Chicago Sun-Times: Is 'Nature Boy' nearing end of line?

The "Nature Boy" Ric Flair is the greatest wrestler of all time. That doesn't mean he is the greatest mat technician or the biggest or strongest or even the man who put on the best matches. But taking into consideration in-ring ability, microphone skills, fan support and the ability to put people in seats in arenas all over the world year after year, Flair is indeed the man.

Flair, now in his 50s, still is working as many matches as anyone. He is a Monday night mainstay, has been the brains behind Evolution and has taken a physical pounding. In fact, some claim Flair's injuries have become so great that it might be time for the WWE bosses to ask him to semi-retire from the ring.

I don't know why the WWE can use the Rock, Foley, Angle and others on a limited schedule but won't use Flair as the legend he is. After "Monday Night Raw" last week, Flair and Vince McMahon had heated words over Flair's language in the ring, and some there said McMahon was close to firing the "Nature Boy." Maybe it is time for Flair to leave the ring, but that would not be the way for it to end.

HEARD AROUND THE RING: "SmackDown" got a lot cooler last week as Carlito Caribbean Cool made his WWE debut in grand fashion by pinning John Cena to become the U.S. champion in his first-ever match. The WWE obviously has big plans for Cool by putting him over Cena just four days after Booker T was unable to. ... Speaking of Booker T, don't be surprised to see a full-blown face turn in the coming weeks. ... Theodore Long might not be long for the position of "SmackDown" GM after all; rumor has it the WWE is looking to make a GM change around January. ... Kane looks to be at an impasse in his contract status and could be looking to leave the ring for a while.