How does Ric Flair rate Brock Lesnar as a wrestler? Flair is considered one of professional wrestling's all-time greats so when "The Nature Boy" shares his opinion, fans are likely to listen.

"Slick Ric" recently spoke with Busted Open Radio, sharing his thoughts on Brock Lesnar's work. Flair brought up Brock's 2023 trilogy against Cody Rhodes, noting how much Lesnar has grown as a wrestler and a talker:

“What really amazed me, on both people’s part, when they put him [Cody Rhodes] with Brock. That can go one of two ways, right? I actually texted Brock and I said, ‘You have put yourself in a different league.’ He about killed him, but at the end of the day, he put him over. I texted Brock, ‘Brother, you’re a special kind of cat. You’ve gone from being a great attraction a good worker, to a great worker.’ He is a great worker right now. He’s in a class of great."

Evolving from "A Special Attraction" Into a Great Worker

Flair's comments describing Lesnar as "a great worker" are timely because Lesnar has had a reputation for laziness ever since his 2012 return to the WWE following his run in the UFC. Lesnar could work good matches when he wanted to, but it rarely seemed like he wanted to. Instead, Lesnar worked very short matches or when he did work longer matches, it was repetitive matches where "The Beast" hit 300 German Suplexes, one or two F-5s, and a random move mixed in between.

To be fair, Lesnar's formula has always worked for the WWE. Brock Lesnar has the look of a monster and the background to make him a seemingly invincible opponent. The WWE continues to protect Lesnar by having him dominate opponents. While he loses more matches than when he returned to the WWE in 2012, Lesnar is still a powerful force in and out of the ring. Indeed, he can be compared to a force of nature who comes and goes as he pleases, destroying anything in his path.

Nonetheless, to say that he was a good worker would be a stretch. To say that he was a great worker would have no basis in fact. That's changed of late as Lesnar has gone from a special attraction who shows up, throws an opponent around, and usually gets the win to someone who works hard in the ring, utilizes ring psychology, and while still maintaining the qualities that make him unique.

This was seen during Lesnar's feud against Cody Rhodes, where he absolutely annihilated Cody the night after WrestleMania 39. This was only the beginning as Lesnar continued to maul Rhodes, breaking his arm in a storyline and seemingly trying to end Rhodes' career. This made for exciting matches and compelling television as fans wondered whether Cody could survive, let alone defeat Brock.

Flair Looks Back at Wrestling Brock

Ric Flair has wrestled Brock Lesnar before and he's familiar with the big man's work. Flair told Busted Open Radio:

He can do anything, and it looks real. I only wrestled him a couple of times and I used to say, ‘Remember, I’m just a little bit older than you buddy.’ [Laughs]. He never hurt me. Brock is like Brody [Bruiser Brody], except Brody was probably a little meaner. Brock is pretty intimidating. The minute they gave Brock the mic instead of Heyman talking, he’s great. He’s great on the mic.”

H/T Inside the Ropes

Many fans were pleasantly surprised when Brock began cutting his own promos during his feud against Roman Reign in 2021 and 2022. Lesnar's "Cowboy" Brock image gave fans a chance to see Lesnar's funny side (albeit one mixed with his trademark mayhem) and to hear him cut good promos. For years, it seemed like Lesnar had no mic skills, which was why he had Paul Heyman as his advocate. Fans discovered Lesnar was a capable talker and had a previously unknown gift for humor.

Lesnar could give the WWE Universe the greatest performance of his career if the Lesnar battling Gunther at WrestleMania pan out. Fans have wanted to see these two terrors throw down ever since Gunther hit the main roster. Their size and ring styles should make for an instant classic.

What do you think of Ric Flair's praise of Brock Lesnar? Do you agree with "The Nature Boy?"

Photo Credit: WWE

‍

‍