Despite Ric Flair's return to WWE television, the Wrestling Observer newsletter (relayed via ProWrestling.net) claims that Flair's actual comeback as a wrestler may not be with WWE.
The Observer reports that Flair is technically not signed back as a WWE performer and is only there as a short-time star power stopgap while Triple H and Shawn Michaels are out of action. It isn't clear that Flair will do an actual pro wrestling match during his current WWE tenure.
Instead, the report indicates that Flair may wrestle for non-WWE promoters outside of North America who have offered him money to do stints in countries including China, South Africa and Egypt.
Whether or not Flair ends up wrestling in North America for WWE, overseas for others or some combination of both, IMHO he would still be taking some of the specialness away from the WrestleMania XXIV match that had supposedly ended his career.
Ric Flair return as wrestler may not be with WWE
Categories: pro wrestling , raw , ric flair , wwe |
Ric Flair returns to WWE @ Judgment Day PPV
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Ric Flair returned to WWE at the Judgment Day PPV, coming out to help Batista fight off a three-on-one Legacy attack after Batista's dq win over WWE champion Randy Orton. Flair had earlier been reported to be seeking a return to WWE as an active wrestler but the suddenness of his return was still a surprise.
The fact that WWE apparently agreed on Flair's return speaks more to the star power (or lack of it) now in the company. Ratings for most WWE programs have been in a downturn due in part to the lack of marquee names, making WWE clearly more willing to take up Flair's offer to come back.
Unfortunately, where this leads for Ric Flair is likely a return to the ring as an active wrestler. Too many times in this wrestling business, we have seen retirements that just don't stick. I had hoped in my heart that Flair would know better. I should have known in my head that he would not.
Ric Flair seeks to come out of retirement for WWE
Categories: pro wrestling , ric flair , wwe |
Ric Flair's retirement at WrestleMania XXIV may not stick after all, as he has now expressed his wish to return to WWE as an active wrestler. According to Alex Marvez @ Scripps Howard News Service, Flair text messaged WWE talent director John Laurinaitis offering to substitute for any of the promotion's injured stars.
Without question, WWE could use the extra starpower boost in this post-WrestleMania period as the normal lull time combined with extended hiatuses for Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Triple H have caused disturbing drops in the Nielsen ratings for all three brand shows.
Whether or not WWE chooses to bring Flair back as an active wrestler though, one has to be a little disturbed that Flair seeks such a return to the ring in the first place. Aside from taking away from fan memories of WM24, the simple reality is there is an increased risk of injury (temporary or permanent) from a man working at his age.
One gains the sense that Flair is either addicted to the ring work, needs the money for his various financial and/or family concerns or both. Ric Flair should be past all such issues by now. It's sad to see Flair still wants this, it would be sadder for me if WWE actually goes through with it.
