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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?

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Title
2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2025 Billie the Kiid def. Dan Webber for the ASP Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 06-21 to Sat: 06-27

06-21 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
06-21 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
06-21 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Title
06-21 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
06-21 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Title
06-21 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Title
06-21 2024 Big Sed def. Sam Adonis for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
06-21 2025 Dan Webber became the LCW Lionheart Champion
06-22 2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Title
06-22 2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
06-22 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
06-22 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
06-22 2025 Billie the Kiid def. Dan Webber for the ASP Heavyweight Title
06-23 1972 Billy Red Lyons def. The Spoiler for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
06-23 1980 Mr. Hito & Mr. Sakurada def. Jose Lothario & Tiger Conway Jr. for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
06-23 1982 Ted DiBiase def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
06-23 1984 Gino Hernandez became the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
06-23 1989 The Stud Stable (Robert Fuller & Brian Lee) def. Jeff Jarrett & Mil Mascaras for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
06-23 2001 Big Daddy Moore def. Adam Lacroix for the OPW Oklahoma Television Title
06-23 2001 Grenade became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
06-23 2009 Joshua Michael & Epic became the ACW Tag Team Champions
06-23 2023 Dustin Tibbs def. Thrash for the WFC Prime Title
06-24 1972 Stan Stasiak def. Red Bastien for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
06-24 1974 Bull Ramos def. Rip Tyler for the TSW North American Title
06-24 1977 John Studd became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
06-24 1985 The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
06-24 2000 Great Bolo [2nd] def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
06-24 2000 Ichiban [2nd] became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
06-24 2005 Spoiler 2000 became the NWA-U Television Champion
06-24 2006 Prophet SteVens became the AACW Television Champion
06-24 2007 Matt Garza became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
06-24 2016 Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) def. Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
06-24 2016 Seth Angel def. Steven Cruze for the ComPro Showtime Title
06-24 2016 Adrian Dell def. Nathan Estrada for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
06-24 2017 Drake Gallows became the ASP Heavyweight Champion
06-24 2017 Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) def. Shawn Hendrix & Aaron Anders (substituting for Anthony Andrews) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
06-24 2017 Dynamic Shields (Justin Dynamic & Shawn Shields) def. Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter for the UWE Tag Team Titles
06-24 2018 Shawn Sanders def. Chaz Sharpe for the ASP Inter-County Title
06-24 2018 Canadian Red Devil def. Adam Patrick for the ASP Mid-American Title
06-24 2020 Warren Powers def. Giganto for the BPW 365 Title
06-24 2023 Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) became the BCW Tag Team Champions
06-24 2023 C. M. Burnham def. Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
06-24 2023 Lunchador def. C. M. Burnham for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
06-25 2011 Sam Stackhouse def. Shane Morbid for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
06-25 2011 The Sons of Ireland (Devan Scott & Shane Scott) def. The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the BYEW Tag Team Titles
06-25 2011 Chris Chaos became the BYEW Caution Champion
06-25 2011 The Future Hall of Famers (John O'Malley & Brad Michaels) def. Bernie D & Aaron Neil (subbing for Max McGuirk) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
06-25 2016 Brian Breaker def. Zakk Sinizter for the UWE Heavyweight Title
06-25 2017 The Cub Scouts (Grizzly Gates & Brock Landers) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
06-26 1961 The Bolos (Great Bolo 1st & Mighty Bolo) became the TSW Southwestern Tag Team Champions
06-26 1987 Frankie Lancaster & Eric Embry def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
06-26 1999 Tarantula def. Original Renegade for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
06-26 2005 Li'l Joe def. Phillip for the ACW Hardcore Title
06-26 2009 Brandon Groom def. The Handsome Spoiler for the TOPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
06-26 2009 Kevin James Sanchez def. Bobby Starr for the BYEW Entertainment Title
06-26 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese) def. Los Loco Moscas (Elijah Sparks & El Greengo Loco) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
06-26 2025 Microman def. Mini Abismo Negro for the EDW Heavyweight Title
06-27 1969 Wahoo McDaniel & Thunderbolt Patterson became the WCCW American Tag Team Champions
06-27 1971 Johnny Valentine def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-27 1976 Jose Lothario def. The Mongolian Stomper for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-27 2009 Randy Price def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
06-27 2009 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion

06-22

Athena Jun 23rd
Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
Don Kent Jun 24th
Kody Lane Jun 25th
X-Storms Jun 25th
Jax Samuel Jun 26th
D. K. Bradley Jun 26th
Paul Rodriguez Jun 26th
Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
Kuda Jun 27th
Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
Jason Kirby Jun 27th
Reckless Jun 27th
Ignition Jun 27th
Malico Jun 28th
Kenny Mack Jun 28th
Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
J. J. Blake Jun 28th
John Tidwell Jun 28th
Doc Hearon Jun 28th
Claire Jun 28th
Boris Malenko Jun 28th
Bill Dromo Jun 28th
Barbara Galento Jun 29th
Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
Ed Lewis Jun 30th
Kenneth Caine Jun 30th
Terry Funk Jun 30th
Li'l Joe Jul 1st
Sung Yung Kang Jul 1st
Jake Hollister Jul 1st
Tim WarCloud Jul 1st
Rex Andrews Jul 2nd
Dalton Smith Jul 2nd
Crowson D. Calhoun Jul 2nd
Wrangler Rhett Jul 2nd
Ray the Bae Jul 3rd
Arman Hussein Jul 3rd
Joe Sloan Jul 3rd
Rachael Starz Jul 3rd
Greatest American Bolo Jul 4th
Bree Ann Jul 4th
Blake Wilson Jul 4th
Bob Sweetan Jul 4th
Barry Windham Jul 4th
Roland Kirchmeyer Jul 5th
Richard Pierce Jul 5th
Little Tokyo Jul 5th
Terry Kage Jul 5th

2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Title
2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2025 Billie the Kiid def. Dan Webber for the ASP Heavyweight Title

More Look Back In History

Card Results

Current Champions

Wrestle Against Hunger

Heavyweight Champion
Will Chambers

Tag Team Champions: Hellbangers
Living Hope Champion: Giganto
Spotlight Champion: Travis Harkrider
Hunger Dojo Champion: Max Leon
Womens Champion: Kyra

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