WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair recently did an interview with Sports Illustrated (before his recent health scare) to help promote tomorrow’s (Sun. August 20, 2017) SummerSlam pay-per-view (PPV) as well as discuss his daughter, Charlotte Flair’s, progression through the business. During the interview, “The Nature Boy” revealed that original plans for the first ever SummerSlam in 1988 saw him challenge Macho Man Randy Savage for the WWE Championship:
“It’s true,” Flair said. “I was on my way to work for Vince [McMahon] and wrestle Savage at the Garden. My contract was up and Vince McMahon had been in touch with me. But I decided my best move was to remain in the NWA because I was so attached to my friends in the Four Horsemen. I thanked McMahon for the offer. I just couldn’t get myself to leave.
“I was too attached to my friends down there and too loyal to the NWA. Ultimately, it worked out, and I ended up working for Vince later. I respected Vince so much for asking me, but at that point, I just could not find a way to leave.”
When it was all said and done, however, the main event ended up being a Tag Team match between Savage and Hulk Hogan who took on Andre the Giant and Ted Dibiase, as heel commentator Jesse “The Body” Ventura served as Special Guest Referee. Hogan picked up the win after scoring a pinfall on DiBiase while Savage forced Ventura to make the three count. Flair would not sign with WWE until 1991.
Check out Flair’s full Q&A with Sports Illustrated by visiting this link here.
