The Double Dropkick Show

Comparing Nature Boy Buddy Rogers and Nature Boy Ric Flair

By Heath Mullikin on August 7, 2023

Both Nature Boy Buddy Rogers and Nature Boy Ric Flair were iconic figures in the world of professional wrestling, known for their flamboyant personalities and in-ring skills. While both held the “Nature Boy” moniker, there are some notable differences in their careers:

Era and Impact: Buddy Rogers was a prominent wrestler in the 1940s and 1950s, recognized as one of the first true heel (villainous) characters in wrestling. His reign as the first-ever WWWF (now WWE) World Heavyweight Champion in 1963 is a historic achievement. Ric Flair, on the other hand, rose to prominence in the 1970s and became one of the most enduring and recognizable figures in wrestling history. He is known for his legendary 16-time World Heavyweight Championship reigns and for helping elevate the NWA/WCW territories.
Championships: Both Rogers and Flair held multiple world championships throughout their careers. Rogers was a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and the first WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. Flair’s 16 World Championship reigns spanned across NWA, WCW, and WWE, making him a record-holder in that regard.
Wrestling Style: Rogers was known for his technical skills and his pioneering of the figure-four leglock. He was a larger-than-life character and played a crucial role in shaping the modern wrestling persona. Flair, famous for his “Nature Boy” persona, was renowned for his athleticism, endurance, and ability to tell a compelling story in the ring. His matches often featured intense and dramatic storytelling.
Legacy: Buddy Rogers paved the way for future charismatic and flamboyant wrestling personalities. His contributions to the business cannot be understated, as he played a key role in the evolution of wrestling entertainment. Ric Flair, on the other hand, is considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. His legacy extends not only through his championships but also through his influence on generations of wrestlers who followed him.

In summary, both Nature Boy Buddy Rogers and Nature Boy Ric Flair left a lasting impact on the wrestling world, with Rogers contributing to the early development of the sport as a character-driven entertainment, and Flair becoming a wrestling icon known for his unparalleled championship reigns and charismatic performances.

What do you think? Who was the better “Nature Boy?”

#318: Memories of Saturday Night’s Main Event

By Heath Mullikin on March 31, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:52 — 40.2MB)

As we approach Wrestlemania, Heath and Mark look back at how Saturday Night’s Main Event was birthed after the first one and used to build angles for many more after. We talk about our favorite memories and hidden gems along with the fantastic music videos WWF always produced.

#317: MJF Throws Water on a kid

By Heath Mullikin on March 31, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:05 — 35.8MB)

On this episode, Heath and Mark talk about the incident with MJF throwing water(?) on a kid at AEW Revolution and other instances where heels may have crossed the line. How far is too far in getting heat?

#316: The Great Muta is a Hall of Famer

By Heath Mullikin on March 31, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:33 — 29.8MB)

It was recently announced that the Great Muta will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. On this episode, Heath and Mark talk about their memories of the Great Muta, some of their favorite matches with him, and of course, his 1989 WCW run in the J-Tex Corporation feud. There were some technical difficulties with this episode that cut off the conversation at one point, but we recovered fairly well.

#315: Booking CM Punk’s Return

By Heath Mullikin on March 6, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:49 — 55.7MB)

On this episode, Heath asks Mark how he would book CM Punk’s return to AEW and the feuds that could be set up. Was Punk’s injury the best thing that could’ve happened to help cooler heads prevail? Then, as many of our episodes do, we move from topic to topic including crypto, ebay, and why Heath and Mark can’t seem to make a deal on any of Heath’s collectables including the prized 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie card.

#314: What Rules Changes Does Modern Wrestling Need?

By Heath Mullikin on March 6, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:01 — 38.5MB)

On this episode, Heath and Mark discuss fantasy booking gimmick infringement, rules changes that modern wrestling needs and a whole lot more. This episode focuses a lot on tag team wrestling and what improvements we’d like to see. We are big fans of teams wearing matching gear and Arn Anderson making it work with whoever he was paired with.