Oh my God--it has invaded across the pond too!!! I got dragged to ever TV taping back in the late 70's early 80's and I don't know how many big matches. My dad loved it. (I pick on him and tell him that it is just "soap operas for men" )
I just can't get over you know about wrestling.
Flair is pretty cool...though the only time he ever really came to church was on Easter Sunday. But he was always real quiet (if you can imagine that).
I know a few other wrestlers--they used to all hang out at the motorcycle shop where I worked. I live real close to what was their home base (Charlotte, NC).
Jimmy Garvin was a nut--and a HUGE flirt with all the women.
Magnum TA (real name Terry Allen) was a pretty nice guy, he had a bad car wreck and was out of it by the 90's. I really like his wife (they are divorced know, but we are still friends.)
Ivan and Nikita Koloff, (no Russian accent in person)
Sold many a leather jacket, chain belt, sunglasses and such to that crowd
They were all amazing athletes...and great showmen.