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Fans are already comparing Ric Flair to Buddy Rogers, one of the greatest compliments any wrestler can receive. But does this young man deserve such high praise?

“Put Lou Thesz, Verne Gagne, Strangler Lewis, and Dory Funk Sr. together and you still don't have enough to equal me!”

"I'm gonna make everyone forget all about Buddy Rogers. One day they'll compare him with me!"

The above statements are those of 25-year-old rookie star "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. The youngster is said by many experts to be "the second coming of Buddy Rogers." His style is similar, and he even looks like Buddy.

"When I first started wrestling, many people mentioned I resembled Buddy Rogers. I remember Buddy Rogers. He was great. So one day I just decided to call myself 'Nature Boy' in the Rogers' tradition. And my other reason is that as perfect as I am, only Mother Nature could have created me. I don't think she missed a stroke when she put me together!"

Flair started his career in the American Wrestling Association areas. There, he watched superstars like Verne Gagne and Billy Robinson, gaining a good knowledge of the best techniques of wrestling. Then one day, he met Rip Hawk in N.W.A. territory.

"He was a fine wrestler," Hawk recalls, "but he wasn't rough enough. So I talked him into letting me work with him for awhile. 'Well, I changed his whole style and attitude. I let him know that it's either kill or be killed. Now I feel I was in on the makings of a real superstar. This kid will be champion one of these days. He's got all it takes."

Flair stayed with Hawk for quite sometime, learning all he could about roughhouse moves. He even added Buddy Roger's strut to his repertoire. And now it was time for Flair to go on his own.

"I really appreciated what Hawk did for me," says Rick, "but it was the right time to move on. I outgrew his leadership. As much as I enjoyed teaming with Hawk, I wanted to concentrate on single matches."

Even though Ric has a large ego, he doesn't think he's unbeatable—yet.

"In about six months I will be," he boasts. "Right now there is always a possibility of losing. I don't really anticipate it. But wait until you see me about a half a year from now. Man, there will be no stopping me."

Does Ric think he's ready for a shot at the world title?

"I want to wrestle Jack Brisco very much," he admits. "I'm not knocking Brisco—the man has a tough schedule to keep—but I do think he has been avoiding me."
Ric is on the road to deserving that title shot. He's held the Mid-Atlantic television title and, as of this writing, he holds the Mid-Atlantic heavyweight title, one he won from Wahoo McDaniel.

"Everyone called both my title victories 'controversial,'" claims Flair. "The only controversy is that I beat guys who everyone thought I couldn't beat. My victories were fair and square. I guess you could call me 'fair and square Flair!'"

It was rumored Flair was related to Dusty Rhodes. But Ric cuts that rumor down—fast.

"He wishes he was related to me!" Ric exclaims. "I've heard he'd been imitating my styles and even trying to copy the outfits I wear when I come into the ring. Man, he's got to be jealous. Real jealous!"

There is one thing he does-have in common with Rhodes, though. Believe it or not. Ric has a legion of fans!

"They hate me, but they love me," he'll tell you. "They hate me for what I represent, but they love me because they know everything I say about myself is the truth. And they can't deny when they look into their hearts and souls, they're seeing the greatest wrestler alive today!"

Ric also aspires to be a film star. "I'd like to fit that into my schedule," he says. "I'm the 260 pound Robert Redford. The girls would line up in the streets just to get a glimpse of me at a premiere. They'd try to tear my clothes off. I'm irresistible."

Look for many of Ric Flair's boasts to come true. There has not been such a talented wrestling rookie in years. And he may yet wind up where Buddy Rogers did—holding the world title and becoming one of wrestling's select immortals!