WWE News: The Miz remembers the time Ric Flair gave his blessing to use the Figure Four
The term "passing of the torch" is one that is used throughout sports. From a younger quarterback defeating a successful veteran to a younger wrestler overtaking a star who has been wrestling forever, those moments are pivotal for both the company, audience and stars who get the rub.
Ric Flair is one of the most iconic Superstars of all time and without him, promos, in-ring psychology and even his daughter might have been completely different. The Miz had the pleasure of interacting with the legend during his career, and the A-Lister spoke about the episode of Miz TV in which Flair gave his blessing to the Miz to use the figure-four leg lock. WrestlingInc.com carried news of the A-Lister's thoughts on the legend.
From one A-Lister to another
For the longest time in wrestling, Flair was associated with the leg lock and it usually signaled an end was coming in his matches. He has become less active over the last 15 years, but that hasn't stopped him from popping up on episodes of WWE RAW or SmackDown.
During the 2000s, more and more wrestlers began to use the same finishing moves, albeit often while in different promotions. Since he was hitting his prime at the time, the Miz looked back on the moment when he was gifted use of the figure-four by Flair himself.
"I did a Miz TV with Ric Flair and during that, I felt it was a passing of the torch of the Figure-Four to me, and it was amazing; it was wonderful. It was one of the most incredibly giving things that someone can do," said Miz. "And I've always been a huge fan of Ric Flair. I mean, he is the G.O.A.T. He is the person that everyone looks to and goes, 'Wow, if I could cut a promo like that… If I could look like that… If I could do the things that he could do…', You know that was the guy. So, for him to actually give the Figure-Four to me, it was just an honor."
An Ever-changing landscape
The wrestling industry has evolved immensely in the last 20 years. People start out in the business at much younger ages and get to the bigger promotions a lot sooner than they used to. It's a part of today's generation, but some practices and things should be held in the same regard as they were 20 years ago. The "passing of the torch" is one of them.
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