In 1985, AWA fans didn’t just see a world title change — they saw a hero quit. But the story didn’t end there.

Nature Boy’s career took off along with those of other AWA wrestlers in the early 1970s, such as The Iron Sheik, Patera, Jim Brunzell, Dusty Rhodes, Andre the Giant and Wahoo McDaniel.

Nature Boy’s career took off along with those of other AWA wrestlers in the early 1970s, such as The Iron Sheik, Patera, Jim Brunzell, Dusty Rhodes, Andre the Giant and Wahoo McDaniel.

Flair would ultimately drop out, however, and while working as a bouncer he met Ken Patera, an Olympic weightlifter who would go on to introduce him to American Wrestling Association Heavyweight ...

Nature Boy’s career took off along with those of other AWA wrestlers in the early 1970s, such as The Iron Sheik, Patera, Jim Brunzell, Dusty Rhodes, Andre the Giant and Wahoo McDaniel.

Nature Boy’s career took off along with those of other AWA wrestlers in the early 1970s, such as The Iron Sheik, Patera, Jim Brunzell, Dusty Rhodes, Andre the Giant and Wahoo McDaniel.

Nature Boy’s career took off along with those of other AWA wrestlers in the early 1970s, such as The Iron Sheik, Patera, Jim Brunzell, Dusty Rhodes, Andre the Giant and Wahoo McDaniel.