“Great Balls of Fire”: After Almost 50 Years, Ric Flair Reveals to Joe Rogan the True Meaning of His Most Iconic Catchphrase

One thing that all renowned WWE wrestlers have in common is one thing that stands them out from the rest. Be it John Cena’s iconic, ‘You Can’t See Me’ gesture or Hulk Hogan’s “I don’t think you are loud enough” gesture, fans have been drooling over such things for years now. One more WWE legend that always excited fans was Ric Flair. His most iconic catchphrase was enough to let everyone know about the star. But do you know its origin story? 

Every wrestler has a unique story with them when it comes to their iconic gesture or moves. And it’s always fascinating to listen to them. Similarly, Flair also had an interesting story that he finally revealed to the world. It’s about one of the most popular catchphrases there has ever been in the wrestling business. If you guessed it to be The Nature Boy’s ‘Woo’ then you’re absolutely right. Let us now see how it originated.

Ric Flair reveals the origin story of his iconic ‘Woo!’

Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience, the 74-year-old WWE legend recalled the day when he got the idea of his greatest promo. Was it a one-day thing, or a perfectly planned action that he took? 

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He said, “We used to drive you know, 3000-3500 miles a week, sometimes four, listening to music and drinking beer and throwing cans that has signed you know, in the old days driving 100 miles an hour.” 

“And then I heard Jerry Lewis called Goodness gracious Great Balls of Fire. But the emphasis wasn’t on the woo as much as you know the thing and I went shit that next day on TV as, dada dada da, Woo. That’s how it all started,” Flair added.

This was a brief story about how the renowned musician, Jerry Lee Lewis, gave Flair his iconic catchphrase through his song. In some instances, massively popular stuff originates from genuinely innocuous things. However, now, even so, many years later, it is one of the fans’ favorite catchphrases that has also catapulted itself to be a major meme. Fans are also familiar with the sight of not just fans but even some celebrities using this iconic catchphrase. 

Other celebrities using Flair’s ‘Woo!’

Once, Mike Tyson scared off his dog using Hall of Fame legend’s ‘Woo!’ in a hilarious clip. In another example, a former WWE star, Marko Stunt once got into a fun woo-off backstage at AEW All Out 2021. Both of them shouted Flair’s iconic “Woo” as they did a dance.

The wrestling legend has been a part of the wrestling business for almost 50 years. Even after saying his goodbyes, fans remember him for his popular catchphrase that is sure to be immortalized in the history of wrestling folklore.

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What do you make of Flair’s story? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below.