Source: NewsMiner.com
Ric Flair has been a fixture on the pro wrestling circuit for 35 years, but Fairbanks could be the end of the line for the legendary grappler next Wednesday.
That’s one of the main storylines in the upcoming WWE RAW show at the Carlson Center, where Flair is set to wrestle against Mr. Kennedy. With one more loss, the 58-year-old wrestler will be forced into retirement, thanks to an edict from WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
“His career is on the line in Fairbanks,” said Megan Trapp, a WWE spokesman.
This will be the first WWE show in Fairbanks in five years, and tickets are selling rapidly.
Kristin Bayer, the Carlson Center box office manager, said tickets remain in all of the seating levels, but several areas are almost full, including floor seats. Unlike some other WWE RAW productions, she said Wednesday’s show won’t be broadcast nationally.
Part of the appeal of the show, besides a few juicy storylines, is the opportunity to see the world of WWE up close.
William Regal, the much-hated British wrestler who will be among those appearing Wednesday, said he does about 160 shows a year. He said the shows at relatively small venues like the Carlson Center, which can hold as many as 6,000 people, are among his favorites.
“Not every arena is a great big arena … but the smaller ones are the best places to see a wrestling show,” Regal said. “It’s a lot more intimate and there’s a lot more interaction when the crowd is right on top of you.”
Even with the Flair match, the highlight of Wednesday’s show may be the bout between Randy Orton and Chris Jericho, two of the biggest names in WWE’s stable.
Orton is the reigning WWE Champion, claimed the title against Triple H at the “No Mercy” event on Oct. 7. Orton calls himself “The Legend Killer,” thanks to dirty feuds with established WWE stars like Michaels and Mick Foley.
Jericho, the talkative former champion, returned to WWE after a two-year “retirement” in September. He and Orton wrestled for the championship at the “Royal Rumble” on Jan. 27, but Orton was disqualified after Jericho was illegally kicked in the head. Since titles don’t change hands on disqualifications, the championship stayed with Orton.
Other matches will include a tag-team match featuring Regal and Umaga against Triple H and Jeff Hardy.
Regal also serves as the WWE general manager, which allows him to dictate the format and rules for the various matches. He said his primary goal will be making sure the situation is as advantageous for him as possible. Regal said he’s also hoping to inject himself into the big matches somehow.
“I’m very corrupt and easily swayed,” he said. “I can put myself in all the best positions, which I love.”
Regal came to the United States in 1993 from his native Britain, and worked to incite crowds by showing off a smug English attitude. He’s been happily angering wrestling fans ever since, thanks partly to a good piece of advice from McMahon: talk to the fans like you actually want to help them.
“Instantly people hated me,” he said. “It was great.”
Regal, who is about to turn 40, doesn’t wrestle as much as he used to. But he’s looking forward to his match against Triple H, a former partner who has gone on to become one of the bigger names in WWE.
“I’m glad to be able to get in a few licks against him for all the extra money he’s made instead of me,” he said.
Regal said he’s also honored to be part of the Flair storyline. They were frequent opponents when Regal first moved to the United States, and became good friends.
Today, he said “The Nature Boy” serves as a source of motivation. Regal said he doesn’t know where Flair’s story is headed, but said he’s widely admired among his fellow wrestlers for his astonishing longevity.
“I’m just a great Ric Flair fan,” he said. “He’s just a great inspiration.”
IF YOU GO
What: WWE RAW
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Carlson Center
Tickets: $90-$25 at Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, 456-4800 and the Carlson Center Box Office
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