Ric Flair comes to Manassas

What do Michael Jordan, the Kennedys and Ric Flair have in common?

Celebrity testimonials.

Michael Jordan doesn't play NBA basketball anymore, but he still helps Hanes sell underwear.

The Kennedys made a big splash in politics last year when they backed then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.

And Flair? One of the most famous professional wrestlers ever, he's coming to Manassas on June 12 to help promote Ring of Honor wrestling, an independent wrestling federation school in Manassas.

The famed "Nature Boy," who could be considered the Jordan of wrestling, will bring his trademark bellow of "WOOOOOO!" to Sports Network and Fitness Inc.

It'll be the fourth time ROH has put on a show there, but the first time the organization has come with such star power.

The 60-year-old Flair isn't scheduled to wrestle, but his appearance alone could draw additional fans to ROH, an up-and-coming operation that recently began broadcasting on cable's HDNet. The wrestling circuit also is featured prominently in the movie "The Wrestler," for which Mickey Rourke received an Academy Award nomination.

In a telephone interview last week, Flair said he got involved with ROH because its performers and executives are well-respected, talented folks.

The Philadelphia area-based federation is essentially the third-largest wrestling business in the U.S. behind World Wrestling Entertainment, Flair's employer, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

But, in wrestling parlance, it's still considered an "independent," or small promotion, and the quality of independent events can vary. Some of them are so bad, Flair said, that he doesn't even consider those on the bill fit to be called wrestlers.

On the other hand, he said, "The ROH guys are wrestlers."

ROH has made a name for itself by focusing more on in-the-ring action than on the pyrotechnics and scantily clad women that often accompany the grappling in the WWE or TNA.

It has developed a loyal fan base that has filled Sports Network and Fitness before and that follows the federatio

online and through DVDs of live events.

Building the ROH brand, though, will require a lot of work in identifying characters about which fans will get excited, Flair said.

That won't be easy. Recognizable personalities that aficionados love—or love to hate—don't come along every day. For every Flair, there's a bodybuilder or former linebacker who can't hack it in the squared circle.

"It's so hard to find talent," he said.

So it's difficult to say whether tomorrow's Ric Flair will be in ROH's locker room Friday.

But June 12's certainly will be.

Staff writer Jonathan Hunley can be reached at 703-369-5738.

WANT TO GO?

» WHAT'S UP: Wrestler Ric Flair appears at Ring of Honor wrestling, an independent federation in Manassas.

» WHEN: Bell time is 8 p.m. Flair will meet fans and sign autographs from 6 to 8 p.m.

» WHERE: Sports Fitness and Fitness, Inc., 8320 Quarry Road, Manassa

» TICKETS: Start at $11.25; autograph tickets are $30 for the first item and $20 for each additional item.

» INFO: Visit http://www.rohwrestling.com.