The Nature Boy didn’t at all times have the identical picture (Picture: WWE)
Ric Aptitude is called the legendary Nature Boy – and one of many biggest technical wrestlers of all time – however the WWE Corridor of Famer had a really completely different model early in his profession.
The 16-time World Champion was completely ripped in his 20s and labored as a heavyweight powerhouse earlier than a devastating aircraft crash in 1974 resulted medical doctors telling him he wouldn’t wrestle once more.
The pilot died within the crash whereas Johnny Valentine was left paralysed, and Aptitude broke his again in three locations – however he labored onerous on his rehabilitation and returned to the ring simply eight months later.
Nonetheless, his well being meant the legendary star needed to change his model and focus extra on his character and technical work, which resulted within the Nature Boy persona followers know and love.
It additionally modified the way in which everybody noticed and pictured Aptitude who – early in his profession – carried himself like a real heavyweight.
Basic photographs from earlier than the crash – which have resurfaced on Twitter and Reddit over time – present a really completely different physique from the leaner determine we’ve seen over time.
For a lot of trendy followers – or just those that solely noticed Aptitude’s works from the Nineteen Eighties onwards – it’s unusual seeing Ric wanting so stacked, and questioning how the trade may have modified if he’d been in a position to stick with his powerhouse model.
In the meantime, the Nature Boy everybody adores will likely be again on Uncooked tonight for a special Legends Night edition with the likes of Massive Present, Hulk Hogan, Torrie Wilson and extra all set to look.
Requested about how he feels being considered among the finest of all time, Aptitude stated: ‘To even be within the dialog is a praise. There are such a lot of individuals that will need that form of recognition. I’d be a liar if I didn’t say I preferred getting it. In actual fact, I like listening to it.
‘I’m so targeted on my [daughter Charlotte’s] profession proper now and to see what she has achieved. To observe her ascend the large heights of success within the enterprise. I don’t take into consideration myself a lot now.
‘To be 71 years outdated, to be discussing the enterprise, being requested my opinions by different individuals, and figuring out that my opinion issues – that’s rewarding sufficient. After I go to the exhibits all of the expertise present me the utmost respect. They’re so good to me, so good to me. However, on the finish of the day, I’ll take the popularity!’
*A few of your favorite WWE Legends and Corridor of Famers will return for Uncooked ‘Legends Night time’ on the primary Monday Night time Uncooked of the brand new 12 months, January 4, 2021.
