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WWE/TNA: Ric Flair Issue Could Be Non Issue If Vince Were Behind Both Brands

Posted: Jan 14th 2012 By: mikeiles

When Paul Heyman took over the reins of ECW Wrestling in 1996, many people, myself included, wondered where he got the money to purchase the company.

Sure, Paul E. Dangerously was a great character, but he was never really one that seemed to have the silver spoon in his mouth.

It is reported that in 2001, Vince McMahon of the WWE purchased ECW from Heyman.

Prior to the 2001 acquisition, there were a lot of rumors that the money Heyman used to purchase ECW actually came from the pockets of Vince McMahon.

Now, back then, the Internet was no where near what it is today. We did not have the IWC that poked and prodded every rumor that was floating around. Though it would probably be impossible for the WWE to do something like that today, probably really means nothing when it comes to sports entertainment.

This thought never really crossed my mind before today, but as I read more and more articles about Ric Flair and his second nomination to the WWE Hall of Fame, as a member of the Four Horsemen, it is all starting to sound a little bit too fishy for me.

There are a few things in life that are larger than even the storylines created by the writers.

Sure, Vince McMahon can be blown up, only to be back on TV just seven short days later. But in the REAL world, there are lines that simply are not crossed.

Ric Flair is under contract with TNA Wrestling. That means, TNA currently owns the rights to the name "Ric Flair," the likeness of "Ric Flair" and all properties that go along with it.

Translation: Ric Flair will not be permitted to be in attendance at the Hall of Fame ceremony for the Four Horsemen. If he is in attendance, the WWE will not be permitted to show him, mention his name or use his likeness in any way other than to show old Horsemen videos that Vince owns.

If Flair insists he is going to be there, which he is, TNA could file a cease and desist law suite against the WWE for the threat of showing Flair, which they would win, without question.

What this means is, if Vince McMahon does show Ric Flair, then he is breaking the law, and opening the WWE up for a major law suite. Not only that, it would infuriate the U.S. government that the WWE insist on ignoring a court order. This would trigger issues against the forces that could bring down the WWE.

The IRS: They have the right to audit any business they choose to. They could cost the WWE millions of dollars, even if they keep their books to the letter, which they have for the last 20 years.

The FCC: Considering the WWE plans to launch their own network, the FCC could step in and delay the launch for years and cost the company millions.

I have heard many comments in these articles stating that Vince has so much money he will just pay the millions of dollars that he would owe TNA.

Reality check: Vince did not become the person he is by handing that type of money away.

Yes, the "Vinny Mac" character would do what he wanted to do. Remember, "Vinny Mac" is not the person that runs the company, or the guy who has to answer to the board of directors. Vince McMahon is the smartest mind wrestling has ever seen.

If Ric Flair shows up the night before WrestleMania, it could only mean one thing.

Vince McMahon already owns TNA.

What? I'm crazy? Really?

Think about it. How do any of us know that an agreement has not already been reached, or could have been for the last two years?

Look at the changes that have happened in TNA over the last few years. Why do all of the "old" wrestlers leave the WWE and go to TNA? Could it be that Vince knows that they are no good on WWE, but because of his loyalty to them, he keeps them employed?

What is WWE lacking that TNA is trying to improve on? Tag Team division? Divas that actually wrestle?

Could it be that Vince knows his rosters are currently so full that guys like Beer Money, AJ Styles and Matt Morgan would not have the chance to crack the lineup with the guys he currently has? Could Vince simply be waiting for guys like the Undertaker, Big Show, Kane and Triple H to ride off into the sunset before filling their roster spots with TNA stars?

Look, I am not saying that this is factual, but if you look at the situation, then if you look at it through wrestling eyes, don't you think this is at least possible?