Among the veteran wrestling stars “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton had matches with was “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, most notably in the early 1990s. Flair Tweeted out a tribute to Eaton, saying, “So Sad And Sorry To Hear About My Close Friend And One Of The All Time Greats, Bobby Eaton! Beautiful Bobby And The Midnight Express Were One Of The Greatest Tag Teams In The History Of The Business! Rest in Peace!”

One reason Flair and Eaton may have had a special connection was that according to the Bleacher Report, Flair’s son, Reid Flair, had at one time been following in his father’s footsteps training to be a professional wrestler under the tutelage of Eaton. But even though the Bleacher Report said Reid had “an excellent amateur pedigree,” and could’ve likely seen great success in the industry, personal issues including assault charges, a DUI, and then a heroin bust sidetracked his career before Reid died in 2013 at the age of 25 of a drug overdose, per WCNC.  

With Eaton, a father himself, working with Flair’s son prior to his tragic death, it’s no wonder Flair referred to Eaton as his “close friend.” Both Flair and Eaton dedicated their lives to professional wrestling, becoming legends in the sport. Both also experienced great losses within their immediate families. Flair’s public message to the world about Eaton shows his respect and admiration for the deceased wrestler.