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Published by ECW Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
“Tim Hornbaker further establishes himself as possibly the finest wrestling historian writing today.” — SLAM! Wrestling on Death of the Territories
From the author of Death of the Territories and Capitol Revolution comes the definitive biography of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair
For more than a century, professional wrestling has cultivated some of the most eccentric and compelling personalities. As the embodiment of flamboyance and intensity, the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair stood at wrestling’s apex for decades, cementing his place as a once-in-a-lifetime athlete and performer. When he was in the ring, fans knew they were witnessing the very best, and he not only became a multi-time world heavyweight champion in the NWA, WCW, and the WWE, but his status as a generational great has been confirmed with inductions into numerous Halls of Fame.
The Last Real World Champion: The Legacy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair is a gripping portrait of a wrestling legend. This unflinching biography explores the successes, struggles, and controversy of Flair’s life in wrestling, pulling no punches in sharing the truth behind his in-ring achievements and out-of-the-ring hardships. Today, Flair is celebrated for his pioneering career and as an iconic figure in the realm of mainstream sports entertainment. Celebrated wrestling historian Tim Hornbaker tells Flair’s complete story, with meticulous attention to detail and exhaustive research, creating a must-read for fans of wrestling, sports, and popular culture.
From the author of Death of the Territories and Capitol Revolution comes the definitive biography of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair
For more than a century, professional wrestling has cultivated some of the most eccentric and compelling personalities. As the embodiment of flamboyance and intensity, the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair stood at wrestling’s apex for decades, cementing his place as a once-in-a-lifetime athlete and performer. When he was in the ring, fans knew they were witnessing the very best, and he not only became a multi-time world heavyweight champion in the NWA, WCW, and the WWE, but his status as a generational great has been confirmed with inductions into numerous Halls of Fame.
The Last Real World Champion: The Legacy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair is a gripping portrait of a wrestling legend. This unflinching biography explores the successes, struggles, and controversy of Flair’s life in wrestling, pulling no punches in sharing the truth behind his in-ring achievements and out-of-the-ring hardships. Today, Flair is celebrated for his pioneering career and as an iconic figure in the realm of mainstream sports entertainment. Celebrated wrestling historian Tim Hornbaker tells Flair’s complete story, with meticulous attention to detail and exhaustive research, creating a must-read for fans of wrestling, sports, and popular culture.
Excerpt
The routine of a professional wrestler was the opposite of an insurance salesman, his previous occupation, and Flair’s hours were scattershot depending on his booking schedule… Flair’s idolization of Dusty Rhodes was probably the most striking as far as his wrestling gimmick was concerned. He saw himself as a cowboy-hat wearing, potential “Outlaw” of the squared circle. Carrying the weight that he was, north of 250, he appeared a physical equal of Rhodes and Murdoch, which may have been his goal. Mulligan, upon seeing him, felt he “looked like Curley” from the Three Stooges, and as funny as Curley was, that wasn’t necessarily a compliment. But Flair was living the image he desired, and his next hope was to take it to the next level. He wanted to become a fictionalized brother of Dusty, and be dubbed, “Rambling” Ricky Rhodes.
Neither Dusty nor Verne Gagne liked the idea. As flattering as it might have been, Rhodes wanted Flair to find his own path in the wrestling business. He could already see his budding talent. Although Rhodes was a mentor figure and essentially a role model in wrestling for Flair, he was only three years, four months older than the latter. Their relationship was just starting out, and yet who could imagine in 1973 that they’d co-exist as major players in the profession for the next four decades. Even wilder, how would professional wrestling have been shaped if Dusty and Gagne had supported Flair’s idea for the name change?
Neither Dusty nor Verne Gagne liked the idea. As flattering as it might have been, Rhodes wanted Flair to find his own path in the wrestling business. He could already see his budding talent. Although Rhodes was a mentor figure and essentially a role model in wrestling for Flair, he was only three years, four months older than the latter. Their relationship was just starting out, and yet who could imagine in 1973 that they’d co-exist as major players in the profession for the next four decades. Even wilder, how would professional wrestling have been shaped if Dusty and Gagne had supported Flair’s idea for the name change?
Product Details
- Publisher: ECW Press (September 12, 2023)
- Length: 392 pages
- ISBN13: 9781770416260
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Raves and Reviews
“Whether you were a fan in the late 1970's or the mid 2000's, you can have a blast on this nostalgia trip. There is something to love for most in a book addressing the public face of the last real world champion.” — Lion Cub Job Search blog
“Every new book by Tim Hornbaker is an invitation to a masterclass on the subject of his latest work. Nowhere is that more evident than in The Last Real World Champion: The Legacy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Flair’s life is an amazing saga distinguished by challenges, twists, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence — and it’s the perfect subject for an author who takes no shortcuts in providing an unbiased and compelling account of the life of a first-rate athlete and entertainer that many fans (and others) will come to respect more deeply as a result of this book.” — Steven Verrier, wrestling historian and author of the acclaimed biographies of Gene Kiniski and George Gordienko
“The Last Real World Champion is an enjoyable read and Tim Hornbaker’s research, as usual, is meticulous. Always learn a great deal from his books!”— Gary Juster, veteran promoter (AWA, NWA, WCW, ROH, MLW)
“Hornbaker is a superb storyteller and scholar whose contribution to wrestling history is second to none. The Last Real World Champion is a testament to the life of a legendary athlete; required reading for anyone with a thirst for knowledge about professional wrestling history and one of its most monumental figures; and, in every regard, the latest in a line of winners by Tim Hornbaker.” — Steven Verrier, wrestling historian and author of the acclaimed biographies of Gene Kiniski and George Gordienko
“Hornbaker has created a book that covers Flair's entire career and legacy. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who has followed Ric Flair's wrestling career whether that be passively or as intently as I have done in all of the years I've been a fan of this form of entertainment.” — equinoxx.info
“Some of the hallmarks of Tim Hornbaker’s excellent books on pro wrestling are his painstaking research, so that even the most jaded wrestling historian can learn new facts; his detailed but chronological narrative, so you can live the subject in what seems like real time; and his attention to telling the positives and negatives of an individual without leading the reader, letting them make their own judgments. Tim’s crowning achievement may be The Last Real World Champion. Ric Flair, whose life and career could fill a 10-volume series, is a daunting subject, but Tim tells you everything you need to know, lots of things you should know, and a few things nobody has known — until now — about the life and times of the man who many believe is the greatest pro wrestler of modern times. Learn to read it, cause it’s the best book goin’ today! WHOOOOOO!!” — Jim Cornette
“The Last Real World Champion serves as a critical companion to Flair’s own books. It goes a long way to completing the picture of Flair’s life and career, and places him in time as an essential figure in the arc of pro wrestling’s ongoing evolution.” — Slam Wrestling
“For those fascinated by the larger-than-life legend whose legacy will live on long after the life of the Nature Boy is complete, the biography Ric Flair: The Last Real World Champion is your definitive Ric Flair compendium.” — Pro Wrestling Stories
“True wrestling fans that want an undiluted view of how wrestling really works are encouraged to purchase this enlightening book.” — Ring the Damn Bell
“Hornbaker does a fabulous job detailing the wrestling politics that surrounded Flair...This book truly takes you down memory lane, and is highly recommended” — Gerweck.net
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Last Real World Champion Trade Paperback 9781770416260
