didn't last particularly long (not all Austin's fault, given his injuries).

[themanwithnoname]

Apr 2, 2008 15:56:47 GMT -5 lildude8218 said:

He did the same thing with Hogan. Badmouthed him, then when he came in to the company in 2002 he put him over as the greatest of all time. Then after Hogan left he talked bad about him again. Triple H is just a politician and a company man.

Amen brotha.

[Smokey McTrees]

I dunno, I think Foley has done some good stuff still. His program with Flair was all kinds of good, and he put on a great match with Edge.

[Kevin Hamilton]

It's always possible they legit became friends too, and he regrets acting that way. Ever known someone that when you first got to know them superficially you really didn't like at all, but the more contact you had with 'em you grew to become friends?

I concede it could totally be political, but I think there's other possibilities.

[Smokey McTrees]

I wish I could have posted this in the other thread, but since this has the slight potential of becoming another "bashing" thread, I gotta counter with the fact that I was honored enough to hang out with Flair and AA one night a few years back (2002), and tho I've told the story before, I used all kinds of "insidery" terms to him and he was attentive and lots of fun. He even got into a playful argument with me about himself being a bigger Piper mark then me! Yes, "mark" was the term he used. He is a class act all the way, and gave me a lot of time (and beers) when he didn't have to. To say this guy is a piece of trash and doesn't respect his fans did not have the pleasure I did. This guy made me feel like I was his new best pal. I am still really upset about him leaving, and I'm sorry for pirating this thread somewhat, but I had to get something out...

[James McCloud IS John Godot]

Apr 2, 2008 19:27:33 GMT -5 Kevin Hamilton said:

It's always possible they legit became friends too, and he regrets acting that way. Ever known someone that when you first got to know them superficially you really didn't like at all, but the more contact you had with 'em you grew to become friends?

I concede it could totally be political, but I think there's other possibilities.

I'd say this. Flair, despite his obvious status, was hardly a power player in the WWE. Hunter didn't need to kiss up to help his status. Why bother trying so hard unless he genuinely liked the guy?

[Dave the Dave]

Apr 2, 2008 19:27:33 GMT -5 Kevin Hamilton said:

It's always possible they legit became friends too, and he regrets acting that way. Ever known someone that when you first got to know them superficially you really didn't like at all, but the more contact you had with 'em you grew to become friends?

I concede it could totally be political, but I think there's other possibilities.

Based on the amount of emotion, I'd say it's real. I know they're all very good actors, but that strong of emotion is hard to fake.

[Jay Peas 42]

Well, in 1998, Flair was a threat to his spot. Not so much anymore. Now the only thing Triple H has left to fear is Randy Savage taking (back) his girl. Oh, YEEEEAAAAAH!

[Janitor From Mars]

Apr 2, 2008 19:41:53 GMT -5 Smokey McTrees said:

I wish I could have posted this in the other thread, but since this has the slight potential of becoming another "bashing" thread, I gotta counter with the fact that I was honored enough to hang out with Flair and AA one night a few years back (2002), and tho I've told the story before, I used all kinds of "insidery" terms to him and he was attentive and lots of fun. He even got into a playful argument with me about himself being a bigger Piper mark then me! Yes, "mark" was the term he used. He is a class act all the way, and gave me a lot of time (and beers) when he didn't have to. To say this guy is a piece of trash and doesn't respect his fans did not have the pleasure I did. This guy made me feel like I was his new best pal. I am still really upset about him leaving, and I'm sorry for pirating this thread somewhat, but I had to get something out...

I'm jealous. I'd love to style and profile with Flair.

[Mac]

Apr 2, 2008 19:44:53 GMT -5 James McCloud IS John Godot said:

Apr 2, 2008 19:27:33 GMT -5 Kevin Hamilton said:

It's always possible they legit became friends too, and he regrets acting that way. Ever known someone that when you first got to know them superficially you really didn't like at all, but the more contact you had with 'em you grew to become friends?

I concede it could totally be political, but I think there's other possibilities.

I'd say this. Flair, despite his obvious status, was hardly a power player in the WWE. Hunter didn't need to kiss up to help his status. Why bother trying so hard unless he genuinely liked the guy?

If it is a political play it's a good one. Triple H looks good by acting like the man of the hour was the guy he looked up to and glomming onto him leaving. If you haven't watched wrestling a long time you'd think these two had a really long history together.

Its one of the reason a lot of people dislike Triple H, they think hes a politician and in a spot where he wields power over what happens and is out for himself. That may be the case, if it is it's pretty much commonplace through wrestling history.

Or he might just actually like the guy.

[Veladus Jobs To Dead Computers]

Apr 2, 2008 16:01:42 GMT -5 Tiger Millionaire said:

I really think the main difference between Hogan, SCSA and Flair(I won't even count Hart, he isn't in their league. Neither is Foley, and I'm a Foley mark) is that Flair got to a point where he mellowed out, and was willing to play second fiddle, and just be a wrestler.

When did that happened? Last month? It certainly wasn't when he joined WWE. Remember that backstage fight between Flair and Bischoff a few years ago? I think that was because Flair was pissy at the attention Hogan recieved on his 724th "retirement" (BROTHER!) and that Flair's odometer was about to roll over but he wasn't getting that kind of attention. Also, the reason he semi-quit before this retirement angle was he was pissy about his push. Which is pretty funny really since a man pushing 70 is a black hole of credibility. But I digress... Foley was definitely in their league. So was Hart. Foley's style was just different. If you did a poll and asked 50,000 wrestling fans what their favorite match or the most memorable match is, I'd bet everything I own that Foley/Taker HIAC will come up more than everything Flair has been in COMBINED. This is partially due to the fact that most of today's fans hadn't been born when Flair was in his prime, but the fact remains. So say Foley isn't in Flair's league is just plain laughable. Oh, and unlike Flair, he was always pretty humble.

[Mongo & Pepe: Back in Black]

As far as I recall, Triple H didn't necessarily badmouth Flair. He stated in an interview sometime in the late '90s that Flair was his favorite wrestler when he was younger and he thought that Flair should have retired 10 years back. I don't see that as badmouthing. I see it as Trips thinking that Flair was ruining his legacy by sticking around for too long. Then they ended up becoming friends in WWE. And if anyone doesn't think that Flair was his favorite wrestler, hunt down a video of Terra Ryzing in WCW.

[ddd84]

Apr 2, 2008 20:41:38 GMT -5 Veladus Jobs To Dead Computers said:

Apr 2, 2008 16:01:42 GMT -5 Tiger Millionaire said:

I really think the main difference between Hogan, SCSA and Flair(I won't even count Hart, he isn't in their league. Neither is Foley, and I'm a Foley mark) is that Flair got to a point where he mellowed out, and was willing to play second fiddle, and just be a wrestler.

When did that happened? Last month? It certainly wasn't when he joined WWE. Remember that backstage fight between Flair and Bischoff a few years ago? I think that was because Flair was pissy at the attention Hogan recieved on his 724th "retirement" (BROTHER!) and that Flair's odometer was about to roll over but he wasn't getting that kind of attention. Also, the reason he semi-quit before this retirement angle was he was pissy about his push. Which is pretty funny really since a man pushing 70 is a black hole of credibility. But I digress... Foley was definitely in their league. So was Hart. Foley's style was just different. If you did a poll and asked 50,000 wrestling fans what their favorite match or the most memorable match is, I'd bet everything I own that Foley/Taker HIAC will come up more than everything Flair has been in COMBINED. This is partially due to the fact that most of today's fans hadn't been born when Flair was in his prime, but the fact remains. So say Foley isn't in Flair's league is just plain laughable. Oh, and unlike Flair, he was always pretty humble.

I like Foley, but sorry, he isn't in Flair's league. Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold, they're in that rarified air. Foley is one step down. Also, who cares what fans would vote which match the favorite? A certain amount of fans, depending on who they are, would think that Bunnymania was better than anything Flair did. It means nothing.

[Veladus Jobs To Dead Computers]

Apr 2, 2008 20:56:21 GMT -5 ddd84 said:

I like Foley, but sorry, he isn't in Flair's league. Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold, they're in that rarified air. Foley is one step down. Also, who cares what fans would vote which match the favorite? A certain amount of fans, depending on who they are, would think that Bunnymania was better than anything Flair did. It means nothing.

I don't mean this to flame and it's completely rhetorical, I'm just pointing out a flaw in your logic, but.... If it doesn't matter what the fans think, why does it matter what you think?

[ddd84]

Apr 2, 2008 20:58:14 GMT -5 Veladus Jobs To Dead Computers said:

Apr 2, 2008 20:56:21 GMT -5 ddd84 said:

I like Foley, but sorry, he isn't in Flair's league. Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold, they're in that rarified air. Foley is one step down. Also, who cares what fans would vote which match the favorite? A certain amount of fans, depending on who they are, would think that Bunnymania was better than anything Flair did. It means nothing.

I don't mean this to flame and it's completely rhetorical, I'm just pointing out a flaw in your logic, but.... If it doesn't matter what the fans think, why does it matter what you think?

I never said that it doesn't matter what the fans think, only that certain fans will like certain things better than other fans. You said, absolutely, that if you polled 50,000 fans, that most of them would pick the Hell in the Cell match over any Flair match, and even if they did, it means nothing. That's my point. It's a worked sport, who cares? Flair is relevant right now, Foley isn't.

Also, the fact that you're using this opportunity to again degrade Flair shows that you're extremely biased on this subject, so I think your opinion doesn't hold much weight on this particular subject.

[Veladus Jobs To Dead Computers]

Apr 2, 2008 21:16:51 GMT -5 ddd84 said:

I never said that it doesn't matter what the fans think, only that certain fans will like certain things better than other fans. You said, absolutely, that if you polled 50,000 fans, that most of them would pick the Hell in the Cell match over any Flair match, and even if they did, it means nothing. That's my point. It's a worked sport, who cares? Flair is relevant right now, Foley isn't.

Also, the fact that you're using this opportunity to again degrade Flair shows that you're extremely biased on this subject, so I think your opinion doesn't hold much weight on this particular subject.

Flair is relevant now? Only because of the retirement angle. A few months ago he was jobbing to Lance Cade. As for my opinion being biased, sure it is, but everyone who is into wrestling has a biased opinion on it. Why does the opinion of somebody who loves him worth more than the opinion of someone who hates him? They're both biased, just differently.