Ric Flair
News (Page 3)

The storyline of Edge and Randy Orton beating down a bloody Ric Flair on Monday Night RAW last week was an angle designed to write Flair off of WWE TV indefinitely.

Close friends of Flair have stated that the finalization of his divorce will be preoccupying him in the coming months and is one of the reasons why WWE gave him some time off from the road. His situation could go so far that his legal proceedings dividing his assets could end up on Court TV.

In what must be taken as a positive sign, WWE wrestlers are receiving mainstream press attention these days. First, John Cena was featured in USA Today.

Next, Batista sat down with The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Now, it's Ric Flair's turn. The Baltimore Sun recently ran a piece about the legend. We've paraphrased it below ...

Professional wrestling aficionados have long considered Ric Flair a wrestler for the ages.

These days, however, the 16-time former world champion also could be called a wrestler for the aged. Three months shy of his 58th birthday, he is easily the oldest member on the active roster in World Wrestling Entertainment.

But while Flair's signature blond mane has started to thin a bit and he has significantly more wrinkles than the buff young studs he mixes it up with in the ring, he remains one of WWE's star attractions.

Flair will be among the "sports entertainers" appearing tonight at 1st Mariner Arena for a live broadcast of USA Network's WWE Monday Night Raw.

After 34 years in the wrestling business, Flair - whose real name is Richard Fliehr - still would rather take a steel chair over the head than take a seat in a rocking chair. So ,why does a man who is a grandfather continue to subject his body to frequent poundings that are predetermined but anything but painless?

"Because I can," Flair says with a laugh. "I'd be a liar if I didn't say that I like being in the spotlight. And [WWE] still wants me to, which is the most important part of it."

Unlike Hulk Hogan and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, two wrestling legends also in their 50s who wrestle a handful of matches a year and get by mostly on star power and showmanship, Flair is wrestling several times a week and taking the same big bumps in the ring that he took when he was in his prime.

"It's challenging to go out there and wrestle guys 25 years younger than me," says Flair, who is calling from Charlotte, N.C., on his way home from the airport after performing on eight shows during WWE's tour of the United Kingdom.

"It forces me to work out harder and stay in better shape," he adds, "and it gives me an opportunity to do something that nobody else has ever done. I don't think anybody else [in wrestling] has ever excelled at this level at my age. It's a pretty rewarding feeling."

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Chris Kanyon returned to the Howard Stern show today. But, this time, there was someone on the phone to counter his views.

Indeed, Ric Flair called in to "talk for WWE."

Reportedly, the show wanted Vince McMahon or Triple H, both neither was available. Kanyon and Flair talked for about 30 minutes about whether or not Vince/WWE fired Chris because he was gay.

Flair responded that Kanyon's firing was NOT due to his sexuality, but rather the mere fact he wasn't a good worker. Kanyon then mentioned how he "trained" Ric's son David Flair, but Ric quickly said he did not train him, they just worked out.

There were a few heated exchanges, but Flair and Kanyon seemed to be friendly overall.

These aren't exactly new stories. In fact, they're almost as old as any storyline pitting the owner against a wrestler (can you hear us, Vince McMahon?).

Nevertheless, we wanted to give fans a glimpse of a few of their favorite stars outside the ring. And almost behind bars. Take a look at these mugshots:

Charges were dropped against The Big Show back in 1998, after he allegedly exposed himself to a female motel employee. Maybe that's where the ECW Champion's rage comes from. DX may feel it at Unforgiven.

Similarly, a case was never presented against Brock Lesnar for distributing steroids in 2001. Still, the big man was booked on the charges. Now? We just want him to return to a WWE ring.

Ric Flair doesn't look too happy. Would you, after being arrested last year on misdemeanor charges of assault? This angle was then used in a storyline with Mick Foley.