I met him at a convenience store in the early 80’s, before the wrestlers flew from city to city, back in the old Mid Atlantic days before WCW.
Some of the other wrestlers came in first, driving Chevy Impalas and Fords.
They were dressed in jeans and T shirts and had cheap watches and little in the way of jewelry.
Ric pulled up in his shiny Cadillac with Black Jack Mulligan.
Ric looked like he had just stepped out of a catalog.
Sweater, nice button up shirt with starched collar and cuffs, big gold watch and a nice necklace.
A local guy, a real smart Alec, started razzing Flair about wrestling.
Ric acted pretty humble, just wanted to get on the road.
The glare from Mulligan made me decide to wait outside.
Went out and stood admiring the night and Ric came out and stood a few feet away.
I asked him if he had a good match.
He said he and Steamboat tore the house down.
We chatted a bit and Mulligan came out.
As they were getting in the car Mulligan looked at me and told me to tell my “friend” that if the guy ever spoke to him again he would break his back.
Ric looked over the car and said “he means it, I know.”
Took the family to one of the last WCW shows.
Waited around for the wrestlers to leave, the kids were getting autographs, Ric walked close by and I asked him if Mulligan had broken anyone’s back lately.
Ric just smiled.
The good ol’ days.