Ric Flair : to be the man

One of the biggest wrestling superstars of the past 20 years, and one of the greatest champions of all time, Ric Flair has carved out a legacy for himself that will never be surpassed.

Born Richard Fliehr in Minneapolis, he made his professional wrestling debut in 1972, quickly rising to the top of the Mid-Atlantic region where he won the regional and tag-team titles as well as the US title.

In 1975 however his career almost ended when he suffered a broken back, ironically in a plane crash, not in the ring.

Showing incredible resilience, Flair returned to the ring within six months.

Teaming up with Gregory Valentine, he won the NWA Tag Team Title, later winning the NWA Title by defeating 'The American Dream', Dusty Rhoades.

Subsequently he entered the WWEand beat Randy 'The Macho Man' Savage for the WWE Heavyweight Title, only to return to the WCW with tremendous success.

He is now back with WWE where he still competes at the same time as managing other stars, among them Triple H.