The iconic image of a bloody Ric Flair overcoming the odds and winning the heavyweight championship from the legendary Harley Race in a cage match at Starrcade in 1983 was the passing of the torch.

Fans in the Greensboro Coliseum and those watching on closed circuit television had witnessed the end of an era. Dubbed A Flare for the Gold, under the National Wrestling Alliance banner, the event was the first wrestling event of its kind. This was before WrestleMania became a global phenomenon.

More than 25 years later, Race, 66, and Flair, 60, will relive this night in a Q & A session at the 2009 NWA Legends Fanfest at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6 at the Hilton University Place Hotel in Charlotte.

The session is open to fans who purchase VIP tickets for the four-day convention, highlighted by the reunion of the original Four Horsemen.

``I think these conventions are a good thing because it keeps wrestling in general alive and well, other than what fans see on Vince [McMahon's] stuff Monday and Tuesdays [and Thursdays and Fridays and some Sundays],'' said Race. ``Charlotte was the last phase of the NWA. The NWA was the largest group in the world for 50 years. Then as TBS and Ted Turner sold out to Vince, that's what really went ahead and took the NWA down.

``Keeping any portion of that up, where the people have an opportunity to realize what wrestling was, I think is a good thing.''

Through the ups and downs, Flair and Race have maintained their friendship. The proud Missourian has played an instrumental role in training Flair's son, Reid, at his wrestling academy in Eldon.

The Nature Boy is set for a special appearance at the popular training camp Sept. 28-Oct. 8. Representatives from the Pro Wrestling Noah promotion in Japan and WWE will be there to scout talent.

Reid is also scheduled to attend.

``Flair and I have always had a great relationship,'' said Race. ``It got beat around a couple of times. Probably the first time was when I went up to become the king of the ring in New York. Then 10 years later, Flair is up there doing great.

``Any time you're in the same ring with Ric Flair, you know it's going to be exciting. Flair is always coming out of left field with something. So it should be a lot of fun for us, but also the people at the convention and the camp.''

The convention will feature a diverse collection of autograph sessions, photo opportunities and two nights of pro wrestling action. The big draw for this event is the chance to see original Four Horsemen members Ric Flair, Ole and Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and manager James J. Dillon reunited.

Today's top factions including the Main Event Mafia and Legacy follow in the footsteps of the stable that ran roughshod over the NWA throughout the 1980s.

``The Four Horsemen was a hell of a group,'' Race said. ``They had a lot of talent. Flair was the leader of the whole thing, as he should have been. It's just compared to today that they are by far a much more talented group in their point in time than just about anything out there.''

One of the highlights of Fanfest weekend is the Hall of Heroes dinner banquet and awards ceremony on Friday, Aug. 7. This year's awards ceremony is hosted by Jim Cornette. The event will honor the Fabulous Fargos, Playboy Gary Hart, Chief Wahoo McDaniel, Blackjack Mulligan, Nelson Royal and Lance Russell.