In August 2021, Ric Flair departed WWE after requesting his release due to frustration with booking decisions and feeling more business opportunities were available to him outside the company. Initially, everything was amicable between both sides, but following “The Plane Ride From Hell” episode of Dark Side of Ring, he was cut from the WWE’s signature opening, and the company stopped selling his merchandise, which did cause heat.
Now, while being interviewed by Chris Van Vliet, the 16-time world champion has spoken about his current relationship with WWE, revealing it’s “fine” while noting he will always be indebted to the company. However, he doesn’t seem keen on returning anytime soon due to having his own deals, which they’d take a cut of.
“It’s fine. I don’t work for them. I mean, I’m always gonna be indebted and be thankful for the relationship over the years, but when you work with them, you’re pretty much locked up to, you know, to anything, and they have a really tough, enforceable contract, so I wouldn’t be able to do the marijuana. I certainly wouldn’t be able to have the energy drink unless I gave them 50% of it or something like that.
I mean, you know, and in all fairness, I don’t like that, but I can understand. They’re gonna give you the TV time and help give you the opportunity for yourself to become a star, if you have that star quality, then they deserve to get a part of the money. I understand it. I don’t like it, but if it’s only fair, and I’ve seen a lot worse situations for people.”
Ric FlairAfter Flair existed WWE, it was rumored he intended to join AEW, potentially working alongside his son-in-law Andrade El Idolo. Former WCW commentator Mark Madden would later corroborate this after he and Flair had a falling out, divulging that AEW head honcho Tony Khan went as far as to disinvite Flair from his birthday party following the aforementioned Dark Side of the Ring episode. Still, Flair has since rebounded from this, and despite his comments about outside deals, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Flair eventually return to WWE.
