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Preview:Honor, Legacy and Anguish: Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair (Career Threatening Match)
March 30, 2008
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When Shawn Michaels looks at Ric Flair, he sees his inspiration – a man he idolized as a young boy who dreamed of one day being the best in the squared circle. When the “Nature Boy” looks at Michaels, he sees his living legacy. He is proud to know that he had such a great influence on all-time greats such as HBK and was in part responsible for careers. If Flair had to end his career, he couldn’t think of a better opponent than Michaels – and that’s why this inductee to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2008 challenged The Showstopper to a Career Threatening Match at WrestleMania XXIV.
Flair has been fighting for his career since November, when Mr. McMahon gave him a win-or-you-must retire ultimatum. The next match Flair loses in singles competition in any way will be his last. He will be forced to retire.
Any normal man would have crumbled under that pressure. But the 16-time World Champion seems to have been reinvigorated by the challenge. He has defeated much younger and stronger Superstars such as Mr. Kennedy, MVP, Umaga, William Regal and even Triple H, one of his greatest admirers, as he’s battled to keep his career alive. (Relive Flair's Fight for his Career)
No Greater Honor
In most of the previous Career Threatening Matches, Flair has been the hunted. Superstars have issued the challenge, hoping to forever etch their names in history as the man who ended the legendary “Nature Boy’s” career. But in this WrestleMania encounter with HBK, Flair was the hunter. Flair challenged Michaels, who has admitted that he’s not sure he’s ready for a world of sports-entertainment without “Naitch.”
Who knows why Flair challenged HBK – perhaps it was his way of taking control of his destiny. But Flair also knows that HBK is one of the greatest Superstars to ever compete at WrestleMania. Perhaps no one has had more show-stealing, unforgettable matches on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Meanwhile, Michaels knows that there has been perhaps no greater champion in history than Flair. HBK and “Naitch” consider it an honor to wrestle each other – and on what better stage than WrestleMania.
Heartbreak for HBK?
What range of emotions will Flair feel before his showdown with Michaels? The night before WrestleMania, he will become the first-ever active competitor to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He will be looking back upon his incredible 36-year career while trying to look forward and concentrate on winning his match with HBK and keeping “Space Mountain” open.
And for HBK, he will have to come to terms with the fact that he may have to end the career of a man he truly loves and considers a father figure. Michaels doesn’t need to make a name for himself; his own legacy has been firmly established. In many ways, he’s paying homage to Flair by wrestling him at WrestleMania.
There has never been anyone like HBK in WWE. And no one will ever style and profile like Ric Flair. At WrestleMania, this battle between new and future WWE Hall of Famers promises to give our fans something they will never forget.
Pick up Shawn's Creation t-shirt and Ric Flair's Ultimate DVD at WWEShop!