Ric Flair has revealed the origins of his famous “Wooooo!” chant, tracing it back to a classic rock and roll influence.
Speaking on Thanalysis Live, Ric Flair credited Jerry Lee Lewis as the inspiration, specifically pointing to the opening of the 1957 hit Great Balls Of Fire.
“Jerry Lee Lewis. ‘Goodness Gracious, Great Balls Of Fire. That’s where it came from,” Flair said, noting he adopted the sound early in his wrestling career.
Ric Flair’s Iconic “Wooooo!” Has Extended Its Popularity Beyond The Wrestling World
The chant would go on to become one of the most recognisable trademarks in professional wrestling, synonymous with Flair’s larger-than-life persona. Over time, it has extended far beyond wrestling, regularly heard at sporting events across leagues like the NFL and MLB, as well as in popular media. It was also referenced in the 2017 rap song “Ric Flair Drip” released by Offset in collaboration with 21 Savage, and the music video featured the two rappers with the two-time WWE Hall of Famer.
Ric Flair, a 16-time world champion and two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee, made the “Wooooo!” a staple of his act alongside signature lines such as “To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man” during his runs across multiple promotions.
The “Wooooo!” would often be used when he delivered his promos, or often after he delivered one of his signature knife-edge chops to a wrestler propped up in the corner of the ring. Fans often chant the “Wooooo!” when wrestlers deliver chops in the corner to their opponents in homage to the legendary Flair.
