"I'll Never Retire" - The Story of Ric Flair's Final WWE Match

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Ric Flair had his last WWE match at WrestleMania 24 in 2008. Ric was involved in a storyline where he would be forced into retirement if he lost a match, and for the months leading up to WrestleMania, Flair had survived by beating the likes of MVP, Ken Kennedy, Triple H and even Vince McMahon. Flair wanted a match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania, and after a few weeks of uncertainty, the match was made official.. Nature Boy vs Heartbreak Kid would end up being Flair's final WWE match (although it was intended to be Ric's last match ever).
Ric Flair was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania 24. During his emotional speech, Flair claimed that he would never retire. On the night of the event however, Shawn Michaels would say "I'm sorry, I love you" before hitting Flair with the third Sweet Chin Music of the match. Michaels defeated Flair at WrestleMania 24 and so Ric Flair had to retire. The following night on Raw, the superstars of the WWE gave Ric Flair a farewell that turned out to be one of the best segments in Raw history.
This video looks at the Ric Flair retirement storyline, the career threatening matches that he took part in, WrestleMania 24 weekend, and the Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair match at WrestleMania.
00:00 - Vince McMahon wants Flair to retire
03:35 - The "career threatening" matches
10:00 - WWE begins building Flair vs Michaels
13:47 - "Old Yeller"
16:36 - WrestleMania Weekend
19:17 - Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels
22:10 - Ric Flair in TNA
#WWE #Documentary #Wrestling
"Also Sprach Zarathustra"
Kevin MacLeod
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@ChiseledAdonis]

That whole weekend was an emotional rollercoaster. Til this day "leave the memories alone" gets me emotional reminiscing on Flair's Monday Night Raw sendoff. HBK saying "I'm Sorry I Love You" superkicked everyone right in the feels. I don't think there are humans capable of knowing Flair's career & watching those final moments without breaking down. Great video

[@beardedopinions2255]

your commentary is pretty good too funny as hell i would watch videos like this of yours js

[@darknessesdarknesses2492]

"From the East, to the West. To the East, back to the West."

[@rtyuik7]

i especially love the "I'm sorry; I love you" bit (as in, the fact that the Cameras were focused on Shawn's face, to capture his mouth movements forever lol), and other 'similar' moments like that in the ring...the fact that 'those days' of Wrestling were about telling a Story-- you can usually 'read' it through the guys in the Ring: no dialogue, no narration, just the Emotion on their faces (another example is when 'Someone' is on the top-rope, debating on whether to 5Star-Splash 'Opponent' or betray 'Teammate' with an Elbow Drop)...in other words, WWF was great, until they lost the 'F' xD

[@konnorrockkonnoisseur4970]

Nice to see you here, CA🤘🏻🤘🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@KegOfMeat]

That video package with Leave the Memories Alone is one of the best they’ve ever done.

[@Hains22]

That “Old Yeller” segment was genius booking. Promo included

[@AllieRX]

_"I'm sorry, I love you."_ When Shawn Michaels said this, it even brought grown men down to tears.

[@ahmadsamman3992]

It made me cry, someome who never saw ric flair wrestle, and what an ending

[@Mateus_Carvalho]

It really is wrestling at its finest. You can't tell a story like this anywhere else.

[@TheBlackScatPack]

That’s a moment in time you’ll never forget when you first seen it.

[@lutherheggs451]

and then Flair ruined it by going to TNA and wrestling for them....Pretty shitty since he ruined that moment and isn't ever going to be able to get that back....He could have worked there as a manager or some other type of on-air role without having to completely ruin what Wrestlemania had done.

[@Phoenix7786]

Hand held up high, I am one of those men.

[@JSmithRecords]

I’m 30 and I still can’t watch that match ending without crying. Might just be the most heartfelt moment I’ve ever seen in pro wrestling. Aside from Eddie and Benoit at WM20.. those two moments always get me. Reminds me of how much I love this sport, and angers me to see what it’s turned into

[@ronnterencedelacruz3185]

This is true.

[@BishopGG]

same

[@miguelbayonrivera2467]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. Heck, I'm 37, and I still get emotional watching this!

[@hellomotley]

Same here

[@dmichael1172]

Heck I'm 48 and I cry. I grew up in Florida watching JCP and Flair always made my weekend with his promos on TBS.

[@The2KXperience]

"There's a reason they put a jockey on a racehorse. Somebody's gotta pull the reins or they will run until they die." Man, what an incredible quote. How perfectly does that capture Ric Flair? I don't doubt that at one time Ric was fully prepared to die in the ring. But that's why you put a jockey on a racehorse or a referee in an MMA/UFC fight. These are warriors, champions, stallions, and this is all they know. Sometimes we need to protect them from themselves. What a crazy, beautiful sport this is.

[@dannyrivera8300]

Woah did you just compare scripted matches to actual fights lol... look I respect Ric Flair as much as the next guy but the guy was a performer an entertainer not an athlete

[@jimhaverlock9784]

@@dannyrivera8300 I think he’s all those things. The performance requires athleticism beyond most people’s ability.

[@dannyrivera8300]

@@jimhaverlock9784 but to say he's a warrior and that WWE is a sport then compare him to someone in MMA is crazy come on now be real

[@brandon5-053]

@@dannyrivera8300 ,

[@nicholasokeefe3632]

@@dannyrivera8300 how he literally bled in the ring he would have easily bled to death in those matches with Dusty if he had to. He was everything that represented this business.

[@rileykazama3145]

There will never be a another Ric flair

[@makaveli4205]

Shawn Michaels and undertaker are the only people on his level. When it comes to wrestling.

[@JM1993951]

@@makaveli4205 and Eddie, Benoit, Angle, Savage, Bret, Owen, Mr, Perfect…etc. Flair’s good, not incomparably good.

[@duboiswilliams2530]

You can say that again man they will always be only one Ric flair

[@deaditalianguy7353]

@@JM1993951 All the guys you mentioned are for in ring abilities. I think they meant as in popularity

[@victoryusmc]

There will never be another you, another trippy right.

[@cocainecat2740]

Shawn came up with the “I’m sorry, I Love You.” line the night before Mania 24, I forget which interview it was but he basically said he came up with the finish at around 3 to 4am and cried like a baby. The night of WrestleMania he brought the idea to Flair and the rest is history. If I can find the interview I’ll send it to you

[@WarhawkBeyond2040]

The build up leading to Wrestlemania 24 for Ric Flair's final match against Shawn Michaels was absolutely fantastic, the fact that both guys were faces made it even more special. They did a great job in telling an emotional story and really putting it over that this could actually be it for the nature boy, the match itself was a true wrestling classic as you would expect from two true legends and the ending with Shawn Michaels saying "i'm sorry, i love you" with tears in his eyes before delivering sweet chin music for the final 3 count is one of the most iconic images in history. Aside from the fact that Ric Flair crapped on all of this by jumping to TNA and working another match down there, his farewell ceremony on Raw the next night is perhaps the greatest sendoff of all time

[@tylenolpringle2040]

That was back when Vince McMahon knew how to properly book a wrestling show

[@derekborba9574]

Excellently put.

[@illusioNery]

I mean, he has bills to pay and I’m sure they offered him lots of money to basically do the bare minimum since he was out of his WWE contract

[@zemox2534]

@@tylenolpringle2040 More like back when Vince had competent bookers and creative writers instead of the army of yes men he surrounds himself with today

[@Juan_rivera]

@@illusioNery if he was smart he would've invested and not be broke

[@karmaisreal261]

I may not be a fan of the person he was, but what Shawn Michaels did with Ric and with Undertaker at those Wrestlemanias was amazing. Such a great story teller in the ring.

[@fergalstackstreams]

Unfortunately it spawned about a half dozen too long, too convoluted, too tryhard HHH matches as he tries to imitate a level of ring psychology he isn't capable of recreating.

[@tonyibraham5931]

The person he was is different than that guy at those times. 90s, addict and politicking Shawn is not the same as the post attitude era Shawn who found Jesus and got clean.

[@coments101]

@@tonyibraham5931 Different isn't always good, you can still be an asshole if you get clean and find Christ. Idk Shawn Michaels personally though so idk if he's still an asshole or not but he certainly seems a lot better of a person than he apparently was in his prime.

[@VERDICTInsanity]

I don’t think there’s a single wrestling fan out there who’s heart didn’t sink when HBK said “I’m sorry.... I love u”

[@christianholbrook2686]

I really just disregard Rics time in TNA. The ending at wrestlemania 24 was so perfect. I know Ric didn't really want to stop, and I know he said he'd retire when he died in the ring, but I don't think any of us actually wanted to see that happen.

[@thehighground_]

While his time in TNA is best forgotten, there is still the promo with Jay Lethal which is gold and the final match of his career was against Sting which is very fitting for Flair's career.

[@johnmorales6281]

The only part of this TNA career I ever regard is the J Leathal promo... He was basically arguing with himself

[@AlanNadeauIII]

If that did happen, it would not have gone well for anyone

[@michaele.francis]

Flair should have retired at the last Nitro. It would have been perfect ending.

[@henry7696]

@@thehighground_ meh. how is a match vs sting any more fitting than a match vs hbk at WM? it shouldve just ended then and there and if he needed the money im sure he couldve worked promos / commentary / whatever at wherever he wanted that would pay the most.

[@louisvelez40]

Ric was having some really good matches with everything Vince threw at him. I call Ric the ageless wonder. His match with Shawn at mania 24 was one of those classics you will never forget.

[@fatxbull6259]

My favorite match ever

[@bargaintuesday812]

If this match happened today, we would have missed the "I'm sorry, I love you" part because the camera would have cut to the crowd reaction.

[@sumobo7108]

lol

[@ShawnSandiego]

​@@sumobo7108 He is right though. Today's camera work is absolutely abysmal and nauseating (those camera shakes that go along with punches; I absolutely HATE it!). It's ridiculous how many moments in recent years the camera missed in the ring in favor of showing the crowd or commentary reactions instead. 🙄

[@ShawnSandiego]

@@markobighead3173 I rather like to describe his look as "annoyed constipation". 😅

[@maxmalten7749]

The line was cheesy as hell imo.

[@stevelowe2647]

@@ShawnSandiego they shake the cameras with punches?? Intentionally? That sounds dreadful.

[@DJDoubleCee]

I got a lot of respect for Ric Flair, wrestling for so many years. Even wrestling after breaking his back.

[@Bale4Bond]

If I didn't in fact know that you are a real person, i'd mistake you for a bot. You are on almost every wrestling-video, spouting the most obvious and generic statements (relating to the video) possible. Whatever gets you the likes and attention works, i guess...

[@stephenframe1]

Kurt Angle wrestled "after breaking his fricking neck"

[@Bale4Bond]

@@stephenframe1 Bret Hart was, is (and in my opinion) will always be the Excellence of Execution! Woo, Woo, Woo you know it!

[@rustykuntz94]

I was a WWF 80s kid when first getting into wrestling so I missed Flair's true Glory years and all those storied matches. It still stands up today even now 2 generations removed catching up on Flair & Steamboat, Flair-Dusty, the Flair vs Great Kabookie match in Japan and of course the 1992 Iron man Rumble performance. Nature Boy Ric Flair=GOAT

[@snubby4624]

@@Bale4Bond His music video is hilarious.

[@labbaby189]

As of this comment Flair is planning a return match. The post WM24 years have made this match even better in a bittersweet way. It's like he never wanted to let go in the first place, but literally everything in his world told him to retire. "I will NEVER retire" is low-key more heartbreaking than "I'm sorry, I love you".

[@killy1]

Has anyone started medically studying his incredible longevity in athletic endurance yet?

[@magilla2282]

It must be all the liquor he consumed. He is a medical marvel who knows lol.

[@rustyshackleford7265]

EPO and it has already been studied extensively

[@cobracyxx8808]

All beef products and spilt liquor

[@johndlc1983]

Bless him, hes had like 3 or 4 heart attacks and still with us.

[@damien5138]

Its called Ineedmoneyitis

[@rustykuntz94]

Damn years later still tough to watch this and Shawn's words just before the final super kick. Just like the Old Yeller story it really felt like with that moment Michaels was writing the end of a tear jerker movie that you could see coming, you knew it had to come but dammit if it aint sad AF when the end finally does come.

[@feebypeels2883]

"WHEN I DIE, IT'LL BE HERE OR ON TOP OF A WILD WOMAN! I HOPE IT'S HERE, BUT I'LL GO EITHER WAY!"

[@steve_jackson9933]

It is so hard to believe that he around for so long and made it all look so good. There are few people could match his legacy and skills with such a career.

[@azapro911]

Vince called this well, it was the right time for Ric to bow out and that final four month storyline was excellent.

[@rgxwrestlingmedia]

I'm not crying, you're crying!

[@constablekennedy7705]

HBK Versus Ric Flair at WrestleMania 24 was one of My Favourite Professional Wrestling Matches of all time and I choose to ignore that Ric later went back on his Retirement by Working in TNA … 👀

[@Venemofthe888]

He still had some personal stuff to pay off so he really couldn't stop working and needed cash in any way he could. I don't blame him for going to TNA because he had to do what he had to do

[@BlueLighteningGojo]

@@Venemofthe888 and we wouldn’t have gotten that sweet woo off between him and jay lethal.

[@constablekennedy7705]

@@Venemofthe888 Valid Points Bro and a testament to why Fellas should avoid Marriage … 👀

[@constablekennedy7705]

@@BlueLighteningGojo That was awesome … 💯

[@stormykeep9213]

One of my all time favorites...I'm glad he got his "black butterfly" robe back as well.

[@TheRealFandjango]

Man, that match with HBK really should have been the main event of arguably one of my favorite Wrestlemania’s. Great job recapturing this storyline. Also liked the Evolution remix at the end.

[@chrisvb3526]

Still have my “Woooooooooooooooooooooooooo” t-shirt, and wearing it proudly! (Last time I wore it was yesterday, not even kidding)

[@123456612lk]

I remember watching flairs final wwe match at wrestlemania in person, nearly cried after the pin. After mania a bunch of people were wooing as they were leaving the arena. This storyline was really amazing. A shame flair had to go to TNA after this.

[@thomassalas5191]

I cried at the end of Shawn Michaels match. I was there also

[@itachi-kun7736]

he needs the money for his ex-wives, I know we hated it happened, but at least he didn't wrestled in a wwe ring

[@robchuk4136]

The road to WM build towards this match was weird and unmemorable for me. It wasn't until HoF and the match itself that the reality and weight of everything really set in. Crazy emotional

[@zemox2534]

Ric vs Shawn was very emotional. I still remember Shawn cradling Ric's head after the match. It was a heart breaking moment and showed how much Shawn loved Ric. And the tribute on Raw was simply beautiful.

[@timbartschwolfman]

Happy 4th of July Wrestling Bios

[@johndonald9239]

I don't want to be rude but why some people say that to non Americans?

[@jb888888888]

@@johndonald9239 Wishing a fellow England-separating person well? On April 24 Wrestling Bios can wish well to Americans too.

[@jaredquinney204]

What an awesome final match for such a legend

[@psyopticprodigy2427]

With a tear in my eye, I watch that Wrestlemania 24 match knowing I'm watching two of the best ever. One in his last match and one in the twilight of his career.

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

HBK: I’m sorry, I love you

[@jameswebster5398]

I was lucky enough to be in attendance at Flair's last match in Ireland.

[@evolvedcopper2205]

Seeing the final match live in person was truly a privilege that I appreciate more and more as I get older and the more I learn about Flair in his best days it multiplies

[@jeffreycattelino3996]

The greatest wrestler ever

[@cocainecat2740]

Shawn’s storytelling in this match was not only impeccable but the best I’d ever seen him at

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

Nice storyline he defended his career on the 3 brands

[@thomassalas5191]

Probably more

[@jb888888888]

@@thomassalas5191 I think Guillermo meant that during the "win or retire" storyline Flair wrestled on all three WWE brand shows: Raw, Smackdown and ECW.

[@slanderman3296]

This brought tears to my eyes. Poor, growing old really is a bitch isnt it. I love flair, even as a kid i didn't realize he was like, 45 in wcw. I never thought of him as old, i just thought its ric man. Thank you NATURE BOY

[@ohbogey]

This is probably best victory lap a legendary wrestler like Flair could get. He gave many the honor of taking it with him. This was the kind of career transition into retirement/very reduced duty that Hogan, Warrior, Macho Man, Sting &/or Brett also should've gotten.

[@baloothepibble8421]

The best wrestling channel on YT. Thanks WRESTLING BIOS

[@deaston18]

This is the greatest intro you have done. I had to rewind at least ten times to FEEL this it's so good!

[@thethairishsun]

21:09 The "I'm sorry, I love you" bit was absolutely planned, mate. Shawn said in an interview he mapped the whole ending out and was really nervous telling Ric about it in case he thought it was corny, but Ric loved it. Not sure why you said that. Otherwise brilliant, as always.

[@johnytwotimes4072]

Thank you so so much for this one. This occurred during my WWE hiatus and I being a Carolina kid in the 80s have always loved Ric Flair. No one else in wrestletube has gone in depth of this story!

[@chrisg276]

Great video! Thanks for pulling this together. Expertly done. Wooooo!

[@markwilliams984]

Excellent mate. Thank you.

[@garyv2498]

Great video. That match was so emotional that even thinking about it is brining on the allergies again.

[@johnlegrano4723]

Great video definitely brought back a lot of memories growing up. Thank you for this upload

[@CarterJ9]

What an amazing way to plot out the retirement of a legend, and an amazing tribute in this video to the preparation, backstory, execution, and emotional weight of the build up and the moment. But I expect no less from the greatest wrestling channel going today.

[@kungfuu225]

awesome vid very well done

[@TitusJ]

Not sure there’s another wrestling channel out there that I love as much as this one. Keep it up!!!!!

[@stevecherry9317]

Great video bro, thanks

[@Muhammedalshabea]

I think this is probably the best video you’ve ever made and that is a very very big compliment.

[@danielproctor5237]

Great Video!!

[@watersandblue6001]

Basically Hogan, Macho Man and Flair had their last Match in TNA.

[@Kinogotiate]

Kind of beautiful honestly for a middle finger to Vince.

[@lexkanyima2195]

Which year of those 3 had a last match in TNA ?

[@d.52555]

@@lexkanyima2195 Macho Man in 2004, Hogan in 2012, and Ric in 2011.

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@d.52555 ok

[@brennanhughes976]

Love your channel!!

[@FORCESN95S]

Awesome upload as always and you “take care “ too.

[@alexedwards1873]

one of the best videos you've done, outstanding

[@ericmurray3903]

Please never stop doing what you are doing I love all your videos!!

[@brianlarsen9952]

Woooooooooooo This run with Flair was so much fun. Great video

[@markanthonytantoco3641]

Awesome video man!!! Hats off to you on making this!! Slick rick will forever be the man!!

[@walkerreez2993]

well my day just got better. Best KZbin channel ever

[@johncambridge5221]

Kjm

[@HereticalKitsune]

Not the biggest Ric Flair fan here, but your commentary was absolutely amazing and I had tears in my eyes at the end. Good choice of videos and photos, great commentary, very good video!

[@katiehunter7313]

good work, thanks.

[@petesmithe]

It's such an emotional and heartbreaking story. You can just see it all over his face and body language when he talks about retiring and he's so heartbroken it hits you in the feels

[@FrankieTech]

Great video bro! It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but glad to see you still putting out stellar content! 😄 Keep it up!

[@deathsnitemaresinfullust2269]

Still brings a tear to my eyes watching stuff about this. Very good job👍

[@MGSA-lj3sc]

You are an artist, very nice job with these bios!. Subscribed!

[@abriansoto8097]

Very well done 💪🏽

[@Charziken909]

I always thought Ric Flair looked old, Even when he was young. It was mostly because of his hair color and theme music.

[@tyroneloki5131]

more so to hulk hogan...dude looked 40 when he was in his 20s

[@freddiejohnson6137]

Most people from before a certain point in time seemed to look old at a very young age. Usually down to their hairstyles, how they dressed and just the standards of food and healthcare. More people now can pass for looking quite young well into their late 30s.

[@michaele.francis]

When Arn Anderson was in his 20's, he looked like he was 40.

[@doubledown9]

This was FANTASTIC! :)

[@Tmack034]

Never will forget this. This was my first wrestlemania I've went to. I was a freshman in college and drove from SC to Orlando for the weekend. I went to the Hof as well. What a weekend

[@austinjones7104]

Nice video 😎

[@john-paulchesworth6117]

The best ever Ric . Love the programs . Remember this was a classy way to send an icon away . The build the match the farewell the lot was class .

[@wolfmerc11]

In terms of sending a legend off to ride into the sunset, they haven't been able to top this at all.

[@roadblock24]

much like ric saying 'i'll never retire'. i will still never NOT get goosebumps at his intro theme.

[@devinstallworth1558]

big show vs flair was legendary ecw

[@tonyibraham5931]

Not gonna lie, I shed a few tears at the point where you talked about Shawn asking Flair if he honored him. It was touching.

[@travisgray8376]

Shawn Michaels had the biggest development as a person from when he started in the late 80s n early 90s all the way to 2010 when he's a changed man who's humble n honest so different then what he used to be

[@casesizzle9082]

that was a good one thank you

[@brocklanders3616]

Couldn't ask for a better story,opponent, and arguably the most emotional ending in wrestle mania history. They both gave it everything in the ring that night, and perfectly illustrated why both men are living legends.

[@Emper0rH0rde]

14 years later, and Ric Flair really has become Old Yeller.

[@jakepearl2712]

Best Wrestling Channel EVER..WOOOOO

[@DiabolikalRA]

I cried like hell during that raw goodbye. And again now while reliving that moment.

[@C_mao]

Great job with this vid, btw !

[@Kyle-gi2jb]

Man that match and ceremony the night before were incredible. Glad I was there for both.

[@brandonperkins176]

Flair was awesome and he endured alot in his career. There will never be another Ric Flair

[@bluevipers9868]

Vince: “You will retire when you lose your next match!” *Ric Flair loses at a house show to Hornswoggle* WWE: 😶

[@JoeyLamontagne]

WWE: Hornswogglr = .25x match and rounded = 0

[@chrisboileau9849]

Wow, well done

[@dizzy1369]

Some of the best work of his career was during this retirement run, It was awesome stuff.

[@SpaceQuack]

I didn't get THE-NAITCH until I was in my 40's..then BOOM it hit me why he's THE G.O.A.T!! Diamonds are forever & I wish I was Ric Flair..Woooooo

[@isaacpeachey8609]

This clearly wasn’t his retirement though. His “real” retirement was in July, 2022.

[@lexkanyima2195]

But a actual send off is too late

[@unclenurgle8281]

Still the best channel on youtube. Never retire! It wouldn't be fair to Flair!

[@spiderphil]

👏👏👏👏👏 Well done !!!!

[@ShinGoukiSan]

This video made me cry all over again

[@kjpierson1152]

A year later than this video...14 years later than this WWE story...and Ric is lacing them up again... I don't think he was joking about wanting to go out in the ring.

[@italianostar74]

He was the man for soo long and he will be remembered as one of the best performers in the biz

[@dwayneallen3418]

I absolutely ❤️ this wrestlerling KZbin channel and Rick flair is a wrestlerling legend I loved watching this new content and nuff ❤️and respect to u bro for doing these videos 🤟🏾💯💯👊🏾👌🏾

[@dudechill7531]

Sunday has landed boys Bios time Woooo! 😎

[@HJTTI]

Wrestling Bios.....A1 stuff...

[@exquisitelemonade3039]

Grew up with the late 80s wwe era, well, got into it in 90 really, but was never into Ric Flair. Loved him since he came back in 2001 though. Please at some point, do the HHH v Ric Flair rivalry, the promo against Hunter where he busts himself open is absolutely legendary.