Here’s how Heels episode 3 makes a reference to WWE’s infamous plane ride from hell. A drama series, airing on Starz, Heels centers around the family-owned wrestling promotion of Duffy Wrestling League (DWL). After the death of their father, the famous grappler Tom Spade (David James Elliot), brothers Jack (Stephen Amell) and Ace (Alexander Ludwig) can’t seem to agree on what the future of DWL should look like. Their opposing visions, and their outright animosity, animates the show from the very first episode.
A major point of conflict occurs when, halfway through the premiere, “Wild” Bill Hancock (Chris Bauer) shows up to recruit Ace to the big leagues. Bill’s a living legend at the DWL, having worked closely with Tom, but he’s since moved on to a bigger wrestling promotion and works as a talent scout in his retirement. Not wanting his younger brother to leave DWL, Jack sabotages Ace’s opportunity. Though his arrival brings with it problems for the two main protagonists of Heels, it’s evident that Bill has several troubles of his own. In just two episodes, it’s revealed that Bill has a drinking problem and a tendency to favor relationships with partners that only care about him for the money that he provides.
The character pulls from several well-known wrestlers. He has the look of WWE Hall of Famer Michael Hayes, a weapon that resembles the 2×4 plank of wood carried by Jim Duggan, and his controversies at times evoke Hulk Hogan. However, in Heels episode 3, which is titled “Cheap Heat”, Bill has a moment that’s quite similar to the decorated WWE champion Ric Flair. He’s on an airplane, naked, and tremendously drunk. The scene is a reference to Flair and, more specifically, WWE’s plane ride from hell.
WWE’s plane ride from hell refers to a flight that occurred on May 5, 2002. The flight, which carried WWE wrestlers and staff back to the U.S. after a European tour, featured a number of unruly incidents later attributed to heavy drinking. These incidents, discussed heavily among wrestling fans, are said to have included a wrestling match between Brock Lesnar and the late Curt Henning, an altercation between Hayes and JBL, and Goldust allegedly serenading his ex-wife Terri Runnels. As it related to Flair, however, his actions were much more serious. According to Pro Wrestling Stories, he walked around wearing nothing other than his robe. He’d approach flight attendants, flash them, and then deliver his wrestling catchphrase.
Flair would later be named in a lawsuit by two attendants on the flight, Taralyn Cappellano and Heidi Doyle, who said that he separately grabbed their hand to place it on his crotch. Doyle also said that Flair had “forcibly detained and restrained” her, keeping her in the back gallery of the airplane while he sexually assaulted her. Flair responded there was no truth to these claims, and WWE eventually settled out of court with both women.
Heels takes part of this incident, the least egregious part, as Bill is never seen physically forcing himself on anyone, to demonstrate the extent of the character’s destructive behavior. After video of the incident gets posted online, Bill goes looking for Willie Day (Mary McCormack). The two have history and he confesses to her, with embarrassment, that he’s messed up pretty bad. “Cheap Heat” ends on that note. In subsequent installments, there is sure to be an examination of what happens when a legendary wrestler’s drunken antics are made public.
Heels airs Sundays on Starz.
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