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{{short description|American professional wrestler (born 1949)}}
{{Infobox Wrestler|name=Ric Flair
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
|image=RicFlairWWE2.jpg
{{Use American English|date=September 2019}}
|names=Black Scorpion<br>'''Ric Flair'''
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
|height=6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
{{Infobox person
|weight= 234 lb (105 kg)
| name = Ric Flair
|birth_date = ] ]
| image = Ric Flair Photo Op GalaxyCon Louisville 2019.jpg
|death_date =
| caption = Flair in 2019
|birth_place = ]
| birth_name = <!--Leave it blank as Richard Morgan Fliehr was given to him by adoptive parents and his real name is still being debated!-->
|resides=]
| other_names = Richard Morgan Fliehr
|billed=Charlotte, North Carolina
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|2|25}}<ref name=pwhof/>
|trainer=]
| birth_place = ], U.S.<ref name=pwhof/>
|debut=] ]
| education = ]
|retired=
| occupation = {{hlist|Professional wrestling manager|professional wrestler|author}}
|}}
| years_active = 1972–present
'''Richard Fleihr''' (born ] ] in ]), better known by his ] '''"The Nature Boy"''' '''Ric Flair''', is an ] ] currently with ] (WWE) on its '']'' brand. He has been one of the leading personalities in professional wrestling since the mid 1970s. For much of the run of ] (WCW) he was considered their flagship wrestler.
| alma_mater = ]
| spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Leslie Goodman|1971|1983|reason=divorced}}|{{Marriage|Elizabeth Harrell|1983|2006|reason=divorced}}|{{Marriage|Tiffany VanDemark|2006|2009|reason=divorced}}|{{Marriage|Jackie Beems|2009|2014|reason=divorced}}}}
| partner = Wendy Barlow (2018-2024)
| children = 4, including ], ], and ]
| relatives = ] (son-in-law)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article195052554.html|title=Ric Flair announces his daughter's engagement to a guy wrestling fans know well|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|website=charlotteobserver.com|first=Mark|last=Price|date=January 17, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2020}}</ref><br />] (son-in-law)
| module = {{infobox professional wrestler|child=yes
| names = ]<ref name=pwhof/><br />Ric Flair<ref name=pwhof/>
| height = 6 ft 1 in<ref name="wwe-bio"/>
| weight = 243 lb<ref name="wwe-bio"/>
| billed = ], U.S.<ref name="wwe-bio"/>
| trainer = ]<ref name="wwe-bio"/><ref name="slam"/>
| debut = December 10, 1972<ref name=pwhof/><ref name="woodward">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/53439/this-day-in-history-ric-flair-wrestles-his-first-professional-match-38-years-ago-today-terry-funk-wins-the-world-title-sixperson-hell-in-a-cell.html?p=1|title=This day in history|last=Woodward|first=Buck|date=December 10, 2010|website=PWInsider|access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| retired =
}}
| signature = Ric Flair Signature.png
}}
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}
'''Richard Morgan Fliehr'''<ref name="PS55">{{cite news|title=Power Slam|work=This Month in History: February|publisher=SW Publishing|id=55|page=28|date=January 1999}}</ref>{{efn|According to Flair's autobiography '']'', his birth name was listed on different documents as Fred Phillips, Fred Demaree, and Fred Stewart. On March 18, 1949, he was legally adopted by the Fliehr family and was renamed Richard Morgan Fliehr.}} (born February 25, 1949), known professionally as '''Ric Flair''', is an American ]. Regarded by multiple peers<ref name="GOATPeers"/> and journalists<ref name="GOATJournalists"/> as the greatest professional wrestler of all time, Flair has had a career spanning over 50 years in 6 decades.


He is noted for his tenures with ] (JCP), ] (WCW), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later ]) and ] (TNA). Much of his career was spent in JCP and WCW, in which he won numerous titles. Since the mid-1970s, he has used the moniker "the Nature Boy". A major ] ] throughout his career, Flair headlined the premier annual NWA/WCW event, ], on ten occasions, while also co-headlining its WWF counterpart, ], ], after winning that year's ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/8/mainevent|title=WrestleMania VIII main event|publisher=WWE|access-date=January 23, 2014}}</ref> '']'' awarded him their ] award a record six times, while '']'' named him the ] (an award named after him and ]) a record eight times. The first two-time ] inductee, first inducted with the ] for his individual career and again with the ] as a member of ], he is also a member of the ], the ] and the ].
==Career==
]


Flair is officially recognized by WWE as a 16-time ] (] ], ] ], and ] ]),<ref>{{cite web|title=Ric Flair's title history|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/ricflair/titlehistory|publisher=WWE.com|access-date=January 12, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112041043/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/ricflair/titlehistory|archive-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> although the number of his world championship reigns varies by source, ranging from 16 or 17 to 25.<ref name="worldtitles"/> He has claimed to be a 21-time champion.<ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qgcYjV5o1w&t=31s|title=Ric Flair Return|date=November 1, 2009|work=]|publisher=]|access-date=February 4, 2010|time=31 seconds|quote=Fact be known, it's 21 times. 16, I'll take credit for.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He was the first holder of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and the ] (which he also held last). As the inaugural WCW World Heavyweight Champion, he became the first person to complete ], having already held the ] and ]. He then completed ] when he won the ], after already holding the WWF Championship and the ].
===National Wrestling Alliance===
Buddy Rogers was the first "Nature Boy", Flair idolized Rogers and took the name. After three years with the ] (AWA), Flair joined the ] (NWA) affiliated ]. On the rise as a promising young brawler, he suffered a severe back injury in a ], ] plane crash in ]. Doctors told Flair that he would never wrestle again, but Flair would return to active wrestling the next year. The crash did force Flair to change his wrestling style, which led him to create the Nature Boy style he would use throughout his career.


== Early life ==
Flair won the ] 4 times, then won the ] for the first time by defeating ] on ], ]. ] won the title from Flair in ]. Flair regained the title at ] in ] in a steel cage match. Flair would go on to win the NWA title six more times. As the NWA champion, he defended his belt around the world. Flair lost the title to Race and won it back in the span of three days in New Zealand in March 1984. At the first ] Memorial Parade of Champions at Texas Stadium, Flair was pinned by ]. Flair regained the title 18 days later in Japan. He then reigned for two years, two months, and two days, losing his title to Dusty Rhodes on July 26, 1986 at the Great American Bash. Flair regained the title two weeks later. He lost the title to Ron Garvin on September 25, 1987, and Garvin would hold the title for over two months and lost his only title defense to Flair in Chicago on November 26, 1987.
Fliehr was born on February 25, 1949, in ].<ref name="PS55"/> His original parents were Luther and Olive Phillips, the latter of whom was also credited with the Demaree and Stewart surnames; nevertheless, his birth name is commonly considered to be Fred Phillips, even if he is also credited on various records as Fred Demaree or Fred Stewart.<ref name=RicFlairToBeTheMan1>{{cite book|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|editor1-first=Mark|editor1-last=Madden|editor2-first=Keith Elliot|editor2-last=Greenberg|editor1-link=Mark Madden|editor2-link=Keith Elliot Greenberg|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|chapter-url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|access-date=July 2, 2017|edition=Hardcover, 352pp|date=June 2004|publisher=|isbn=978-0-7434-5691-3|page=8|chapter=Chapter One: Black Market Baby|quote=Depending on which documents you read, my birth name was Fred Phillips, Fred Demaree, or Fred Stewart, and I was born in Memphis on February 25, 1949. My biological mother's name was Olive Phillips, Demaree, or Stewart. My biological father is listed as Luther Phillips.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008164605/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> He was adopted by Kathleen Kinsmiller Fliehr (1918–2003) and Richard Reid Fliehr (1918–2000). The Fliehrs decided to adopt due to Kathleen being unable to become pregnant after giving birth to a daughter who died shortly after.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man|isbn=9780743456913|page=4|edition=illustrated|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|last2=Greenberg|first2=Keith Elliot|year=2004|publisher=Simon and Schuster }}</ref> At the time of his adoption (arranged by the ] as part of ]'s infant trafficking scandal)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/06/11/victims-tennessee-childrens-home-society-adoption-scandal-involving-georgia-tann-share-their-stor-4/682152002/|title=Georgia Tann victims recount tales of lives lost in infamous adoption scandal|first=Ron|last=Maxey|work=]|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=April 1, 2021}}</ref> his adoptive father was completing a residency in ] in ].<ref name=RicFlairToBeTheMan2>{{cite book|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|editor1-first=Mark|editor1-last=Madden|editor2-first=Keith Elliot|editor2-last=Greenberg|editor1-link=Mark Madden|editor2-link=Keith Elliot Greenberg|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|chapter-url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|access-date=July 2, 2017|edition=Hardcover, 352pp|date=June 2004|publisher=|isbn=978-0-7434-5691-3|page=8|chapter=Chapter One: Black Market Baby|quote=My father's salary was a bit of an issue. He was only making $3,000 a year, but my mother explained he was only doing his residency in Detroit, and that any child they adopted would live a relatively privileged life, and most likely go to college.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008164605/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> His adoptive mother worked for the '']''.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Shortly afterward, the family settled in ], where the young Fliehr lived throughout his childhood.


After ninth grade, he attended ] in ] for four years, where he participated in ], ], and ].<ref name=RicFlairToBeTheMan>{{cite book|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|editor1-first=Mark|editor1-last=Madden|editor2-first=Keith Elliot|editor2-last=Greenberg|editor1-link=Mark Madden|editor2-link=Keith Elliot Greenberg|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|chapter-url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|access-date=January 15, 2010|edition=Hardcover, 352pp|date=June 2004|publisher=|isbn=978-0-7434-5691-3|pages=11–12|chapter=Chapter One: Black Market Baby|quote=After the ninth grade, I left Minnesota to go to Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin... I lettered in three sports. I played middle linebacker and fullback on the football team, threw the shot put, and wrestled...|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008164605/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> After high school, Fliehr briefly attended the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=When Nature (Boy) calls: A baseball player hangs with his hero |url=http://www.startribune.com/when-nature-boy-calls-a-baseball-player-hangs-with-his-hero/557876861/ |website=StarTribune.com|date=August 22, 2019 }}</ref>
In 1991, Flair had a contract dispute with WCW president ] while still NWA/WCW champion, Flair left WCW, a group run by ] which had just separated from the NWA, in ]. Flair was offered a fifty percent pay cut and would no longer have the option of ]. Herd wanted to make Lex Luger the top star and wanted to make Ric Flair a midcard star despite the fact that he was still a huge draw. Flair disagreed, and a week before the 1991 '']'', Herd fired him. According to Flair, Herd also wanted him to change his appearance (i.e. by cutting his hair and wearing a diamond earring) as well as his in-ring name in order to "change with the times".


== Professional wrestling career ==
===World Wrestling Federation===
Flair proceeded to show up at WWF shows with the WCW World Title belt around his waist, calling himself "the Real World Heavyweight champion." NWA sued Flair in an attempt to reclaim the belt, but the rules stated that the title belt is property of the champion, so Flair could use it as he saw fit. Before winning the WCW title, Flair had to give a $25,000 deposit to the NWA. Eventually, Flair returned the belt when the NWA paid back the deposit plus $13,000 interest.


=== American Wrestling Association (1972–1974) ===
Led by his manager ] and his "Executive Consultant" ] (Curt Hennig), Flair scored victories against the likes of ] and ], and at the 1992 ], he won the Rumble Match to claim the vacant WWF Championship. Flair drew number three in the Rumble match, lasted an hour in the ring, last ejecting Sid Justice.
A successful ] in his teens, Flair trained as a professional wrestler with ].<ref name="slam">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/flair.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522073933/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/flair.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 22, 2015 |title=Ric Flair|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=November 13, 2007|author=Milner, John and Richard Kamchen}}</ref> He attended Gagne's first wrestling camp with ], "Jumpin{{' "}} ], ] and ] at Gagne's barn outside Minneapolis in the winter of 1971. On December 10, 1972, he made his debut in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, battling ] to a 10-minute draw while adopting the ring name Ric Flair.<ref name="slam"/><ref name="woodward"/> During his time in the ] (AWA), Flair had matches with ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="Acclerator Bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/flair.html#nwama |title=Ric Flair |access-date=March 6, 2008 |publisher= Acclerator3359.com}}</ref><ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G69Kkb0VGE|title=Ric Flair vs Chris Taylor (AWA 1974)|last=paywindahdusty|date=June 21, 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


=== International Wrestling Enterprise (1973) ===
Shortly after the Rumble, In February and March, Flair battled ] on two occasions in steel cage matches. Due to the Sid/Hogan rivalry, the number one contender spot was vacant, and was awarded to 'Macho Man' ]. Despite all Flair's illegal tactics, featuring Heenan and Perfect, Savage was able to win the WWF Title. However, shortly after, Flair would reclaim the title by beating Savage, but would then soon lose it to ] in Saskatoon.
Flair made his first appearances in Japan in 1973 with ] (IWE) as part of a working agreement between the IWE and AWA promoter Verne Gagne. He competed in IWE's "Big Summer Series" throughout June and July, facing opponents such as ], Great Kusatsu, Katsuzo Matsumoto, Mighty Inoue, and ].<ref name="KreikenbohmIWE"/>


===World Championship Wrestling=== === Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling (1974–1991) ===
==== Becoming the Nature Boy (1974–1981) ====
Flair returned to WCW in February 1993, and hosted a short-lived talk show in WCW called "A Flair For the Gold" as a compromise to work around a no-compete clause in his previous WWF contract. He could appear on TV but not wrestle. ] would sit at the bar, and Flair's maid '''Fifi''', would be cleaning or bearing gifts. Flair would briefly hold the NWA World title once again before WCW finally left the NWA in September 1993.


In 1974, Flair left the AWA for ]'s Mid-Atlantic region in the ] (NWA), debuting on May 13, 1974, by defeating ]. Shortly after his debut, Flair won his first championship in the promotion, by teaming with ] to defeat ] and ] to win the ]. After a lengthy title reign, Flair and Hawk lost the titles to Paul Jones and ] on December 6. ] substituted for an inactive Hawk during the title defense. Flair would then capture his first singles title on February 9, 1975, by beating ] for the ]. After holding the title for six months, Flair lost the title back to Jones on August 8. During the same time, Flair began feuding with ] over the ]. After coming up short in several title opportunities, Flair finally defeated McDaniel for the title in a ] on September 20.
Later in 1993, WCW planned to have ] win the WCW World title at '']'', but following Sid's firing for his part in a violent altercation with Arn Anderson, Flair was inserted into the role and defeated Big Van Vader for the title.


On October 4, 1975, however, Flair's career nearly ended when he was in a serious plane crash in ] that took the life of the pilot and paralyzed ] (also on board were ], Bob Bruggers, and promoter ]).<ref name="slam1">{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/12/28/the-plane-crash-that-changed-wrestling/|title=The plane crash that changed wrestling|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=November 13, 2007|date=December 28, 2000|author=Molinaro, John}}</ref><ref name=pwhof/> Flair broke his back in three places and, at age 26, was told by doctors that he would never wrestle again.<ref name="slam1"/> Flair conducted a rigorous physical therapy schedule, however, and he returned to the ring just three months later, where he resumed his ] with Wahoo McDaniel over the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship in January 1976.<ref name="slam1"/> The crash did force Flair to alter his wrestling technique away from the power brawling style he had used early on to one more focused on grappling, which led him to adopt the "Nature Boy" gimmick he would use throughout his career. Flair would ultimately lose the title back to McDaniel on May 3, 1976. However, three weeks later, Flair regained the title by defeating McDaniel in a rematch on May 24.
Flair later feuded with ] upon Hogan's arrival in WCW in June 1994 and lost a retirement match to Hogan at ] 1994. Flair took a few months off before returning as a wrestler and part-time manager in 1995. Flair would have several more title reigns in the subsequent years, beating Hulk Hogan at '']'' 1999, and winning the title two times in 2000 and the United States Championship in 1996, defeating ].


The title exchange with McDaniel continued as Flair lost the title to McDaniel in a ] on September 11. On October 16, Flair defeated McDaniel in a title versus hair match to regain the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship. During this time, Flair teamed with ] to defeat ] (] and ]) in a ] to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship on December 26. The following day, Flair lost the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship to Wahoo McDaniel in a no disqualification match. In the midst of his tag team championship reign, Flair defeated ] to win his second Mid-Atlantic Television Championship on April 4, 1977. On May 8, Flair and Valentine lost the World Tag Team Championship back to Andersons in a steel cage match. A few days later, on May 15, Flair received his very first opportunity for the ] against ]. Race retained the title after the match ended in a double count-out. Flair would lose the Mid-Atlantic Television Championship to ] on June 15, beginning a lengthy and historic rivalry between the two. On June 30, Flair and Valentine defeated ] and Tiger Conway Jr. to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship.
When WCW was purchased by the WWF, Flair was the leader of the ] group called the ]. Flair lost WCW's final match on the ], ] edition of '']'' to Sting.
] & ].]]


On July 29, Flair defeated ] to win his first ] in ].<ref>{{cite web |title=ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY (JULY 29): RIC FLAIR VS. BOBO BRAZIL, NICK BOCKWINKEL VS. MIL MASCARAS |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-history-july-29-ric-flair-vs-bobo-brazil-nick-bockwinkel-vs-mil |website=Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online |date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair and Valentine lost the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship to Paul Jones and Ricky Steamboat on August 22. Flair would defend the United States Heavyweight Championship against numerous challengers, including Steamboat, whom he wrestled in several matches, such as title versus title match for Flair's title and Steamboat's Mid-Atlantic Television Championship. On October 30, Flair and Valentine defeated The Andersons to win the ]. On October 20, Flair lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Ricky Steamboat.
===World Wrestling Entertainment===
After a brief hiatus from pro wrestling, Flair returned to the WWF in ] as the on-camera co-owner of the company. He ] ] by joining forces with ]. Flair reappeared on the Monday Night RAW following the end of the "WCW/ECW Invasion" that culminated in a "Winner Take All" match at ] that the WWF won. Flair's new on-screen role was that of the co-owner of the WWF, after Shane and Stephanie McMahon had sold him their stocks prior to purchasing WCW and ECW. On his RAW debut, Vince McMahon had been playing the role of the face; when Flair made his appearance at the end of the show, McMahon turned heel and Flair became the dominant face. As co-owner of the WWF, he sought to make right all the wrongs that the evil Mr. McMahon was up to. Culminating with Flair being responsible for McMahon kissing ]'s rear end on an episode of '']'', Mr. McMahon apparently snapped and refused to share the WWF with Flair anymore. He proposed to "kill the WWF" and he planned to do it with the help of the nWo. However, the nWo storyline failed to captivate audiences and Flair was soon thrust into a feud with The Undertaker, culminating in a match at '']''. The WWF board of directors refused to sanction the match and gave full control of the WWF back to Vince McMahon. In actuality, it was a prelude to the ]; which split the WWF into two separate entities, with Vince McMahon in control of all things ''SmackDown!'' and Flair in control of all things ''Monday Night RAW.'' Flair however made his second to latest heel turn by turning on Austin and siding with the N.W.O. During that time when that happened Ric Flair planned a six man tag team match. It was three then members of the N.W.O. (X Pac, Big Show, who turned on Austin and Kevin Nash) going against Flair, Austin and then babyface, Bradshaw. In the middle of the match Bradshaw was knocked out and later Flair shocked the fans by attacking Austin and giving him a figure four leg lock. He then made a hadicap match at a pay per view event. It was him and the Big Show against Austin. After that he continued the figure four leg lock while the Big Show was laughing. Later during that time McMahon challenged Flair to a match for exclusive ownership of, now re-named, WWE. This made Flair turn face for the second to latest time. Flair lost the match when ] ], gave Flair an F-5 and allowed McMahon to make the cover. Flair remained on ''RAW'' as an occasional wrestler and eventually turned heel by betraying ] and joining forces with World Heavyweight Champion ], with whom he later formed the stable ].


]]]
====2003====
During 2003, Flair had a short-lived feud with ] which began when Michaels took ]'s side against Triple H, his archrival. The two would go at it whenever they were accompanying their friends to the ring, and this led to a confrontation at '']'', which led to Flair winning thanks to ]'s interference. Ric Flair would win the World Tag Team Championship with Batista later that year.


On March 30, 1978, Flair and Valentine were stripped of the World Tag Team Championship by NWA management due to continuously ending their matches via disqualification. On April 9, Flair defeated ] in a title versus hair match to capture his second United States Heavyweight Championship. On October 30, Flair and ] defeated Paul Jones and Ricky Steamboat to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship, but lost the titles back to Jones and Steamboat, five days later on November 5. After retaining the title against several challengers including ] and ], Flair lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Steamboat on December 17. Flair would then come up short against Steamboat in several title challenges, before defeating him in a steel cage match to win his third United States Heavyweight Championship on April 1, 1979. During this time, Flair began feuding with the original "Nature Boy" ], due to Flair referring to himself as "The Nature Boy". The rivalry concluded in a match between the two at ''Battle of the Nature Boys'' on July 8, in which Flair defended the United States Heavyweight Championship against Rogers. Rogers put Flair ] in the match, leading to Flair retaining the title and cementing his place as the new "Nature Boy" of professional wrestling.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nissen |first1=Edan |title=5 Wrestling gimmicks that were inspired by somebody else |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/5-gimmicks-you-didn-t-know-were-inspired-by-someone-else |website=Sportskeeda |date=November 5, 2018 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
====2004====
In 2004, Flair lost to ] at '']'', in an effort to avenge several losses by Triple H to Benjamin. He would also lost the World Tag Team Championship to Edge and Chris Benoit. Later that year, Flair lost to Randy Orton, who had been kicked out of Evolution, in a steel cage match at the first '']''


A month later, on August 12, Flair teamed with Blackjack Mulligan to defeat ] and Paul Jones to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Flair and Mulligan lost the titles back to Raschke and Jones on August 22. Flair would then begin feuding with Jimmy Snuka over the United States Heavyweight Championship, defeating him to win the title for a fourth time on April 20, 1980. Flair lost the title to his former tag team partner Greg Valentine on July 26. Flair defeated Valentine in a ] to win his fifth United States Heavyweight Championship on November 24. On January 27, 1981, Flair lost the title to ] in a title versus title match, where Flair's United States Heavyweight Championship and Piper's Television Championship were on the line. The United States Heavyweight Championship's current owner ] does not recognize the title exchange with Greg Valentine and recognizes Flair's reign uninterrupted from April 20 to January 27. Flair would face Piper in various rematches for the title throughout the year but failed to regain the title.
====2005====
Several months after ] left Evolution, Flair returned to ''RAW'' on ], ]. He was interviewed on "Carlito's Cabana" and turned face by attacking the host ]. Flair would align himself with ] in a feud with Carlito and Michaels's new rival ]. After Flair was brutally attacked by Carlito backstage, the two had a match at the 2005 '']'' event for Carlito’s ], a belt Flair had never won. Ric Flair made Carlito submit to the Figure Four and won his first Intercontinental Championship. After the match, Flair grabbed a microphone and gave a short speech. He said that winning the Intercontintal title meant as much to him as his 16 world title wins and said that he wished that Triple H was there to share the moment with him. He then said that he was going to party and went to the front row to pick out several women to take with him. Throught the night a camera would show a limo that had Flair and the women inside. Before entering the limo Flair took several Viagra pills. Toward the end of the show the camera cut to a shot of Flair with his trunks slightly down with his buttocks showing. As he sipped champaign, he tried to utter a WHOOO! but could barely get it out because he had too much to drink. He then collapsed to the ground using his "Flair Flop."
]
The feud with Carlito culminated at WWE Homecoming where Ric Flair teamed with Triple H to take on Carlito and The Masterpiece. Flair and Triple H won the match but afterwards, Triple H attacked Flair.


==== NWA World Heavyweight Champion (1981–1991) ====
At Taboo Tuesday the fans were given a choice of three matches for Triple H and Ric Flair to do battle in. The cage match was chosen and Flair clawed his way to a successful title defense.
{{see also|The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|l1=The Four Horsemen}}
] to win the ] as ] (left) counts the pinfall, on September 17, 1981.]]
On September 17, 1981, Flair beat ] for his first ].<ref name="pwhof" /> In the following years, Flair established himself as the promotion's main franchise in the midst of emerging competition from ]'s ] (WWF). An unsanctioned title loss took place on January 6, 1983, to ] in ].<ref name="worldtitles">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=30190&p=1|title=Ric Flair: The 16-time... 18-time... 21-time... Exactly how many times has he been World Champion?|author=Buck Woodward|publisher=PWInsider.com|date=April 2, 2008|access-date=April 6, 2014}}</ref> Flair recovered the championship belt in a phantom change seventeen days later not officially recognized by the NWA. ] won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Flair in 1983, but Flair regained the title at ] in a ].<ref name="pwhof" /> Officially, Flair won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship eight more times. Flair lost the title to Race and won it back in the span of three days in ] and ] in March 1984. At the ] at ], Flair was pinned by ], but he regained the title eighteen days later in Japan<ref>{{cite web |last1=Van Winkle |first1=Adam |title=Remembering Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich 35 Years On |url=https://www.twm.news/remembering-ric-flair-vs-kerry-von-erich-35-years-on/ |website=The Wrestling Movement |date=May 7, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> and reigned for two years, two months and two days, losing the title to Dusty Rhodes on July 26, 1986, at ] in a ].<ref>{{cite web|date=May 12, 2021|title=Dusty Rhodes vs Ric Flair - The Great American Bash 1986 - Steel Cage Match|url=https://atletifo.com/wrestling/classicmatches/dusty-rhodes-vs-ric-flair/|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=Atletifo Sports|language=en-US}}</ref> However, Flair regained the title at a house show on August 9, when Rhodes passed out in the Figure Four leglock.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tweddell |first1=Ross |title=How Ric Flair Won His 16 Recognised World Titles |url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/how-ric-flair-won-his-16-recognised-world-titles |website=Cultaholic |date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>


In late 1985, the tag team of ] and ] began aiding Flair (whom ]) in attacks against Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A. and ]. A few weeks later, the Andersons interrupted Houston's match against ] and the three villains combined to rough up the youngster. Shortly thereafter, Flair, Blanchard and the Andersons formalized their alliance, calling themselves ], with Blanchard's manager ] also coming on board. Upon the group's inception, it was clear that The Four Horsemen were unlike any villainous alliance that had ever existed, as the four rule breakers immediately used their strength in numbers to decimate the NWA's top fan favorites (most famously a vicious beatdown to Rhodes with a baseball bat in a parking lot) while controlling the majority of the championship titles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaston |first1=Erik |title=Full Career Retrospective and Greatest Moments for the Four Horsemen |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1950006-full-career-retrospective-and-greatest-moments-for-the-four-horsemen |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
The innevitable re-match took place at Survivor Series in a Last Man Standing match. Despite another gutsy performance, in which he took 3 consecutive Pedigrees and was still standing, from the Nature Boy, a sledgehammer shot from Triple H was enough to win.


]
====2006====
By 1986, wrestling promoter ] had consolidated the various NWA member promotions he owned into a single entity, running under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance. Controlling much of the traditional NWA territories in the southeast and Midwestern United States, Crockett looked to expand nationally and built his promotion around Flair as champion. During this time, Flair's bookings as champion were tightly controlled by Crockett, and a ] was created for Flair. Flair lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Detroit to ] on September 25, 1987. Garvin held the title for two months before losing to Flair on November 26, 1987, at WCW's first pay-per-view event, ], in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jim Ross On Why Ronnie Garvin Beat Ric Flair For the NWA Title in 1987 |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/jim-ross-on-why-ronnie-garvin-beat-ric-flair-for-the-nwa-title-in-1987-if-flair-wanted-garvin-to-win-because-he-wasnt-a-threat/ |website=411Mania |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
On ], ], Flair lost the Intercontinental Championship to ] after being hit twice with an ] and a T-bone suplex.
In early 1988, ] and Flair fought to a 45-minute time-limit draw at the first ever '']''. On February 20, 1989, at ] in Chicago, ] pinned Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. This prompted a series of rematches, where Steamboat was presented as a "family man" (often accompanied by his wife and young son), while Flair opposed him as an immoral, fast-living "ladies man". Following a best-of-three falls match with Steamboat that lasted just short of the 60-minute time limit (and ended with a disputed finish where Steamboat retained the title) at '']'' on April 2, Flair regained the title from Steamboat on May 7, 1989, at ] in a match that was voted 1989's "]" by '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Linder |first1=Zach |title=The three best matches ... ever: Flair and Steamboat on their famous trilogy |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/wcw/ric-flair-ricky-steamboat-trilogy-interview |website=WWE.com |access-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref> On July 23, 1989, Flair defeated Terry Funk at ], but the two continued to feud through the summer and eventually Flair reformed The Four Horsemen, with the surprise addition of longtime rival Sting, to combat Funk's ]. This led to an ] at '']'' which Flair won.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ojst |first1=Javier |title=Ric Flair and Terry Funk – Their Unforgettable Feud from 1989 |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/ric-flair-terry-funk-feud/ |website=Pro Wrestling Stories |date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref> Flair then kicked Sting out of The Four Horsemen upon his challenge for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, resulting in a revived feud between the two. On July 7, 1990, Flair dropped the title to Sting at ].<ref name="pwhof" /> After being unmasked as The Black Scorpion at ] in 1990, Flair regained the title from Sting on January 11, 1991.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clements |first1=Matt |title=CvC: Sting Vs. Flair Is The Best Rivalry In Pro Wrestling |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/539869-cvc-sting-vs-flair-is-the-best-rivalry-in-pro-wrestling |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>


Subsequent to this title win, Flair was recognized by WCW as the first ], though he was still also recognized as NWA World Heavyweight Champion. On March 21, 1991, ] defeated Flair in a match in Tokyo at the ]. While the NWA recognized Fujinami as their new champion, WCW did not because Fujinami had backdropped Flair over the top rope in a violation of WCW rules. On May 19, 1991, Flair defeated Fujinami at ] in ] to reclaim the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breaston |first1=Erik |title=Full Career Retrospective and Greatest Moments for Tatsumi Fujinami |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2406004-full-career-retrospective-and-greatest-moments-for-tatsumi-fujinami |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> In the spring of 1991, Flair had a contract dispute with WCW president ], who wanted him to take a substantial pay cut. Flair had resigned as head booker in February 1990 and Herd wanted to reduce Flair's role in the promotion even further, despite the fact that Flair was still a top draw. According to Flair, Herd also proposed changes in his appearance and ring name (i.e. by shaving his hair, wearing a diamond earring and going by the name ]) in order to "change with the times".<ref name="sun">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2004/06/27/516827.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018090653/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2004/06/27/516827.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2015|title=Flair rips Mick Foley|last=Baines|first=Tim|publisher=Ottawa Sun|date=June 27, 2004|access-date=May 14, 2007}}</ref> Flair disagreed with the proposals and two weeks before ], Herd fired him and vacated the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. While Flair had left for the WWF, he was still recognized as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion until September 8, when the title was officially vacated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoy-Browne |first1=Richard |title=Historic Moments in Wrestling part 7: Ric Flair leaves WCW for the WWF |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/historic-moments-wrestling-part-7-ric-flair-leaves-wcw-wwf-9500417.html |website=Independent U.K. |date=June 6, 2014 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
On ], ], Flair defeated Carlito in a qualifying match for the "Money in the Bank" ] at '']''. Carlito was the one who suggested the "Money in the Bank" contest, but was pinned by Flair after choking on an apple due to a kick to the face by the Nature Boy. Flair used the ropes and got the pin. The Money in the Bank match consisted of Flair, ] and ] from the ''RAW'' brand along with ], ] and ] from the '']'' brand. During the match Ric Flair was (]) injured and forced to the back, however he did make a return before the end. Rob Van Dam won the match by grabbing the briefcase with the guaranteed WWE championship title shot, within the next year.


=== All Japan Pro Wrestling (1978–1987) ===
On the ''RAW'' following WrestleManis Flair was assaulted by ] and entered into a short program with him that ended at the ] pay per view with Flair losing his match with Umaga.
While working for ]'s ] (MACW), Flair began working tours for ] (AJPW). On April 27, 1978, Flair challenged for the ] in a losing effort. Throughout the 1980s, Flair defended the ] in All Japan against the likes of ], ], ], ], and ]. On October 21, 1985, Flair wrestled ] in a double title match where he defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and challenged for the ], but the match ended in a double countout. As All Japan withdrew from the ] (NWA) in the late 1980s, ] (WCW) began a working agreement with ] (NJPW).


=== New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1989–1991, 1995–1996) ===
After this program Flair took some time off, during which he got married, and wasn't seen on WWE television until the ], ] edition of ''RAW''. Flair returned interrupting a promo about the just held ] pay-per-view by ] and confronted Mick about the comments Flair made in his book and the resulting bad blood between the two. After, again, calling Mick a "glorified stuntman" Mick challenged Flair to a '''Two out of Three Falls Match''' at ].
In 1989, the working agreement led to a feud between Flair and ], who was wrestling under The Great Muta ], in the United States for WCW. On March 21, 1991, Flair defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and challenged ] for the ] in a double title match on the ] at the ]. Fujinami beat Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but later lost the title at WCW's ] on May 19, 1991, in the United States.<ref name="smokyrobmoore">{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/smokyrobmoore/jp082399.htm|title=View from the Rising Sun by Masanori Horie-Ric Flair: To Be The Man, You've Got To Beat The Man|publisher=Geocities.com|access-date=April 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109045521/http://www.geocities.com/smokyrobmoore/jp082399.htm|archive-date=November 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In August 1995, while under WCW contract, Flair participated in the ] tournament in ] (NJPW), where he beat ], drew ], and lost to Keiji Mutoh. On July 17, 1996, Flair challenged ] for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort in NJPW.<ref name="smokyrobmoore" />
==Legacy==
]" in a fight.]]
Despite his age and his less-than-chiseled physique, Ric Flair can still take on wrestlers half his age. Even though he is long past his prime as a "main-eventer," he is still able to get in the ring and make younger wrestlers look good. Flair became ] with the crowd, often due to his in-ring antics, including cheating ways (earning him the distinction of being "the dirtiest player in the game"), his trademark strut and his shouting of "Wooo!"


=== World Wrestling Federation (1991–1993) ===
In a tradition started by the vocal fans of ] (ECW) during a time when the WCW management was thought to be unjustly holding Flair down, anytime a wrestler delivers a hard back hand chop to the chest of his opponent, fans yell "Wooo!" in tribute to Flair, whose stiff chops often made his opponent's chest raw or even bloody. This tradition long outlived any controversy it was meant to protest and has carried over to WWE and almost all other ]n ].
Flair signed with the ] (WWF) in August 1991. His arrival was hyped by ], beginning with the August 11 episode of '']''. On the September 21 episode of '']'', Flair debuted in WWF with the ], calling himself "]".<ref name="pwhof" /> Led by his "financial adviser" Bobby Heenan and his "executive consultant" ], Flair repeatedly issued challenges to WWF wrestlers like ] and ]. His first match with the promotion saw him wrestle Mark Thomas to a no contest on the September 28 episode of ''Superstars'' by provoking Piper to attack him, and Flair then attacked Piper with the Big Gold Belt and a chair. His first televised win in WWF occurred on the September 29 episode of ''Wrestling Challenge'' by ]ing ]. Flair wrestled a team led by Piper at ] in November and helped ] defeat Hogan for the ] that same night.<ref name="cardspg90" /> WCW sued Flair in an attempt to reclaim the championship belt,<ref>{{cite book|title=The Death of WCW|last1=Reynolds|first1=R.D.|last2=Alvarez|first2=Bryan|page=38|publisher=]|year=2004|isbn=978-1-55022-661-4}}</ref> but Flair claimed otherwise due to a loophole in NWA policy; at the time he first became champion, the NWA required all of the wrestlers that it selected to be world champion to put down a security deposit of $25,000, which, in effect, resulted in the belt being leased to any wrestler who held it. The NWA, in usual cases, would return the deposit and any interest that may have accumulated upon the conclusion of the wrestler's championship reign. They did not do this for Flair before he was terminated by WCW, and since the money was still owed to him by the NWA upon his signing with the WWF, Flair believed that the title belt had become his personal property to do with as he pleased.<ref>{{cite AV media|date=2008|title=Nature Boy Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection|medium=DVD|language=en|publisher=Warner Brothers}}</ref>
]
Since the late 1970s, he has worn ornate, fur lined robes of many colors with sequins, and since the mid ], his approach to the ring was often heralded by the playing of the "Dawn" section of ]' '']'' (famous for being used in the motion picture '']''). The look and sound complements his cocky in-ring persona.


At the ], Flair won the ] to claim the vacant WWF Championship. Flair entered as number three in the Rumble match and lasted 60 minutes, last eliminating ] with help from Hulk Hogan, who had been eliminated by Justice seconds earlier.<ref name="cardspg90">{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling's Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=89–91}}</ref> In February 1992, Flair faced the ] Roddy Piper in a series of inconclusive ]es. ] then challenged Flair for the WWF Championship as part of the double main event at ]. In the storyline, Flair taunted Savage by claiming that he had a prior relationship with Savage's wife, ]. Savage defeated Flair for the title at WrestleMania.<ref name="cardspg90" /> In July 1992, as Savage prepared to defend the title against ] at ],<ref name="cardspg90" /> Flair and Mr. Perfect sowed distrust between the two by suggesting that they would back one or the other during their match. They actually attacked both Savage and Warrior, resulting in the latter winning by countout, and injured Savage's knee, an injury that Flair exploited to regain the title in a match with Savage three days later on September 1 in ], which aired on the September 14 episode of '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fiorvanti |first1=Tim |title=The robes of Ric Flair |url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/21275353/nature-boy-robes-stories-ric-flair |website=ESPN |date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> On September 15, 1992, Flair defended the WWF Championship against ] at a ] event in ], Japan; the match ended in a draw.<ref name="KreikenbohmWAR" /> Flair's second reign ended when he lost the title to ] on October 12 at a ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wakeman |first1=Travis |title=WWE Turning Point: Analyzing Historical Impact of Bret Hart vs. Ric Flair |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2089150-wwe-turning-point-analyzing-historical-impact-of-bret-hart-vs-ric-flair |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
Late in 2003, WWE released a three-] retrospective of Flair's career (focusing mainly on his career prior to 1993), ''The Ultimate Ric Flair Collection''. It became WWE's fastest-selling video package up to that time.


Flair teamed with ] to take on Savage and Perfect at the ] in November 1992.<ref name="cardspg90" /> Flair appeared in the ] in January 1993, then lost a ] to Mr. Perfect on the January 25 episode of '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1993/ |title=RAW 1993 Results |access-date=April 30, 2007 |author=Online World of Wrestling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607173201/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1993/ |archive-date=June 7, 2008}}</ref> Flair had a verbal agreement with Vince McMahon with the condition that if he wasn't going to be used in a main event position and had an offer to go elsewhere, he would be released from his contract. He opted to leave WWF when he was going to be moved to a mid-card position and Bill Watts offered to come back to WCW.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Mike |title=Zelina Vega Being Let Go For Things Wwe Talents Still Do, Why Flair's First Wwf Run Abruptly Ended, Where Is Aleister, Bivens And More {{!}} Pwinsider.com |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=142497 |access-date=December 25, 2020 |website=Pwinsider.com |date=December 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair then fulfilled his remaining house show commitments and took part in the WWF's "Winter Tour '93" of Europe. He made his last appearance with the WWF on February 11, 1993, before returning to WCW.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/93.htm|title=History of WWE: 1993|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210002116/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/93.htm|date=February 10, 2005|archive-date=February 10, 2005}}</ref>
Flair released his ], '']'', in July 2004. The title is taken from one of his ]s, "To be the man, you gotta BEAT the man!" Flair is an icon in the Carolinas on a par with ] and ], and he has made the ] area his home since the days of the Crockett promotion. His name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for ] of North Carolina.


=== Super World of Sports (1992) ===
WWE promotes Flair as a 16-time world champion, but many records show that he has held 25 world titles. Although a little controversy still surrounds this, Ric Flair still holds the record of the most world titles held by an individual in professional wrestling.
In April 1992, Flair toured Japan with the ] (SWS) promotion as part of an agreement between the WWF and SWS. In his first bout, he teamed with ] to defeat ], ], and ] in a ]. He went on to defeat Tenryu in a singles match, then lost to Tenryu in a ].<ref name="KreikenbohmSWS" />


=== World Championship Wrestling (1993–2001) ===
==Controversy==
==== WCW World Heavyweight Champion (1993–1996) ====
In 2004, Flair engaged in an off-screen rivalry with ], in which both claimed to be the best wrestler of all time and accused each other of performing the same routines in most of their matches. Hart responded that Flair had spent the majority of his career in the NWA/WCW which he stated "is and always has been second rate to the WWF."
{{see also|The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|l1=The Four Horsemen}}]Flair triumphantly returned to WCW as a hero in February 1993. As a result of a "no-compete" clause he was initially unable to wrestle, so he hosted a short-lived talk show in WCW called ''A Flair for the Gold''. Arn Anderson usually appeared at the bar on the show's set, and Flair's maid Fifi cleaned or bore gifts. Once he returned to action, Flair briefly held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for a tenth time after defeating ] at ] before WCW finally left the NWA in September 1993. At ], Flair lost the title, now rebranded the ], to ]. At ] in 1993, Flair defeated Vader to win the WCW World Heavyweight title for the second time. In the spring of 1994, Flair began a tweener turn and started another feud with longtime rival ] and challenged Steamboat to a match at ] which ended in a no contest from a double pin, causing the title to be held up. Flair then defeated Steamboat in a rematch to reclaim the held-up title on an episode of WCW Saturday Night. The WWE does not count this victory as a new title win.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Colling |first1=Bob |title=WCW Spring Stampede 1994 4/17/1994 |url=https://wrestlingrecaps.com/wcw/wcw-spring-stampede-1994-4171994/ |website=Wrestling Recaps |date=August 30, 2010 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> Flair then challenged ] to wrestle one of his men at ], which turned out to be ], whom Flair defeated, afterwards he quietly turned heel and took ] as his manager.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaston |first1=Erik |title=Full Career Retrospective and Greatest Moments for Sensational Sherri |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2287526-full-career-retrospective-and-greatest-moments-for-sensational-sherri |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref> He would also wrestle ] in a five-match series under ], which aired on ] between April 30 and May 28, in which Flair won the series, with 2 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws.<ref>{{cite web |title=This Week in WCW History: The Marquis of Queensbury Cup – Ric Flair vs Lord Steven Regal |url=https://wcwworldwide.com/2016/04/this-week-in-1994-the-marquis-of-queensbury-cup-ric-flair-vs-lord-steven-regal-on-worldwide/ |website=WCW Worldwidw |date=April 29, 2016 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>


In June 1994 at '']'', Flair defeated Sting in a unification match, merging the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, and solidifying his heel turn after his alliance with Sherri was brought into the open after she helped him win the match while pretending that she had sided with Sting. After becoming the unified and undisputed WCW champion, Flair feuded with Hulk Hogan upon Hogan's arrival in WCW in June 1994, losing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to him in July at ]. Flair continued to feud with Hogan and finally lost to Hogan in a steel cage retirement match at ]. Flair took a few months off afterwards before returning to WCW television in January 1995 for an interview at ]. After attacking Hogan at ], Flair also began appearing as a part-time manager for ], who was engaged in feud with Hogan, and developed a short-lived angle where he was "possessed", even attacking his old WWF opponent ] at the first ]. He soon afterwards returned to wrestling (explained on-air by having Flair nag Hogan for months until Hogan and Savage both petitioned WCW management to let Flair come back).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Colling |first1=Bob Jr. |title=Reliving A Feud Volume #38: Hulk Hogan Vs. Ric Flair In WCW '94 – '00 |url=https://wrestlingrecaps.com/2017/12/05/reliving-a-feud-volume-38-hulk-hogan-vs-ric-flair-in-wcw-94-00/ |website=Wrestling Recaps |date=December 5, 2017 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> Upon returning to wrestling, Flair quickly revived his 1992 feud with Savage, but this time also got Savage's father ] involved after he put him in a ] at ].
Flair has had a long running feud with ]. Douglas accused Flair of sabotaging his push in the NWA/WCW after getting a solid push and a ] from both his tag team partner ] and Flair. Flair, in turn, would respond that Douglas was always the guy that would blame his shortcomings on others. He called Douglas out as well as accused him of ] abuse during an broadcast of the ] radio show ] in which he said that he would meet him anytime and anywhere if he "took the needle out of his ass". They were able to come to a working relationship during Douglas' last stint with WCW, but there is still no love lost between the two men.


On April 29, 1995, Flair wrestled ] in front of 190,000 spectators in ], ] at the May Day Stadium in a losing effort under a joint show between ] and ]. The event was broadcast on August 4, 1995, on ] under the title of ].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Greene |first1=Dan |title=Oral History of Pro Wrestling's 1995 Historic Excursion into North Korea |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/04/27/muhammad-ali-ric-flair-oral-history-pro-wrestling-north-korea |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> In the fall of 1995, Flair began a short feud with Arn Anderson, which culminated in a tag match that saw Flair turning on Sting to reform the new Four Horsemen with Flair as the leader, Arn Anderson, Brian Pillman, and Chris Benoit as the members. With the new Four Horsemen, Flair won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship two more times before the nWo invasion storyline began in WCW, with the first one being in December 1995 at ], where Flair defeated Lex Luger and Sting by countout and then defeated Savage after all three Four Horsemen members ran to the ring and Arn Anderson knocked out Savage with brass knuckles, thus allowing Flair to pin Savage to win the match and the title. Afterwards Savage won the title back on '']'' after Starcade, but Flair won the next match at ] to regain the championship. During the feud, Savage's manager Miss Elizabeth turned against him and became Flair's valet. Together with Woman and Debra McMichael they would escort Flair to his matches until Miss Elizabeth was taken by the nWo in the fall and eventually returned as Savage's valet when he joined the nWo in 1997. Flair lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship eventually three months later to The Giant. The feud with Savage continued with The New Four Horseman joining the Dungeon of Doom to create an Alliance to end Hulkamania. Together the factions wrestled Hogan and Savage in a triple steel cage, End of Hulkamania match; losing to the reunited Mega Powers. Afterwards, Flair went on to win the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship and there were also changes in the Four Horseman in 1996, as Brian Pillman left WCW and Steve "Mongo" McMichael became the fourth member.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Norris |first1=Luke |title=What Happened to Chicago Bears Legend and WCW Star Steve McMichael? |url=https://www.sportscasting.com/what-happened-to-chicago-bears-legend-and-wcw-star-steve-mcmichael/ |website=Sportscasting |date=August 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
Flair has also had issues with ], whom he attacked in his autobiography, writing
"I don't care how many ] Mick Foley has fallen on, how many ladders he's fallen off, how many continents he's supposedly bled on, he'll always be known as a glorified stuntman."


==== Feud with the New World Order (1996–1999) ====
This was in response to what Foley said about Flair in his autobiography '']'':
{{see also|The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|l1=The Four Horsemen}}
"Flair was every bit as bad on the booking side of things as he was great on the wrestling side of it."
]
Once again as a top ], Flair played a major role in the ] (nWo) invasion storyline in late 1996 and throughout 1997. He and the other Horsemen often took the lead in the war against ], ], and ], whom Flair immediately challenged for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at the '']'', but won only by disqualification. In September 1996, Flair and Anderson teamed with their bitter rivals, ], to lose to the nWo (Hogan, ], ], and an ]) in the WarGames match at ] when Luger submitted to the impostor Sting's ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Melok |first1=Bobby |title=The complete history of WarGames |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/complete-history-wargames |newspaper=Wwe |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>


In October 1996, two developments occurred that affected the Four Horsemen when ] came over to WCW from the WWF, and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen as he immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen. Flair finally let Jarrett join the group in February 1997, but the others did not want him, and in July 1997 was ultimately kicked out of the group by Flair himself, who had enough of the instability Jarrett's presence caused the Horsemen. Flair also feuded with ], ], and his old nemesis ] in 1997, after Hennig was offered a spot in The Four Horsemen only to turn on Flair and The Four Horsemen at ] in September 1997, in which Hennig punctuated the act by slamming the cage door onto Flair's head.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keith |first1=Scott |title=Monday Night Wrong: The New World Order tastelessly parodies the Four Horsemen |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/wwe/news/wcw-wwf-attitude-era-nwo-ric-flair-four-horsemen-mr-perfect-arn-anderson-retirement/1lywqd32lwspn1qj9flaa4wgbz |website=Sporting News |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>
In 2004, on a tour of the UK to promote the upcoming WWE ''Backlash'' pay-per-view, Flair was involved in a radio interview in which he bashed Mick Foley and his abilities. This move was widely criticised by the British wrestling press as Foley had a match with Flair's associate ] at ''Backlash'' and many felt that he should have built up the match more.


In April 1998, Flair disappeared from WCW television, due to a lawsuit filed by Eric Bischoff for no-showing a live episode of '']'' on April 9, 1998, in ]. After the case was settled, Flair made a surprise return on September 14, 1998, to ceremoniously reform the Four Horsemen (along with ], ], and ]). Flair feuded with Bischoff for several months afterward. Flair repeatedly raked Eric Bischoff's eyes during this feud. This culminated in a match at ] between Bischoff and Flair in December 1998, which Bischoff won after interference from Curt Hennig, a former member of the Four Horsemen. The following night in Baltimore on ''Nitro'', Flair returned and threatened to leave WCW, demanding a match against Bischoff for the presidency of the company. The match was made, and despite the nWo interfering on Bischoff's behalf Flair won and was granted the position of president of WCW. This resulted in a match at ] between Flair and Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, which Flair lost after being betrayed by his own son ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cameron |first1=Tony |title=7 nWo Members You Won't Remember |url=https://wwfoldschool.com/7-nwo-members-you-wont-remember/ |website=WWF Old School |date=January 31, 2016 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>
In 1998, Flair was sued by WCW for ] an event. Flair had been working without a contract since February of that year and had refused to sign a new one, citing differences between the document and the terms he had previously agreed to work under. Thinking that he wasn't needed for any WCW television tapings at the time, Flair did not show up at the ], ] '']'' taping. He instead watched his son Reid's amateur wrestling tournament. That night, WCW's booking committee decided out of nowhere to reform the Four Horsemen, and announcers repeatedly stated that he would be on the show with a "big surprise." When Flair failed to show up, WCW management (led by ]) filed a $2 million lawsuit against him for damages, saying he signed a letter of intent to re-sign with WCW. He later filed a suit of his own in response, but the matter was settled out of court. Ric Flair returned to WCW television in September 1998.


==== Final world championship reigns (1999–2001) ====
On ], ], a number of WWE wrestlers and management members flew from Great Britain to the United States following the end of a European tour, which concluded with the '']'' ] event in the ]. World Wrestling Entertainment was hit with a ] suit by ] ]s stemming from the alleged actions of Ric Flair, ], and ] among others. The lawsuit alleged that Flair, wearing only his robe, flashed everyone and forced an attendant to touch his crotch. However, these accusations turned out to be a false Internet rumor.
{{see also|Magnificent Seven (professional wrestling)|l1=The Magnificent Seven}}
In spite of his son's betrayal, Flair signed a rematch at ] on March 14 which was billed as a First Blood barbed wire steel cage Match against Hogan where Flair's presidency and Hogan's WCW World Heavyweight Championship were on the line. Despite being the first to bleed, Flair won the match by pinfall thanks to the bias of the referee ], who counted Hogan out.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Norris |first1=Luke |title=Top 20 worst world title changes in wrestling history |url=https://fansided.com/2017/06/07/worst-title-changes-pro-wrestling-history-wwe-wcw/ |website=Fansided |date=June 7, 2017 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>


As on-air WCW President, Flair began abusing his power much like Bischoff had, favoring villains over fan favorites and even awarding the ] (which was vacated by ] due to injury) to his son David and resorting to whatever means necessary to keep him as United States Heavyweight Champion. Flair eventually formed a stable of followers which included ], Arn Anderson and the ] to keep things in order. Flair's reign as president came to an end on the July 19 episode of ''Nitro'', when he faced and lost to Sting for the position. During the course of the match, Sting had Flair in his Scorpion Death Lock, but with the referee knocked unconscious, no decision could be reached. A returning Eric Bischoff came to the ring and began ordering the timekeeper to ring the bell, which he eventually did, awarding the match and the presidency to Sting (who promptly gave it up upon receiving it).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frye |first1=Ryan |title="The Nature Boy" Ric Flair: The Story of Professional Wrestling's Imperfect Man |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1033786-the-story-of-professional-wrestlings-imperfect-man-the-nature-boy-ric-flair |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>
In 2003, Flair decided to get revenge on Eric Bischoff for his poor treatment of him while in WCW and angurly challenged him to a fight while they were both in his office before an epsode of Raw. The altercation was broken up by backstage officals who then told Vince McMahon about the incident. McMahon was not happy with Flair's conduct and told him that it was unprofessional.


Flair won his last world titles in his career by winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice during 2000, the company's last full year of operation. When WCW was purchased by the WWF in March 2001, Flair was the leader of the villainous group called the ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaston |first1=Erik |title=Full Career Retrospective and Greatest Moments for Rick Steiner |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2517666-full-career-retrospective-and-greatest-moments-for-rick-steiner |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair lost the final match of ''Nitro'' to Sting, recreating the second match of ''Nitro'' in 1995. Nevertheless, Flair has repeatedly stated in various interviews how happy he was when WCW finally closed down, although at the same time the fact that many people would lose their jobs saddened him.<ref>''WWE: The Monday Night Wars'' DVD.</ref>
Another controversy, although not brought on by Flair, is the number of world title reigns he has held. His total number of ] is often debated. His official number of titles won can either be considered as 21, 23 or 25 separate world title reigns. This depends on the legitimacy of the ] and title matches for the ] with ], ] and ].


=== World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment (2001–2009) ===
==Personal information==
==== WWF co-owner (2001–2002) ====
Flair does not know his full birth name. In the opening chapter of his autobiography titled "Black Market Baby," he notes that his birth name is given on different documents as Fred Phillips, Fred Demaree, and Fred Stewart. The chapter title is a reference to the fact that the Tennessee Children's Home Society, the agency with which he was placed for ], was revealed in 1950 to have fraudulently induced thousands of mothers to give up their children for adoption. The future Ric Flair was adopted when he was six weeks old by a physician (father) and a theater writer (mother). At the time of his adoption, his father was completing a residency in ] in ]. Shortly afterwards, the family settled in ], where the young Richard Fliehr lived throughout his childhood. He later attended Wayland Academy, a coeducational boarding school in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
] in 2002.]]
After an eight-month hiatus from wrestling, Flair made a return to the WWF<ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{Citation|title="Nature Boy" Ric Flair Returns - Raw 11/2001|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK94KEoFcjU|language=en|access-date=October 18, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> on November 19, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/011119.html|title=Raw – November 19, 2001 Results|access-date= April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair reappeared on ''Raw'' following the end of the "]" that culminated in a "Winner Take All" match at ] on November 18 won by the WWF.<ref name=cards109>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling's Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=109–110}}</ref> Flair's new on-screen role was that of the co-owner of the WWF, with the explanation that ] and ] had sold their stock in the company to a ] (namely Flair) prior to purchasing World Championship Wrestling and ] (ECW).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/011119.html|title=RAW – November 19, 2001 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair's feud with ] led them to a match at the ] on January 20, 2002 in a ], where Flair defeated McMahon.<ref name=cards109/> Flair also wrestled ] at ] on March 17 where Flair lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwe/wweppv/wrestlemania/wrestlemania18/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627071542/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwe/wweppv/wrestlemania/wrestlemania18/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 27, 2017|title=WrestleMania X-8 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> The "co-owner" angle culminated in early 2002, when Flair controlled ''Raw'' and McMahon controlled '']''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020325.html|title=RAW – March 25, 2002 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>


On the May 13 episode of ''Raw'', Flair challenged ] to a no disqualification match for the ]. Flair would later lose the contest before moving onto a rivalry with ]. At ] on May 19, Flair teamed with ] and lost to Austin in a two-on-one handicap tag team match. On the June 3 episode of ''Raw'', the feud between Flair and Austin would escalate after Austin defeated Flair in a singles contest. After Austin abruptly left the WWE in June while in a program with Flair, a match was hotshotted between Flair and McMahon for sole ownership of WWE, which Flair lost after interference from ] on the June 10 edition of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020610.html|title=RAW – June 10, 2002 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
The pilot of the private aircraft (a Cessna 310) involved in Flair's 1975 plane crash languished in a coma for a year before dying. It was discovered after the accident that the pilot was flying on a suspended license. Flair later sued the pilot's estate for damages and won.


At ] on June 23, Flair defeated ] in a singles match after Guerrero and ] would interrupt Flair's speech regarding losing his position as WWE co-owner; afterwards, Guerrero would lock Flair in his own signature figure four leg lock with help from Benoit. Flair's rivalry with Lesnar would continue into the month of July with Lesnar picking up wins over Flair in a singles match on the July 1 episode of ''Raw'' and in a tag team contest on the July 15 episode of ''Raw''. Flair then became involved in a short-lived rivalry with ], leading to Flair defeating Jericho at ] on August 25. Flair was granted a ] match against ] on the September 2 episode of ''Raw'', which he lost. Later on that same night, Flair would team with ] as the duo were successful in defeating the team of Triple H and Jericho. At ] on September 22, Flair was unsuccessful in capturing the ] in a singles contest against Jericho.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Jonathan |title=WWE Unforgiven 2002 Review |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/79333-wwe-unforgiven-2002-review |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
Flair is sometimes seen attending the ] ] ] games at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. At home games when the Hurricanes score a goal, a short video appears on the arena's Jumbotron monitors, with Ric Flair saying: "That's a Carolina Hurricanes Goal! Wooo! Wooo Wooo!"


Under the WWE banner, Flair toured Japan periodically between 2002 and 2008. He successfully defended the ] with ] against ] twice in February 2004. On the February 7, 2005 episode of '']'', broadcast from the ] in Japan, Flair lost to ] in a singles match. In February 2008, Flair wrestled ] in the ] and ] in the ], both under the stipulation that he would retire if he lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/08.htm |title=2008|website=Thehistoryofwwe.com|access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref>
Flair has been active in ] ] politics, supporting ]. He has recently expressed an interest in running for the position of Governor of North Carolina, although he previously stated in his autobiography that his sordid past would preclude any involvement in politics.


==== Evolution (2002–2005) ====
Flair has appeared in three motion pictures: '']'' (1974), '']'' (1987), and '']'' (2004).
{{main|Evolution (professional wrestling)|l1=Evolution}}
In September 2002 at ], ] defended the ] against ]. During the match, Flair came down to the ring and grabbed the sledgehammer from Triple H and teased hitting him before hitting Van Dam, allowing Triple H to get the win, turning him heel in the process and accompanied Triple H to the ring as his manager.<ref name="Unforgiven - HHH vs RVD">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/rawmainevent/ |title=Triple H vs. Rob Van Dam for the World Heavyweight Championship |access-date=January 18, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921081355/http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/rawmainevent/ |archive-date=September 21, 2010}}</ref> Shortly after, ] moved from '']'' to ''Raw'' and Flair also began accompanying him to the ring while continuing to second Triple H.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/liveevent/030124r.html|title=RAW – January 24, 2003 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> In June 2003 at ], Flair was able to defeat Shawn Michaels after ] struck Michaels with a chair.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling's Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|page=114}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040322.html|title=RAW – March 22, 2004 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>


At the height of Evolution's power, the group controlled all of the male-based championships of ''Raw'' after ]. Batista teamed with Flair to win the ] from the ] (] and ]) in a ] and Triple H regained the World Heavyweight Championship from Goldberg (in a ] that also involved ]), with the help of the other members of Evolution. In January 2004 at the ], Flair and Batista successfully defended the World Tag Team Championship against the Dudley Boyz in a ], and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H fought Shawn Michaels to no contest in a ], thus retaining the championship. Flair and Batista lost the World Tag Team Championship on February 16 edition of ''Raw'' to ] and ]. At ], Evolution defeated the ] (] and ]) in a 3-on-2 handicap match. The following week on ''Raw'' during the ], Flair and Batista defeated ] and ] to win their second and final World Tag Team Championship, but they lost the titles to World Heavyweight Champion ] and ] on the April 19 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dutta |first1=Sanjay |title=3 Opponents who have defined Batista's in-ring career |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/3-opponents-who-have-defined-batista-s-in-ring-career |website=Sportskeeda |date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
Flair's son ] is also a professional wrestler. Flair's younger son ] is an accomplished high school wrestler and made several appearances on WCW television along with his sister Ashley and half-sister Megan.


At ], Orton pinned Benoit to become the new World Heavyweight Champion and the youngest World Champion in WWE history to date. On the episode of ''Raw'' the night after SummerSlam, Batista hoisted Orton on to his shoulders in what appeared to be a celebration, but following the ] from Triple H, the group proceeded to attack Orton. At ], Triple H beat Orton to regain the World Heavyweight Championship, with help from Flair, Batista, and ]. Orton's feud with Evolution continued until ] where Triple H, Batista, ], and Edge were defeated by Orton, ], Chris Jericho, and Chris Benoit in a ] for control of ''Raw'' over the following month.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haverford |first1=Joey |title=Evolution: 10 Backstage Stories About The Faction That We Can't Believe |url=https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/wwe-evolution-faction-backstage-stories/ |newspaper=Thesportster |date=July 7, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
Flair is ''not'' related to the Andersons, though he was billed as their cousin in the various NWA territories and WCW.


In the ] match at ], Batista, Orton and Triple H were the last three remaining in the match. Orton eliminated Batista with a RKO and Triple H pinned Orton with Batista's help to win the title. Triple H suggested that Batista not enter the ], wanting the group to focus on Triple H retaining the title. At the ], Batista declined, entered the Rumble at number 28 and won. Triple H tried to persuade Batista to challenge the WWE Champion ] of ] rather than for his World Heavyweight Championship. This involved Triple H plotting a feud between JBL and Batista, showing JBL badmouthing Batista in an interview and staging an attack on Batista with a limousine designed to look like Layfield's. The scheme was unsuccessful and at the brand contract signing ceremony on the February 21 episode of ''Raw'', Batista chose to remain on ], infuriating Triple H and thus quitting the faction. Batista defeated Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at ].<ref>{{cite web |author=Andrew |title=Looking back at WrestleMania 21 |url=http://socaluncensored.com/2019/04/03/wrestlemania-21-review/ |website=SoCal Uncensored |date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> Flair and Triple H also starred in an ad for WrestleMania 21 that parodied the film '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Saraswat |first1=Akshay |title= When WWE superstars enacted iconic Hollywood scenes |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/throwback-when-wwe-superstars-enacted-iconic-hollywood-scenes-806288 |website=International Business Times |date=September 28, 2019 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>
In ], Flair's wife Beth filed for divorce, citing alleged ] and ], in addition to incidents where he allegedly slapped, kicked, choked, and bit her. Flair has been ordered to pay Beth $20,000 a month until the divorce in finalized. The judge overseeing the divorce is considering freezing Flair's assets because he spent $92,000 for a ring for his new girlfriend. Flair contends that he and his wife lived well beyond their means and racked up substantial debt to the ] and other creditors. Flair owed the government more than $1 million in 1997, and the IRS is now seizing more than $200,000 of his salary in 2005 to cover the owed taxes.


After ], Triple H took time off and Flair turned face for the first time since 2002 before going on to win the Intercontinental Championship from ] at ], and the group was dissolved. Triple H returned at the "Homecoming" episode of ''Raw'' on October 3 where he was to team with Flair in a tag team match against Carlito and ]. After winning that match, Triple H betrayed Flair and attacked him with a sledgehammer. Flair retained the Intercontinental Championship against Triple H at ] in a steel cage match, which was voted as such by the fans. Flair later lost to Triple H in an acclaimed Last Man Standing non-title match at ], which ended their feud.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Joyce |first1=Brian |title=10 Greatest WWE Survivor Series Matches Of All Time |url=https://wrestletalk.com/features/10-greatest-wwe-survivor-series-matches-of-all-time/2/ |website=WrestleTalk |date=November 11, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>
In ], a ] issued arrest warrants for Flair after a ] incident that took place in ], in which Flair allegedly got out of his car, grabbed a motorist by the neck, and kicked the door of the motorist's sport utility vehicle. That allegedly left the motorist with bruises and a dent in his ]. Flair was charged with injury to personal property and simple assault and battery, both misdemeanors. This incident has been ridiculed on WWE programming, most notably by the wrestler ]. In ], the charges were dropped after the witnesses failed to show for a scheduled court appearance.


==== Final storylines and first retirement (2005–2008) ====
Flair was married for the third time to his girlfriend, fitness trainer and model Tiffany VanDemark, on May 27, 2006 at ]. The wedding was attended by WWE stars Triple H, Batista, Gregory Helms, and The Big Show.
At the end of 2005, Flair had a feud with Edge that culminated in a WWE Championship ] on ''Raw'' in early 2006, which Flair lost. On the February 20 episode of ''Raw'', Flair lost the Intercontinental Championship to ], thus ending his reign at 155 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060220.html|title=RAW – February 20, 2006 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair took some time off in mid-2006 to rest and marry for the third time and he returned in June to work a program with his real-life rival ] that played off their legitimate past animosity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060612.html|title=RAW – June 12, 2006 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair defeated Foley at ] in a ], then at ] in an ].<ref name="cardspg122" />


] deliver knife-edged chops to ] of the ] in 2006]]
Before departing on his honeymoon, Flair signed a reported three-year contract extension with ].
Subsequently, he was involved in a rivalry with the ] on ''Raw''. On November 5, 2006, at ], he captured the World Tag Team Championship from the Spirit Squad with Roddy Piper.<ref name="cardspg122">{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling's historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=121–122}}</ref> On the November 13 episode of ''Raw'', Flair and Piper lost the World Tag Team Championship to ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061113.html|title=RAW – November 13, 2006 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> due to a disc problem with Piper and had to be flown immediately back to the United States as soon as ''Raw'' was off the air. On November 26, 2006, at ], Flair was the sole survivor of a match that featured himself, ] (replacing an injured Piper), Dusty Rhodes and ] versus the Spirit Squad.<ref name="cardspg122"/>


Flair then began teaming with Carlito after Flair said that Carlito had no heart.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2007|work=Arena Reports|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=May 2007|page=130}}</ref> Flair defeated Carlito in a match after which Carlito realized that Flair was right.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070212.html|title=RAW – February 12, 2007 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair and Carlito faced off against ] in a number one contender's match for the World Tag Team Championship, but were defeated. The two teamed up on the ] pre-show, and defeated the team of ] and ]. After weeks of conflict between Flair and Carlito,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04162007/|title=Italian Intercontinental surprise|date=April 16, 2007|last=Starr|first=Noah|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04232007/|title=A sign of things to come?|date=April 23, 2007|last=Starr|first=Noah|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref> the team split up when Carlito attacked Flair during a match on the April 30 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04302007/|title=Khali's claim|date=April 30, 2007|last=Starr|first=Noah|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref> At ], Flair defeated Carlito with the figure four leglock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/4124402211/results/|title=Schooled|date=May 20, 2007|last=Starr|first=Noah|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref>
==In Wrestling==
===Finishing and signature moves===
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On the June 11 episode of ''Raw'', Flair was drafted to the SmackDown! brand as part of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06112007/|title=One wild night|date=June 11, 2008|last=McAvennie|first=Mike|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref> He briefly feuded against ], unsuccessfully challenging him for the ] at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06222007/|title=A taste of vengeance|date=June 22, 2007|last=Rote|first=Andrew|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/4842036/resultsflairMVP06242007/|title=MVP puts on legendary show with win over Flair|date=June 24, 2007|last=Clayton|first=Corey|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080221200715/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/4842036/resultsflairMVP06242007/ |archive-date = February 21, 2008}}</ref> Flair rejoined forces with Batista to feud with The Great Khali; the alliance was short-lived, however, as Flair was "injured" during a match with Khali on the August 3 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08032007/|title=Handing notice|date=August 3, 2007|last=Fuhrman|first=Alissa|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08102007/|title=Answer to the challenge?|date=August 10, 2007|last=Fuhrman|first=Alissa|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref>
==== Signature illegal moves ====
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*]
*]


After a three-month hiatus, Flair returned to WWE programming on the November 26 episode of ''Raw'' to announce "I will never retire".<ref name="retirement story start">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/articles/spacemountainopen|title=Win or go home – for good|date=November 26, 2007|last=Robinson|first=Bryan|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="Nov 26, 08">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/|title=Legend of the Fall|date=November 26, 2008|last=Adkins|first=Greg|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref> Vince McMahon retaliated by announcing that the next match Flair lost would result in a forced retirement.<ref name="retirement story start"/> Later in the night, Flair defeated Orton after a distraction by ].<ref name="retirement story start"/><ref name="Nov 26, 08"/> It was revealed on the 15th anniversary of ''Raw'' that the win or retire ultimatum only applied in singles matches. Flair won several "career threatening" matches against the opponents such as Triple H, ], ], ], and Vince McMahon himself among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12312007/|title=Life Goes On|date=December 31, 2007|last=Adkins|first=Greg|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2008/matches/6141204/results/|title=A Flair for greatness|date=January 27, 2008|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2008/matches/6323434/results/|title=Never Say Die|date=February 17, 2008|last=Adkins|first=Greg|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref> On March 29, 2008, Flair was inducted into the ] as a part of the ] by Triple H. The day after, Flair wrestled at ] in ], losing to ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/2008/matches/6464438/results/|title=WrestleMania XXIV results: Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels|access-date=March 30, 2007|date=March 30, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref> The match was lauded by fans and critics and was voted the 2008 '']'' (PWI) ]. Flair's fight to keep his career going garnered him the 2008 ''PWI'' "]" award.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ocampo |first1=Jorge |title=2008 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Awards: Triple H Fighter of the Year - Beer Money Couple of the Year - Ric Flair vs. HBK Fight of the Year |url=https://en.superluchas.com/premios-pro-wrestling-illustrated-2008-triple-h-luchador-del-ano-beer-money-pareja-del-ano-ric-flair-vs-hbk-lucha-del-ano/ |website=Super Luchas |date=February 10, 2009 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>
====Flair's "failing" moves====
Flair has gained a measure of notoriety for his inability to successfully execute certain moves without being thwarted.
*His most notable "failing move" involves his repeated failed attempts to execute a move off the top turnbuckle. Whenever Flair scales the top turnbuckle, he is almost inevitably pushed off the top rope to the floor below, knocked off balance so he crotches himself on the turnbuckle, or, most commonly of all, bodily hurled from the top rope to the mat. Recently he has achieved these moves although for most of his professional career he had been unable to achieve these trademark moves.


==== Part-time appearances (2008–2009) ====
:A variation of this is the "Flair Flip," when he goes over the top rope and lands on his feet on the ring apron. He then invariably attempts to run along the apron to a turnbuckle. Almost invariably, he will either be clotheslined by his opponent before reaching the turnbuckle or will make it to the turnbuckle and climb up it, only to suffer the same "fate" (typically to be pushed off, crotched, or thrown down).
]]]
*The "Flair Flop": Flair, after attempting but failing a strenuous move or because he's "tired," will execute a face-first ], often followed by a "begging-off" routine, followed by a low-blow or eye poke (maintaining his "dirtiest player in the game" reputation).
On the March 31, 2008 episode of ''Raw'', Flair delivered his farewell address. Afterward, Triple H brought out many current and retired superstars to thank Flair for all he had done, including Shawn Michaels, some of the Four Horsemen, ], ], and ], followed by ] and then ]. Along with the wrestlers, the fans gave Flair a ]. This event represented a rare moment in WWE as both the heels and the faces broke ] and came out to the ring together. Flair made his first post retirement appearance on the June 16, 2008 episode of ''Raw'' to confront Chris Jericho about his actions during a rivalry with Shawn Michaels. He challenged Jericho to a ], rather than an official match, but Jericho was stopped by Triple H.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06162008/|title=Plight of Champions|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref>


The following year on February 9, Flair once again confronted Jericho on ''Raw''. Jericho was attacking Hall of Fame members and Flair demanded he respect them, before punching Jericho.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02092009/|title=Coast busted!|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref> Flair appeared a month later to distract him during a ] Qualifying Match. Jericho then challenged Flair to come out of retirement for ]; instead Flair managed ], ] and ] in a three-on-one handicap match at WrestleMania in a losing effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03092009/ |title=In your house|publisher=WWE|date=August 22, 2011 |access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03162009/|title=Texas Hold 'Em|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03232009/ |title=Kiss of death|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref> On May 17, Flair returned during the ] pay-per-view, coming to the aid of Batista, who was being attacked by ] (Randy Orton, ] and ]). On the June 1 episode of ''Raw'', Flair challenged Orton in a parking lot brawl match, and after interference from the rest of The Legacy, the fight ended with Flair trapped inside a steel cage and punted by Orton.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eck |first1=Kevin |title=Ric Flair goes all 'Super Shane' on Randy Orton on Raw |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-06-ric_flair_goes_all_super_shane_on_randy_orton_on_raw-story.html |website=Baltimore Sun |date=June 2009 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>
===Nicknames===
*The Nature Boy
*Slick Ric
*Space Mountain
*Naitch
*The Dirtiest Player in the Game
*The "Real" World Heavyweight Champion
*The 16 time World Heavyweight Champion
*Black Scorpion (masked)
*The 60 Minute Man


=== Ring of Honor and the Hulkamania Tour (2009) ===
==Championships and accomplishments==
] in 2009, Flair vs. ]]]
*'''] '''
Flair signed with ] (ROH) and appeared at the ''Stylin' And Profilin''' event in March 2009, clearing the ring after an ] match ended with a run-in.<ref name="rohres">{{cite web|url=http://www.rohwrestling.com/pastresults/|title=ROH Past Results|publisher=]|access-date=June 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822123049/http://www.rohwrestling.com/pastresults/|archive-date=August 22, 2008}}</ref> He soon served as the company's ambassador, in an on-screen authority role, and appeared on the television show '']'' in May to cement his role.<ref name="rohhdnet0502">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzB99xNQO4M| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627083117/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzB99xNQO4M| archive-date=June 27, 2014 | url-status=dead|title=Ring of Honor HDNet Program 05/02/2009 Part 1/6|date=May 6, 2009|work=]|publisher=YouTube|access-date=June 6, 2009}}</ref> After a number one contender's match ended in a time-limit draw, and the following week a double count out, Flair announced ''Ring of Honor Wrestling's'' first ROH World Title match as a four-way contest.<ref name="rohhdnet0516">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWwPZ_PM6Ps| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627083115/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWwPZ_PM6Ps| archive-date=June 27, 2014 | url-status=dead|title=Ring of Honor HDNet Program 05/16/2009 part 4/7|date=May 18, 2009|work=]|publisher=YouTube|access-date=June 6, 2009}}</ref>
:*Officially is a 22 time World champion NWA officially recognizes him as a 10 times NWA World Champion, WWE Officially recognizes him as a 2 time WWE champion. WCW Officially recognized him as a 8 times WCW World champion, and 2 time WCW World International Heavyweight Champion.
*'''] (NWA)'''
:*10-Time ] (Sources, including WWE, do not recognise all of these. NWA officially recognizes 10 reigns ]. Not recognized is a title switch with Carlos Colon.There are also stories of switches with Jack Veneno, and Victor Jovica(ways of avoiding crowd riots,as this was in the Caribbean).Also Flair dropped the title to the Midnight Rider (Dusty Rhodes), but the decision was overturned after Rhodes refused to unmask.
:*5-Time ]
:*2-Time ]
:*3-Time ] (2-time with ], 1-time with ])
:*4-Time ] (1-time with ], 1-time with ], 2-time with ])
:*4-Time ]
:*1-Time ]
*''']'''
:*8-Time ] (Pending on the source, up to 3 of these reigns are not recognized.)
:*2-Time ]
:*1-Time ]
*''']'''
:*2-Time ]
:*1-Time ]
:*2-Time ] (2-time with ])
:*1992 ] winner
:*Fourteenth ]
*''']'''
:*He was ranked # '''2''' out of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "]" in 2003.
:*1975 Rookie of the Year
:*1978 and 1987 Most Hated Wrestler
:*1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1992 Wrestler of the Year
:*1983 Match of the Year against ]
:*1984 Match of the Year against ]
:*1986 Match of the Year against ]
:*1989 Match of the Year against ]
:*1987 Feud of the Year (] against ] & ])
:*1988 Feud of the Year (against ])
:*1989 Feud of the Year (against ])
:*1990 Feud of the Year (against ])
*''']'''
:*He is a member of the ] (inducted in 1996)
:*Wrestler of the Year award renamed the ]/Ric Flair Award, partly in his honor
:*1980 Most Charismatic Wrestler
:*1982 Wrestler of the Year
:*1982 Most Charismatic Wrestler (tied with Dusty Rhodes)
:*1983 Wrestler of the Year
:*1983 Most Charismatic Wrestler
:*1983 Match of the Year (vs Harley Race)
:*1984 Worst Wrestler of the Year
:*1984 Most Charismatic Wrestler
:*1985 Wrestler of the Year
:*1986 Wrestler of the Year
:*1986 Most Outstanding Wrestler
:*1986 Match of the Year (vs Barry Windham)
:*1987 Most Outstanding Wrestler
:*]: vs. Barry Windham (April 11, 1987, ])
:*1988 Match of the Year (vs Sting)
:*1989 Wrestler of the Year
:*1989 Most Outstanding Wrestler
:*1989 Feud of the Year (vs Terry Funk)
:*1989 Match of the Year (vs Ricky Steamboat)
:*5 Star Match: vs. Ricky Steamboat (February 20, 1989, ''NWA ]'')
:*5 Star Match: vs. Ricky Steamboat (April 2, 1989, ])
:*5 Star Match: vs. Ricky Steamboat (May 7, 1989, ])
:*5 Star Match: vs. Terry Funk (November 15, 1989, "I Quit" Match, ])
:*1990 Wrestler of the Year
:*1990 Best Heel
:*1991 Best Interviews
:*5 Star Match: with Larry Zbyszko, Barry Windham & Sid Vicious vs. Sting, Brian Pillman, Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner (February 24, 1991, ], '']'')
:*1992 Wrestler of the Year
:*1992 Best Interviews
:*1993 Most Charismatic Wrestler
:*1994 Best Interviews
*'''Others'''
:*The visitors at PWInsider.com voted him the greatest heel of all time in 2005.
:*He is a member of the Wrestling Informer Hall of Fame (inducted in 2002).
:*Flair, along with ] and ] are the only wrestlers to hold the ], ], ] and ] (though he and Bret Hart are the only two to do this under two seperate companies, as Kurt's US and WCW world win came after the merger.)


On November 21, 2009, Flair returned to the ring as a villain on the "]" tour of Australia, losing to Hulk Hogan in the main event of the first show by brass knuckles.<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/r/ric-flair.html|access-date=August 29, 2008|title=OWOW profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Hogan defeated Flair again on November 24 in Perth, Australia after both men bled heavily.<ref name=OWOW/> Flair also lost to Hogan on the two remaining matches on the tour.<ref name=OWOW/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_36909.shtml|title=11/21 Hulkamania Tour in Melbourne: Very detailed report on Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair's first matches back, Hogan and Flair bleed heavily, Undercard matches re-create Attitude Era|last=Pilone|first=Antonio|date=November 21, 2009|work=PWTorch|access-date=November 21, 2009}}</ref>
==Championship succession==
{{start box}}
| colspan = 3 align = center |''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''' ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | First
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Harley Race'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''Harley Race'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Harley Race'''
| width = 40% align = center | Third
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Kerry Von Erich'''
| width = 40% align = center | Forth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''Dusty Rhodes'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Dusty Rhodes'''
| width = 40% align = center | Fifth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Ronnie Garvin'''
| width = 40% align = center | Sixth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Ricky Steamboat'''
| width = 40% align = center | Seventh
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Sting'''
| width = 40% align = center | Eigth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Tatsumi Fujinami'''
| width = 40% align = center | Ninth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''Stripped of Recognition as Champion when he left for the WWF'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']
| width = 40% align = center | Tenth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''WCW officially separates from NWA'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center |''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Vacant'''
| width = 40% align = center | First
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by: <br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | First<br />
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by: <br />''']'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''The ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | First, with ]
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''] and ]'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''] and ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second, with ]
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''] and ]'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | First<br />(])
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''' Named 1st Champion after defeating Sting for NWA title-some sources recognize this as one title reign'''
| width = 40% align = center | First
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''Stripped of title on 07/01/1991 '''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''' ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''Title Held Up-Match with Ricky Steamboat that ended in double pin.Some sources do not recognize this.'''
|-
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''' Vacant'''
| width = 40% align = center | Third
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Fourth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Fifth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br /> ''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Sixth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Seventh
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''Given title by ].Some sources do not recognize as a title reign.'''
| width = 40% align = center | Eighth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''' Recognized after WCW withdraws from NWA'''
| width = 40% align = center | First
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by: <br />''' ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br /> ''' title unified with ]'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''' ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | First
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''' ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | First
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Third
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Fourth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''' ] and ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | First, with ]
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''] and ]'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''] and ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second, with ]
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''Stripped of titles '''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''] and ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | Third, with ]
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''] and ]'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''' ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | First
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Third
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Fourth
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br /> ''' ] and ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | First, with ]
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''] and ]'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''] and ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second, with ]
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''] and ] '''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />'''] and ]'''
| width = 40% align = center | Third, with ]
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />'''] and ]'''
|-
| colspan = 3 align = center | ''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | First
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
|-
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:<br />''']'''
| width = 40% align = center | Second
| width = 30% align = center | Followed by:<br />''']'''
{{end box}}


=== Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2010–2012) ===
==References==
====Debut and Fortune (2010)====
*
]
*
{{main|Fortune (professional wrestling){{!}}Fortune|Immortal (professional wrestling){{!}}Immortal}}
*
On the January 4, 2010 episode of ]'s (TNA) '']'', Flair made his debut appearance for the company arriving via limo and later observing the main event between ] and longtime rival ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_37861.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact Live Report 1/4: Jeff Hardy, NWO reunion, Hulk Hogan, TNA Knockout Title match, more surprises – ongoing coverage|date=January 4, 2010|last=Keller|first=Wade|author-link=Wade Keller|work=PWTorch|access-date=January 5, 2010}}</ref> It was later reported that Flair had signed a one-year deal with the company.<ref name="Flair Contract">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1262807843.php|title=More details on Ric Flair in TNA|publisher=WrestleView|date=January 6, 2010|last=Martin|first=Adam|access-date=January 7, 2010}}</ref> In the past, Flair had openly stated that he was loyal to the McMahons and wanted to end his career in WWE, however he had not had contact from WWE since June 2009 and decided to sign with TNA after waiting for the call from WWE for six months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/14662|title=Ric Flair Speaks on Sting, Signing with TNA and More|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114015320/http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/14662|archive-date=January 14, 2010}}</ref> On January 17 at ], Flair helped Styles cheat to pin Angle and retain the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_38198.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Genesis PPV Report 1/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle, Hulk Hogan's TNA PPV debut|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=January 17, 2010|work=PWTorch|access-date=January 18, 2010}}</ref>
*


In addition to Styles, Flair began informally managing ] (] and ]) and ] as a loose alliance. On the March 8 episode of ''Impact!'', Hulk Hogan and Abyss defeated Flair and Styles when Abyss pinned Styles.<ref name=March82010>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39660.shtml|title=TNA Impact Results 3/8: Keller's live ongoing report covering the historic beginning of Monday Night War II|author-link=Wade Keller|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=March 8, 2010|work=PWTorch|access-date=March 9, 2010}}</ref> Afterwards, the returning ] saved Abyss and Hogan from a beatdown at the hands of Flair, Styles and Beer Money, Inc.<ref name=March82010/> At ], Team Flair (Ric Flair, Sting, Desmond Wolfe, Robert Roode and James Storm) was defeated by Team Hogan (Hulk Hogan, Abyss, ], Jeff Hardy and ]) in a ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_40725.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown Results 4/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of PPV – Styles vs. The Pope, Team Hogan vs. Team Flair, Angle vs. Anderson|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=April 18, 2010|access-date=April 18, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the April 26 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair was defeated by Abyss in a match where Flair's and Hogan's WWE Hall of Fame rings were at stake, and as a result Flair lost possession of his ring to Hogan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_40954.shtml|title=KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 4/26: Flair comes out of retirement against Abyss with Hall of Fame rings on the line, RVD celebrates|first=Keller|last=Wade|date=April 27, 2010|access-date=April 28, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following week, Hogan gave the ring to ], who returned it to Flair out of respect. This, however, was not enough for Flair, who attacked Lethal along with the members of Team Flair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_41070.shtml|title=TNA Impact Results 5/3: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live show from Orlando|first=Wade|last=Keller|date=May 3, 2010|access-date=May 4, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> After Styles dropped the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Rob Van Dam, then failed to regain it in a rematch and later was pinned by Jay Lethal, Flair adopted ] as his newest protégé, seemingly replacing Styles as his number one wrestler.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_41609.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 5/27: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast |last=Keller|first=Wade|date=May 27, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=June 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_41729.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 6/3: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast |last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|date=June 3, 2010|access-date=June 4, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
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*{{imdb name|id=0282310|name=Ric Flair}}
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On the June 17 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair announced that he would reform the Four Horsemen under the new name {{Not a typo|]}}, a group consisting of A.J. Styles, Kazarian, Robert Roode, and James Storm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276841662 |title=TNA Impact Results – 6/17/10 |last=Boutwell |first=Josh |date=June 18, 2010 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620150524/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276841662 |archive-date=June 20, 2010 }}</ref> Flair made a return to the ring on July 11 at ], losing to Jay Lethal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_42443.shtml|title=TNA Victory Road results 7/11: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coveage of live PPV event|date=July 11, 2010|access-date=July 11, 2010|last=Keller|first=Wade|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the August 5 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair faced Lethal in a rematch, this time contested under Street Fight rules, with the members of {{Not a typo|Fourtune}} banned from ringside; Flair managed to win the match after an interference from ]. The following week, Williams and ] were added to {{Not a typo|Fourtune}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_43075.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 8/12: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV "Whole F'n Show" (updated)|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=August 12, 2010|access-date=August 13, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> In the weeks leading to ], Flair's stable's name was tweaked to Fortune to represent the expansion in the number of members in the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/images/stories/galleries/bfg2010/bfg6.jpg |title=Lethal Lockdown |access-date=October 13, 2010 |work=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105230616/http://www.tnawrestling.com/images/stories/galleries/bfg2010/bfg6.jpg |archive-date=January 5, 2016 }}</ref> On the October 7 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair was defeated by Mick Foley in a Last Man Standing match.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44353.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 10/7: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live Spike TV show – Foley vs. Flair, battle royal, Bound for Glory hype|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=October 7, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=October 7, 2010}}</ref>
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====Immortal and second retirement (2010–2012)====
]
{{see also|Immortal (professional wrestling)|l1=Immortal}}
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] in the main event of TNA's Maximum Wooo! tour of Europe]]
]

]
On the following episode of ''Impact!'', Fortune formed an alliance with Hulk Hogan's and Eric Bischoff's new stable, ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44521.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 10/14: Complete "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV's live broadcast|date=October 14, 2010|access-date=October 15, 2010|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the November 18 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair returned to the ring, competing in a match where he faced Matt Morgan, who had been kicked out of Fortune the previous month; Morgan won the match after Douglas Williams turned on the rest of Fortune, when they interfered in the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_45386.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 11/18: Complete "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|date=November 18, 2010|access-date=November 18, 2010|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On January 25, 2011, it was reported that Flair had pulled out of TNA's ''Maximum Wooo!'' tour of Europe mid–tour after monetary disputes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_47065.shtml|title=TNA News: Ric Flair reportedly pulls out of TNA's European Tour, sources say dispute is over money|date=January 25, 2011|access-date=January 26, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> After missing a show in ], Germany, Flair returned to the tour on January 27 in ], Scotland, reportedly apologizing to the locker room prior to the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/19198/|title=Flair not at TNA show today in Germany|date=January 26, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2011|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_47142.shtml|title=1/27 TNA results in Glasgow, Scotland: Anderson & RVD vs. Hardys, Jarrett vs. local star, Flair manages, does not wrestle|date=January 28, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2011|last=Orton|first=Rudi|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1296164528|title=Update: Ric Flair returns to TNA's European tour|date=January 27, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2011|last=Martin|first=Adam|work=WrestleView}}</ref> On January 29, Flair wrestled his only match of the tour, defeating ] in London, ] in the process making it his last singles win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_47213.shtml|title=1/29 TNA results in London, U.K.: Second detailed report on final tour show – Flair vs. Williams, Anderson vs. Hardy, Beer Money's popularity|date=January 29, 2011|access-date=February 1, 2011|last=Z.|first=Mohammad|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1296536810|title=Ric Flair suffers injury on the TNA European tour|date=February 1, 2011|access-date=February 1, 2011|last=Gerweck|first=Steve|work=WrestleView}}</ref> During Flair's time away from TNA, Fortune turned on Immortal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_47424.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 2/3: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV – "they" reveal, TNA World Title match|date=February 3, 2011|access-date=February 15, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Flair returned at the February 14 tapings of the February 17 episode of ''Impact!'', turning on Fortune during a match between A.J. Styles and ] and jumping to Immortal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1297755371 |title=Spoilers: TNA Impact tapings for February 17 |date=February 15, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |last=Martin |first=Adam |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219115348/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1297755371 |archive-date=February 19, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_47818.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 2/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV – Against All Odds fall-out, Flair's TV return, TNA World Title match|date=February 17, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the March 10 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair defeated Styles and Hardy in a three–way street fight, contested as more of a two–on–one handicap match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/03/11/17576141.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717012325/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/03/11/17576141.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=Impact: Sting teams with RVD to face Hardy, Anderson|date=March 11, 2011|access-date=March 11, 2011|last=Bishop|first=Matt|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]}}</ref> On April 17 at ], Immortal, represented by Flair, Abyss, ] and Matt Hardy, was defeated by Fortune members James Storm, Kazarian and Robert Roode and ], who replaced an injured A.J. Styles, in a Lethal Lockdown match, when Flair tapped out to Roode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_49368.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown PPV results 4/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live all-cage match PPV – Sting vs. Anderson vs. RVD, Angle vs. Jarrett|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=April 17, 2011|access-date=April 17, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The match was used to write Flair off television, as the following week he was scheduled to undergo surgery for his torn rotator cuff; however, Flair ultimately chose not to have the surgery as it would have required six months of rehab.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_49514.shtml|title=TNA News: Ric Flair has surgery to repair torn rotator cuff, background on original injury|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=April 22, 2011|access-date=April 23, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1304781251|title=News and notes on Ric Flair including Roddy Piper|first=Steve|last=Gerweck|date=May 7, 2011|access-date=May 12, 2011|work=WrestleView}}</ref>
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Flair returned to television in a non–wrestling role on the May 12, 2011 episode of ''Impact Wrestling''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50020.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 5/12: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of big reveals, final PPV hype, battle royal main event|date=May 12, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Flair did not appear again for three months, until making his return on August 9 at the tapings of the August 18 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', confronting old rival Sting and challenging him to one more match. In exchange for Sting agreeing to put his career on the line, Flair promised to deliver him his match with Hogan if he was victorious.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1312947300 |title=Spoilers: Impact Wrestling for August 18 |last=Tedesco |first=Mike |date=August 9, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2011 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825101819/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1312947300 |archive-date=August 25, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/08/18/18573331.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629070454/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/08/18/18573331.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Impact: Flair finally returns to show|date=August 18, 2011|access-date=August 19, 2011|last=Bishop|first=Matt|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=]}}</ref> The match, which Flair lost, took place on the September 15 episode of ''Impact Wrestling''. The match with Sting would be the last of his career to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_53344.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling report – Flair vs. Sting 9/15: Blog on this week's TV main event|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=September 15, 2011|access-date=September 16, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> During the match, Flair tore his left triceps on a ] spot, sidelining him indefinitely from in-ring action.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_53567.shtml|title=TNA News: Ric Flair scheduled for surgery next week after injury worsens, Flair addresses current health|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=September 22, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> At ], Flair appeared in Hogan's corner in his match against Sting. Flair continued to make appearances for TNA until April 2012. In April 2012, Flair tried to have his TNA contract terminated, which led to TNA filing a ] for contract tampering and eventually firing Flair on May 11.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_61772.shtml|title=TNA/WWE News: Details on TNA suing WWE & former TNA employee, Flair central figure in allegations, what's next in court|date=May 25, 2012|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=June 4, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1340063865 |title=Court documents confirm Ric Flair firing by TNA |date=June 18, 2012 |last=Martin |first=Adam |access-date=June 19, 2012 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823010606/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1340063865 |archive-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref> Having been inactive since his September 2011 injury, Flair announced in a December 3, 2012 interview that he would never wrestle again, owing chiefly to an on-air heart attack suffered by age peer ] following a ''Raw'' match three months earlier.<ref name="hunter">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlenewz.com/wwe-news/ric-flairs-exclusive-interview-with-wrestlenewz-part-1/|title=Ric Flair's Exclusive Interview|date=December 3, 2012|website=WrestleNewz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707173858/http://www.wrestlenewz.com/wwe-news/ric-flairs-exclusive-interview-with-wrestlenewz-part-1/|access-date=February 23, 2016|archive-date=July 7, 2018|quote=I want to be in the ring, but it will never happen again.}}</ref>
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=== Return to WWE (2012–2021) ===
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On March 31, 2012, while still contracted to TNA as a part of a deal with WWE which allowed Christian Cage to appear at ], Flair became the first person to be inducted into the ] twice, the second time as part of the ] with ]. On December 17, 2012, Flair returned to WWE as a non-wrestling personality on the annual ]s show to present the Superstar of the Year award to ], who in turn gave the award to Flair. Flair's return was interrupted by ] and ], escalating into a confrontation that ended with him locking Heyman in the figure-four leglock. After clearing the ring, Flair was assaulted by ] (], ], and ]), until ] and ] (] and ]) helped Flair fend off the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_67322.shtml|title=PWTorch.com - CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 12/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - The strangest show of the year concludes with the debut of a new monster heel; Ric Flair returns|website=Pwtorch.com|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref> Flair appeared on the main roster sporadically throughout 2013, as ]'s mentor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-01-14/wwe-raw-results-26084061/page-9|title=Antonio Cesaro crashed "Miz TV" with Ric. Flair|publisher=WWE.com|last=Benino|first=Antonio|date=January 14, 2013|access-date=January 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69088.shtml|title=PWTorch.com - CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 3/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live "Old-School Raw" - Taker returns, Rock-Cena in-ring confrontation, WM29 hype, more|website=Pwtorch.com|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref> He also occasionally appeared on '']'' in 2013 and 2014, accompanying his daughter ] to the ring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_72059.shtml|title=James' WWE NXT Report 7/17|last=James|first=Justin|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=March 4, 2015|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

] to the ring at ]]]
Flair appeared on April 28, 2014, episode of '']'', alongside the reunited ] (minus Flair) and The Shield; Flair showed his endorsement for The Shield, Evolution's opponents at ], effectively turning his back on his old teammates. At ], ] symbolically handed over his ] belt to Flair, telling him to "take it" while promoting his match.<ref>{{cite web|title=RAW NEWS: World Title Retired?, WCW Theme, Ambrose, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_79571.shtml}}</ref> On the post-] ''Raw'' in August 2015, Flair interrupted ], who had saved Flair's 16 world title record by preventing Cena's victory the previous night, telling him that the record would be broken eventually and he would rather it be by someone who he respects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2015-08-24/wwe-raw-results-27860040/page-6|title=Shows|website=WWE|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref>

Flair began making more frequent appearances with Charlotte after she won the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=96727&p=2|title=LIVE ONGOING WWE RAW REPORT: THERE IS A FOURTH HOUSE IN THE DIVAS REVOLUTION AND IT IS FULL OF JEALOUSY|author=Trionfo, Richard|website=PWInsider|date=September 21, 2015|access-date=September 21, 2015}}</ref> In January 2016, Flair and Charlotte began displaying ] traits, with Flair often getting involved in Charlotte's Divas Championship<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Mike|title=WWE SMACKDOWN SPOILERS FOR TONIGHT|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/98854/wwe-smackdown-spoilers-for-tonight.html?p=1|website=PWInsider|access-date=January 7, 2015|date=January 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/01/24/caldwell2016rumblereport/|title=1/24 Royal Rumble PPV Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report|author=Caldwell, James|website=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 24, 2016|access-date=January 25, 2016}}</ref> and later ] defenses, thus turning heel for the first time since 2005 in WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=101412&p=2|title=COMPLETE RAW REPORT MARCH 18, 2016 & THOUGHTS|last=Richard|first=Trionfo|date=April 3, 2016|access-date=April 3, 2016|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/05/22/extremerulesliveresults/|title=5/22 WWE Extreme Rules PPV Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report|first=Caldwell|last=James|website=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=May 22, 2016|access-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref> This lasted until the May 23 episode of ''Raw'' when Charlotte turned on him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=102195&p=3|title=WWE RAW REPORT:FIVE OF SEVEN SPOTS IN MITB DETERMINED, MAIN EVENT FOR MITB ANNOUNCED, A RETURN, AND MORE|last=Richard|first=Trionfo|date=May 23, 2016|access-date=May 25, 2016|work=PWInsider}}</ref> On the November 28 episode of ''Raw'', Flair returned to congratulate the new Raw Women's Champion ], who had defeated Charlotte to win the title, thus turning face once again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/11/28/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1128-live-coverage-charlotte-defends-sasha-banks-new-day-defends-anderson-gallows/|title=KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 11/28: Live coverage – Charlotte defends against Sasha Banks, New Day defends against Anderson & Gallows|date=November 28, 2016|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=November 28, 2016}}</ref> Flair made a surprise appearance during the November 14, 2017 episode of '']'' to congratulate his daughter Charlotte Flair, who won the ]. They shared an emotional moment on the ramp and did his iconic strut.

On the February 25, 2019 episode of ''Raw'', WWE celebrated Flair's 70th birthday and during the closing moments, Flair was attacked by ]. The actual "attack" was never seen, only Flair being dragged by Batista.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/article/raw-ric-flair-birthday-celebration-february-25|title=Join Monday Night Raw for Ric Flair's 70th birthday celebration on Feb. 25|website=WWE|date=February 4, 2019|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> At ], Flair assisted ] in defeating Batista, to keep his in-ring career going.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lambert |first1=Jeremy |title=Triple H Preserves Career; Defeats Batista With Help From Ric Flair At WrestleMania 35 |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/triple-h-preserves-career-defeats-batista-help-ric-flair-wrestlemania-35 |website=Fightful |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> Flair appeared on the July 22 '']'' episode and raised a toast alongside Triple H, ], ], and various other fellow wrestlers of his era.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zucker |first1=Joseph |title=Video: Stone Cold Crushes Beer; Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair Appear on WWE Raw Reunion |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2846671-video-stone-cold-crushes-beer-hulk-hogan-ric-flair-appear-on-wwe-raw-reunion |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> In June 2020, Flair came back to WWE programming as a heel again, managing ] for a few weeks until the August 10 episode of ''Raw'' when Orton performed a punt kick on Flair's head.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Satin |first1=Ryan |title=Randy Orton Ends Association with Ric Flair Via Punt Kick (in the Dark) |url=https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/randy-orton-ric-flair-punt-kick-raw-video/#.XzjXl8AzaUk |access-date=August 16, 2020 |work=Pro Wrestling Sheet {{!}} Insider Wrestling News and Reports |date=August 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Aryan |title=WWE Universe Goes Wild After the Insane Randy Orton-Ric Flair Segment |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-raw-wwe-universe-goes-wild-after-the-insane-randy-orton-ric-flair-segment/ |access-date=August 16, 2020 |work=EssentiallySports |date=August 11, 2020}}</ref> On November 22, 2020, he made an appearance at ] during ]'s retirement ceremony.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reichlin|first=Michael|date=November 22, 2020|title=The Rock, The McMahons, HBK, Ric Flair & More Pay Tribute to The Undertaker|url=https://www.sescoops.com/the-rock-the-mcmahons-hbk-ric-flair-more-pay-tribute-to-the-undertaker/|access-date=November 23, 2020|newspaper=Se Scoops &#124; Wrestling News, Results & Interviews|language=en-US}}</ref>

On the January 4, 2021 episode of ''Raw'', Flair started a storyline with ], when during a match against ] Charlotte Flair and ], Evans flirted with Flair. During the following weeks, Flair managed Evans, usually distracting his daughter Charlotte, including a participation in the Women's ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-results/wwe-royal-rumble-womens-entrant-order-and-eliminations-331806|title=WWE Royal Rumble: Women's entrant order and eliminations|date=January 31, 2021|website=WON/F4W|access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> On the February 15 episode of ''Raw'', Evans' real-life pregnancy was announced and incorporated into a storyline with Flair impregnating Lacey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lacey Evans Announces She's Pregnant On Raw, Legit Pregnancy Being Worked into Storyline|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/lacey-evans-announces-pregnant-raw-legit-worked-into-storyline/|work=411MANIA|access-date=February 16, 2021|date=February 15, 2021 |first=Jeremy |last=Thomas}}</ref> Evans was scheduled to face ] for ] at ] but the match was ] due to her pregnancy and the storyline with Flair was canceled.<ref>{{cite news |title=WWE Raw: Los Flair inician el fin de su historia - Asuka pierde un diente |url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/96350-wwe-raw-noticias-ronda-22-de-febrero-de-2021 |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=Solowrestling |date=February 23, 2021 |language=es}}</ref> On August 2, 2021, it was reported by Wrestling Inc. that Flair had asked for and was granted his release from WWE.<ref>{{cite web|last=Giri|first=Raj|date=August 2, 2021|title=Exclusive: Ric Flair No Longer With WWE|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/08/exclusive-ric-flair-no-longer-with-wwe/|access-date=August 2, 2021|website=Wrestling Inc.|language=en-US}}</ref> WWE confirmed his release the following day and considered it effective as of August 3.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.wwe.com/article/ric-flair-released|title=Ric Flair released|date=August 3, 2021|access-date=August 3, 2021|website=WWE}}</ref>

=== Late career (2021–present) ===
===="Ric Flair's Last Match" (2021–2023)====
{{see also|Ric Flair's Last Match}}
On August 14, 2021, at ], Flair made his ] (AAA) debut by accompanying Charlotte's fiancé ] to ringside during his match against ] ]. Flair would later get involved in the match by chopping Omega and applying the Figure Four leglock to Omega's second ].

On August 29, 2021, Flair made his return to the NWA at ]. It was his first NWA appearance since 2008 when he was inducted into the ]. At NWA 73, Flair thanked the NWA and WWE for several memorable moments and noted the importance of having several companies in the industry.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rueter|first=Sean|url= https://www.cagesideseats.com/2021/8/30/22648243/ric-flair-nwa-73-appearance-video-thanks-vince-mcmahon-triple-h-wwe-teases-aew-tony-khan|title= Ric Flair thanks Vince McMahon & Triple H, plans to get a drink with Tony Khan|date=August 30, 2021|access-date=August 31, 2021}}</ref>

On May 16, 2022, it was announced that Flair would wrestle his final match on July 31 in Nashville, called ''Ric Flair's Last Match'', finally retiring after nearly five decades in the ring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/33927221/legendary-wwe-wrestler-ric-nature-boy-flair-step-ring-one-final-july-according-sources|title=Legendary WWE wrestler Ric 'The Nature Boy' Flair to step in ring one final time in July, according to sources|work=]|access-date=May 16, 2022|date=May 16, 2022|author=Raimondi, Marc}}</ref> On July 18, it was announced that Flair would team with his son-in-law Andrade El Ídolo against Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2022/7/18/23269215/ric-flair-last-match-andrade-jay-lethal-jeff-jarrett|title=Ric Flair's last match: He'll team with Andrade against Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett|access-date=July 18, 2022|date=July 18, 2022|author=Mrosko, Geno}}</ref> As part of the promo setting up the match, Lethal attacked Flair over being left out of the match card. Jarrett initially tried to help Flair, but attacked him after he rebuffed him and used expletives against his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2022/7/19/23269932/ric-flair-last-match-set-up-lethal-jarrett-bloody-parking-lot-beatdown-video-wild|title=The set-up for Ric Flair's Last Match is bonkers|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=July 18, 2022|author=Sean Rueter}}</ref> Flair and Andrade would go on to win the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/34326246/ric-flair-73-handles-pressure-authors-classic-performance-winning-final-wrestling-match|title=Ric Flair, 73, handles 'pressure,' authors classic performance in winning his final wrestling match|author=Marc Raimondi|work=ESPN|date=August 1, 2022|access-date=August 5, 2022}}</ref>

Flair later confirmed that he had passed out twice during the Last Match<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10044933-priest-denies-edge-rumor-ric-flair-talks-last-match-danielson-on-perfect-wwe-exit|title=Priest Denies Edge Rumor; Ric Flair Talks Last Match; Danielson on 'Perfect' WWE Exit|author=Tim Daniels|work=Bleacher Report|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 11, 2022}}</ref> and regretted announcing that it would be his final match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/ric-flair-last-match-regret-retirement-andrade-puerto-rico-wwe/|title=Ric Flair Regrets Declaring His Retirement Match His Last Match|author=Connor Casey|work=Comicbook.com|publisher=ViacomCBS|date=August 11, 2022|access-date=August 11, 2022}}</ref> A few days later, he accompanied Andrade during his match against ] at the ] show held on August 6, 2022. Flair attempted to interfere before poking ] when he tried to stop him, causing ] to attack him and forcing him to flee. Andrade would go on to lose the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/ric-flair-carlos-colon-brawl-puerto-rico-andrade-video-last-match/|title=Ric Flair Brawls With Carlos Colon in Puerto Rico One Week After His Last Match|author=Connor Casey|work=Comicbook.com|publisher=ViacomCBS|date=August 7, 2022|access-date=August 11, 2022}}</ref>

During the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of his debut in professional wrestling on September 26, 2022, Flair announced that he would never retire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/ric-flair-vows-to-never-retire|title=Ric Flair Vows To Never Retire|author=Aidan Gibbons|work=Cultaholic|date=September 27, 2022|access-date=September 30, 2022}}</ref> In January 2023 however he stated that he did not want to wrestle again aside from wanting to redo the Last Match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ric-flair-clarifies-doesnt-want-another-match/|title=Ric Flair Clarifies That He Doesn't Want Another Match|author=Jeremy Thomas|work=411Mania|date=January 19, 2023|access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref>

==== All Elite Wrestling (2023–2024) ====
] debut, October 25, 2023]]
On the October 25, 2023, episode of '']'', Flair, in his first appearance on TBS since the March 21, 2001 episode of WCW ''Thunder'', appeared as a "gift" from ] (AEW) founder ] to Sting for his upcoming retirement.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rueter |first1=Sean |title=Ric Flair's AEW debut was Tony Khan's gift to Sting |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2023/10/25/23932664/ric-flairs-aew-debut-tony-khan-gift-sting-retirement-video-christian-cage-full-gear |website=Cageside Seats |access-date=26 October 2023 |language=en |date=25 October 2023}}</ref> Both men previously wrestled in the final episode of WCW ''Monday Nitro'' on March 26, 2001. On November 2, 2023, it was announced Flair signed a multi-year deal with AEW.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/ric-flair-aew-contract-details-officially-revealed/|title=RIC FLAIR AEW CONTRACT DETAILS OFFICIALLY REVEALED|date=November 2, 2023|access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref> On November 18, 2023, he made his AEW PPV debut at ], accompanying Sting, ] and ] to the ring, and performing chops and a low blow to ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lowson |first=Thomas |date=2023-11-18 |title=Of course Ric Flair Got Physical at AEW Full Gear 2023 |url=https://www.sescoops.com/news/of-course-ric-flair-got-physical-at-aew-full-gear-2023 |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=SE Scoops {{!}} Wrestling News, Results & Interviews |language=en}}</ref> On the January 6, 2024 '']'' Flair accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring, and later performed a promo with Sting later in the night.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palegar |first=Sujay Gaurav |date=2024-01-08 |title=Ric Flair breaks silence after big return on AEW Collision |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/news-ric-flair-breaks-silence-big-return-aew-collision |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref> On January 10, 2024, Flair once again accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring during their match against ] and ], in which he once again delivered chops, this time inside an AEW ring for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DSilva |first=Roy |date=2024-01-11 |title=Ric Flair gets physical with a 32-year-old AEW star on Dynamite |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/news-ric-flair-gets-physical-32-year-old-aew-star-dynamite |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref> On February 21, Flair would once again appear on ''Dynamite'' claiming he was unhappy with his involvement with Sting's retirement, and wanted to play a bigger role, he then entered ] office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ewing |first=Brandon |date=2024-02-22 |title=Ric Flair In AEW Is Set To Betray Sting Again... Or Is He? |url=https://www.thesportster.com/aew-ric-flair-betray-sting-revolution-young-bucks/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref> The following week on February 28, during Sting's final Dynamite appearance, he made his iconic entrance from the rafters, with Flair delivering punches and chops to The Young Bucks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ravens |first=Andrew |date=2024-03-03 |title=Ric Flair Hypes Sting's Retirement Match At AEW Revolution |url=https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/aew/ric-flair-hypes-stings-retirement-match-at-aew-revolution |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=eWrestlingNews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Fernando Quiles |date=2024-02-28 |title=AEW Dynamite Results: Sting Gets Help From Ric Flair Before AEW Revolution 2024 |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/aew-dynamite-live-stream-results-hangman |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Sports Illustrated MMA News, Analysis and More |language=en}}</ref> On March 3, 2024, Flair accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring at the ] pay-per-view, in the ], the same venue in which the pair faced each other for the ] at ] in March 1988. During the match Flair received superkicks from The Young Bucks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galenzoski |first=Coby |date=2024-03-04 |title=AEW Revolution 2024 Review |url=https://wrestlingrepublic.com/aew-revolution-2024-review/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Wrestling Republic |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 12, 2024, it was reported by ] in the '']'' that Flair had parted ways with AEW.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nason|first=Josh|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/ric-flair-done-with-aew-as-energy-drink-sponsorship-winds-down|title=Ric Flair done with AEW as energy drink sponsorship winds down|quote=Those who have pointed out no “Wooooo! Energy” graphics on the screen of late, that is a smart observation and unless something changes, it doesn’t look like you’ll be seeing that going forward. There was no explanation given, but unless something changes, it does look like that deal is over with.|date=July 12, 2024|access-date=July 13, 2024|website=F4W Online}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Flair was often popular with the crowd due to his in-ring antics, including rulebreaking (earning him the distinction of being "the dirtiest player in the game"), strutting and his shouting of "Woooooooo!" (Flair got the inspiration from ]' "]").<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.providr.com/ric-flair-woo/2/|title=Ric Flair Reveals The Origin Of His Infamous 'Woo' Catchphrase|date=December 13, 2016|work=Providr.com|access-date=May 29, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715210522/https://www.providr.com/ric-flair-woo/2/|archive-date=July 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The "Wooo!" yell{{efn|"Wooo!" is officially spelled with four o's according to his autobiography, but can extend to any number of o's.<ref name=RicFlairToBeTheMan4>{{cite book|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|editor1-first=Mark|editor1-last=Madden|editor2-first=Keith Elliot|editor2-last=Greenberg|editor1-link=Mark Madden|editor2-link=Keith Elliot Greenberg|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|access-date=July 2, 2017|edition=Hardcover, 352pp|date=June 2004|publisher=|isbn=978-0-7434-5691-3|quote=The "Woooo" started out short and clipped. It would later grow louder and longer.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008164605/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref>}} has since become a tribute to Flair, and is often shouted by the crowd whenever a wrestler performs a knife-edge chop, one of Flair's signature moves.<ref name="wwe-bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/ricflair/|title=Ric Flair profile|publisher=]|access-date=March 23, 2016}}</ref> It is also often shouted by the crowd whenever a wrestler utilizes Flair's ] finisher.] on ] during the ]]]One of Professional Wrestling's biggest draws, Hulk Hogan, has said he himself is "number two" behind Ric Flair, who is the greatest wrestler of all time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mendhe |first1=Abhilash |title="I'm #2"- Hulk Hogan calls former WWE Champion 'third greatest wrestler of all time' |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-i-m-2-hulk-hogan-calls-former-wwe-champion-third-greatest-wrestler-time |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=Sportskeeda |date=February 11, 2022}}</ref>

From the late 1970s, Flair wore ornate fur-lined robes of many colors with sequins during in-ring appearances,<ref name="wwe-bio"/> and since the early 1980s, his approach to the ring was usually heralded by the playing of the "Dawn" section of ]' "'']''" (famous for being used in the 1968 motion picture '']'' and for the introduction to ]'s concerts of the 1970s). Flair also described himself as a "]-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', son-of-a-gun (who kissed all the girls worldwide and made em cry)".<ref>{{cite news |title=The 10 best quotes of 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair's career |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/the-best-quotes-nature-boy-ric-flair-career/yEXintoJyar6tp3BVhakWJ/#:~:text=%22I'm%20Ric%20Flair!,you%20gotta%20beat%20the%20man.%22 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

On April 29, 1995, Ric Flair fought ] in the main event match of ] Day 2. The event registered an attendance of 165,000 people, the largest crowd in professional wrestling history.<ref>{{cite web |title=NJPW International Shows |url=https://prowrestlinghistory.com/index.html |access-date=January 29, 2023 |work=ProWrestlingHistory.com}}</ref><ref name="notinflated1">{{cite web|last1=Meltzer|first1=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|title=April 11, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter|url=http://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/april-11-2016-wrestling-observer-newsletter-look-historic-wrestlemania|website=f4wonline.com|publisher=Wrestling Observer|access-date=7 April 2016|quote=The all-time pro wrestling attendance record would be for shows on April 28 and April 29, 1995 at May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea. The announced crowds for those shows were 165,000 and 190,000, although the real numbers were about 150,000 and 165,000. The first show was headlined by Scott Norton vs. Shinya Hashimoto and the second by Antonio Inoki vs. Ric Flair. While there were tickets sold, most of the people attending got in free, and were pretty much ordered to attend, so it's not really a fair comparison.}}</ref><ref name="PWT">{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_84712.shtml |title=WCW FLASHBACK - "Collision in Korea" 20 yrs. ago today: Flair & WCW crew head to N. Korea with New Japan Pro Wrestling |last=Keller |first=Wade |author-link=Wade Keller |date=April 28, 2015 |website=PWTorch.com |publisher=]}}</ref>

On October 19, 1998, it was declared "Ric Flair Day" in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Mayor Sharon Belton<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1998103m.htm|title=WCW Monday Nitro 10/19/98|first=Bill|last=Wade|access-date=July 18, 2010|publisher=notifylist.com}}</ref> and on November 15, 2008, it was declared "Ric Flair Day" in Norfolk, Virginia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvHNgI225U| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627083223/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvHNgI225U| archive-date=June 27, 2014 | url-status=dead|title=Ric Flair at VCW Pt. 2|access-date=July 18, 2010|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> On March 24, 2008, Mayor Bob Coble, of Columbia, South Carolina, declared March 24 to be Ric Flair Day in Columbia. Flair also received the key to the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=60068|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209093048/http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=60068|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2013|title=Key to City|date=March 24, 2008|last=Santaella|first=Tony|access-date=March 24, 2008|publisher=WLTX}}</ref> He received the key to the city of ] on December 5, 2008, to commemorate Flair's victory in a steel cage match against ] at the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2008/12/06/flair-given-key-to-the-city-in-greensboro/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820184237/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2008/12/06/flair-given-key-to-the-city-in-greensboro/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2023|title=Flair given key to the city in Greensboro|date=December 6, 2008|last=Coons|first=Christine|access-date=December 7, 2008|publisher=SLAM! Sports}}</ref> April 18, 2009 was declared "Ric Flair Day" in Charleston, West Virginia and he was presented with the key to the city by the mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.loganbanner.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&id=2418608-Flair-+Good+memories+in+W-Va-&article-Flair-%20Good%20memories%20in%20W-Va-%20=&widget=push&instance=secondary_news_left_column&open=&|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927231000/http://www.loganbanner.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&id=2418608-Flair-+Good+memories+in+W-Va-&article-Flair-%20Good%20memories%20in%20W-Va-%20=&widget=push&instance=secondary_news_left_column&open=&|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2011|title=Logan Banner – Flair: Good memories in W.Va.|last=Browning|first=Michael|access-date=October 7, 2009|publisher=Logan Banner}}</ref> Also, on June 12, 2009, Flair was presented with the key to the city of ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/photofiles/pow061209.html|title=City of Myrtle Beach – File Photos of the Week|year=2009|publisher=Myrtle Beach Local Government Page|access-date=September 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725223630/http://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/photofiles/pow061209.html|archive-date=July 25, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> and, in September, he received the key to the city in Marion County, South Carolina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/local/article/flair_makes_moving_speech_at_gala/76646/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120312170250/http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/local/article/flair_makes_moving_speech_at_gala/76646/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 12, 2012|title=Flair Makes Moving Speech at Gala|last=McFadden|first=Naeem|access-date=October 8, 2009|publisher=SCNow}}</ref> On July 17, 2010, Flair made a special appearance at Scotland Motors in Laurinburg, North Carolina and received the key to that city, as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/view/full_story/8773682/article-Ric-Flair-takes-part-in-dealership-grand-opening?instance=home_news_lead|title=The Laurinburg Exchange – Ric Flair Takes Part in Dealership Grand Opening|last=Lentz|first=John|access-date=July 18, 2010|publisher=The Laurinburg Exchange|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713191544/http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/view/full_story/8773682/article-Ric-Flair-takes-part-in-dealership-grand-opening?instance=home_news_lead|archive-date=July 13, 2011}}</ref>

]
On the February 18, 2008 episode of ''Raw'', ] announced Flair as the first inductee into the ] ]. The induction ceremony took place on March 29, 2008, with Triple H inducting him. This made him the first person to be inducted while still an active competitor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02182008/|title=Hall Monitor|date=February 18, 2008|last=Adkins|first=Greg|access-date=March 16, 2008|publisher=]}}</ref> Flair was later inducted into the ] in Atlanta, Georgia, but he did not participate in the event. On January 9, 2012, it was announced that the Four Horsemen would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, thus making Flair the first person to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/wwe-hall-of-fame/ric-flair-to-be-at-hall-of-fame|title=Flair will be in Miami|date=March 27, 2012|publisher=WWE|access-date=March 18, 2012}}</ref>

On April 15, 2008, Flair was honored in Congress by a representative from North Carolina, Republican ], who praised his career and what he means to the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/industrynews/6885730|title=Ric Flair Honored in Congress|author=Gaston Gazette|publisher=]|date=April 16, 2008|access-date=October 10, 2009}}</ref> On September 29, 2008, it was announced that Flair's signature sequin covered robe that he wore at WrestleMania XXIV, in what was to be his last WWE match, would be placed in the pop culture section of the ] in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/sep/28/a_new_kind_female_company_flair56149/|title=A new kind of female company for Flair|last=Mooneyham|first=Mike|publisher=The Post and Courier|date=September 28, 2008|access-date=September 13, 2009}}</ref>

In 1999, a large group of professional wrestling experts, analysts and historians named Flair the greatest NWA World Heavyweight Champion of all time.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingNWA51/nwa_greatest.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000310172915/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingNWA51/nwa_greatest.html | archive-date=March 10, 2000 | title=Experts pick Flair as greatest NWA champ }}</ref> In 2002, Flair was named the greatest professional wrestler of all time in the book ''The Top 100 Wrestlers of All Time'' by John Molinaro, edited by ] and ].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Molinaro|first=John|year=2003|title=The Top 100 Wrestlers of All Time|publisher=Winding Stair Press |isbn=1-55366-305-5}}</ref> in July 2016, Luke Winkie of '']'' also named Flair the greatest professional wrestler of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/07/26/wwe-wcw-ecw-100-best-wrestlers-all-time|title=Ranking the top 101 wrestlers of all time |last=Winkie|first=Luke|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref>

Flair's "Wooo" chant has been used throughout pop culture. Rapper ] paid homage to Flair in numerous songs. For example, on the track "Sweet Serenade", he says, "Triple doubles, two hoes and check please (Wooo!), They love me on my Ric Flair shit (Wooo!), In that Phantom like I'm Blair Witch (Wooo!), Who are you to be compared with? (Wooo!)".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Pusha-t-sweet-serenade-lyrics|title=Pusha T (Ft. Chris Brown) – Sweet Serenade|access-date=December 20, 2019|via=genius.com}}</ref> Atlanta-based rapper ] also has a track named "Ric Flair".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/killer-mike-takes-over-los-angeles-with-ric-flair-20150421|title=Watch Killer Mike Take Over Los Angeles in 'Ric Flair' Video|publisher=RollingStone|access-date=August 14, 2017|date=April 21, 2015|author=Blistein, Jon}}</ref> American ] musicians ] and ] paid tribute to Flair in their hit song "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Offset-and-metro-boomin-ric-flair-drip-lyrics|title=Ric Flair Drip|access-date=November 20, 2017}}</ref> The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, hosted by battlefield guides and wrestling fans Jim Hessler and Eric Lindblade, often cites Flair's "Wooo" chant as well as other elements of Flair's mystique.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=68824431|title=Robert E. Lee vs George Pickett (S2 E7) from The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast|website=Stitcher.com|language=en|access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref>

] and Ric Flair pose with a replica of the ]]]

=== Reaction to later career ===
Some have looked unfavorably upon Flair's career from the late-1990s onward. In 1998, wrestler and former WCW colleague ] said that Flair had reached the "time to hang it up", having not been great for a "long time".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/may6_otr.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131053236/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/may6_otr.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2016|title=The Bottom Line: The TSN, Off The Record - Stone Cold Interview|date=May 6, 1998|website=Slam! Sports|access-date=January 23, 2016}}</ref> John Molinaro of ] penned a 1999 article titled, "Ric Flair is tarnishing his legacy"; Molinaro saw Flair as a wrestler whose prestige was "in jeopardy".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/07/05/mat-matters-ric-flair-is-tarnishing-his-legacy/|title=Wrestling Editorial: Ric Flair is tarnishing his legacy|last=Molinaro|first=John|date=July 5, 1999|website=Slam! Sports|access-date=January 23, 2016}}</ref> In 2006, '']'' writer Frank Ingiosi said that Flair had a "personal vendetta against his legend".<ref>{{cite web|title=PWI update archives: July 2006 - Respect Thine Elders|last=Ingiosi|first=Frank|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/pwiuarchivejuly06.html|website=]|access-date=July 24, 2014|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083355/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/pwiuarchivejuly06.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He nevertheless continued to wrestle until originally retiring in 2008, at age 59.

Despite the unfavorable reviews for continuing to wrestle, many of his later career matches were praised. The match between Flair and ] at ] in 2008 was named as the "match of the decade" by popular professional wrestling magazine ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rfgolds.com/matchofthedecade.htm?__cf_chl_tk=X1XcTs9JYZ1VUqoPSWfK3mCHR27TqEHpC3GG8qdaH0M-1647678350-0-gaNycGzNCKU | title=A Tribute to the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair | access-date=August 31, 2023 | archive-date=March 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326033101/https://www.rfgolds.com/matchofthedecade.htm?__cf_chl_tk=X1XcTs9JYZ1VUqoPSWfK3mCHR27TqEHpC3GG8qdaH0M-1647678350-0-gaNycGzNCKU | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Flair would ultimately return to the ring in 2009 and signed to wrestle for TNA the following year, breaking a vow to never again lace up his boots.<ref name="fsm">{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/art/news/107/ric-flair-claims-he-will-never-wrestle-again|title=Ric Flair Claims He Will Never Wrestle Again|date=December 17, 2012|website=]|access-date=January 23, 2016|quote=Wrestling several matches on television and Pay-Per-View, Flair broke his promise... there was a feeling that Flair had tarnished his legacy.}}</ref> Wrestler ],<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Axl Rotten|series=Busted Open|station=]|date=August 22, 2011|quote=How terrible is it that Ric Flair, one of the greatest wrestlers of all time had to come and tarnish his name and his reputation the way he has in TNA? When he left the WWE with that sendoff, which was a king's sendoff, which is what he deserved, to come back and do what he has done... has turned my stomach.}}</ref> ] writer Adam Rank,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/gridiron-breakdown-steve-smith-vs-ric-flair-0ap2000000310461|title=Gridiron Breakdown: Steve Smith vs. Ric Flair|last=Rank|first=Adam|date=January 5, 2014|publisher=]|access-date=February 14, 2016}}</ref> and many fans<ref name="fsm"/> felt that he sullied his legend by continuing to wrestle in TNA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/151124/steamboat-vs-savage-aew-in-msg-europe-pricetag-for-final-countdown-njpw-strong-and-more.html?p=1|title=STEAMBOAT VS. SAVAGE, AEW IN MSG, EUROPE PRICETAG FOR 'FINAL COUNTDOWN', NJPW STRONG AND MORE|website=Pwinsider.com}}</ref> Asked in 2011 if Flair was tainting his prestige, former opponent ] was harsher, stating that he had "been tarnishing his legacy since 1990".<ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9paNKjdKNE&t=15m40s|title=Interview with Shane Douglas|date=March 22, 2011|website=WNSvideo|access-date=January 23, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Also that year, Kevin Eck of '']'' criticized the aging Flair for being unable to separate himself from his ostentatious ] when not wrestling, and said: "I don't know what's sadder, Ric Flair tarnishing his legacy in the ring or embarrassing himself away from the ring".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2011/01/latest_incident_another_embarrassment_for_ric_flair.html|title=Latest incident another embarrassment for Ric Flair|last=Eck|first=Kevin|date=January 26, 2011|website=]|access-date=January 23, 2016}}</ref> Asked about Flair in 2015, wrestler ] felt that viewers would "remember only the last years of his career", which consist of "bad memories".<ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96cBVYb8Yac&t=1m56s|title=Honky Tonk Man on Ric Flair|date=February 3, 2015|publisher=The Hannibal TV|access-date=March 30, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Conversely, professional wrestling announcer ] in 2012 felt that Flair had not tarnished his legacy, observing only "passion and need to earn a living".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/jrs-qa/wrestling/do-you-think-ric-flair-has-somewhat-tarnished-his-legacy-wrestling-after-his-retire|title=Q&A|last=Ross|first=Jim|author-link=Jim Ross|date=April 23, 2012|website=JR's BarBQ|access-date=February 14, 2016|archive-date=March 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302220059/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/jrs-qa/wrestling/do-you-think-ric-flair-has-somewhat-tarnished-his-legacy-wrestling-after-his-retire|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, Flair said continuing to wrestle in TNA was the "number one" regret of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/prowrestling/ric-flair-regrets-working-for-tna/|title=Ric Flair Says He Totally Regrets Wrestling For TNA, Surprising Literally No One|last=Matheson|first=Danielle|date=August 3, 2016|publisher=]|access-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref>

== Other media ==
]
Flair has made numerous appearances in television shows. In 1996, Flair, along with other WCW wrestlers, appeared in an episode of '']'' as themselves. In 2013, Flair made an appearance in '']'', in the episode, "Bacteriopolis", as Dr. Roland Grayson. In 2014, Flair voiced himself in the animated series, '']'', in the episode, "History of Wrestling".<ref>{{cite web |title=Real Life Uncle Grandpa Ric Flair Guest Starred on Cartoon Network's Uncle Grandpa |url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/real-life-uncle-grandpa-ric-flair-guest-starred-on-cartoon-networks-uncle-grandpa/ |website=Uproxx |date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> In 2011, Flair voiced himself in the animated series, '']'', in the episode, "]".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ric Flair to Appear on The Cleveland Show |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ric-flair-to-appear-on-the-cleveland-show/ |website=411Mania |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

Flair released his autobiography, '']'', on June 29, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/07/21/showbuzz/index.html#2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050417211903/http://www.cnn.com:80/2004/SHOWBIZ/07/21/showbuzz/index.html#2 |archive-date=April 17, 2005 |title=Ric Flair, author |work=] |date=July 21, 2004 |access-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref> The title is taken from one of his ]s, "To be the man, you gotta beat the man!".<ref name=ajc> AJC.com (August 14, 2017). Retrieved on August 14, 2017.</ref>

In 2009, Flair voiced Commander Douglas Hill in the video game '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vassallo |first1=Colin |title=Ric Flair In New Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 Game |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/116239-ric-flair-in-new-command-conquer-red-alert-3-game |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

It was announced on July 8, 2012, that Flair was to appear at ]'s 13th Annual ] weekend as a main stage host who was in charge of announcing the performers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/69991/ric-flair-returning-to-wrestling.html?p=1|title=Ric Flair Returning To Wrestling|date=July 8, 2012|last=Johnson|first=Mike|access-date=July 9, 2012|work=PWInsider}}</ref> However, his appearance at the event was cut short after his head was barely struck by a water bottle thrown from the crowd before announcing ] to enter the main stage. Flair at that point left immediately after announcing Tech N9ne and did not go back out on the main stage to announce the remaining performers. Flair's final comment before he left the main stage was "Have fun".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/71104/Ric-flair-Incident-At-Gathering-Of-The-Juggalos.html?p=1|title=Ric Flair Incident at Gathering of the Juggalos|date=August 14, 2012|last=Johnson|first=Mike|access-date=August 14, 2012|website=Pwinsider.com}}</ref>

In 2015, Flair made his feature film debut, appearing in '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/523633-ric-flair-films-movie-sequel-scene|title=Why Orton Has Been Pulled from WWE Overseas Tour, Ric Flair Films Scene for Big Movie Sequel, WWE Horror Posters|website=Wrestlezone.com|first=Nick|last=Paglino|date=October 31, 2014|access-date=July 4, 2015}}</ref> From May 2015-April 2016, Flair was host of a podcast titled "WOOOOO! Nation". The podcast was placed on hiatus after episode 46 which was uploaded on April 1, 2016. Flair returned to podcasting on ] with a new show called ''The Ric Flair Show'' in July 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlwradio.com/ric-flair-show-comes-to-mlw-radio-network.html|title=MLW Radio Network|website=Mlwradio.com|access-date=February 6, 2022|archive-date=October 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014074320/http://www.mlwradio.com/ric-flair-show-comes-to-mlw-radio-network.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The final episode of ''The Ric Flair Show'' was uploaded on December 16, 2016. Flair stated that the reason that he had quit the podcasting business was because he could no longer be objective when it comes to his opinion of what is happening in the WWE.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=Jeremy |title=WWE News: Reason why Ric Flair is no longer hosting a podcast |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-reason-why-ric-flair-is-no-longer-hosting-a-podcast |website=Sportskeeda |date=April 10, 2017 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

In 2017, ] aired ''Nature Boy'', a '']'' ] about Flair's career directed by Rory Karpf.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rorykarpf.com/rorydirector/index.html|title=Rory Karpf, Filmmaker|first=Rory|last=Karpf}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2016/05/22/espn-30-for-30-ric-flair-ja-adande-the-undefeated-media-circus|title=Media Circus: ESPN set to air 30 for 30 on Flair|last=Deitsch|first=Richard|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=May 22, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref>

On October 31, 2017, ] artists ] and ] released a single titled "]" from their collaborative album with ], '']'', in which Flair made an appearance in the music video.<ref>{{cite web|title=VIDEO: Offset & Metro Boomin – 'Ric Flair Drip'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2018/03/01/video-offset-metro-boomin-ric-flair-drip/|website=Rap-Up|access-date=March 1, 2018}}</ref> In December 2017, ] artist ] released a music video entitled "Chambea", in which Flair appeared.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/bad-bunny-ric-flair-wwe-raw-25-8096056/|title=Bad Bunny & WWE's Ric Flair Reunite at 'Raw 25': See Photos|author=Suzette Fernandez|magazine=Billboard|date=January 24, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref>

Flair signed an endorsement deal with online ] marketplace ] in August 2018. Under the agreement he would make guest posts on TickPick's blog, in addition to appearing in advertisements for the brand posted on its and his own social media channels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ric-flair-gets-new-endorsement-deal-tickpick/|title=Ric Flair Gets New Endorsement Deal With TickPick|author=Larry Csonka|work=411mania|date=August 2, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref>

Flair started appearing in an advertising campaign for CarShield in April 2021 (One of the commercials featured him alongside ], who played the role of "The Overcharger").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ric-flair-featured-in-series-of-car-shield-commercials/|title=Ric Flair Featured in Series of Car Shield Commercials|author=Jeffrey Harris|work=411mania|date=April 10, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> The company paused it in September 2021 following allegations of sexual assault made by Heidi Doyle against Flair on an episode of '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ad-campaign-starring-ric-flair-paused-over-dark-side-of-the-ring-allegations/|title=Ad Campaign Starring Ric Flair Paused Over Dark Side of the Ring Allegations|author=Jeremy Thomas|work=411mania|date=September 17, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> It however resumed airing the commercials in December 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2021/12/29/fans-shocked-after-carshield-starts-airing-ric-flair-commercial-again/|title=Fans shocked after CarShield starts airing Ric Flair commercial again|author=Subhojeet Mukherjee|work=Ringside News|date=December 29, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref>

In November 2021, Flair brought back his podcast "WOOOOO! Nation". It was named "Wooooo Nation Uncensored" and was co-hosted by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/11/ric-flair-launching-uncensored-podcast-on-new-network-mark-madden-on-upsetting-marks/|title=Ric Flair Launching "Uncensored" podcast On New Network, Mark Madden On Upsetting Marks|author=Marc Middleton|work=Wrestling Inc.|date=November 11, 2021|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> Madden quit in March 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/03/ric-flair-podcast-host-mark-madden-quits-twitter-beef/|title=Ric Flair Podcast Host Quits Amid Raging Twitter Beef|author=Sai Mohan|work=Wrestling Inc.|date=March 28, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> He was replaced by Flair's son-in-law ] and the podcast was revamped into "To Be the Man" in April 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/04/conrad-thompson-reveals-vision-for-revamped-ric-flair-podcast/|title=Conrad Thompson Reveals Vision For Revamped Ric Flair Podcast|author=Eric Mutter|work=Wrestling Inc.|date=April 3, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref>

Flair signed an endorsement deal with Nu Image Medical, an online ] and medical company, in June 2022 to promote its ] products.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/126378/Ric-Flair-Former-WWE-Wrestling-Champion-Partners-with-Nu-Image-Medical|title=Ric Flair, Former WWE Wrestling Champion, Partners with Nu Image Medical|author=Samantha Rossing|work=Newsfile Corp.|date=June 6, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> WWE and the streaming service ] partnered to release a documentary on Flair titled ''Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair'' on December 26.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/it-list-ric-flair-documentary-hillsong-church-ring-in-2023-with-miley-cyrus-190209892.html|title=The It List: Pro wrestling icon Ric Flair reveals all in new doc, TLC explores most recent developments surrounding Hillsong Church, ring in 2023 with Miley Cyrus and all the best in pop culture the week of Dec. 26, 2022|work=Yahoo!|date=December 27, 2022|access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref>

==Business ventures==

Flair sells his official merchandise through his own website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/movies/wrestling-legend-ric-flair-will-call-phone-give-100-right-now/|title=Wrestling Legend Ric Flair Will Call You on the Phone if You Give Him $100 Right Now|author=Jude Terror|work=Bleeding Cool|date=December 6, 2017|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref>

He partnered with Scout Comics in 2021 to launch a comic book series named ''Code Name: Ric Flair''. Following allegations of sexual assault against him made on '']'', Scout Comics dropped the comic and Flair started personally selling it on his website. However, later in December 2022, the company agreed to publish it through its label. It was written by Scout Comics President James Haick III and was released in April 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/the-ric-flair-comic-that-was-from-scout-comics-but-now-may-not-be/|title=The Ric Flair Comic That Was From Scout Comics But Now May Not Be|author=Rich Johnston|work=Bleeding Cool|date=June 12, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicon.com/2022/12/15/scout-comics-announces-codename-ric-flair-for-spring-2023/|title=Scout Comics Announces 'Codename Ric Flair' For Spring 2023|author=Brendan M. Allen|work=Comicon.com|date=December 15, 2022|access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://acmecomics.com/this-weeks-comics-merchandise-for-april-5th-2023/ | title=Greensboro's Original Since 1983: This Week's Comics & Merchandise for April 5th 2023! | date=April 4, 2023 }}</ref>

In July 2022, Flair launched a ] chain named "Wooooo! Wings" in ] in partnership with Kitchen Data Systems ahead of ''Ric Flair's Last Match''. The name of the chain is based after Flair's signature exclamation. The food items of the outlet are prepared by KitchPartner restaurants, owned by Kitchen Data Systems. The chain expanded to six American cities in August 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/life/2022/08/ric-flair-opening-wooooo-wings-virtual-restaurants-in-alabama.html|title=Ric Flair opening Wooooo! Wings 'virtual' restaurants in Alabama|work=AL.com|date=August 2, 2022|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sheltonherald.com/news/article/Ric-Flair-s-Wooooo-Wings-now-available-in-SA-17348028.php|title=Ric Flair's 'Wooooo! Wings' now available in SA. Here's what's on the menu|work=Shelton Herald|author=R. Dallon Adams|date=August 3, 2022|access-date=October 5, 2022|archive-date=October 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006020607/https://www.sheltonherald.com/news/article/Ric-Flair-s-Wooooo-Wings-now-available-in-SA-17348028.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its launch and expansion was handled by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://huntsvillebusinessjournal.com/food-dining/2022/08/09/wrestling-legend-flair-brings-virtual-wings-restaurant-to-rocket-city/|title=Wrestling legend Flair brings virtual wings restaurant to Rocket City|work=Huntsville Business Journal|date=August 9, 2022|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref>

Flair also partnered with ] and Verano Holdings Corp. to launch his own ] line called the "Ric Flair Drip" under Tyson's cannabis brand "Tyson 2.0".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/08/28551175/tyson-2-0-teams-up-with-verano-on-ric-flair-drip-cannabis-line-launch|title=Tyson 2.0 Teams Up With Verano On Ric Flair Drip Cannabis Line Launch|author=Nina Zdinjak|work=Benzinga|date=August 18, 2022|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> The line launched in October 2022 in ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tucson.com/marijuana/wooo-ric-flair-talks-wrestling-business-and-cannabis-on-latest-podcast/article_6593a223-a200-5400-b436-9efd0b476623.html|title=Wooo! Ric Flair talks wrestling, business and cannabis on latest podcast|author=Edward Celaya|work=Arizona Daily Star|date=October 13, 2022|access-date=October 16, 2022}}</ref>

In July 2023, Flair partnered with Carma HoldCo and LGNDS to release a mushroom-infused energy drink called ''Wooooo! Energy''.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Bill |last=Pritchard |title=Ric Flair Has A New Mushroom Infused Drink Called 'Wooooo' Energy |website=wrestlezone.com |url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1387377-ric-flair-has-a-new-mushroom-infused-energy-drink-called-wooooo-energy |date=July 18, 2023 |access-date=September 13, 2024}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
=== Family ===
Flair married his first wife, Leslie Goodman, on August 28, 1971. They had two children, daughter Megan and son ], before divorcing in 1983 after twelve years of marriage. On August 27, 1983, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Harrell. Promoter ] served as the best man for the wedding. They had two children, daughter ] and son ]. Beth and their children also made periodic appearances in WCW between 1998 and 2000. Flair and Beth divorced in 2006 after nearly 23 years of marriage.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bucher |first=Chris |date=2017-08-16 |title=Elizabeth Harrell Flair, Ric's Ex-Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/sports/2017/08/elizabeth-harrell-flair-ric-ex-wife-abuse-affair-children-family-divorce-photos-pictures/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Heavy.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Voight |first=john |date=2021-11-20 |title=Elizabeth Flair: Facts About Ric Flair's Second Wife |url=https://celeb-gossip.com/elizabeth-flair-ric-flair-wife-married/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Celebrity Gossip |language=en-US}}</ref> On May 27, 2006, Flair married his third wife Tiffany VanDemark, a fitness competitor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rfgolds.com/ricflairweddingpics.htm|title=Ric Flair Wedding Pics|work=A tribute to "Nature Boy" Ric Flair|access-date=September 15, 2007}}</ref> In 2008, Tiffany filed for divorce from Flair, which was finalized in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwmania.com/newsarticle.php?page=220130964 |title=Ric Flair Breaks Up With Third Wife Tiffany |publisher=PWMania.com |access-date=January 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225141952/http://www.pwmania.com/newsarticle.php?page=220130964 |archive-date=February 25, 2012 }}</ref> On November 11, 2009, Flair married his fourth wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Beems, in ].{{cn|date=October 2024}} In 2012, Flair filed for divorce from Beems, which was finalized in 2014.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} Flair, in a non-legally binding wedding ceremony,<ref name=revelations /> married Wendy Barlow (known as Fifi, his "maid" in WCW), on September 12, 2018, at a resort in Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/daily-updates/daily-update-balor-teases-draft-g-1-climax-begins-wwe-signees-216606|title=Daily Update: Balor teases draft, G-1 Climax begins, WWE signees|work=]|access-date=July 19, 2016|date=July 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Satin|first=Ryan|author-link=Ryan Satin|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/ric-flair-married/|title=Ric Flairs Ties The Knot For Fifth Time|date=September 12, 2018|access-date=September 12, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Sheet}}</ref> Despite having a wedding ceremony, Flair and Barlow later revealed to '']'' in January 2022 that they were never legally married, as they never applied for a marriage certificate.<ref name=revelations>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/sports/ric-flair-marries-wendy-barlow/|title=WWE Superstar Ric Flair and Wendy Barlow Split, Say They Were Never Actually Married|first=Tristan|last=Balagtas|publisher=People|date=January 31, 2022|accessdate=October 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name=nonlegalmarriage /> On January 31, 2022, Flair announced that he and Barlow had separated.<ref name=revelations /><ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Paul|date=January 31, 2022|title=Ric Flair and Wendy Barlow are getting a divorce|url=https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/ric-flair-and-wendy-barlow-are-getting-a-divorce/|access-date=January 31, 2022|newspaper=Wrestling News &#124; Wwe and Aew Results, Spoilers, Rumors & Scoops|language=en-US}}</ref> The two reconciled in May 2022, but separated again in September 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/ric-flair-announces-split-from-partner-wendy-barlow-8717180|title=Ric Flair Announces Split from Partner Wendy Barlow, Thanks Her for 'Standing By My Side' During Health Crisis|first=Daniel S.|last=Levine|publisher=People|date=September 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sotiriou |first=Peter |date=2024-09-24 |title=Ric Flair Announces Split From His 5th Wife, Wendy Barlow |url=https://www.thesportster.com/ric-flair-announces-split-divorce-wife-wendy-barlow/ |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref>

Flair's elder son David is a retired professional wrestler, who worked for ] from 1999 to 2001, and made two televised appearances in the ] in 2002 during the run-up to ]. Flair's younger son Reid, who signed a developmental contract with WWE near the end of 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greensborosports.com/index.php|title=WWE has signed Reid Fliehr of Charlotte, N.C., 19, the youngest son of Ric Flair, to a developmental contract. He debuted in Florida Championship Wrestling in January|publisher=Greensborosports.com|date=December 31, 2011|access-date=January 6, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201171302/http://www.greensborosports.com/index.php|archive-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref> was an accomplished high school wrestler and made several appearances on WCW television along with his sister Ashley and half-sister Megan. In 2004, Flair became a grandfather at the age of 55, when his older daughter, Megan Fliehr Ketzner, gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Morgan Lee Ketzner on May 9.<ref name=Marvez>{{cite news| title=DVD Shows That Wrestler's Career Was Not Without Flair| publisher=]| url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2004-03-05-0403030499-story.html| date=March 5, 2004| access-date=June 19, 2019| quote=Not only is Flair's daughter, Megan, set to give birth to her first child on May 9, two of his other children are excelling in high school athletics. Ashley Fliehr is one of the top volleyball players in North Carolina, while Reid Fliehr posted a 34-10 amateur wrestling record as a freshman.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/02/980288-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716060839/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/02/980288-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=Going toe to toe with Ric Flair|first=Tim|last=Baines|publisher=]|date=April 2, 2005|access-date=September 15, 2007}}</ref>

On May 17, 2012, it was reported that Flair's daughter Ashley had signed with WWE<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/3-news/25694-friday-update-more-on-three-hour-raw-move-more-on-live-impacts-brooke-hogan-huge-weekend-schedule-of-shows-ashley-flair-signs-nxt-tapings-tons-more|title=Friday update: More on three-hour Raw move, more on live Impacts, Brooke Hogan, huge weekend schedule of shows, Ashley Flair signs, NXT tapings, tons more|work=]|date=May 18, 2012|access-date=May 18, 2012|last=Alvarez|first=Bryan|author-link=Bryan Alvarez}}</ref> adopting the ring name, Charlotte, which was later changed to include the Flair surname.<ref name="Firstmatch">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=79009|publisher=PWInsider|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=July 18, 2013|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|title=WWE NXT report: number one contender match; tag title match; second generation wrestler debuts; women's tournament finals next week}}</ref>

On March 29, 2013, Reid died from a drug overdose of ], ], and a muscle relaxant.<ref>{{cite web|title=Reid Flair cause of death revealed as drug overdose|url=http://www.prowrestling.net/artman/publish/miscnews/article10031874.shtml|publisher=prowrestling.net|access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref>

On October 26, 2024, Sebastian Kidder, Flair's stepson through his relationship with Barlow, died from a gunshot wound, committing suicide.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/10/27/ric-flair-stepson-sebastian-kidder-dies-suicide/|title=Ric Flair's Stepson Sebastian Kidder Dies By Suicie ... At 24 Years Old|publisher=TMZ|date=October 27, 2024|accessdate=October 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name=nonlegalmarriage>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/ric-flair-stepson-sebastian-kidder-dead-by-suicide-musician-was-24-8735047|title=WWE Legend Ric Flair's Stepson Sebastian Kidder Dies by Suicide at 24|first=Charlotte|last=Phillips|publisher=People|date=October 27, 2024|accessdate=October 27, 2024}}</ref>

=== Legal problems ===
In December 2005, a judge issued arrest warrants for Flair after a ] incident that took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, in which Flair allegedly got out of his car, grabbed a motorist by the neck, and damaged his vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsoctv.com/news/5420940/detail.html|title=Wrestler Ric Flair Accused of Road Rage|date=November 28, 2005|publisher=WSOC Charlotte|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921025712/http://www.wsoctv.com/news/5420940/detail.html|archive-date=September 21, 2009}}</ref> Flair was charged with two misdemeanors, injury to personal property and simple assault and battery. This incident was ridiculed on WWE programming, most notably by the wrestler ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051205.html|title=RAW – December 5, 2005 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>

In September 2007, Flair opened a financial business called Ric Flair Finance. In July 2008, Flair Finance filed for bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2008/08/ric_flairs_departure_from_wwe.html|title=Ring Posts: Ric Flair's departure from WWE|date=May 16, 2007 |publisher=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> Following Flair's debut in ] his former employer, ], filed a lawsuit in 2010, alleging that Flair owed them over $40,000 and that he had not appeared at several events that he was contractually obligated to appear at.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1264921058|title=ROH files lawsuit against Ric Flair|date=January 31, 2010|last=Martin|first=Adam|access-date=June 26, 2011|publisher=Wrestleview}}</ref> The lawsuit was never resolved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/88060/former-roh-owner-rips-ric-flair.html?p=1|title=Former ROH owner rips Ric Flair|date=September 5, 2014|last=Johnson|first=Mike|access-date=January 27, 2016|work=PWInsider.com}}</ref>

Highspots Inc. claimed that Flair had given them the ] belt as collateral for the loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/49677/highspotscom-files-lawsuit-against-ric-flair-flairs-version-of-events-differs-greatly-from-theirs.html?p=1|title=HIGHSPOTS.COM FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST RIC FLAIR, FLAIR'S VERSION OF EVENTS DIFFERS GREATLY FROM THEIRS|date=August 3, 2010|last=Johnson|first=Mike|access-date=June 2, 2011|publisher=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagesideseats.com/2010/8/3/1603875/highspots-sues-ric-flair-over-lack|title=Highspots sues Ric Flair over lack of repayment of loans |date=July 3, 2010|last=Bixenspan|first=David|access-date=June 2, 2011|publisher=Cageside Seats}}</ref> A warrant for Flair's arrest was issued in May 2011 for being held in contempt of court for violating the terms of his settlement with Highspots. If Flair had failed to comply he could have potentially faced 90 days in jail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_50379.shtml|title=Flair News: Warrant issued for Ric Flair's arrest Thursday, related to failure to comply with legal settlement|date=May 26, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=June 2, 2011|publisher=ProWrestlingTorch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/05/27/2331708/ric-flair-held-in-contempt-over.html#storylink=misearch|title=Ric Flair held in contempt over loans|date=May 27, 2011|last=Ryan|first=Shane|access-date=June 2, 2011|publisher=CharlotteObserver}}</ref> On June 25, Highspots released a statement over their official Facebook page stating that someone had paid Flair's debts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1309106948|title=Highspots reveals Ric Flair pays up owed money|date=June 26, 2011|last=Adam|first=Martin|access-date=June 26, 2011|publisher=Wrestleview}}</ref>

=== Politics ===
Flair has long supported ] political candidates in ] politics.<ref name="governor">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/jan18_gov.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115112119/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/jan18_gov.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Flair aims to be N.C governor|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=March 11, 2008|date=February 8, 2000}}</ref> In 2000, Flair explored the possibility of running for ],<ref name="governor"/> but he never filed the papers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/feb8_gov.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714182339/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/feb8_gov.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Flair doesn't file to be N.C. governor – yet|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=March 11, 2008|date=February 8, 2000}}</ref> ] stated that, when Flair told him that he had received 143 speeding tickets in his life, Ventura urged him not to run.<ref>Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{cbignore}}: {{cite web |title=Jesse Ventura - Future President of the United States? | date=April 30, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbEBGZV2tkQ |publisher=Title Match Wrestling |access-date=June 5, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In the ], Flair declared his support for the Republican presidential candidate ]. He said of Huckabee, " is a quality person, self-made, a great family man and he has a great vision for our country. And I'm here to excite the crowd."<ref>{{cite news |date=November 25, 2007 |title=Huckabee tailgates and welcomes wrestler support |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/25/huckabee-tailgates-and-welcomes-wrestler-support/ |publisher=] |access-date=January 6, 2012 |archive-date=January 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106091648/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/25/huckabee-tailgates-and-welcomes-wrestler-support/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Flair endorsed ] during the ].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=PaulFSU|author=FSU Paul|number=630411988838031360|date=August 9, 2015|title=@nwalker6399 @RealBPhil I'm not against Trump. I want Ted Cruz though. I am against the wussy establishment candidates like Jeb.|access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref>

Flair announced in 2016 that he was running for president, with rapper ] as his running mate. However, he did not file a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fec.gov/press/resources/2016presidential_form2nm.shtml|title=2016 Presidential Form 2 Filers|date=April 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408031759/http://www.fec.gov/press/resources/2016presidential_form2nm.shtml|archive-date=April 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/watch-ric-flair-and-waka-flocka-flame-jump-into-presidential-race-111627/|title=Watch Ric Flair and Waka Flocka Flame Jump Into Presidential Race|first1=Scott|last1=Rafferty|magazine=]|date=October 19, 2016}}</ref>

===Health issues===
Flair has a heart condition called ].<ref>{{cite book|title=To Be the Man|first=Ric|last=Flair|author-link=Ric Flair|editor=Mark Madden|publisher=]|edition=1st|location=]|year=2004|isbn=978-0743456913}}</ref>

On August 14, 2017, Flair had surgery in Georgia to remove an ], which led to various complications, most seriously ], necessitating ] treatment and ongoing hospitalization.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2017/08/17/ric-flair-heath-update|title=Ric Flair Had Part of His Bowel Removed During Latest Health Scare|first=Justin|last=Barrasso|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=August 17, 2017}}</ref> He was discharged from rehabilitation and allowed to return home on September 21.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2017/0922/632433/impact-star-rips-promoter-for-alleged-sexism/|title=Impact Star Rips Promoter For Alleged Sexism, Ric Flair Returns Home, Mia Yim Added To MLW: One Shot - WrestlingInc.com|work=WrestlingInc.com|access-date=September 22, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

Flair suffered a ] during ] on July 31, 2022.<ref name="Tessier 2024 p334">{{cite web | last=Tessier | first=Colin | title=Ric Flair Says He Suffered A Legitimate Heart Attack During His Last Match | website=Fightful News | date=May 6, 2024 | url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ric-flair-says-he-suffered-legitimate-heart-attack-during-his-last-match | access-date=May 6, 2024}}</ref>

== Real-life feuds and backstage problems ==
===Teddy Long===
WWE Hall of Famer ] claimed Flair was hostile to him in his early career in the 1980s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.superluchas.com/teddy-long-se-sincera-sobre-sus-problemas-con-ric-flair/|title=Teddy Long opens up about his problems with Ric Flair &#124; Superfights|date=October 21, 2018|website=en.superluchas.com}}</ref> stating "Flair walked up to me one time and asked me, he said, '] you like working here?".<ref name="TLY">{{cite AV media |people=Oliver, Sean (interviewer); Long, Teddy (interviewee| date =November 2014 | title =YouShoot: Teddy Long | publisher =Kayfabe Commentaries}}</ref> Long claims Flair never apologized to him and "hasn't changed over the years".<ref name="TLY"/>

=== Bret Hart ===
Flair engaged in an off-screen rivalry with ]. In October 1993, Hart gave a radio interview in which he said Flair "sucks" and described his workplace, WCW, as "minor league".<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Oliver, Sean (director)|year=2014|title=Timeline: History of WCW - 93 - Told by Vader|medium=DVD|publisher=Kayfabe Commentaries|quote=1993 - October - Bret Hart buries Ric Flair and WCW - Bret Hart was on Toronto all-sports radio station 'The FAN' and buried WCW and Ric Flair during an interview, saying WCW is 'minor league' and Flair 'sucks'.}}</ref> Flair, in his autobiography, accused Hart of exploiting the death of his brother ] and the controversy surrounding the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE|title=Flair Pulls No Punches in Book|author=Mike Mooneyham|date= July 4, 2004|access-date=May 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224923/http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> Flair also claimed in his autobiography that—despite Hart's popularity in Canada—he was not a formidable money-making ] in the United States, a claim which Hart dismissed as "plain ridiculous" in a column written for the '']''. Hart cited his headlining performances on consistently sold-out tours throughout his WWF career, while alleging that Flair wrestled to near-empty arenas. He also criticized Flair on what he perceived as insults to fellow wrestlers ] and ], both personal friends of Hart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/news/brethartonflair.html|title=Bret Hart on Flair|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Hart went on to criticize Flair in his own autobiography, mainly his in-ring talent, (mis)use of ring psychology and what Hart perceived as Flair's unsubtle ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Hart|first=Bret|author-link=Bret Hart|title=Hitman: My real life in the cartoon world of wrestling|publisher=Ebury Press|year=2007|isbn=9780091932862|page=303 pp}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Hart|first=Bret|author-link=Bret Hart|title=Hitman: My real life in the cartoon world of wrestling|publisher=Ebury Press|year=2007|isbn=9780091932862|page=286 pp}}</ref> However, they have since reconciled and are now friends.<ref>Flair, Ric; Bret Hart, ''WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair'', "Episode 3: Bret "The Hitman" Hart", ], May 19, 2015</ref>

=== Shane Douglas ===
Flair also had a long-running feud with ], who would refer to him as "Dick Flair" and accuse him of sabotaging his push in the NWA/WCW after getting a solid push and a rub from his tag team partner Ricky Steamboat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/08/23/the-franchise-on-flair-russo/|title=The Franchise on Flair & Russo|author=John F. Molinaro|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=May 14, 2007|date=April 23, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050215134500/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBiosD/douglas_00aug23.html|archive-date=February 15, 2005}}</ref> In turn, Flair responded that Douglas was always the guy that would blame his shortcomings on others. He called Douglas out as well as accused him of steroid abuse during a broadcast of the Internet radio show ''WCW Live!'' in which he said that he would meet him anytime and anywhere if he would "take the needle out of his ass".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sporttoday.org/2_531d38a3edf41d6c_1.htm|title=Roid Abuser Ric Flair's PKB on Shane Douglas.|website=sporttoday.org}}</ref>

=== Mick Foley ===
Flair has also had problems with ]. In his 1999 autobiography '']'', Foley said that "Flair was every bit as bad on the booking side of things as he was great on the wrestling side of it".<ref>Foley, Mick. ''Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweat socks'' (p.2)</ref> This was in reference to how poorly Foley thought he was booked during his WCW career when Flair was on the booking committee. Flair responded in his autobiography by writing: "I do not care how many thumbtacks Mick Foley has fallen on, how many ladders he's fallen off, how many continents he's supposedly bled on, he will always be known as a glorified stuntman".<ref name=Flair2004>{{cite book|last=Flair|first=Ric|year=2004|title=Ric Flair: to Be the Man|page=|isbn=0-7434-9181-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ricflairtobeman00flai/page/211|publisher=Pocket Books}}</ref> They had an altercation in 2004 in Huntsville, and in 2006 they worked a program where Flair took part in some of the bloodiest and most violent matches of his career, particularly at ], in an "I Quit" match which had spots involving barbed wire and thumbtacks—trademark weapons from Foley's days as Cactus Jack. However, they have since reconciled and are now friends.<ref>Flair, Ric; Mick Foley, ''WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair'', "Episode 5: Hardcore Mick Foley and Ric Flair one on one!", ], June 2, 2015</ref>

=== Hulk Hogan ===
In his book, Flair also touched on some real-life tension between himself and ] which largely stemmed from an incident that followed the conclusion of a tag team match between Flair and his son David and the team of ] and ] at WCW's Souled Out pay-per-view on January 17, 1999, in Charleston, West Virginia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ric Flair reflects on Hulk Hogan's mistreatment |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/ric-flair-reflects-hulk-hogans-mistreatment/ |website=Online World of Wrestling |date=February 5, 2015 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> However, Flair has stated that he and Hogan remained friends despite their differences.<ref>Flair, Ric; Hulk Hogan, WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair, "EP 23: Hulk Hogan!", CBS Local Media, October 6, 2015</ref><ref>{{YouTube|8no4w9TE0Ys|"Hulk Hogan Appreciation Night at Madison Square Garden - February 27, 2015"}}</ref>

=== Bruno Sammartino ===
Flair and wrestler ] had a real-life disagreement over what reports call "the infamous backstage snub" where Flair claims that Sammartino refused to shake his hand at a live event.<ref name=brunopwinsider>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=29056|title=BRUNO SAMMARTINO SHOOTS HARD ON RIC FLAIR AND EXPLAINS WHY HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR HIM AT ALL|publisher=pwinsider.com|access-date=December 29, 2012}}</ref> While Flair claims Sammartino ignored him due to comments made in his book, stating Sammartino was "a Northeast star who couldn't draw fans outside New York",<ref name=brunopwinsider/> Sammartino referred to Flair as a "liar" and stating: "No, I don't respect Ric Flair. I don't respect him at all".<ref>{{cite book|author=Guttman, James|year=2008|title=World Wrestling Insanity Presents: Shoot First... Ask Questions Later|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1550228366}}</ref> They reconciled and were friends until Sammartino's death in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/sammartinobruno/status/321292408807632896|title=Bruno Sammartino @SammartinoBruno|publisher=]|date=April 8, 2013|access-date=July 26, 2015|quote=I had a nice friendly breakfast with Rick Flair heading home soon}}</ref>

===Becky Lynch===
In September 2019, Flair threatened legal action against WWE and filed a trademark for the term "The Man", which was being used as a nickname by heavily promoted wrestler ]. The threats of legal action caused a rift between Flair and his daughter Charlotte, who was Lynch's onscreen nemesis at the time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daniels |first1=Tim |title=Ric Flair Threatening Legal Action vs. WWE for Becky Lynch's 'The Man' Gimmick |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2852466-ric-flair-threatening-legal-action-vs-wwe-for-becky-lynchs-the-man-gimmick |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Lynch responded to the actions by asserting that she still liked and respected Flair.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mendhe |first1=Abhilash |title=WWE News: Becky Lynch reveals what she thinks of Ric Flair |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/wwe-news-becky-lynch-reveals-what-she-thinks-of-ric-flair |website=Sportskeeda |date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair transferred the rights to "The Man" nickname and gimmick to WWE in May 2020. The terms of the transfer were undisclosed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sripad |title=Ric Flair vs WWE for 'The Man' trademark comes to an end |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-ric-flair-vs-wwe-the-man-trademark-comes-end |website=Sportskeeda |date=May 30, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair began feuding with Lynch in 2021, accusing her of using the term without his explicit permission, but their dispute was resolved when he apologized to her in January 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phelan |first1=Chris |title=Real-Life Bad Blood Between Becky Lynch & Ric Flair Thankfully Over, Says Seth Rollins |url=https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/becky-lynch-ric-flair-the-man-feud-over-seth-rollins |work=USA Insider |publisher=] |date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=February 10, 2023}}</ref>

==="Plane Ride from Hell"===
Flair was part of the infamous 2002 "]". Flair was accused of wearing his signature wrestling robe while naked and forcing two female flight attendants to touch his penis; they would later sue the WWE, though the case was ultimately settled out of court.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/04/10/ric-flairs-long-list-legal-troubles/100284810/|title=Ric Flair's long list of legal troubles|first=Justin L.|last=Mack|website=The Indianapolis Star}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://grantland.com/features/the-wrestler-real-life/|title=The Wrestler in Real Life|website=Grantland|date=September 6, 2011|access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> The allegations were discussed on the Canadian documentary series '']'' in 2021 on an episode dedicated to the flight. Flair released a statement after the episode aired denying the allegations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-ric-flair-releases-statement-dark-side-of-the-ring-accusations-sexual-assault-flight-attendant/|title=Ric Flair Releases Statement on Dark Side of the Ring Accusations|website=Comicbook|first=Connor|last=Casey|date=September 20, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2022}}</ref> Flair was also removed from the WWE's intro signature afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-ric-flair-removed-opening-signature-video-dark-side-of-the-ring-sexual-assault-merchandise-story-time/|title=WWE Has Removed Any Sign of Ric Flair From Their TV Programs|first=Connor|last=Casey|date=September 22, 2021|website=Comicbook|access-date=September 14, 2022}}</ref>

== Championships and accomplishments ==
] 9 times]]
] in 2008 for his singles career]]
]]]
* ''''']'''''
** Match of the Year (2008) {{small|vs. ] at ]}}<ref name="Baltimore2008">{{cite web|last=Eck|first=Kevin|title=2008 Awards|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-01-2008_awards_1-story.html|work=]|date=January 2, 2009|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204084430/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-01-2008_awards_1-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*''']'''
**Class of 2021<ref>{{cite web |title=Induction Class 2021 {{!}} Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame |url=https://www.prowrestlinghall.org/induction |website=IPWHF |access-date=December 14, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''']'''
** Class of 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1350498191 |title=Flair, Watts, Taylor to enter Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame |date=October 17, 2012 |access-date=October 17, 2012 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021002839/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1350498191 |archive-date=October 21, 2012}}</ref>
* ''']/]'''
**] (])<ref name="wcwwhchistory"> At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** ] (])
** ] (])<ref> At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** ] (])<ref name="autogenerated3"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412062225/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-tv.html |date=April 12, 2008 }} At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** ] (]){{Efn|name=Six|Flair did win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship six times and the six reigns were recognized even after World Championship Wrestling (WCW) took control over the championship and renamed it the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship in 1991. After WCW's purchase by WWE, the lineage of the championships were kept in the WWE United States Championship. WWE.com has published contradictory information on Flair's reigns – recognizing five reigns in one article, but describing him as a six-time champion in another article.}}<ref name="autogenerated1"> At wrestling-titles.com</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Benigno|first1=Anthony|title=Ric Flair and David Flair — United States Championship|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/father-son-champions/page-8|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622225649/http://www.wwe.com/inside/father-son-champions/page-8|archive-date=June 22, 2015 |quote=The Dirtiest Player in the Game also had six stints with the United States Title, which is enough to build a legacy on in and of itself}}</ref>
** ] (]) – with ] (1), ] (1), and ] (1)<ref> At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** ] (]) – with Greg Valentine (2) and ] (1)<ref> At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** First ]
* ''']'''
**] (])<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html|title=NWA World Heavyweight Title|website=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
** ] (class of 2008)
* ''''']'''''
** ] (1987) <small>] vs. ] and ]</small><ref name="PWI Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|title=PWI Awards|work=]|publisher=]|access-date=August 14, 2017|archive-date=January 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121172943/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** Feud of the Year (1988, 1990) <small> vs. ]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Feud of the Year (1989) <small>vs. ]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** ] (2008)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** ] (1983) <small>vs. ] (June 10)</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Year (1984) <small>vs. ] at ]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Year (1986) <small>vs. ] at ] in a ]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Year (1989) <small>vs. ] at ]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Year (2008) <small>vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Decade (2000–2009) <small>vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV</small>
** ] (1978, 1987)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** ] (1975)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** ] (2008)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** ] (1981, 1984–1986, 1989, 1992)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
**PWI Wrestler of the Decade (1980's)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwi-online.com/covers/FullSize/1990/90-04.gif |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204140208/http://www.pwi-online.com/covers/FullSize/1990/90-04.gif |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** Ranked No. 3 of the top 500 wrestlers in the ] in 1991, 1992, and 1994<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1991.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1991|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1992.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1992|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1994.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1994|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 2 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the ''PWI Years'' in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years|access-date=August 5, 2008|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616064424/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|archive-date=June 16, 2008}}</ref>
* ''']'''
** ]<ref name=pwhof>{{cite web|url=http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/bios/flair.asp|title=Ric Flair|publisher=Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|access-date=August 14, 2017|author=Westcott, Brian|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923110934/http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/bios/flair.asp|archive-date=September 23, 2017}}</ref>
* ''']'''
** ] (])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mo/mo-h.html|title=Missouri Heavyweight Title|website=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
* ''']'''
** ]
* ''']'''
**] (])<ref name=th>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/ricflair/titlehistory|title=Title history: Ric Flair|publisher=WWE|access-date=March 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411093424/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/ricflair/titlehistory|archive-date=April 11, 2008}}</ref>
** ] (])<ref name=th/>
**] (]) – with ] (2) and ] (1)<ref name=th/>
**] (])<ref name=th/>
**]
**] for Match of the Year (]) {{small|vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV}}
**] (2 times)
*** ] - individually
*** ] - as a member of ]
**] (2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/ric-flair-getting-wwe-statue/#.WIewGBuLREZ|title=Ric Flair Statue Being Made For WrestleMania 33 Axxess|date=January 24, 2017|access-date=May 22, 2018|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104024259/https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/ric-flair-getting-wwe-statue/#.WIewGBuLREZ|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ''''']'''''
** ] (1990)
** ] (1991, 1992, 1994)
** ] (1982,1984-1988)
** ] (1989) <small>vs. Terry Funk </small>
** ] (1983) <small>vs. Harley Race in a steel cage match at ]</small>
** Match of the Year (1986) <small>vs. Barry Windham at Battle of the Belts II on February 14</small>
** Match of the Year (1988) <small>vs. Sting at ] </small>
** Match of the Year (1989) <small>vs. Ricky Steamboat at ]</small>
** ] (1980, 1982–1984, 1993)
** ] (1986, 1987, 1989)
** ] (1984–1993, 1996)
** ] (1990) <small>vs. The ]</small>
** ] (1996) <small>with ], ], ], Lex Luger, ], ], and ] vs. ] and ] in a ] at ]</small>
** ] (1982–1986, 1989, 1990, 1992)
** ] (1994) <small>Retirement angle</small>
** ] (Class of 1996)

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="GOATPeers">The preceding material is supported by the following references:
* {{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/2018/11/27/stone-cold-steve-austin-ric-flair-wwe-greatest-of-all-time/ |title='Stone Cold' Steve Austin names Ric Flair as the greatest wrestler of all time |date=November 27, 2018 |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote= Ric Flair is the greatest professional wrestler that ever lived. }}
* {{cite book|author=Ric Flair|title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FagQpIp66Y0C&pg=PT7|date=2010|publisher=]|isbn=978-1-4391-2174-0|page=7|quote= Let me state this categorically: Ric Flair is the greatest wrestler of all time.}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/2004/07/18/flair-hart-war-of-the-words/ |title=Angle: Flair greatest ever |date=July 3, 2005 |author=Mike Mooneyham|website=MikeMooneyham.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote= ...overall the greatest ever is Ric Flair.}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ric-flair-hulk-hogan-give-their-top-3-wrestlers-all-time-ric-flair-hopes-ronda-and-charlotte-cross |title=Ric Flair & Hulk Hogan give their top 3 wrestlers of all time |date=February 13, 2018 |author=Andrew Thompson | website=Fightful.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote= I pick Ric Flair first, because he's the greatest wrestler of all time.}}
* {{cite episode|title=Shawn Michaels|series=Stone Cold Podcast|network=]|date=December 13, 2015|minutes=8|quote= Would you agree with me, that he was the greatest of all time? Yeah... I'm always gonna say Ric.}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/2004/07/18/flair-hart-war-of-the-words/ |title=Flair-Hart: war of the worlds |date=November 7, 2017 |author=Mike Mooneyham|website=MikeMooneyham.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote= Ric Flair is the single greatest wrestler – bar none – that has ever been in our business. The greatest wrestler to lace his boots was the 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair.}}
* {{cite episode|title=One More Round: The Undertaker|series=Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions|network=]|date=November 22, 2020|minutes=20 & 24|quote= I think you and I are on the same page with Ric Flair being the greatest of all time. Absolutely I'm like, 'Wait a minute: You're Ric Flair, right? You're the greatest to ever do this.'}}</ref>
<ref name="GOATJournalists">The preceding material is supported by the following references:
* {{cite book|author=George Napolitano|title=Hot Shots and High Spots: George Napolitano's Amazing Pictorial History of Wrestling's Greatest Stars|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fGOFu7tMlGkC&pg=PA74|date=2011|publisher=]|isbn=978-1-77090-064-6|page=74|quote=Ric Flair is undoubtedly the greatest wrestler that I have ever seen.}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/2004/07/18/flair-hart-war-of-the-words/ |title=Flair-Hart: war of the worlds |date=November 7, 2017 |author=Mike Mooneyham|website=MikeMooneyham.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote=Hart...sincerely believes he was the best wrestler in the business. Unfortunately for the Canadian legend, though, that label more aptly describes Ric Flair.}}
* {{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/07/26/wwe-wcw-ecw-100-best-wrestlers-all-time |title=A definitive ranking of the top 101 wrestlers of all time |date=July 26, 2016 |author=Luke Winkie| magazine=] |access-date=January 4, 2019}}
</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmIWE">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1091&page=4&promotion=1153 | title=Ric Flair - Career - International Wrestling Enterprise | access-date=January 8, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch}}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmSWS">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1091&page=4&promotion=308 | title=Ric Flair - Career - Super World Sports | access-date=January 8, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch}}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmWAR">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1091&page=4&promotion=161 | title=Ric Flair - Career - Wrestle Association-R | access-date=January 8, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch}}</ref>
}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last1=Flair |first1=Ric |last2=Greenberg |first2=Keith Elliot |editor-last=Madden |editor-first=Mark |year=2005 |title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man |url=https://archive.org/details/ricflairtobeman00flai |url-access=registration |location=New York |publisher=Pocket Books |isbn=0-7434-9181-5 |oclc=60523429}}
* {{cite book |last=Foley |first=Mick |year=2000 |title=Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=0-06-103101-1}}
* {{cite video|title=Ric Flair & The Four Horsemen|date=2007|publisher=WWE Home Video|location=Stamford, Connecticut|oclc=144971907}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Ric Flair}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{WWE superstar}}
* {{IMDb name|name=Ric Flair}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}

{{Ric Flair}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Flair, Ric}}
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Latest revision as of 23:52, 20 December 2024

American professional wrestler (born 1949)

Ric Flair
Flair in 2019
Born (1949-02-25) February 25, 1949 (age 75)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Other namesRichard Morgan Fliehr
EducationWayland Academy
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
Occupations
  • Professional wrestling manager
  • professional wrestler
  • author
Years active1972–present
Spouses
  • Leslie Goodman ​ ​(m. 1971; div. 1983)
  • Elizabeth Harrell ​ ​(m. 1983; div. 2006)
  • Tiffany VanDemark ​ ​(m. 2006; div. 2009)
  • Jackie Beems ​ ​(m. 2009; div. 2014)
PartnerWendy Barlow (2018-2024)
Children4, including David, Ashley, and Reid
RelativesConrad Thompson (son-in-law)
Andrade El Idolo (son-in-law)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)The Black Scorpion
Ric Flair
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Billed weight243 lb (110 kg)
Billed fromCharlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Trained byVerne Gagne
DebutDecember 10, 1972
Signature
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Professional wrestling
History
Notable promotions
Notable peopleEarly 20th Century

Mid 20th Century

1970s and 1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s and 2020s

By region
Styles
Concepts
Culture
Media outlets
Controversies
Lists
Related topics

Richard Morgan Fliehr (born February 25, 1949), known professionally as Ric Flair, is an American professional wrestler. Regarded by multiple peers and journalists as the greatest professional wrestler of all time, Flair has had a career spanning over 50 years in 6 decades.

He is noted for his tenures with Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Much of his career was spent in JCP and WCW, in which he won numerous titles. Since the mid-1970s, he has used the moniker "the Nature Boy". A major pay-per-view attraction throughout his career, Flair headlined the premier annual NWA/WCW event, Starrcade, on ten occasions, while also co-headlining its WWF counterpart, WrestleMania, in 1992, after winning that year's Royal Rumble. Pro Wrestling Illustrated awarded him their Wrestler of the Year award a record six times, while Wrestling Observer Newsletter named him the Wrestler of the Year (an award named after him and Lou Thesz) a record eight times. The first two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee, first inducted with the class of 2008 for his individual career and again with the class of 2012 as a member of The Four Horsemen, he is also a member of the NWA Hall of Fame, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

Flair is officially recognized by WWE as a 16-time world champion (8-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, 6-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, and two-time WWF Champion), although the number of his world championship reigns varies by source, ranging from 16 or 17 to 25. He has claimed to be a 21-time champion. He was the first holder of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship (which he also held last). As the inaugural WCW World Heavyweight Champion, he became the first person to complete WCW's Triple Crown, having already held the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship and WCW World Tag Team Championship. He then completed WWE's version of the Triple Crown when he won the WWE Intercontinental Championship, after already holding the WWF Championship and the World Tag Team Championship.

Early life

Fliehr was born on February 25, 1949, in Memphis, Tennessee. His original parents were Luther and Olive Phillips, the latter of whom was also credited with the Demaree and Stewart surnames; nevertheless, his birth name is commonly considered to be Fred Phillips, even if he is also credited on various records as Fred Demaree or Fred Stewart. He was adopted by Kathleen Kinsmiller Fliehr (1918–2003) and Richard Reid Fliehr (1918–2000). The Fliehrs decided to adopt due to Kathleen being unable to become pregnant after giving birth to a daughter who died shortly after. At the time of his adoption (arranged by the Tennessee Children's Home Society as part of Georgia Tann's infant trafficking scandal) his adoptive father was completing a residency in obstetrics and gynecology in Detroit, Michigan. His adoptive mother worked for the Star Tribune. Shortly afterward, the family settled in Edina, Minnesota, where the young Fliehr lived throughout his childhood.

After ninth grade, he attended Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin for four years, where he participated in wrestling, football, and track. After high school, Fliehr briefly attended the University of Minnesota.

Professional wrestling career

American Wrestling Association (1972–1974)

A successful amateur wrestler in his teens, Flair trained as a professional wrestler with Verne Gagne. He attended Gagne's first wrestling camp with Greg Gagne, "Jumpin'" Jim Brunzell, The Iron Sheik and Ken Patera at Gagne's barn outside Minneapolis in the winter of 1971. On December 10, 1972, he made his debut in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, battling George "Scrap Iron" Gadaski to a 10-minute draw while adopting the ring name Ric Flair. During his time in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), Flair had matches with Dusty Rhodes, Chris Taylor, André the Giant, Larry Hennig and Wahoo McDaniel.

International Wrestling Enterprise (1973)

Flair made his first appearances in Japan in 1973 with International Wrestling Enterprise (IWE) as part of a working agreement between the IWE and AWA promoter Verne Gagne. He competed in IWE's "Big Summer Series" throughout June and July, facing opponents such as Animal Hamaguchi, Great Kusatsu, Katsuzo Matsumoto, Mighty Inoue, and Rusher Kimura.

Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling (1974–1991)

Becoming the Nature Boy (1974–1981)

In 1974, Flair left the AWA for Jim Crockett's Mid-Atlantic region in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), debuting on May 13, 1974, by defeating Abe Jacobs. Shortly after his debut, Flair won his first championship in the promotion, by teaming with Rip Hawk to defeat Bob Bruggers and Paul Jones to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship. After a lengthy title reign, Flair and Hawk lost the titles to Paul Jones and Tiger Conway Jr. on December 6. Brute Bernard substituted for an inactive Hawk during the title defense. Flair would then capture his first singles title on February 9, 1975, by beating Paul Jones for the Mid-Atlantic Television Championship. After holding the title for six months, Flair lost the title back to Jones on August 8. During the same time, Flair began feuding with Wahoo McDaniel over the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship. After coming up short in several title opportunities, Flair finally defeated McDaniel for the title in a title vs. hair match on September 20.

On October 4, 1975, however, Flair's career nearly ended when he was in a serious plane crash in Wilmington, North Carolina that took the life of the pilot and paralyzed Johnny Valentine (also on board were Mr. Wrestling, Bob Bruggers, and promoter David Crockett). Flair broke his back in three places and, at age 26, was told by doctors that he would never wrestle again. Flair conducted a rigorous physical therapy schedule, however, and he returned to the ring just three months later, where he resumed his feud with Wahoo McDaniel over the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship in January 1976. The crash did force Flair to alter his wrestling technique away from the power brawling style he had used early on to one more focused on grappling, which led him to adopt the "Nature Boy" gimmick he would use throughout his career. Flair would ultimately lose the title back to McDaniel on May 3, 1976. However, three weeks later, Flair regained the title by defeating McDaniel in a rematch on May 24.

The title exchange with McDaniel continued as Flair lost the title to McDaniel in a steel cage match on September 11. On October 16, Flair defeated McDaniel in a title versus hair match to regain the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship. During this time, Flair teamed with Greg Valentine to defeat The Andersons (Gene Anderson and Ole Anderson) in a no disqualification match to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship on December 26. The following day, Flair lost the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship to Wahoo McDaniel in a no disqualification match. In the midst of his tag team championship reign, Flair defeated Rufus R. Jones to win his second Mid-Atlantic Television Championship on April 4, 1977. On May 8, Flair and Valentine lost the World Tag Team Championship back to Andersons in a steel cage match. A few days later, on May 15, Flair received his very first opportunity for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Harley Race. Race retained the title after the match ended in a double count-out. Flair would lose the Mid-Atlantic Television Championship to Ricky Steamboat on June 15, beginning a lengthy and historic rivalry between the two. On June 30, Flair and Valentine defeated Dino Bravo and Tiger Conway Jr. to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship.

On July 29, Flair defeated Bobo Brazil to win his first NWA United States Heavyweight Championship in Richmond, Virginia. Flair and Valentine lost the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship to Paul Jones and Ricky Steamboat on August 22. Flair would defend the United States Heavyweight Championship against numerous challengers, including Steamboat, whom he wrestled in several matches, such as title versus title match for Flair's title and Steamboat's Mid-Atlantic Television Championship. On October 30, Flair and Valentine defeated The Andersons to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. On October 20, Flair lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Ricky Steamboat.

Flair (left) in a 1981 match against Ernie Ladd

On March 30, 1978, Flair and Valentine were stripped of the World Tag Team Championship by NWA management due to continuously ending their matches via disqualification. On April 9, Flair defeated Mr. Wrestling in a title versus hair match to capture his second United States Heavyweight Championship. On October 30, Flair and John Studd defeated Paul Jones and Ricky Steamboat to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship, but lost the titles back to Jones and Steamboat, five days later on November 5. After retaining the title against several challengers including Blackjack Mulligan and Jimmy Snuka, Flair lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Steamboat on December 17. Flair would then come up short against Steamboat in several title challenges, before defeating him in a steel cage match to win his third United States Heavyweight Championship on April 1, 1979. During this time, Flair began feuding with the original "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, due to Flair referring to himself as "The Nature Boy". The rivalry concluded in a match between the two at Battle of the Nature Boys on July 8, in which Flair defended the United States Heavyweight Championship against Rogers. Rogers put Flair over in the match, leading to Flair retaining the title and cementing his place as the new "Nature Boy" of professional wrestling.

A month later, on August 12, Flair teamed with Blackjack Mulligan to defeat Baron von Raschke and Paul Jones to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Flair and Mulligan lost the titles back to Raschke and Jones on August 22. Flair would then begin feuding with Jimmy Snuka over the United States Heavyweight Championship, defeating him to win the title for a fourth time on April 20, 1980. Flair lost the title to his former tag team partner Greg Valentine on July 26. Flair defeated Valentine in a lumberjack match to win his fifth United States Heavyweight Championship on November 24. On January 27, 1981, Flair lost the title to Roddy Piper in a title versus title match, where Flair's United States Heavyweight Championship and Piper's Television Championship were on the line. The United States Heavyweight Championship's current owner WWE does not recognize the title exchange with Greg Valentine and recognizes Flair's reign uninterrupted from April 20 to January 27. Flair would face Piper in various rematches for the title throughout the year but failed to regain the title.

NWA World Heavyweight Champion (1981–1991)

See also: The Four Horsemen
Flair pins Dusty Rhodes to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship as Lou Thesz (left) counts the pinfall, on September 17, 1981.

On September 17, 1981, Flair beat Dusty Rhodes for his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship. In the following years, Flair established himself as the promotion's main franchise in the midst of emerging competition from Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation (WWF). An unsanctioned title loss took place on January 6, 1983, to Carlos Colón Sr. in Puerto Rico. Flair recovered the championship belt in a phantom change seventeen days later not officially recognized by the NWA. Harley Race won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Flair in 1983, but Flair regained the title at Starrcade in a steel cage match. Officially, Flair won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship eight more times. Flair lost the title to Race and won it back in the span of three days in New Zealand and Singapore in March 1984. At the 1st David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions at Texas Stadium, Flair was pinned by Kerry Von Erich, but he regained the title eighteen days later in Japan and reigned for two years, two months and two days, losing the title to Dusty Rhodes on July 26, 1986, at The Great American Bash in a Steel Cage Match. However, Flair regained the title at a house show on August 9, when Rhodes passed out in the Figure Four leglock.

In late 1985, the tag team of Arn Anderson and Ole Anderson began aiding Flair (whom they claimed as a "cousin") in attacks against Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A. and Sam Houston. A few weeks later, the Andersons interrupted Houston's match against Tully Blanchard and the three villains combined to rough up the youngster. Shortly thereafter, Flair, Blanchard and the Andersons formalized their alliance, calling themselves The Four Horsemen, with Blanchard's manager J. J. Dillon also coming on board. Upon the group's inception, it was clear that The Four Horsemen were unlike any villainous alliance that had ever existed, as the four rule breakers immediately used their strength in numbers to decimate the NWA's top fan favorites (most famously a vicious beatdown to Rhodes with a baseball bat in a parking lot) while controlling the majority of the championship titles.

Flair with the "Big Gold" NWA World Heavyweight Championship, circa 1986

By 1986, wrestling promoter Jim Crockett had consolidated the various NWA member promotions he owned into a single entity, running under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance. Controlling much of the traditional NWA territories in the southeast and Midwestern United States, Crockett looked to expand nationally and built his promotion around Flair as champion. During this time, Flair's bookings as champion were tightly controlled by Crockett, and a custom championship belt was created for Flair. Flair lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Detroit to Ron Garvin on September 25, 1987. Garvin held the title for two months before losing to Flair on November 26, 1987, at WCW's first pay-per-view event, Starrcade, in Chicago. In early 1988, Sting and Flair fought to a 45-minute time-limit draw at the first ever Clash of the Champions. On February 20, 1989, at Chi-Town Rumble in Chicago, Ricky Steamboat pinned Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. This prompted a series of rematches, where Steamboat was presented as a "family man" (often accompanied by his wife and young son), while Flair opposed him as an immoral, fast-living "ladies man". Following a best-of-three falls match with Steamboat that lasted just short of the 60-minute time limit (and ended with a disputed finish where Steamboat retained the title) at Clash of the Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun on April 2, Flair regained the title from Steamboat on May 7, 1989, at WrestleWar in a match that was voted 1989's "Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. On July 23, 1989, Flair defeated Terry Funk at The Great American Bash, but the two continued to feud through the summer and eventually Flair reformed The Four Horsemen, with the surprise addition of longtime rival Sting, to combat Funk's J-Tex Corporation. This led to an "I Quit" match at Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout which Flair won. Flair then kicked Sting out of The Four Horsemen upon his challenge for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, resulting in a revived feud between the two. On July 7, 1990, Flair dropped the title to Sting at The Great American Bash. After being unmasked as The Black Scorpion at Starrcade in 1990, Flair regained the title from Sting on January 11, 1991.

Subsequent to this title win, Flair was recognized by WCW as the first WCW World Heavyweight Champion, though he was still also recognized as NWA World Heavyweight Champion. On March 21, 1991, Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Flair in a match in Tokyo at the WCW/New Japan Supershow. While the NWA recognized Fujinami as their new champion, WCW did not because Fujinami had backdropped Flair over the top rope in a violation of WCW rules. On May 19, 1991, Flair defeated Fujinami at SuperBrawl I in St. Petersburg, Florida to reclaim the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. In the spring of 1991, Flair had a contract dispute with WCW president Jim Herd, who wanted him to take a substantial pay cut. Flair had resigned as head booker in February 1990 and Herd wanted to reduce Flair's role in the promotion even further, despite the fact that Flair was still a top draw. According to Flair, Herd also proposed changes in his appearance and ring name (i.e. by shaving his hair, wearing a diamond earring and going by the name Spartacus) in order to "change with the times". Flair disagreed with the proposals and two weeks before The Great American Bash, Herd fired him and vacated the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. While Flair had left for the WWF, he was still recognized as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion until September 8, when the title was officially vacated.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1978–1987)

While working for Jim Crockett Jr.'s Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (MACW), Flair began working tours for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). On April 27, 1978, Flair challenged for the NWA United National Championship in a losing effort. Throughout the 1980s, Flair defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in All Japan against the likes of Genichiro Tenryu, Riki Choshu, Jumbo Tsuruta, Harley Race, and Kerry Von Erich. On October 21, 1985, Flair wrestled Rick Martel in a double title match where he defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and challenged for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, but the match ended in a double countout. As All Japan withdrew from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in the late 1980s, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) began a working agreement with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1989–1991, 1995–1996)

In 1989, the working agreement led to a feud between Flair and Keiji Mutoh, who was wrestling under The Great Muta gimmick, in the United States for WCW. On March 21, 1991, Flair defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and challenged Tatsumi Fujinami for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in a double title match on the WCW/New Japan Supershow at the Tokyo Dome. Fujinami beat Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but later lost the title at WCW's SuperBrawl I on May 19, 1991, in the United States.

In August 1995, while under WCW contract, Flair participated in the G1 Climax tournament in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he beat Shiro Koshinaka, drew Masahiro Chono, and lost to Keiji Mutoh. On July 17, 1996, Flair challenged Shinya Hashimoto for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort in NJPW.

World Wrestling Federation (1991–1993)

Flair signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in August 1991. His arrival was hyped by Bobby Heenan, beginning with the August 11 episode of Wrestling Challenge. On the September 21 episode of Superstars, Flair debuted in WWF with the Big Gold Belt, calling himself "The Real World's Champion". Led by his "financial adviser" Bobby Heenan and his "executive consultant" Mr. Perfect, Flair repeatedly issued challenges to WWF wrestlers like "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan. His first match with the promotion saw him wrestle Mark Thomas to a no contest on the September 28 episode of Superstars by provoking Piper to attack him, and Flair then attacked Piper with the Big Gold Belt and a chair. His first televised win in WWF occurred on the September 29 episode of Wrestling Challenge by squashing Jim Powers. Flair wrestled a team led by Piper at Survivor Series in November and helped The Undertaker defeat Hogan for the WWF Championship that same night. WCW sued Flair in an attempt to reclaim the championship belt, but Flair claimed otherwise due to a loophole in NWA policy; at the time he first became champion, the NWA required all of the wrestlers that it selected to be world champion to put down a security deposit of $25,000, which, in effect, resulted in the belt being leased to any wrestler who held it. The NWA, in usual cases, would return the deposit and any interest that may have accumulated upon the conclusion of the wrestler's championship reign. They did not do this for Flair before he was terminated by WCW, and since the money was still owed to him by the NWA upon his signing with the WWF, Flair believed that the title belt had become his personal property to do with as he pleased.

At the 1992 Royal Rumble, Flair won the namesake match to claim the vacant WWF Championship. Flair entered as number three in the Rumble match and lasted 60 minutes, last eliminating Sid Justice with help from Hulk Hogan, who had been eliminated by Justice seconds earlier. In February 1992, Flair faced the Intercontinental Champion Roddy Piper in a series of inconclusive title-versus-title matches. Randy Savage then challenged Flair for the WWF Championship as part of the double main event at WrestleMania VIII. In the storyline, Flair taunted Savage by claiming that he had a prior relationship with Savage's wife, Miss Elizabeth. Savage defeated Flair for the title at WrestleMania. In July 1992, as Savage prepared to defend the title against The Ultimate Warrior at SummerSlam, Flair and Mr. Perfect sowed distrust between the two by suggesting that they would back one or the other during their match. They actually attacked both Savage and Warrior, resulting in the latter winning by countout, and injured Savage's knee, an injury that Flair exploited to regain the title in a match with Savage three days later on September 1 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which aired on the September 14 episode of Prime Time Wrestling. On September 15, 1992, Flair defended the WWF Championship against Genichiro Tenryu at a Wrestle Association R event in Yokohama, Japan; the match ended in a draw. Flair's second reign ended when he lost the title to Bret Hart on October 12 at a house show.

Flair teamed with Razor Ramon to take on Savage and Perfect at the Survivor Series in November 1992. Flair appeared in the Royal Rumble in January 1993, then lost a Loser Leaves the WWF match to Mr. Perfect on the January 25 episode of Monday Night Raw. Flair had a verbal agreement with Vince McMahon with the condition that if he wasn't going to be used in a main event position and had an offer to go elsewhere, he would be released from his contract. He opted to leave WWF when he was going to be moved to a mid-card position and Bill Watts offered to come back to WCW. Flair then fulfilled his remaining house show commitments and took part in the WWF's "Winter Tour '93" of Europe. He made his last appearance with the WWF on February 11, 1993, before returning to WCW.

Super World of Sports (1992)

In April 1992, Flair toured Japan with the Super World of Sports (SWS) promotion as part of an agreement between the WWF and SWS. In his first bout, he teamed with The Natural Disasters to defeat Ashura Hara, Genichiro Tenryu, and Takashi Ishikawa in a six-man tag team match. He went on to defeat Tenryu in a singles match, then lost to Tenryu in a two-out-of-three falls match.

World Championship Wrestling (1993–2001)

WCW World Heavyweight Champion (1993–1996)

See also: The Four Horsemen
One of Flair's signature robes

Flair triumphantly returned to WCW as a hero in February 1993. As a result of a "no-compete" clause he was initially unable to wrestle, so he hosted a short-lived talk show in WCW called A Flair for the Gold. Arn Anderson usually appeared at the bar on the show's set, and Flair's maid Fifi cleaned or bore gifts. Once he returned to action, Flair briefly held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for a tenth time after defeating Barry Windham at Beach Blast before WCW finally left the NWA in September 1993. At Fall Brawl, Flair lost the title, now rebranded the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship, to "Ravishing Rick" Rude. At Starrcade in 1993, Flair defeated Vader to win the WCW World Heavyweight title for the second time. In the spring of 1994, Flair began a tweener turn and started another feud with longtime rival Ricky Steamboat and challenged Steamboat to a match at Spring Stampede which ended in a no contest from a double pin, causing the title to be held up. Flair then defeated Steamboat in a rematch to reclaim the held-up title on an episode of WCW Saturday Night. The WWE does not count this victory as a new title win. Flair then challenged Col. Robert Parker to wrestle one of his men at Slamboree, which turned out to be Barry Windham, whom Flair defeated, afterwards he quietly turned heel and took Sherri Martel as his manager. He would also wrestle Lord Steven Regal in a five-match series under Marquess of Queensberry Rules, which aired on WCW Worldwide between April 30 and May 28, in which Flair won the series, with 2 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws.

In June 1994 at Clash of the Champions XXVII, Flair defeated Sting in a unification match, merging the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, and solidifying his heel turn after his alliance with Sherri was brought into the open after she helped him win the match while pretending that she had sided with Sting. After becoming the unified and undisputed WCW champion, Flair feuded with Hulk Hogan upon Hogan's arrival in WCW in June 1994, losing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to him in July at Bash at the Beach. Flair continued to feud with Hogan and finally lost to Hogan in a steel cage retirement match at Halloween Havoc. Flair took a few months off afterwards before returning to WCW television in January 1995 for an interview at Clash of the Champions XXX. After attacking Hogan at Superbrawl V, Flair also began appearing as a part-time manager for Vader, who was engaged in feud with Hogan, and developed a short-lived angle where he was "possessed", even attacking his old WWF opponent Randy Savage at the first Uncensored. He soon afterwards returned to wrestling (explained on-air by having Flair nag Hogan for months until Hogan and Savage both petitioned WCW management to let Flair come back). Upon returning to wrestling, Flair quickly revived his 1992 feud with Savage, but this time also got Savage's father Angelo Poffo involved after he put him in a figure four leglock at Slamboree 1995.

On April 29, 1995, Flair wrestled Antonio Inoki in front of 190,000 spectators in Pyongyang, North Korea at the May Day Stadium in a losing effort under a joint show between New Japan Pro-Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling. The event was broadcast on August 4, 1995, on pay-per-view under the title of Collision in Korea. In the fall of 1995, Flair began a short feud with Arn Anderson, which culminated in a tag match that saw Flair turning on Sting to reform the new Four Horsemen with Flair as the leader, Arn Anderson, Brian Pillman, and Chris Benoit as the members. With the new Four Horsemen, Flair won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship two more times before the nWo invasion storyline began in WCW, with the first one being in December 1995 at Starrcade, where Flair defeated Lex Luger and Sting by countout and then defeated Savage after all three Four Horsemen members ran to the ring and Arn Anderson knocked out Savage with brass knuckles, thus allowing Flair to pin Savage to win the match and the title. Afterwards Savage won the title back on Nitro after Starcade, but Flair won the next match at SuperBrawl VI to regain the championship. During the feud, Savage's manager Miss Elizabeth turned against him and became Flair's valet. Together with Woman and Debra McMichael they would escort Flair to his matches until Miss Elizabeth was taken by the nWo in the fall and eventually returned as Savage's valet when he joined the nWo in 1997. Flair lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship eventually three months later to The Giant. The feud with Savage continued with The New Four Horseman joining the Dungeon of Doom to create an Alliance to end Hulkamania. Together the factions wrestled Hogan and Savage in a triple steel cage, End of Hulkamania match; losing to the reunited Mega Powers. Afterwards, Flair went on to win the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship and there were also changes in the Four Horseman in 1996, as Brian Pillman left WCW and Steve "Mongo" McMichael became the fourth member.

Feud with the New World Order (1996–1999)

See also: The Four Horsemen
Flair in 1996

Once again as a top fan favorite, Flair played a major role in the New World Order (nWo) invasion storyline in late 1996 and throughout 1997. He and the other Horsemen often took the lead in the war against Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Hollywood Hulk Hogan, whom Flair immediately challenged for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at the Clash of the Champions XXXIII, but won only by disqualification. In September 1996, Flair and Anderson teamed with their bitter rivals, Sting and Lex Luger, to lose to the nWo (Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and an impostor Sting) in the WarGames match at Fall Brawl when Luger submitted to the impostor Sting's Scorpion Deathlock.

In October 1996, two developments occurred that affected the Four Horsemen when Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF, and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen as he immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen. Flair finally let Jarrett join the group in February 1997, but the others did not want him, and in July 1997 was ultimately kicked out of the group by Flair himself, who had enough of the instability Jarrett's presence caused the Horsemen. Flair also feuded with Roddy Piper, Syxx, and his old nemesis Curt Hennig in 1997, after Hennig was offered a spot in The Four Horsemen only to turn on Flair and The Four Horsemen at Fall Brawl in September 1997, in which Hennig punctuated the act by slamming the cage door onto Flair's head.

In April 1998, Flair disappeared from WCW television, due to a lawsuit filed by Eric Bischoff for no-showing a live episode of Thunder on April 9, 1998, in Tallahassee, Florida. After the case was settled, Flair made a surprise return on September 14, 1998, to ceremoniously reform the Four Horsemen (along with Steve McMichael, Dean Malenko, and Chris Benoit). Flair feuded with Bischoff for several months afterward. Flair repeatedly raked Eric Bischoff's eyes during this feud. This culminated in a match at Starrcade between Bischoff and Flair in December 1998, which Bischoff won after interference from Curt Hennig, a former member of the Four Horsemen. The following night in Baltimore on Nitro, Flair returned and threatened to leave WCW, demanding a match against Bischoff for the presidency of the company. The match was made, and despite the nWo interfering on Bischoff's behalf Flair won and was granted the position of president of WCW. This resulted in a match at SuperBrawl IX between Flair and Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, which Flair lost after being betrayed by his own son David Flair.

Final world championship reigns (1999–2001)

See also: The Magnificent Seven

In spite of his son's betrayal, Flair signed a rematch at Uncensored on March 14 which was billed as a First Blood barbed wire steel cage Match against Hogan where Flair's presidency and Hogan's WCW World Heavyweight Championship were on the line. Despite being the first to bleed, Flair won the match by pinfall thanks to the bias of the referee Charles Robinson, who counted Hogan out.

As on-air WCW President, Flair began abusing his power much like Bischoff had, favoring villains over fan favorites and even awarding the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (which was vacated by Scott Steiner due to injury) to his son David and resorting to whatever means necessary to keep him as United States Heavyweight Champion. Flair eventually formed a stable of followers which included Roddy Piper, Arn Anderson and the Jersey Triad to keep things in order. Flair's reign as president came to an end on the July 19 episode of Nitro, when he faced and lost to Sting for the position. During the course of the match, Sting had Flair in his Scorpion Death Lock, but with the referee knocked unconscious, no decision could be reached. A returning Eric Bischoff came to the ring and began ordering the timekeeper to ring the bell, which he eventually did, awarding the match and the presidency to Sting (who promptly gave it up upon receiving it).

Flair won his last world titles in his career by winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice during 2000, the company's last full year of operation. When WCW was purchased by the WWF in March 2001, Flair was the leader of the villainous group called the Magnificent Seven. Flair lost the final match of Nitro to Sting, recreating the second match of Nitro in 1995. Nevertheless, Flair has repeatedly stated in various interviews how happy he was when WCW finally closed down, although at the same time the fact that many people would lose their jobs saddened him.

World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment (2001–2009)

WWF co-owner (2001–2002)

A bloodied Flair at WrestleMania X8 in 2002.

After an eight-month hiatus from wrestling, Flair made a return to the WWF on November 19, 2001. Flair reappeared on Raw following the end of the "WCW/ECW Invasion" that culminated in a "Winner Take All" match at Survivor Series on November 18 won by the WWF. Flair's new on-screen role was that of the co-owner of the WWF, with the explanation that Shane and Stephanie McMahon had sold their stock in the company to a consortium (namely Flair) prior to purchasing World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). Flair's feud with Vince McMahon led them to a match at the Royal Rumble on January 20, 2002 in a Street Fight, where Flair defeated McMahon. Flair also wrestled The Undertaker at WrestleMania X8 on March 17 where Flair lost. The "co-owner" angle culminated in early 2002, when Flair controlled Raw and McMahon controlled SmackDown!

On the May 13 episode of Raw, Flair challenged Hollywood Hulk Hogan to a no disqualification match for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Flair would later lose the contest before moving onto a rivalry with Stone Cold Steve Austin. At Judgment Day on May 19, Flair teamed with Big Show and lost to Austin in a two-on-one handicap tag team match. On the June 3 episode of Raw, the feud between Flair and Austin would escalate after Austin defeated Flair in a singles contest. After Austin abruptly left the WWE in June while in a program with Flair, a match was hotshotted between Flair and McMahon for sole ownership of WWE, which Flair lost after interference from Brock Lesnar on the June 10 edition of Raw.

At King of the Ring on June 23, Flair defeated Eddie Guerrero in a singles match after Guerrero and Chris Benoit would interrupt Flair's speech regarding losing his position as WWE co-owner; afterwards, Guerrero would lock Flair in his own signature figure four leg lock with help from Benoit. Flair's rivalry with Lesnar would continue into the month of July with Lesnar picking up wins over Flair in a singles match on the July 1 episode of Raw and in a tag team contest on the July 15 episode of Raw. Flair then became involved in a short-lived rivalry with Chris Jericho, leading to Flair defeating Jericho at SummerSlam on August 25. Flair was granted a World Heavyweight Championship match against Triple H on the September 2 episode of Raw, which he lost. Later on that same night, Flair would team with Rob Van Dam as the duo were successful in defeating the team of Triple H and Jericho. At Unforgiven on September 22, Flair was unsuccessful in capturing the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a singles contest against Jericho.

Under the WWE banner, Flair toured Japan periodically between 2002 and 2008. He successfully defended the World Tag Team Championship with Batista against The Dudley Boyz twice in February 2004. On the February 7, 2005 episode of Raw, broadcast from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, Flair lost to Shawn Michaels in a singles match. In February 2008, Flair wrestled Mr. Kennedy in the Ariake Coliseum and William Regal in the Budokan Hall, both under the stipulation that he would retire if he lost.

Evolution (2002–2005)

Main article: Evolution

In September 2002 at Unforgiven, Triple H defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Rob Van Dam. During the match, Flair came down to the ring and grabbed the sledgehammer from Triple H and teased hitting him before hitting Van Dam, allowing Triple H to get the win, turning him heel in the process and accompanied Triple H to the ring as his manager. Shortly after, Batista moved from SmackDown! to Raw and Flair also began accompanying him to the ring while continuing to second Triple H. In June 2003 at Bad Blood, Flair was able to defeat Shawn Michaels after Randy Orton struck Michaels with a chair.

At the height of Evolution's power, the group controlled all of the male-based championships of Raw after Armageddon. Batista teamed with Flair to win the World Tag Team Championship from the Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) in a tag team turmoil match and Triple H regained the World Heavyweight Championship from Goldberg (in a triple threat match that also involved Kane), with the help of the other members of Evolution. In January 2004 at the Royal Rumble, Flair and Batista successfully defended the World Tag Team Championship against the Dudley Boyz in a tables match, and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H fought Shawn Michaels to no contest in a Last Man Standing match, thus retaining the championship. Flair and Batista lost the World Tag Team Championship on February 16 edition of Raw to Booker T and Rob Van Dam. At WrestleMania XX, Evolution defeated the Rock 'n' Sock Connection (The Rock and Mick Foley) in a 3-on-2 handicap match. The following week on Raw during the 2004 WWE draft lottery, Flair and Batista defeated Booker T and Rob Van Dam to win their second and final World Tag Team Championship, but they lost the titles to World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit and Edge on the April 19 episode of Raw.

At SummerSlam, Orton pinned Benoit to become the new World Heavyweight Champion and the youngest World Champion in WWE history to date. On the episode of Raw the night after SummerSlam, Batista hoisted Orton on to his shoulders in what appeared to be a celebration, but following the thumbs down from Triple H, the group proceeded to attack Orton. At Unforgiven, Triple H beat Orton to regain the World Heavyweight Championship, with help from Flair, Batista, and Jonathan Coachman. Orton's feud with Evolution continued until Survivor Series where Triple H, Batista, Gene Snitsky, and Edge were defeated by Orton, Maven, Chris Jericho, and Chris Benoit in a Survivor Series match for control of Raw over the following month.

In the Elimination Chamber match at New Year's Revolution, Batista, Orton and Triple H were the last three remaining in the match. Orton eliminated Batista with a RKO and Triple H pinned Orton with Batista's help to win the title. Triple H suggested that Batista not enter the Royal Rumble match, wanting the group to focus on Triple H retaining the title. At the Royal Rumble, Batista declined, entered the Rumble at number 28 and won. Triple H tried to persuade Batista to challenge the WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield of SmackDown! rather than for his World Heavyweight Championship. This involved Triple H plotting a feud between JBL and Batista, showing JBL badmouthing Batista in an interview and staging an attack on Batista with a limousine designed to look like Layfield's. The scheme was unsuccessful and at the brand contract signing ceremony on the February 21 episode of Raw, Batista chose to remain on Raw, infuriating Triple H and thus quitting the faction. Batista defeated Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 21. Flair and Triple H also starred in an ad for WrestleMania 21 that parodied the film Braveheart.

After Vengeance, Triple H took time off and Flair turned face for the first time since 2002 before going on to win the Intercontinental Championship from Carlito at Unforgiven, and the group was dissolved. Triple H returned at the "Homecoming" episode of Raw on October 3 where he was to team with Flair in a tag team match against Carlito and Chris Masters. After winning that match, Triple H betrayed Flair and attacked him with a sledgehammer. Flair retained the Intercontinental Championship against Triple H at Taboo Tuesday in a steel cage match, which was voted as such by the fans. Flair later lost to Triple H in an acclaimed Last Man Standing non-title match at Survivor Series, which ended their feud.

Final storylines and first retirement (2005–2008)

At the end of 2005, Flair had a feud with Edge that culminated in a WWE Championship Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match on Raw in early 2006, which Flair lost. On the February 20 episode of Raw, Flair lost the Intercontinental Championship to Shelton Benjamin, thus ending his reign at 155 days. Flair took some time off in mid-2006 to rest and marry for the third time and he returned in June to work a program with his real-life rival Mick Foley that played off their legitimate past animosity. Flair defeated Foley at Vengeance in a two out of three falls match, then at SummerSlam in an "I quit" match.

Flair and Shawn Michaels deliver knife-edged chops to Kenny Dykstra of the Spirit Squad in 2006

Subsequently, he was involved in a rivalry with the Spirit Squad on Raw. On November 5, 2006, at Cyber Sunday, he captured the World Tag Team Championship from the Spirit Squad with Roddy Piper. On the November 13 episode of Raw, Flair and Piper lost the World Tag Team Championship to Rated-RKO, due to a disc problem with Piper and had to be flown immediately back to the United States as soon as Raw was off the air. On November 26, 2006, at Survivor Series, Flair was the sole survivor of a match that featured himself, Ron Simmons (replacing an injured Piper), Dusty Rhodes and Sgt. Slaughter versus the Spirit Squad.

Flair then began teaming with Carlito after Flair said that Carlito had no heart. Flair defeated Carlito in a match after which Carlito realized that Flair was right. Flair and Carlito faced off against Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch in a number one contender's match for the World Tag Team Championship, but were defeated. The two teamed up on the WrestleMania 23 pre-show, and defeated the team of Chavo Guerrero and Gregory Helms. After weeks of conflict between Flair and Carlito, the team split up when Carlito attacked Flair during a match on the April 30 episode of Raw. At Judgment Day, Flair defeated Carlito with the figure four leglock.

On the June 11 episode of Raw, Flair was drafted to the SmackDown! brand as part of the 2007 WWE draft. He briefly feuded against Montel Vontavious Porter, unsuccessfully challenging him for the WWE United States Championship at Vengeance: Night of Champions. Flair rejoined forces with Batista to feud with The Great Khali; the alliance was short-lived, however, as Flair was "injured" during a match with Khali on the August 3 episode of SmackDown!.

After a three-month hiatus, Flair returned to WWE programming on the November 26 episode of Raw to announce "I will never retire". Vince McMahon retaliated by announcing that the next match Flair lost would result in a forced retirement. Later in the night, Flair defeated Orton after a distraction by Chris Jericho. It was revealed on the 15th anniversary of Raw that the win or retire ultimatum only applied in singles matches. Flair won several "career threatening" matches against the opponents such as Triple H, Umaga, William Regal, Mr. Kennedy, and Vince McMahon himself among others. On March 29, 2008, Flair was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a part of the class of 2008 by Triple H. The day after, Flair wrestled at WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando, Florida, losing to Shawn Michaels. The match was lauded by fans and critics and was voted the 2008 Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Match of the Year. Flair's fight to keep his career going garnered him the 2008 PWI "Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year" award.

Part-time appearances (2008–2009)

Flair at WrestleMania XXIV

On the March 31, 2008 episode of Raw, Flair delivered his farewell address. Afterward, Triple H brought out many current and retired superstars to thank Flair for all he had done, including Shawn Michaels, some of the Four Horsemen, Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race, and Chris Jericho, followed by The Undertaker and then Vince McMahon. Along with the wrestlers, the fans gave Flair a standing ovation. This event represented a rare moment in WWE as both the heels and the faces broke character and came out to the ring together. Flair made his first post retirement appearance on the June 16, 2008 episode of Raw to confront Chris Jericho about his actions during a rivalry with Shawn Michaels. He challenged Jericho to a fight in the parking lot, rather than an official match, but Jericho was stopped by Triple H.

The following year on February 9, Flair once again confronted Jericho on Raw. Jericho was attacking Hall of Fame members and Flair demanded he respect them, before punching Jericho. Flair appeared a month later to distract him during a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Jericho then challenged Flair to come out of retirement for WrestleMania 25; instead Flair managed Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka and Ricky Steamboat in a three-on-one handicap match at WrestleMania in a losing effort. On May 17, Flair returned during the Judgment Day pay-per-view, coming to the aid of Batista, who was being attacked by The Legacy (Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase). On the June 1 episode of Raw, Flair challenged Orton in a parking lot brawl match, and after interference from the rest of The Legacy, the fight ended with Flair trapped inside a steel cage and punted by Orton.

Ring of Honor and the Hulkamania Tour (2009)

The main event of Hulkamania tour in 2009, Flair vs. Hulk Hogan

Flair signed with Ring of Honor (ROH) and appeared at the Stylin' And Profilin' event in March 2009, clearing the ring after an ROH World Championship match ended with a run-in. He soon served as the company's ambassador, in an on-screen authority role, and appeared on the television show Ring of Honor Wrestling in May to cement his role. After a number one contender's match ended in a time-limit draw, and the following week a double count out, Flair announced Ring of Honor Wrestling's first ROH World Title match as a four-way contest.

On November 21, 2009, Flair returned to the ring as a villain on the "Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin" tour of Australia, losing to Hulk Hogan in the main event of the first show by brass knuckles. Hogan defeated Flair again on November 24 in Perth, Australia after both men bled heavily. Flair also lost to Hogan on the two remaining matches on the tour.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2010–2012)

Debut and Fortune (2010)

Flair in TNA in 2010
Main articles: Fortune and Immortal

On the January 4, 2010 episode of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's (TNA) Impact!, Flair made his debut appearance for the company arriving via limo and later observing the main event between A.J. Styles and longtime rival Kurt Angle. It was later reported that Flair had signed a one-year deal with the company. In the past, Flair had openly stated that he was loyal to the McMahons and wanted to end his career in WWE, however he had not had contact from WWE since June 2009 and decided to sign with TNA after waiting for the call from WWE for six months. On January 17 at Genesis, Flair helped Styles cheat to pin Angle and retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

In addition to Styles, Flair began informally managing Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm) and Desmond Wolfe as a loose alliance. On the March 8 episode of Impact!, Hulk Hogan and Abyss defeated Flair and Styles when Abyss pinned Styles. Afterwards, the returning Jeff Hardy saved Abyss and Hogan from a beatdown at the hands of Flair, Styles and Beer Money, Inc. At Lockdown, Team Flair (Ric Flair, Sting, Desmond Wolfe, Robert Roode and James Storm) was defeated by Team Hogan (Hulk Hogan, Abyss, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam) in a Lethal Lockdown match. On the April 26 episode of Impact!, Flair was defeated by Abyss in a match where Flair's and Hogan's WWE Hall of Fame rings were at stake, and as a result Flair lost possession of his ring to Hogan. The following week, Hogan gave the ring to Jay Lethal, who returned it to Flair out of respect. This, however, was not enough for Flair, who attacked Lethal along with the members of Team Flair. After Styles dropped the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Rob Van Dam, then failed to regain it in a rematch and later was pinned by Jay Lethal, Flair adopted Kazarian as his newest protégé, seemingly replacing Styles as his number one wrestler.

On the June 17 episode of Impact!, Flair announced that he would reform the Four Horsemen under the new name Fourtune, a group consisting of A.J. Styles, Kazarian, Robert Roode, and James Storm. Flair made a return to the ring on July 11 at Victory Road, losing to Jay Lethal. On the August 5 episode of Impact!, Flair faced Lethal in a rematch, this time contested under Street Fight rules, with the members of Fourtune banned from ringside; Flair managed to win the match after an interference from Douglas Williams. The following week, Williams and Matt Morgan were added to Fourtune. In the weeks leading to Bound for Glory, Flair's stable's name was tweaked to Fortune to represent the expansion in the number of members in the group. On the October 7 episode of Impact!, Flair was defeated by Mick Foley in a Last Man Standing match.

Immortal and second retirement (2010–2012)

See also: Immortal
Flair wrestling Douglas Williams in the main event of TNA's Maximum Wooo! tour of Europe

On the following episode of Impact!, Fortune formed an alliance with Hulk Hogan's and Eric Bischoff's new stable, Immortal. On the November 18 episode of Impact!, Flair returned to the ring, competing in a match where he faced Matt Morgan, who had been kicked out of Fortune the previous month; Morgan won the match after Douglas Williams turned on the rest of Fortune, when they interfered in the match. On January 25, 2011, it was reported that Flair had pulled out of TNA's Maximum Wooo! tour of Europe mid–tour after monetary disputes. After missing a show in Berlin, Germany, Flair returned to the tour on January 27 in Glasgow, Scotland, reportedly apologizing to the locker room prior to the show. On January 29, Flair wrestled his only match of the tour, defeating Douglas Williams in London, tearing his rotator cuff in the process making it his last singles win. During Flair's time away from TNA, Fortune turned on Immortal. Flair returned at the February 14 tapings of the February 17 episode of Impact!, turning on Fortune during a match between A.J. Styles and Matt Hardy and jumping to Immortal. On the March 10 episode of Impact!, Flair defeated Styles and Hardy in a three–way street fight, contested as more of a two–on–one handicap match. On April 17 at Lockdown, Immortal, represented by Flair, Abyss, Bully Ray and Matt Hardy, was defeated by Fortune members James Storm, Kazarian and Robert Roode and Christopher Daniels, who replaced an injured A.J. Styles, in a Lethal Lockdown match, when Flair tapped out to Roode. The match was used to write Flair off television, as the following week he was scheduled to undergo surgery for his torn rotator cuff; however, Flair ultimately chose not to have the surgery as it would have required six months of rehab.

Flair returned to television in a non–wrestling role on the May 12, 2011 episode of Impact Wrestling. Flair did not appear again for three months, until making his return on August 9 at the tapings of the August 18 episode of Impact Wrestling, confronting old rival Sting and challenging him to one more match. In exchange for Sting agreeing to put his career on the line, Flair promised to deliver him his match with Hogan if he was victorious. The match, which Flair lost, took place on the September 15 episode of Impact Wrestling. The match with Sting would be the last of his career to date. During the match, Flair tore his left triceps on a superplex spot, sidelining him indefinitely from in-ring action. At Bound for Glory, Flair appeared in Hogan's corner in his match against Sting. Flair continued to make appearances for TNA until April 2012. In April 2012, Flair tried to have his TNA contract terminated, which led to TNA filing a lawsuit against WWE for contract tampering and eventually firing Flair on May 11. Having been inactive since his September 2011 injury, Flair announced in a December 3, 2012 interview that he would never wrestle again, owing chiefly to an on-air heart attack suffered by age peer Jerry Lawler following a Raw match three months earlier.

Return to WWE (2012–2021)

On March 31, 2012, while still contracted to TNA as a part of a deal with WWE which allowed Christian Cage to appear at Slammiversary 10, Flair became the first person to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, the second time as part of the class of 2012 with The Four Horsemen. On December 17, 2012, Flair returned to WWE as a non-wrestling personality on the annual Slammy Awards show to present the Superstar of the Year award to John Cena, who in turn gave the award to Flair. Flair's return was interrupted by CM Punk and Paul Heyman, escalating into a confrontation that ended with him locking Heyman in the figure-four leglock. After clearing the ring, Flair was assaulted by The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins), until Ryback and Team Hell No (Kane and Daniel Bryan) helped Flair fend off the group. Flair appeared on the main roster sporadically throughout 2013, as The Miz's mentor. He also occasionally appeared on NXT in 2013 and 2014, accompanying his daughter Charlotte to the ring.

Flair accompanying his daughter, Charlotte Flair to the ring at WrestleMania 32

Flair appeared on April 28, 2014, episode of Raw, alongside the reunited Evolution (minus Flair) and The Shield; Flair showed his endorsement for The Shield, Evolution's opponents at Extreme Rules, effectively turning his back on his old teammates. At Battleground, John Cena symbolically handed over his World Heavyweight Championship belt to Flair, telling him to "take it" while promoting his match. On the post-SummerSlam Raw in August 2015, Flair interrupted Jon Stewart, who had saved Flair's 16 world title record by preventing Cena's victory the previous night, telling him that the record would be broken eventually and he would rather it be by someone who he respects.

Flair began making more frequent appearances with Charlotte after she won the Divas Championship. In January 2016, Flair and Charlotte began displaying villainous traits, with Flair often getting involved in Charlotte's Divas Championship and later WWE Women's Championship defenses, thus turning heel for the first time since 2005 in WWE. This lasted until the May 23 episode of Raw when Charlotte turned on him. On the November 28 episode of Raw, Flair returned to congratulate the new Raw Women's Champion Sasha Banks, who had defeated Charlotte to win the title, thus turning face once again. Flair made a surprise appearance during the November 14, 2017 episode of SmackDown to congratulate his daughter Charlotte Flair, who won the SmackDown Women's Championship. They shared an emotional moment on the ramp and did his iconic strut.

On the February 25, 2019 episode of Raw, WWE celebrated Flair's 70th birthday and during the closing moments, Flair was attacked by Batista. The actual "attack" was never seen, only Flair being dragged by Batista. At WrestleMania 35, Flair assisted Triple H in defeating Batista, to keep his in-ring career going. Flair appeared on the July 22 Raw Reunion episode and raised a toast alongside Triple H, Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and various other fellow wrestlers of his era. In June 2020, Flair came back to WWE programming as a heel again, managing Randy Orton for a few weeks until the August 10 episode of Raw when Orton performed a punt kick on Flair's head. On November 22, 2020, he made an appearance at Survivor Series during The Undertaker's retirement ceremony.

On the January 4, 2021 episode of Raw, Flair started a storyline with Lacey Evans, when during a match against Women's Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Asuka, Evans flirted with Flair. During the following weeks, Flair managed Evans, usually distracting his daughter Charlotte, including a participation in the Women's Royal Rumble. On the February 15 episode of Raw, Evans' real-life pregnancy was announced and incorporated into a storyline with Flair impregnating Lacey. Evans was scheduled to face Asuka for Raw Women's Championship at Elimination Chamber but the match was canceled due to her pregnancy and the storyline with Flair was canceled. On August 2, 2021, it was reported by Wrestling Inc. that Flair had asked for and was granted his release from WWE. WWE confirmed his release the following day and considered it effective as of August 3.

Late career (2021–present)

"Ric Flair's Last Match" (2021–2023)

See also: Ric Flair's Last Match

On August 14, 2021, at Triplemanía XXIX, Flair made his Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) debut by accompanying Charlotte's fiancé Andrade "El Ídolo" to ringside during his match against AAA Mega Champion Kenny Omega. Flair would later get involved in the match by chopping Omega and applying the Figure Four leglock to Omega's second Konnan.

On August 29, 2021, Flair made his return to the NWA at NWA 73. It was his first NWA appearance since 2008 when he was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame. At NWA 73, Flair thanked the NWA and WWE for several memorable moments and noted the importance of having several companies in the industry.

On May 16, 2022, it was announced that Flair would wrestle his final match on July 31 in Nashville, called Ric Flair's Last Match, finally retiring after nearly five decades in the ring. On July 18, it was announced that Flair would team with his son-in-law Andrade El Ídolo against Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal. As part of the promo setting up the match, Lethal attacked Flair over being left out of the match card. Jarrett initially tried to help Flair, but attacked him after he rebuffed him and used expletives against his family. Flair and Andrade would go on to win the match.

Flair later confirmed that he had passed out twice during the Last Match and regretted announcing that it would be his final match. A few days later, he accompanied Andrade during his match against Carlito at the 49th WWC Anniversary show held on August 6, 2022. Flair attempted to interfere before poking Primo Colón when he tried to stop him, causing Carlos Colón to attack him and forcing him to flee. Andrade would go on to lose the match.

During the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of his debut in professional wrestling on September 26, 2022, Flair announced that he would never retire. In January 2023 however he stated that he did not want to wrestle again aside from wanting to redo the Last Match.

All Elite Wrestling (2023–2024)

Flair making his AEW debut, October 25, 2023

On the October 25, 2023, episode of AEW Dynamite, Flair, in his first appearance on TBS since the March 21, 2001 episode of WCW Thunder, appeared as a "gift" from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) founder Tony Khan to Sting for his upcoming retirement. Both men previously wrestled in the final episode of WCW Monday Nitro on March 26, 2001. On November 2, 2023, it was announced Flair signed a multi-year deal with AEW. On November 18, 2023, he made his AEW PPV debut at Full Gear, accompanying Sting, Darby Allin and Adam Copeland to the ring, and performing chops and a low blow to Christian Cage. On the January 6, 2024 AEW Collision Flair accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring, and later performed a promo with Sting later in the night. On January 10, 2024, Flair once again accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring during their match against Powerhouse Hobbs and Konosuke Takeshita, in which he once again delivered chops, this time inside an AEW ring for the first time. On February 21, Flair would once again appear on Dynamite claiming he was unhappy with his involvement with Sting's retirement, and wanted to play a bigger role, he then entered The Young Bucks office. The following week on February 28, during Sting's final Dynamite appearance, he made his iconic entrance from the rafters, with Flair delivering punches and chops to The Young Bucks. On March 3, 2024, Flair accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring at the Revolution pay-per-view, in the Greensboro Coliseum, the same venue in which the pair faced each other for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Clash of the Champions I in March 1988. During the match Flair received superkicks from The Young Bucks. On July 12, 2024, it was reported by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Flair had parted ways with AEW.

Legacy

Flair was often popular with the crowd due to his in-ring antics, including rulebreaking (earning him the distinction of being "the dirtiest player in the game"), strutting and his shouting of "Woooooooo!" (Flair got the inspiration from Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire"). The "Wooo!" yell has since become a tribute to Flair, and is often shouted by the crowd whenever a wrestler performs a knife-edge chop, one of Flair's signature moves. It is also often shouted by the crowd whenever a wrestler utilizes Flair's figure-four leglock finisher.

Flair performing his signature figure-four leglock on Hulk Hogan during the Hulkamania tour

One of Professional Wrestling's biggest draws, Hulk Hogan, has said he himself is "number two" behind Ric Flair, who is the greatest wrestler of all time.

From the late 1970s, Flair wore ornate fur-lined robes of many colors with sequins during in-ring appearances, and since the early 1980s, his approach to the ring was usually heralded by the playing of the "Dawn" section of Richard Strauss' "Also sprach Zarathustra" (famous for being used in the 1968 motion picture 2001: A Space Odyssey and for the introduction to Elvis Presley's concerts of the 1970s). Flair also described himself as a "limousine-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', son-of-a-gun (who kissed all the girls worldwide and made em cry)".

On April 29, 1995, Ric Flair fought Antonio Inoki in the main event match of Collision in Korea Day 2. The event registered an attendance of 165,000 people, the largest crowd in professional wrestling history.

On October 19, 1998, it was declared "Ric Flair Day" in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Mayor Sharon Belton and on November 15, 2008, it was declared "Ric Flair Day" in Norfolk, Virginia. On March 24, 2008, Mayor Bob Coble, of Columbia, South Carolina, declared March 24 to be Ric Flair Day in Columbia. Flair also received the key to the city. He received the key to the city of Greensboro, North Carolina on December 5, 2008, to commemorate Flair's victory in a steel cage match against Harley Race at the inaugural Starrcade event. April 18, 2009 was declared "Ric Flair Day" in Charleston, West Virginia and he was presented with the key to the city by the mayor. Also, on June 12, 2009, Flair was presented with the key to the city of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and, in September, he received the key to the city in Marion County, South Carolina. On July 17, 2010, Flair made a special appearance at Scotland Motors in Laurinburg, North Carolina and received the key to that city, as well.

Flair yelling "Wooooo!"

On the February 18, 2008 episode of Raw, Shawn Michaels announced Flair as the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2008. The induction ceremony took place on March 29, 2008, with Triple H inducting him. This made him the first person to be inducted while still an active competitor. Flair was later inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia, but he did not participate in the event. On January 9, 2012, it was announced that the Four Horsemen would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, thus making Flair the first person to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame twice.

On April 15, 2008, Flair was honored in Congress by a representative from North Carolina, Republican Sue Myrick, who praised his career and what he means to the state. On September 29, 2008, it was announced that Flair's signature sequin covered robe that he wore at WrestleMania XXIV, in what was to be his last WWE match, would be placed in the pop culture section of the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

In 1999, a large group of professional wrestling experts, analysts and historians named Flair the greatest NWA World Heavyweight Champion of all time. In 2002, Flair was named the greatest professional wrestler of all time in the book The Top 100 Wrestlers of All Time by John Molinaro, edited by Dave Meltzer and Jeff Marek. in July 2016, Luke Winkie of Sports Illustrated also named Flair the greatest professional wrestler of all time.

Flair's "Wooo" chant has been used throughout pop culture. Rapper Pusha T paid homage to Flair in numerous songs. For example, on the track "Sweet Serenade", he says, "Triple doubles, two hoes and check please (Wooo!), They love me on my Ric Flair shit (Wooo!), In that Phantom like I'm Blair Witch (Wooo!), Who are you to be compared with? (Wooo!)". Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike also has a track named "Ric Flair". American trap musicians Offset and Metro Boomin paid tribute to Flair in their hit song "Ric Flair Drip". The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, hosted by battlefield guides and wrestling fans Jim Hessler and Eric Lindblade, often cites Flair's "Wooo" chant as well as other elements of Flair's mystique.

Sting and Ric Flair pose with a replica of the Big Gold Belt

Reaction to later career

Some have looked unfavorably upon Flair's career from the late-1990s onward. In 1998, wrestler and former WCW colleague Stone Cold Steve Austin said that Flair had reached the "time to hang it up", having not been great for a "long time". John Molinaro of Slam! Sports penned a 1999 article titled, "Ric Flair is tarnishing his legacy"; Molinaro saw Flair as a wrestler whose prestige was "in jeopardy". In 2006, Pro Wrestling Illustrated writer Frank Ingiosi said that Flair had a "personal vendetta against his legend". He nevertheless continued to wrestle until originally retiring in 2008, at age 59.

Despite the unfavorable reviews for continuing to wrestle, many of his later career matches were praised. The match between Flair and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24 in 2008 was named as the "match of the decade" by popular professional wrestling magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

Flair would ultimately return to the ring in 2009 and signed to wrestle for TNA the following year, breaking a vow to never again lace up his boots. Wrestler Axl Rotten, NFL writer Adam Rank, and many fans felt that he sullied his legend by continuing to wrestle in TNA. Asked in 2011 if Flair was tainting his prestige, former opponent Shane Douglas was harsher, stating that he had "been tarnishing his legacy since 1990". Also that year, Kevin Eck of The Baltimore Sun criticized the aging Flair for being unable to separate himself from his ostentatious gimmick when not wrestling, and said: "I don't know what's sadder, Ric Flair tarnishing his legacy in the ring or embarrassing himself away from the ring". Asked about Flair in 2015, wrestler The Honky Tonk Man felt that viewers would "remember only the last years of his career", which consist of "bad memories".

Conversely, professional wrestling announcer Jim Ross in 2012 felt that Flair had not tarnished his legacy, observing only "passion and need to earn a living". In 2016, Flair said continuing to wrestle in TNA was the "number one" regret of his career.

Other media

Flair at a Comic Con event in 2016

Flair has made numerous appearances in television shows. In 1996, Flair, along with other WCW wrestlers, appeared in an episode of Baywatch as themselves. In 2013, Flair made an appearance in Stuff You Should Know, in the episode, "Bacteriopolis", as Dr. Roland Grayson. In 2014, Flair voiced himself in the animated series, Uncle Grandpa, in the episode, "History of Wrestling". In 2011, Flair voiced himself in the animated series, The Cleveland Show, in the episode, "BFFs".

Flair released his autobiography, To Be the Man, on June 29, 2004. The title is taken from one of his catchphrases, "To be the man, you gotta beat the man!".

In 2009, Flair voiced Commander Douglas Hill in the video game Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising.

It was announced on July 8, 2012, that Flair was to appear at Insane Clown Posse's 13th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos weekend as a main stage host who was in charge of announcing the performers. However, his appearance at the event was cut short after his head was barely struck by a water bottle thrown from the crowd before announcing Tech N9ne to enter the main stage. Flair at that point left immediately after announcing Tech N9ne and did not go back out on the main stage to announce the remaining performers. Flair's final comment before he left the main stage was "Have fun".

In 2015, Flair made his feature film debut, appearing in Magic Mike XXL. From May 2015-April 2016, Flair was host of a podcast titled "WOOOOO! Nation". The podcast was placed on hiatus after episode 46 which was uploaded on April 1, 2016. Flair returned to podcasting on MLW Radio with a new show called The Ric Flair Show in July 2016. The final episode of The Ric Flair Show was uploaded on December 16, 2016. Flair stated that the reason that he had quit the podcasting business was because he could no longer be objective when it comes to his opinion of what is happening in the WWE.

In 2017, ESPN aired Nature Boy, a 30 for 30 documentary about Flair's career directed by Rory Karpf.

On October 31, 2017, trap artists Offset and Metro Boomin released a single titled "Ric Flair Drip" from their collaborative album with 21 Savage, Without Warning, in which Flair made an appearance in the music video. In December 2017, Latin trap artist Bad Bunny released a music video entitled "Chambea", in which Flair appeared.

Flair signed an endorsement deal with online ticket exchange marketplace TickPick in August 2018. Under the agreement he would make guest posts on TickPick's blog, in addition to appearing in advertisements for the brand posted on its and his own social media channels.

Flair started appearing in an advertising campaign for CarShield in April 2021 (One of the commercials featured him alongside LA Knight, who played the role of "The Overcharger"). The company paused it in September 2021 following allegations of sexual assault made by Heidi Doyle against Flair on an episode of Dark Side of the Ring. It however resumed airing the commercials in December 2021.

In November 2021, Flair brought back his podcast "WOOOOO! Nation". It was named "Wooooo Nation Uncensored" and was co-hosted by Mark Madden. Madden quit in March 2022. He was replaced by Flair's son-in-law Conrad Thompson and the podcast was revamped into "To Be the Man" in April 2022.

Flair signed an endorsement deal with Nu Image Medical, an online telehealth and medical company, in June 2022 to promote its men's health products. WWE and the streaming service Peacock partnered to release a documentary on Flair titled Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair on December 26.

Business ventures

Flair sells his official merchandise through his own website.

He partnered with Scout Comics in 2021 to launch a comic book series named Code Name: Ric Flair. Following allegations of sexual assault against him made on Dark Side of the Ring, Scout Comics dropped the comic and Flair started personally selling it on his website. However, later in December 2022, the company agreed to publish it through its label. It was written by Scout Comics President James Haick III and was released in April 2023.

In July 2022, Flair launched a virtual restaurant chain named "Wooooo! Wings" in Nashville, Tennessee in partnership with Kitchen Data Systems ahead of Ric Flair's Last Match. The name of the chain is based after Flair's signature exclamation. The food items of the outlet are prepared by KitchPartner restaurants, owned by Kitchen Data Systems. The chain expanded to six American cities in August 2022. Its launch and expansion was handled by Conrad Thompson.

Flair also partnered with Mike Tyson and Verano Holdings Corp. to launch his own cannabis line called the "Ric Flair Drip" under Tyson's cannabis brand "Tyson 2.0". The line launched in October 2022 in Arizona, Nevada and California.

In July 2023, Flair partnered with Carma HoldCo and LGNDS to release a mushroom-infused energy drink called Wooooo! Energy.

Personal life

Family

Flair married his first wife, Leslie Goodman, on August 28, 1971. They had two children, daughter Megan and son David, before divorcing in 1983 after twelve years of marriage. On August 27, 1983, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Harrell. Promoter Jim Crockett Jr. served as the best man for the wedding. They had two children, daughter Ashley and son Reid. Beth and their children also made periodic appearances in WCW between 1998 and 2000. Flair and Beth divorced in 2006 after nearly 23 years of marriage. On May 27, 2006, Flair married his third wife Tiffany VanDemark, a fitness competitor. In 2008, Tiffany filed for divorce from Flair, which was finalized in 2009. On November 11, 2009, Flair married his fourth wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Beems, in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2012, Flair filed for divorce from Beems, which was finalized in 2014. Flair, in a non-legally binding wedding ceremony, married Wendy Barlow (known as Fifi, his "maid" in WCW), on September 12, 2018, at a resort in Florida. Despite having a wedding ceremony, Flair and Barlow later revealed to People in January 2022 that they were never legally married, as they never applied for a marriage certificate. On January 31, 2022, Flair announced that he and Barlow had separated. The two reconciled in May 2022, but separated again in September 2024.

Flair's elder son David is a retired professional wrestler, who worked for WCW from 1999 to 2001, and made two televised appearances in the WWF in 2002 during the run-up to WrestleMania X8. Flair's younger son Reid, who signed a developmental contract with WWE near the end of 2007, was an accomplished high school wrestler and made several appearances on WCW television along with his sister Ashley and half-sister Megan. In 2004, Flair became a grandfather at the age of 55, when his older daughter, Megan Fliehr Ketzner, gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Morgan Lee Ketzner on May 9.

On May 17, 2012, it was reported that Flair's daughter Ashley had signed with WWE adopting the ring name, Charlotte, which was later changed to include the Flair surname.

On March 29, 2013, Reid died from a drug overdose of heroin, Xanax, and a muscle relaxant.

On October 26, 2024, Sebastian Kidder, Flair's stepson through his relationship with Barlow, died from a gunshot wound, committing suicide.

Legal problems

In December 2005, a judge issued arrest warrants for Flair after a road rage incident that took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, in which Flair allegedly got out of his car, grabbed a motorist by the neck, and damaged his vehicle. Flair was charged with two misdemeanors, injury to personal property and simple assault and battery. This incident was ridiculed on WWE programming, most notably by the wrestler Edge.

In September 2007, Flair opened a financial business called Ric Flair Finance. In July 2008, Flair Finance filed for bankruptcy. Following Flair's debut in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling his former employer, Ring of Honor, filed a lawsuit in 2010, alleging that Flair owed them over $40,000 and that he had not appeared at several events that he was contractually obligated to appear at. The lawsuit was never resolved.

Highspots Inc. claimed that Flair had given them the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt as collateral for the loan. A warrant for Flair's arrest was issued in May 2011 for being held in contempt of court for violating the terms of his settlement with Highspots. If Flair had failed to comply he could have potentially faced 90 days in jail. On June 25, Highspots released a statement over their official Facebook page stating that someone had paid Flair's debts.

Politics

Flair has long supported Republican political candidates in North Carolina politics. In 2000, Flair explored the possibility of running for governor of North Carolina, but he never filed the papers. Jesse Ventura stated that, when Flair told him that he had received 143 speeding tickets in his life, Ventura urged him not to run.

In the 2008 presidential election, Flair declared his support for the Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. He said of Huckabee, " is a quality person, self-made, a great family man and he has a great vision for our country. And I'm here to excite the crowd."

Flair endorsed Ted Cruz during the 2016 presidential election.

Flair announced in 2016 that he was running for president, with rapper Waka Flocka Flame as his running mate. However, he did not file a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2).

Health issues

Flair has a heart condition called alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

On August 14, 2017, Flair had surgery in Georgia to remove an obstructive piece of his bowel, which led to various complications, most seriously kidney failure, necessitating dialysis treatment and ongoing hospitalization. He was discharged from rehabilitation and allowed to return home on September 21.

Flair suffered a heart attack during his final match on July 31, 2022.

Real-life feuds and backstage problems

Teddy Long

WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long claimed Flair was hostile to him in his early career in the 1980s, stating "Flair walked up to me one time and asked me, he said, 'Nigger you like working here?". Long claims Flair never apologized to him and "hasn't changed over the years".

Bret Hart

Flair engaged in an off-screen rivalry with Bret Hart. In October 1993, Hart gave a radio interview in which he said Flair "sucks" and described his workplace, WCW, as "minor league". Flair, in his autobiography, accused Hart of exploiting the death of his brother Owen and the controversy surrounding the Montreal Screwjob. Flair also claimed in his autobiography that—despite Hart's popularity in Canada—he was not a formidable money-making draw in the United States, a claim which Hart dismissed as "plain ridiculous" in a column written for the Calgary Sun. Hart cited his headlining performances on consistently sold-out tours throughout his WWF career, while alleging that Flair wrestled to near-empty arenas. He also criticized Flair on what he perceived as insults to fellow wrestlers Mick Foley and Randy Savage, both personal friends of Hart. Hart went on to criticize Flair in his own autobiography, mainly his in-ring talent, (mis)use of ring psychology and what Hart perceived as Flair's unsubtle blading. However, they have since reconciled and are now friends.

Shane Douglas

Flair also had a long-running feud with Shane Douglas, who would refer to him as "Dick Flair" and accuse him of sabotaging his push in the NWA/WCW after getting a solid push and a rub from his tag team partner Ricky Steamboat. In turn, Flair responded that Douglas was always the guy that would blame his shortcomings on others. He called Douglas out as well as accused him of steroid abuse during a broadcast of the Internet radio show WCW Live! in which he said that he would meet him anytime and anywhere if he would "take the needle out of his ass".

Mick Foley

Flair has also had problems with Mick Foley. In his 1999 autobiography Have a Nice Day!, Foley said that "Flair was every bit as bad on the booking side of things as he was great on the wrestling side of it". This was in reference to how poorly Foley thought he was booked during his WCW career when Flair was on the booking committee. Flair responded in his autobiography by writing: "I do not care how many thumbtacks Mick Foley has fallen on, how many ladders he's fallen off, how many continents he's supposedly bled on, he will always be known as a glorified stuntman". They had an altercation in 2004 in Huntsville, and in 2006 they worked a program where Flair took part in some of the bloodiest and most violent matches of his career, particularly at SummerSlam 2006, in an "I Quit" match which had spots involving barbed wire and thumbtacks—trademark weapons from Foley's days as Cactus Jack. However, they have since reconciled and are now friends.

Hulk Hogan

In his book, Flair also touched on some real-life tension between himself and Hulk Hogan which largely stemmed from an incident that followed the conclusion of a tag team match between Flair and his son David and the team of Curt Hennig and Barry Windham at WCW's Souled Out pay-per-view on January 17, 1999, in Charleston, West Virginia. However, Flair has stated that he and Hogan remained friends despite their differences.

Bruno Sammartino

Flair and wrestler Bruno Sammartino had a real-life disagreement over what reports call "the infamous backstage snub" where Flair claims that Sammartino refused to shake his hand at a live event. While Flair claims Sammartino ignored him due to comments made in his book, stating Sammartino was "a Northeast star who couldn't draw fans outside New York", Sammartino referred to Flair as a "liar" and stating: "No, I don't respect Ric Flair. I don't respect him at all". They reconciled and were friends until Sammartino's death in 2018.

Becky Lynch

In September 2019, Flair threatened legal action against WWE and filed a trademark for the term "The Man", which was being used as a nickname by heavily promoted wrestler Becky Lynch. The threats of legal action caused a rift between Flair and his daughter Charlotte, who was Lynch's onscreen nemesis at the time. Lynch responded to the actions by asserting that she still liked and respected Flair. Flair transferred the rights to "The Man" nickname and gimmick to WWE in May 2020. The terms of the transfer were undisclosed. Flair began feuding with Lynch in 2021, accusing her of using the term without his explicit permission, but their dispute was resolved when he apologized to her in January 2023.

"Plane Ride from Hell"

Flair was part of the infamous 2002 "Plane Ride from Hell". Flair was accused of wearing his signature wrestling robe while naked and forcing two female flight attendants to touch his penis; they would later sue the WWE, though the case was ultimately settled out of court. The allegations were discussed on the Canadian documentary series Dark Side of the Ring in 2021 on an episode dedicated to the flight. Flair released a statement after the episode aired denying the allegations. Flair was also removed from the WWE's intro signature afterwards.

Championships and accomplishments

Flair held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship 9 times
Flair was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008 for his singles career
Flair was also inducted in 2012 as a member of The Four Horsemen

Notes

  1. According to Flair's autobiography To Be the Man, his birth name was listed on different documents as Fred Phillips, Fred Demaree, and Fred Stewart. On March 18, 1949, he was legally adopted by the Fliehr family and was renamed Richard Morgan Fliehr.
  2. "Wooo!" is officially spelled with four o's according to his autobiography, but can extend to any number of o's.
  3. Flair did win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship six times and the six reigns were recognized even after World Championship Wrestling (WCW) took control over the championship and renamed it the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship in 1991. After WCW's purchase by WWE, the lineage of the championships were kept in the WWE United States Championship. WWE.com has published contradictory information on Flair's reigns – recognizing five reigns in one article, but describing him as a six-time champion in another article.

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