December 10th, 1972. The day Ric Flair made his professional debut. July 31st, 2022. The day that the Nature Boy himself will lace up his boots and walk down that aisle one last time.
The event itself, titled ‘Ric Flairs Last Match’ is being promoted under the Jim Crockett Promotions banner, which is as full circle as full circle gets for Flair.
For some of our younger readers, you might find yourself asking why? Well, allow me to fill you in. Ric Flair is most known for his work in Jim Crockett Promotions. Flair wrestled for JCP from 1974-1991, having countless title reigns ranging from the Mid-Atlantic TV title to the NWA United States Heavyweight title to the NWA World Heavyweight title.
A large majority of Flair’s career achievements stem from his tenure in JCP, so it’s only fitting that his final match take place under that banner. Now, onto the match itself. Some may look at the match and think it’s a completely random pairing. It in fact is not, as everyone in this match is connected, and have more history with each other than some are aware of.
In Flair’s last match, we will see him team up with his real life son-in-law Andrade to take on Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal. We already know Andrade is part of the Flair family by marriage, but what’s up with Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal? Back in TNA under the Hogan/Bischoff regime, Flair feuded with Lethal as Lethal was (at the time) impersonating Flair, which Flair didn’t take too kindly to. This even lead to one of the funniest segments in TNA history.
Fast forward a few years later, and Lethal has actually been the one helping Flair in the ring, training with him to make sure that the Nature Boy is in the best shape he could possibly be in in his final match
With Lethal training Flair for his upcoming match, you’d think the 2 would be on great terms. But then Jay Lethal no showed an appearance on Ric Flair’s “To Be The Man” podcast. Flair then went on the show to say that Lethal has an attitude problem as Lethal had apparently asked Flair to be part of the card for Flair’s last match to which Flair responded with “It ain’t gonna happen”.
This had left everyone confused as we had just seen training videos of the two that had gone viral just weeks before this podcast debacle. Little did we know they were just planting the seeds for Lethal to be 1 of Flair’s opponents in his last match.
We now move on to Jeff Jarrett. The show itself is taking place in Nashville, TN. Jeff Jarrett & his Father Jerry Jarrett are synonymous in TN with Jerry Jarrett having been the promoter of Memphis wrestling. Jerry Jarrett & Ric Flair have a rocky history dating back to the 80’s where the 2 had butted heads numerous times over Ric Flair refusing to put over Jarrets Memphis stars. With this knowledge, it now makes a lot of sense for Jeff Jarrett to compete in this match, to get revenge on Flair for the politics he tried to play with his Father over 40 years ago.
Now, just last week, both Lethal & Jarrett violently attacked Flair in a parking lot and left Flair a bloody mess. This now made the match with Jarrett being Lethals tag-team partner official.
If this is truly Ric Flair’s last match, what a way to go out. With a match this rich in history, it’s perfect.
Now that is just the main-event, this event also has a strong undercard. The undercard will feature:
Impact World Title Match
Josh Alexander (c) vs Jacob Fatu
Tag Team Match
The Briscoes (Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe) vs The Von Erichs (Marshall von Erich & Ross von Erich)
Four Way Match
Laredo Kid vs Taurus vs Rey Fenix vs Bandido
Impact Knockouts Title Match
Jordynne Grace (c) vs Deonna Purrazzo vs Rachael Ellering
Harry Smith vs Killer Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux
Ren Narita vs Clark Connors
Tag Team Match
The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs The Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards)
WHAT TIME DOES RIC FLAIR’S LAST MATCH START?
Date: Sunday, July 31 Time: 7 p.m. ET
Ric Flair’s Last Match begins with the kickoff show starting at 6:05 p.m. ET and the main show getting underway at 8 p.m. ET. The card is expected to last around four hours.
HOW TO WATCH RIC FLAIR’S LAST MATCH
United States: PPV, FITE.TV
Everywhere else around the world: FITE.TV
Ric Flair’s Last Match can be seen around the world on FITE.TV.
If you don’t have capable internet speeds, you can order Ric Flair’s Last Match through your cable or satellite provider
Author: Alexsi Cartagena
Photo Credit: Starrcast
One Stop Wrestling 