Ric Flair has seemingly caused a stir with his old employer.
The Nature Boy made his second appearance for AEW at Full Gear as he accompanied Sting, Darby Allin and Adam Copeland to ringside for their trios match against Christian Cage, Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne. Flair would also get physical, briefly chopping Cage before being hit with a low blow from the TNT Champion. The Full Gear appearance is set to be the second of many, as Ric Flair has signed a multi-year deal with AEW.
The Hall of Famer last appeared on WWE TV as part of the Raw XXX celebrations, introducing daughter Charlotte FLair for her match. Despite no longer being a part of WWE, Flair’s voice is heard on WWE TV each week as his signature Wooooo is heard in the opening Then, Now, Forever, Together montage. However, as it turns out, the relationship between each side is not as strong.
While speaking with Shannon Sharpe, Flair was asked if he might be invited back to WWE in April for WrestleMania, as multiple sports also like to bring in legends for guest appearances at big shows. Flair stated that this would be highly unlikely as his choice to sign with AEW has caused issues:
“I think some people are upset with me now that I went to work at AEW. I don’t know why. If you’re acknowledging, and you think I’ve contributed to the business, and I know I have because I hear it every day, you would think they would let me do whatever I want to do. As long as it doesn’t affect them. I’m not going to get on TV and say ‘AEW is better,’ I’m not doing something stupid. I’m just working. That’s all I know how to do. They’re mad. Not mad, but they did something…I’ll tell you off camera.”
Flair would not state what “something” is, but did believe that some are still jealous of his continued success:
“You know the old saying, ‘you want to hear someone is doing good, but not too good.’? That make sense?”
This would not be the first time that WWE would refuse to use an AEW talent on screen. As seen on the Raw XXX show, D-Generation X would reunite once again but without Billy Gunn. It was alleged that an initial agreement to use Gunn was reached but later dropped as Tony Khan wanted AEW to be referenced on WWE TV.
Could Ric Flair Wrestle Again?
Shortly after the signing of The Nature Boy was announced, many were concerned that Flair may attempt to have one more match as he has gone on record stating that his previous retirement match could have been better. In regards to the possibility of one more match, a WCW veteran has expressed their concerns over Ric Flair competing again.
H/t to Fightful.