Robbie’s Top 20 WrestleMania Moments – 10. "I'm Sorry. I Love You."
Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the TOP TEN!
If you’re unaware, I’m doing a blog per day leading up to WrestleMania where I talk about my personal favorite 20 Mania moments of all time. Keep in mind I’m 18, so a lot of my picks will be on the more recent side.
10. “I’m Sorry…I Love You”
Can’t watch this one without tearing up a bit. In 2008, when Ric Flair’s career was clearly winding down, Mr. McMahon made the announcement that the next match The Nature Boy lost would be the last. From here on out, every match Ric Flair takes part in will be a retirement match.
Original plans for the storyline had WWE bringing in Sting and various other iconic Flair rivals, as well as some friends…The Four Horsemen. Those did not pan out, and instead, Ric challenged Shawn Michaels to a match at WrestleMania 24. Shawn, knowing the stipulation, was reluctant to accept the challenge, but because his childhood hero said “It would be an honor to retire at the hands of Shawn Michaels”, decided to go through with the match.
It was pretty clear where they were going with Flair’s retirement, but it didn’t make it any less emotional. This “Leave The Memories Alone” video package for him contributed to that…
Then, at the end of a great match, this moment was captured so perfectly on film. Shawn Michaels, the greatest of all time, looks at the man he grew up idolizing, the former greatest of all time, and says the words, “I’m sorry. I love you.”
Flair’s retirement the following night on RAW is one of the greatest segments in the history of professional wrestling, because it was real. We don’t watch wrestling for it’s realism, but sometimes, when something this heavy is mixed in, it makes for phenomenal television.
Ric Flair's Farewell Address by WrestleMediaClips
The undertaker and Vince hugs and says Goodbye… by Deborah_Sibna
(We’re gonna ignore his return in TNA for the sake of this blog)
Catch up on the list:
20. Butterbean Knocks Bart Gunn Into Another Dimension
19. The Term “Divas” Is Abolished As The Women Steal The Show
18. Hogan V. Vince: 20 Years In The Making
17. Edge Spears Mick Foley Through A Flaming Table
16. The Undertaker Pulls Off The Greatest False Finish Of All Time
15. The First Ever Ladder Match On The Grandest Stage Of Them All
13. Rey Mysterio Wins Gold In Honor Of Eddie Guerrero
12. Tables, Ladders, And Chairs, Oh My!
11. Stone Cold Opts To Black Out, Not Tap Out