Photo: Courtesy Ric Flair
Ric “The Nature Boy” Flairrang in his birthday in style on Friday night in Atlanta.
The wrestling legend’s wife, Wendy Barlow, put together a surprise party with 160 guests in celebration of Flair at The 1818 club.
The celebrity-filled gathering included appearances from former NBA playersCharles Barkleyand Dennis Rodman. Los Angeles Rams playerTodd Gurleyand former boxing champion Evander Holyfield were also in attendance. Other notables included Flair’s daughter, WWE superstarCharlotte Flair, and her new boyfriend, wrestlerAndrade Almas.
Flair, who turns 70 on Monday, lit up when he got in a FaceTime call from singer and actorJamie Foxx.
Naturally, the party wouldn’t be complete without other current and past WWE superstars, and many were on hand including legends Triple H, Ricky Steamboat, Chris Jericho, AJ Styles and evenDwayne “The Rock” Johnson’smother, Ata Johnson.
Wrestling-themed cake.
At the celebration, 51-year-old Barlow — who married the former wrestler last September — presented Flair with a custom pink robe, similar to the ones he famously wore throughout his career. Local bakery CEO Custom Cakes also provided a wrestling ring-shaped cake that featured a WWE championship belt.
Don’t worry if you weren’t invited, wrestling fans, asWWE announced earlier this monththat they will observe Flair’s birthday on Monday during a special edition of RAW.
“WWE will celebrate the 70th birthday of iconic two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair on the February 25 edition of Monday Night Raw,” reads astatement announcing the episode on the company’s website.
Ric Flair, wife Wendy, with daughter Charlotte Flair and former wrestler Triple H.
“The Nature Boy’s parties are never modest, so we can only imagine what lavish festivities are in store… and which Superstars and WWE Legends will drop in,” it continues.
Flair, widely considered as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, is a 16-time WWE Champion and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008, and once more as a member of the Four Horsemen in 2012.
Though he’s now retired from wrestling, Flair has grappled with health problems in recent years.
RELATED VIDEO: WWE Legend Ric Flair in the Fight of His Life After Decades of Alcohol Abuse: The Health Scare That Tamed the ‘Nature Boy’
“I only love one now. I have never done anything since I met Wendy,” Flair said of his wife.
“It’s still hard for me not to be me,” he added. “But I’m really focused on getting well and just enjoying my life with Wendy.”
The special edition episode of RAW, celebrating Flair’s 70th birthday, will air Monday at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network.
source: people.com
