WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has a reputation as a party animal in wrestling and the Nature Boy was able to bring that attitude out of Shawn Michaels in 2007.
On a recent edition of his “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” podcast, Matt Hardy was asked for his favorite story from the Nature Boy and had one in mind. He said,
“Shawn Michaels and John Cena were in the UK, and they’d had like a 45, 50-minute match. We were back at the bar. And this was when Shawn had cleaned his life up, right? He’s sober, not being old school HBK that you hear all these horror stories about, and I remember Ric said, ‘Woo! You’re still the man! Drinks are on me tonight, HBK.’ And Shawn was like, ‘Ric, I can’t do that,’ and he’s like, ‘Just because you have [one] drink doesn’t mean you’re a bad Christian.’
“And eventually Ric talked him into having a drink, and it ended up being another and a couple, and then before you knew it, Ric was laughing because he knew he got Shawn back in his old mode.”
The match between Michaels and Cena would take place in April 2007 and see the pair wrestle for one hour before Michaels beat the then-WWE Champion.
Cena would defeat Michaels at the following Backlash pay-per-view event in a WWE Championship fatal four-way match that included Edge and Randy Orton.
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is known for his wild partying ways, and it seems he was able to bring out that side of Shawn Michaels in 2007. In a recent episode of his podcast, “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy,” Hardy shared a favorite story involving Flair and Michaels.
According to Hardy, Michaels and John Cena had just finished a grueling 45 to 50-minute match in the UK. Afterward, they all headed to the bar to unwind. At this time, Michaels had cleaned up his act and was living a sober lifestyle. Flair, however, had other plans.
Flair approached Michaels and exclaimed, “Woo! You’re still the man! Drinks are on me tonight, HBK.” Michaels hesitated, explaining that he couldn’t partake in drinking due to his commitment to sobriety. Flair, being the persuasive character he is, responded, “Just because you have [one] drink doesn’t mean you’re a bad Christian.”
Eventually, Flair convinced Michaels to have a drink. One drink turned into another, and before they knew it, Michaels was back in his old partying mode. Flair found amusement in the fact that he had successfully brought out the wild side of Michaels once again.
The match between Michaels and Cena took place in April 2007 and lasted for an impressive one hour. Michaels emerged victorious, defeating the then-WWE Champion. However, Cena would get his revenge at the following Backlash pay-per-view event, where he defeated Michaels in a fatal four-way match for the WWE Championship. The match also included Edge and Randy Orton.
This story highlights the influence that Ric Flair had on his fellow wrestlers and his ability to bring out their wild side. While Michaels had made positive changes in his life, Flair’s persuasive nature was able to temporarily break down those barriers and remind him of his past partying days.
It’s important to note that this story took place in a specific context and should not be seen as an endorsement of excessive drinking or irresponsible behavior. It serves as an interesting anecdote within the world of professional wrestling, showcasing the unique dynamics between wrestlers and the impact they can have on each other.
Overall, Ric Flair’s reputation as a party animal in wrestling is well-known, and this story adds another layer to his larger-than-life persona. It also sheds light on the camaraderie and relationships that develop within the wrestling industry, where fellow wrestlers can influence and bring out different sides of each other.