Jim Ross is pleased that Ric Flair is now part of the AEW family.
The October 25th episode of AEW Dynamite saw Ric Flair make a surprise appearance as a special gift to Sting from Tony Khan. On November 2nd, it was announced that Flair had signed a multi-year deal with the company and also that his Wooooo! Energy drink would be the exclusive energy drink of AEW.
Speaking on the latest edition of Grilling JR, WWE Hall of Famer and AEW commentator Jim Ross commented on Flair’s signing, saying he’s glad to have him in the All Elite family.
“I’m glad he’s there. He’ll be fun to be around and he’s always entertaining. There’s only one Naitch, so and he’s it. And Tony Khan’s got him. So I was pleasantly surprised that Ric signed, I wasn’t sure what he was going to do. Because I really believe this is gonna sound negative and I don’t want to sound negative, that his wrestling days are essentially over. He’s 70 something, I’m 70 Something I get it. Which I got some news on that coming up here in a second or two.
“But you know, I’m glad he’s with us. So you know, you can’t get a lifetime talent daily. You just can’t, they’re not out there. And they’re not available. And so I’m glad that for Ric’s sake, that he’s got he’s got a good sponsor a good backup guy, Tony Khan is a huge Ric Flair fan and who isn’t?
“So pleasantly surprised that he’s with us. Don’t look for any matches out of him. But I think he can contribute more than the vast majority of the populace in his world in his vocation. And never wrestle. That’s just me. And he’s a star. Ric Flair is a star and when he’s on your TV he brightens that star.”
Jim Ross Taking Time Away From AEW
Elsewhere on the podcast, Jim Ross revealed that he would be taking time away from AEW to heal an ongoing leg wound that stems from his years-long battle with skin cancer. According to the star himself, he has a few months left on his remaining AEW deal and isn’t looking to go anywhere, but flying around the country is taking a toll and preventing him from healing properly.