Additional Coverage:
- Ric Flair’s iconic ‘WOOOOO!’ catchphrase keeps him in the spotlight decades after WWE fame (irishstar.com)
Wrestling Legend Ric Flair: More Popular Than Ever Thanks to “WOOOOO!”
Ric Flair, the 76-year-old wrestling icon, claims he’s currently experiencing a peak in popularity, even after hanging up his wrestling boots three years ago. With a career spanning nearly five decades, Flair boasts an impressive record, including eight NWA World Heavyweight Championships, six WCW World Heavyweight Championships, and two WWF Championships.
Flair’s final match took place in July 2022, a star-studded event featuring Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, and Andrade El Idolo. However, retirement hasn’t slowed down the Nature Boy’s impact on pop culture. His signature “WOOOOO!”, inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis’s 1961 hit “Great Balls of Fire”, has transcended wrestling arenas and permeated mainstream media.
“It keeps me relevant and probably more recognized now than I’ve ever been,” Flair stated in an exclusive interview. The iconic “WOOOOO!”
has been embraced by musicians like Metro Boomin, Offset, Snoop Dogg, and Bad Bunny, often featuring Flair himself in their music videos. “They made that song ‘Ric Flair Drip’ … and that took off,” Flair commented, adding that he’s developed close friendships with artists like Post Malone.
The “WOOOOO!” has also become a staple in professional sports, echoing through stadiums during touchdowns, home runs, and even hockey goals.
Flair noted, “14 National Hockey League teams use it after they score a goal.” The wrestling legend has even launched his own energy drink, WOOOOO!
Energy, infused with functional mushrooms, and is exploring international distribution. Flair joked, “If we get in China and Japan, I’ll be hard to locate.”
Despite its widespread use, Flair admitted the difficulty of protecting his trademark. “It’s impossible to enforce it.
We’ve tried,” he confessed. While legal battles have been largely unsuccessful, Flair proudly recounted a victory against McDonald’s, who used the “WOOOOO!”
in a commercial without permission. They ultimately chose to pull the advertisement rather than pay Flair.
For now, the Nature Boy seems content to witness the continued success and cultural impact of his legendary “WOOOOO!”.