by: Nature King   

Wrestlemania 24. I watched as the thousands in attendance, and the millions around the world watched as well the event that held more to it than your average 'Mania. A Wrestlemania like none before it. The WWE always wants to put on a great show with all the fireworks and showmenship that far outshines every other event during the year. This years Wrestlemania needed none of that. Outside all of this, the glitz and glamour, this years 'Mania was more significant than any other. Wrestlemania 20's tag line was "Where it all begins........again." I feel that line sums up this years Wrestlemania more so than any other.

Sure at Wrestlemania 24 we had a fantastic ladder match, one hell of a World Title match, and seen Undertaker continue his historic streak. But, more than this we seen the end of a legacy, no let me correct myself, the end of an era. Ric Flair stepped inside the ring for the final time as a wrestler, and when he left it, he left more behind than his career, he left behind the memories of a time gone by. A time when wrestling was pure, an almost innocent child in an ever changing world.

When Ric Flair first stepped inside a wrestling ring professionally in the last 60's and then his professional "debut" in 1972 in the AWA under Verne Gagne and company, Dory Funk Jr. was the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. A Title that Flair himself would eventually win and make his stake as one of wrestlings most prolific World Champions of any era. During his many reigns, Flair took on all comers. Sometimes even wrestling 6 nights a week. Defending that title wherever he went. If Flair shouldn't be considered the greatest wrestler of all-time, he sure the hell should be considered the hardest working.

But, more importantly during this time wrestling was at its finest. The territories were still thriving, tag team wrestling was at its highest point, and wrestling as a whole was part of society and considered just as American as any other "sport.

" Wrestling was still fun to watch and something the entire family could enjoy. Fans were fans and were happy to admit it. There was no internet to ruin shows week in and week out. The only T & A you got was when you was watching Terry Allen (Magnum TA). Titles still meant something and wrestling companies made it a point to make them the focal point of their shows. Wrestlers knew how to give promos and didn't have to wait for Sally the writer to jot something down on a piece of paper before going out and talking to a crowd or giving an interview. Jobbers still had a place in wrestling and were used just as much as any other wrestler on a card. Feuds seemed almost real, they sucked you in and made you feel like you was apart of what was going on, not just some spectator bird watching. Simply put, you was proud to be a wrestling fan. You didn't care what "outsiders" thought, because to be honest, there was very few people who WEREN'T wrestling fans, in some form or fashion. It was a era of what wrestling and everything that came with it should be.

And Sunday, March 30th, 2008, that all came to an abrupt end.

For some time now, wrestling has been in a state of purgatory of sorts. In 1998, when the Monday Night Wars was ongoing you seen the transition to a mold of more modernized wrestling, or actually lack there of. This time frame, now known as the Attitude Era, ushered in a new revelance towards wrestling and within it. The nature of the profession would forever change, there was no need now for the wrestlers or the ambitions of old. It was time for a new foundation for wrestling to be laid, anda house to perform it in, and for the old, nimble, war torn house of old to be tore down.

During all the change and transition of wrestling and its new forthcoming though, one constant was always there. One brick hanging on for dear life, not just for himself, but for all the wrestling fans that have followed him throughout his tenure in the profession we all love to watch. "The Last of the Mohicans" if you will of Old School wrestling and everything that came with it. Ric Flair.

When Ric Flair stepped inside that ring at Wrestlemania 24, he not only stepped inside of that ring for himself, but deep down inside knew he was also stepping in there for Dory Funk Jr, Harley Race, Lou Thesz, Killer Kowalski, Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkle, Bruno Sammartino, Dusty Rhodes and all of the legends of old. One last shining moment for a time long forgotten. One last time for every opponent he ever faced. One last time for himself. And most importantly, one last time for everyone who ever held up 4 fingers or yelled "WOOOOOOOOOOO...."

What does wrestling have in store for all of us now? What does the future hold for not just the wrestlers and the wrestling community as a whole, but us as wrestling fans as well? Hard to say. But, as of Sunday March 30th, 2008, one thing is for sure. A time a majority of us grew up appreciating and still thrive for. That nostalgic time that now is only good for a one time appearance, or just a big payday when times are hard.

It is time for us old school fans now to embrace everything wrestling has to offer, and help usher in the old school fans of tomorrow.