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It's All Good For Ric Flair These Days

It's All Good For Ric Flair These Days

Posted: Dec 3rd 2009 By: CMBurnham

Let the bidding war begin for pro wrestling's hottest free agent: Ric Flair.

The "Nature Boy" is officially back on the market, having just returned to the ring for the first time since a ballyhooed World Wrestling Entertainment "retirement" in March 2008. The 61-year-old Flair drew rave reviews for his work carrying a fellow graybeard -- Hulk Hogan -- in main events on a four-show "Hulkamania" tour of Australia.

Flair said he rekindled an old friendship with Hogan that had frayed when both worked under Eric Bischoff in the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling during the 1990s.

"It was great," Flair said Wednesday night shortly after returning stateside. "Everything is good between us now, like nothing ever happened.
"Standing there in the ring watching Hogan come down (the aisle), you can never get too much of that. It made every crowd feel like it was sold-out. He has that magic. It's just fun being in the ring with him."

The big question now is whether Flair and Hogan will re-create that magic in TNA Wrestling.

For the first time since the company's inception seven years ago, Flair said he would seriously consider joining Hogan in TNA because of a strained working relationship with WWE.

"I haven't entertained the idea of working there because I've been so loyal to WWE, but you never know what's going to go on," Flair said. "I don't want to make any predictions, but I've certainly got a lot left to offer. I think I would be a good addition to (TNA's) program.

"Everything is about money, timing, what they want me to do and the job description. There's a lot up in the air. I haven't talked to (TNA ownership) yet, but I've had conversations with people who work there. I've stood by WWE, but if they're not going to use me anymore, I'm ready for any kind of action."

No grappler had ever received as celebrated a send-off as WWE gave Flair during a legitimately touching "Monday Night Raw" telecast 19 months ago. Flair, though, quickly grew bored with WWE public appearances, autograph-signings and fan conventions. He also was under the gun for more income because of massive alimony payments to two ex-wives.

Flair wanted to wrestle again, but WWE was reticent to use him as a full-time talent. WWE owner Vince McMahon thought it was time for the greatest performer in wrestling history to call it a career after 37 years.

Flair began working this spring for the Philadelphia-based Ring of Honor in a figurehead commissioner role. WWE, though, quickly brought back Flair because they didn't want him appearing on ROH telecasts that air Monday nights before "Raw" on HD-NET.

This is where things get weird. Flair returned to "Raw" in June and was involved in a well-received brawl with WWE champion Randy Orton. WWE, though, never followed through and the story line was abruptly dropped.

Flair said he was told by company officials that he was yanked from television because he had signed an agreement to wrestle for a rival touring group in China, which is a country where WWE wants to expand its product. Asked whether he truly believes such an implausible excuse, Flair chuckled and said, "It sounds flimsy to me, too."

Frozen out of wrestling by WWE, Flair agreed to work the Hulkamania tour before Hogan and Bischoff signed with TNA. That duo is expected to debut on "TNA Impact" (9 p.m. EST Thursdays, Spike TV) in January and help run the company behind the scenes.

"I'm not sure where that leaves me with (WWE) now," said Flair, whose non-compete clause that he had signed with WWE has lapsed.

Flair is perfect for TNA because of his name recognition and that company's emphasis on veteran performers from WCW's halcyon days. Flair would have ready-made feuds with his two biggest career rivals in Hogan and Steve "Sting" Borden. Such bouts would help TNA make significant business inroads against WWE, especially if "TNA Impact" telecasts eventually move opposite "Raw" (9 p.m., USA) in an attempt to re-create the Monday-night wrestling "wars" of the 1990s. The possibility of that happening also could spur McMahon to reconsider and make Flair a lucrative offer to return to WWE's active-talent roster.

Whatever happens, Flair is capitalizing on his celebrity outside of wrestling. The Ric Flair "Woooooooo!" scratch-off lottery tickets being sold in his home state of North Carolina are so popular that he is close to signing an expansion deal to five other Southern states. Flair continues to make Coke-sponsored public appearances for Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. A chain of 10 sports-themed restaurants bearing Flair's name is set to open in North Carolina.

Plus, Flair was married last month for the fourth time. He and Jackie honeymooned in Australia while on the Hulkamania tour.

"I'm at a good place in my life -- finally," a laughing Flair said.

Flair admits to being self-conscious about "cosmetic issues" wrestling at his age. But the positive feedback from his matches with Hogan have given Flair a renewed confidence about doing his trademark "styling and profiling" once again in the U.S. whether for TNA or WWE.

"I'm just going to sit back and see what goes on," Flair said. "Until then, I've got plenty of good stuff to focus on."

 

Tags: Ric Flair, WWE, WCW, TNA, Sting

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Spotlight in History

  • 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
  • 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
  • 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
  • 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
  • 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
  • 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title

Week of Sun 10-18 to Sat: 10-24

  • 10-18 2009 Carnage def. Spoiler 2000 for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2019 Tego def. Prince Mahalli for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 10-18 2019 Will Allday def. J. D. Griffey for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2024 Luther Zay Diamond def. Brandon Warhawk for the MajCW Flawless Title
  • 10-18 2024 Nashoba became the MajCW Wetumka Indian Community Centre Champion
  • 10-18 2024 Auzzy def. Kari Wright for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 10-18 2024 The Strays (Barrett Brown & Izzy James) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 1976 Karl Kox & Ken Patera became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 10-19 2013 Tyson Jaymes def. Brock Landers for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-19 2013 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Nasty Swag (Ace Archuleta & Robert Lee) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 2013 Jon Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-19 2014 Jon Cross def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-19 2019 Luke Langley became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 10-19 2024 Anarchy [2nd] def. Damien Morte for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-19 2024 E-Bone def. Trench Blythe for the EPW International Title
  • 10-20 1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
  • 10-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 10-20 1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-20 2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 10-20 2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-20 2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-20 2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
  • 10-20 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
  • 10-21 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-21 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-21 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 10-21 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 10-21 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
  • 10-21 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-21 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
  • 10-21 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title
  • 10-22 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
  • 10-22 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-22 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 10-22 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-22 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 10-22 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 10-22 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 10-22 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1965 Lee Fields & Bobby Fields became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 1967 Spoiler #1 & Gary Hart def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1968 Manuel Perez & Pepe Perez def. The Blue Demons (Blue Demon #1 & Blue Demon #2) for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1988 Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
  • 10-23 2003 Payton Scott def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-23 2005 Matt Garza & Mr. Brown def. Brandon Bishop & John Zorthos for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2005 Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) def. Matt Garza & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2011 Javi Hernandez became the UWF06 Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-23 2015 Vinny Pacheco def. Buster Cherry for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 10-23 2015 The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 2021 Richie Adams def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-23 2021 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. The Space Age Cowboys (Paul Puertorico & Jason Jones) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2021 Luke Langley def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-24 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-24 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 10-24 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-24 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-24 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-24 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-24 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title
10-21
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  • Bushwacker Butch Oct 21st Today!
  • Tom Jones Oct 22nd
  • Porkchop Cash Oct 22nd
  • George Knight Oct 22nd
  • Red Eagle Oct 23rd
  • Bobby Lambert Oct 24th
  • Bill Dundee Oct 24th
  • Ray Durán Oct 24th
  • Daniel Powers Oct 24th
  • Phil Shark Oct 25th
  • Sheriff Schultz Oct 25th
  • Paige Turner Oct 25th
  • Double D Oct 25th
  • Halo Oct 26th
  • Eddie Williams Oct 26th
  • Anthony Wayne Oct 26th
  • Troy Graham Oct 26th
  • Miss Linda Oct 27th
  • AWOL Oct 27th
  • Doberman [2nd] Oct 27th
  • MVP Oct 28th
  • Jake Boulder Oct 28th
  • Mike Sharpe, Jr. Oct 28th
  • Chris Smith Oct 28th
  • D. J. Hall Oct 29th
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  • Jesse Beeler Oct 30th
  • Debbie Combs Oct 30th
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  • Danny McShain Oct 30th
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  • Big Daddy Moore Nov 1st
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  • Mike Davis [2nd] Nov 2nd
  • Rob Barnes Nov 3rd
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  • Korstia Korchenko Nov 3rd

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