WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair recently unveiled a candid anecdote from a European tour, detailing a memorable night where he seemingly led Shawn Michaels, a man known for his eventual personal redemption, into a moment of extreme indulgence. The legendary "Nature Boy," never one to shy away from his own storied past of revelry, recalled how a supposedly innocent agreement for "one last time" spiraled into a raucous evening in Paris, culminating with "Mr. WrestleMania" being so inebriated that the Hardy Boyz had to escort him to his room around 3 AM.
The fallout, as Flair humorously recounted, was swift and dramatic. The following morning, a furious Michaels reportedly hurled an expletive at Flair before promptly departing for home. Despite Flair’s defense that he hadn’t forced him, Michaels vehemently blamed Flair’s company, lamenting the negative influence he had on others. Flair, at 76, still finds humor in the incident, acknowledging his reputation for influencing others, including tales of Vince McMahon himself reportedly telling Michaels to "leave Cena alone" and later admonishing Big Show to avoid Flair’s presence, as Flair admitted to frequently influencing the towering superstar’s indulgence.
The seed for this memorable night was planted earlier on the tour, during bus rides between European shows. At this point, Michaels had embraced a path of sobriety and faith, a significant shift from his earlier reputation for backstage excesses. While fellow wrestlers enjoyed music and drinks, Michaels, observing Flair’s perpetual partying, attempted an intervention. Michaels reportedly questioned Flair’s maturity, suggesting he abandon his constant drinking for more wholesome activities like watching television with the others up front.
Flair, known for his unwavering commitment to his persona both in and out of the ring, quickly dismissed the suggestion. He famously retorted that he both required his drinks and had no interest in televised entertainment. What ensued was a spirited debate between the two icons. Despite Michaels’ newfound resolve, Flair’s persuasive charm ultimately won out. By the very next day, the "Heartbreak Kid" found himself agreeing to share a drink with the "Nature Boy" once more.
Michaels apparently capitulated, agreeing to indulge just "one last time," explicitly stating he was "done" with that kind of behavior afterward. However, the initial "one beer" quickly expanded to three. Upon their arrival in Paris, Flair, ever the orchestrator of a good time, made arrangements for his luggage to be taken directly to his room, bypassing it entirely to lead Michaels straight to a local bar, setting the stage for the chaotic night that followed. This tale of Michaels’ brief departure from sobriety underscores Flair’s legendary, albeit sometimes disruptive, impact on those around him.
