Why was Hall of Famer and 16-time Champion Ric Flair released from WWE?
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair was released from the company after a long stint as a manager.
The 72-year-old Flair last appeared on WWE programming when he was involved in a storyline with Lacey Evans and his daughter Charlotte Flair earlier in 2021. Since then, he has been underutilized and has not featured much in WWE.
The storyline had Flair being aligned with Evans and feuding with his daughter, but it ended when Evans announced her pregnancy with her second child.
Flair returned to WWE in 2012 and was mostly involved with his daughter Charlotte during her initial days in WWE. Since the, she has gone on to become a 12-time Champion in WWE.
The legend commented on the storyline later saying he was not a big fan, but could not argue with the Chairman Vince McMahon. He was quoted saying: (h/t Digital Spy)
“When that was all over, I was mad but now I just look back and say it wasn’t it. This was something that when I got to TV, [Vince] McMahon wasn’t there to argue the point with and he had stuff going on, I don’t like to put the pressure on someone if I can’t talk to him.”
“I didn’t like that one, to him [Vince McMahon] I’m always going to be the ‘kiss stealin’, wheelin’ dealin’, yanno what I mean? Which is great because he likes that.”
Reports suggest that Flair was unhappy with his booking and spoke with Vince McMahon before securing his release.
Flair last took part in a match in WWE in March 2008 when he lost to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV with his career on the line. After featuring on IMPACT and other promotions, he returned to WWE to promote his daughter and the women’s revolution.
He re-signed with WWE in 2012, appearing as an on-screen personality and a manager. Flair signed another contract in 2020.
Flair made his first entrance to WWE in 1992 winning his first Championship at the Royal Rumble. His 16-World Championship wins is a joint record in the history of the business alongside John Cena. He is surely one of the legends in the sport.
His daughter, meanwhile, won the RAW Women’s Championship beating Rhea Ripley at Money in the Bank. Unfortunately, Nikki ASH cashed in her Money in the Bank contract to steal the title. The rivals get a chance at a rematch at SummerSlam as Nikki ASH defends again both Ripley and Flair.
Will Flair move to AEW after leaving WWE?
The common trend in the last year or so has been wrestlers being released from the WWE. This is mostly due to budget cuts, courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has sent a lot of brimming talent to AEW like Malakai Black and Andrade El Idolo.
With the trend continuing, we could actually see Flair in AEW doing what he does best. There are some of the big names who have been associated with Flair in the past like Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho. The legends have helped make AEW one of the biggest promotions in the world right now.
Flair is a born entertainer and will increase the hype of the brand that began in 2019. This could be the perfect time we see him join the former WWE legends in AEW.
Flair has flirted with other promotions in the past and was one of the big draws during TNA’s best days.
With Sting reacting to his release, perhaps Flair vs Sting could be on the cards. At this point, there is a world of opportunity for the former WWE star if he decides to make a move to AEW.
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