Why Ric Flair’s Latest WWE Run Must Be Stopped

You know that one uncle who used to be a lot fun but then fell on hard times and now shows up unannounced? His name is Ric Flair and he works for the WWE.

The decline of Ric Flair is as painful to watch as those sad ASPCA commercials. Yes, the man is a legend. Yes, the man has seen his share of tragedy. But thanks to his borderline maniacal antics on RAW I sometimes forget that Flair is a NWA and WWE Hall of Fame inductee. Instead, I see a sad old man who won’t let anyone else have the spotlight without casting his larger than life shadow across the ring.

Flair has been in the pro wrestling business since 1972, which is 44 years. While he hasn’t been an active wrestler since 2012 due to a torn left tricep, he has managed to find himself a spot as the de facto manager for his daughter, Charlotte, who is currently the WWE Divas Champion. Whenever you see her, you can bet that Ric isn’t too far away.

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A career that spans four decades is bound to have some hits and misses and Flair is no exception.

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The Good

He’s a 16-time world champion. Or 25, depending on who you ask. Flair is officially recognized by the WWE, TNA, and Pro Wrestling Illustrated as a 16-time world champion. However, The Nature Boy also has six U.S. Championship runs as well as numerous regional titles, so between AWA, NWA, WCW, WWE and his early years spent in Japan it’s hard to gain consensus on the actual number. Simply put, he has way more than you.

Flair inspired my WWE themed drinking game which I call Flair of the Dog*. Whenever he appears on television you must take a shot. If he’s allowed to speak on the mic or in a backstage segment, take a shot. When he “styles and profiles”, take a shot. If he cries or gets misty eyed, finish your drink and refill.

*Due to the absolute inevitibility of alcohol poisoning the sale of the official Flair of the Dog home game has been banned in the United States. And Europe.

The Bad

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Flair has been involved in real-life disputes with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Shane Douglas and Mick Foley about whom he said “will always be known as a glorified stuntman.” This specific criticism was not only said by Flair on television but also included in his autobiography, Ric Flair: To Be the Man. These feuds usually stemmed from his criticism of their wrestling style or his opinion that these men simply couldn’t draw the same crowds as he could.

In 2005, Flair was charged with two misdemeanors, injury to personal property and simple assault and battery after a road rage incident (h/t WSOC TV) in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2010, he was sued by Ring of Honor (h/t Bleacher Report), who alleged that Flair owed them over $40,000 in addition to violating the specifics of his contract by not appearing at scheduled events. In 2011, a warrant was issued for Flair’s arrest stating that he had failed to comply with a settlement agreement between himself and Highspots.com (h/t Cageside Seats), who alleged to have loaned Flair $31,000 and $35,000 on different occasions. In 2012, Flair was involved in a lawsuit brought forth by TNA who alleged that WWE had engaged in contract tampering in an attempt to bring Flair back. TNA subsequently fired Flair.

The Ugly

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In 2012, Flair appeared at the 13th annual Gathering of the Juggalos, a hip hop event so saturated with pink excess body fat and apparent in-breeding that it could easily be mistaken for a pig-farm. His appearance was cut short however after some angry suburban youth pelted Flair in the head (h/t PW Insider) with a water bottle before he could announce one of the main stage performers.

The man is a divorce lawyer’s wet dream. While his FOURTH divorce has yet to be finalized, he is currently dating Wendy Barlow who played “Fifi” on the WCW interview segment A Flair For The Gold. Don’t feel bad…I didn’t remember her either.

The Nature Boy always seems like he’s a second away from another health problem. He’s constantly sweating. His face is always red as if he just tried to hold his breath for a really long time. He doesn’t so much walk or strut anymore as he shambles like a crazy homeless man who hears music that isn’t really playing. The WWE will keep Flair on television until his skin sags so much that it either gets caught in some random piece of machinery or he uses it as a wingsuit to fly away to the Undying Lands. A man who has devoted 44 years of his life to this business deserves better than that.

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Then again, what else does he have? So long as he is attached to Charlotte like a geriatric Siamese twin, she will not get the full respect she deserves. Her victories will be thanks to dear old dad and be marked with an asterisk. Until she can win on her own – dirty or clean – she will simply be Ric Flair’s daughter.

For her sake, Ric needs to step away.