Scott Bowden presents Kentucky Fried Rasslin

Money in the bank: Flair advises Lance Russell to invest in Apple stock in 1982.

While Ric Flair’s career as a financial advisor didn’t last long, the Nature Boy is back with a viable investment option for struggling Tennesseans as the new pitchman for the Volunteer State’s Mega Millions lottery.

Does my heart well to know that folks in my home state can turn to the 16-time World champion for inspiration in these uncertain economic times.

In the commercial below, I love how Flair bullies the puny jackpot (Kurt Angle off the gas) into pumping up his payouts, kicking dollar signs in his face. (Brings back memories of Jerry Lawler bodyslamming the Masked Inflation for Fleming Fine Furniture back in the late ’70s.)

Flair is certainly pumped, nearly more ripped today than he was in his lone appearance for Jerry Jarrett’s live Memphis wrestling show in August 1982. Guess he’s been…uh…working out with Hulk Hogan in TNA.

Whether you like him...or don't like him...learn to live with him.

Ashley Fliehr, the daughter of legendary wrestler Ric Flair, was married Sunday to Riki Johnson (no relation to Rocky and Dwayne Johnson) in North Carolina. 

The couple made headlines along with the Nature Boy in Chapel Hill in September 2008 following a drunken brawl in which Ashley teamed with Riki to allegedly assaulted her famous father. Police officers arrived on the scene to find Flair, Ashley Fliehr and Riki in a shmaz.

Neighbors claimed the three were involved in a fight that left the 16-time World champion bloodied and bruised. Flair admitted fighting Riki but declined to file charges in the case, but his daughter was arrested after kicking an officer. Reportedly, Chapel Hill Police were forced to use a stun gun to subdue Ashley. (Frankly, this had Vince Russo written all over it.) 

The Nature Girl was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer and delaying or obstructing a public official, according to a police report. (Ashley’s mug shot was quite possibly the most flattering I’ve ever seen–better than most headshots I’ve seen in Los Angeles…couldn’t ask for a better picture.)

Ashley mugs for the camera following her arrest in September 2008.

In the end, Ashley pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 45 days in jail, which was suspended to supervised probation and a $200 fine. A charge of assaulting an officer was dismissed as part of a plea deal.

Much like Flair and longtime hated rival Ricky Steamboat mended fences in the Carolinas so many years ago, Naitch and Riki clearly put the incident behind them as Ric was on hand stylin’ and profilin’ at the ceremony. I cannot confirm if Hulk Hogan showed up unannounced to shove Flair’s face into the wedding cake; however, I have it on good authority that the Nature Boy managed to keep his clothes on for the duration of the reception. (During an awkward moment, Flair apparently felt the best man’s speech was dragging, prompting Naitch to scream, “You keep you mouth shut, fat boy!”)

Ashley was a star volleyball player in high school, leading her team to two state titles. She played volleyball at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.,  graduating in spring 2008.

On this day in wrestling history:

For David. For Texas.

When I die I may not go to heaven
I don’t know if they let cowboys in
If they don’t just let me go to Texas, boy!
Texas is as close as I’ve been.

May 6, 1984: Kerry Von Erich defeated Ric Flair before more than 30,000 fans at Texas Stadium to win the NWA World heavyweight title. Like many, Jerry Lawler remembers at the time thinking this was the beginning of a new era in the business that would be dominated by the Von Erichs. Little did we realize this was the beginning of the end, culminating with Kerry’s suicide on February 18, 1993.

“World Class Championship Wrestling” had been airing in Memphis since fall 1982, so by this time, I was caught up in storyline of the Von Erichs chasing the dream of the World title, especially in the wake of brother David’s death in January 1984. Because World Class wanted the title bout to air as part of its syndicated TV show, the May 6 showdown was kept short, so the work was not nearly at the level of many of the state-of-the-art, 45- to 60-minute bouts Flair and Kerry were having at that point.  The rising temperatures and incredible humidity of that hot Texas afternoon didn’t help the the match, as Flair seems to cautiously guide Kerry through the motions. It was largely forgettable, with the exception of the victor’s celebration, which was about as real a moment as you’ll ever see in this business, with Kerry hugging brothers Kevin and Mike before proudly displaying the belt with a yellow rose and the Texas state flag as the Lone Star State faithful roar their appoval.

Although Flair regained the title in Japan 18 days later (Fritz claimed in Texas that a sumo referee mistakenly counted his son’s shoulders, which was not the case), Kerry certainly left his mark on the championship–literally. As documented in the wonderful book Ten Pounds of Gold by Dave Millican and Dick Bourne, Kerry commemorated his title win by carving his initials onto the front buckle of the strap. If you look closely at the picture below, the initials KVE can be seen just above the two wrestlers grappling on the buckle (one of whom looks a lot like Dusty Rhodes). Millican and Bourne’s book has far more detailed photos of Von Erich’s handiwork and many more interesting facts about quite possibly the most famous title belt ever made, so check it out.