Ric Flair To Be The Subject Of An ESPN 30 For 30 Documentary

News

To die-hard wrestling fans there is more than one “Nature Boy.” But for those whose history with the sport as sports entertainment you may know of only one. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair is more than the dad to current WWE women’s champion Charlotte. He’s a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, a 16-time world champion, and has the distinction of holding the U.S. Championship a record six times. Flair is also among the Mt. Rushmore of guys who cut great promos. All you need to do is look at this classic from 1985 when Flair was the main event star of the National Wrestling Alliance.

“You are talking to the Rolex-wearing, diamond ring-wearing, kiss stealing — Woooooo! — wheelin dealin, limousine riding, jet flying son of a gun — and I’m having a hard time holding these alligators down! Woooooo!”

Now the retired wrestling legend is the subject of an upcoming ESPN “30 for 30” documentary titled “Nature Boy.” The date of its premiere is unknown at this point, but according to Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated it will appear in the TV line-up within the next twelve months and as early as this fall. The documentary is directed by Rory Karpf, who already has a few 30 for 30 docs on his resume, including “I Hate Christian Laettner” and “The Book of Manning.”

In Deitsch’s article, Karpf indicates that he’s in the editing stages with a few interviews left to shoot and archival footage to procure. The doc should run 90 or 120 minutes. Regarding the inclusion of WWE footage, ESPN Films vice president and executive producer John Dahl confirms a healthy relationship between the two companies and that WWE is helping with footage requests.

The primary focus will be the prime of Flair’s career in the 1980s. Among the interviewees fans will get to see retired stars Sting, Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley and Ricky Steamboat, along with Four Horsemen cohorts Arn and Ole Anderson and Tully Blanchard. Jim Ross, Eric Bischoff, The Undertaker, and Flair’s first wife, Leslie, are also included in the documentary.

Travis Leamons is one of the Inside Pulse Originals and currently holds the position of Managing Editor at Inside Pulse Movies. He's told that the position is his until he's dead or if "The Boss" can find somebody better. I expect the best and I give the best. Here's the beer. Here's the entertainment. Now have fun. That's an order!