10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 1993 Facts
4. Ric Flair Had Technically Already "Left" WWE
Flair gave his notice to the company shortly after dropping the WWE Championship in October 1992. He was due to finish up with the promotion early the following year, and creative had come up with his out: he would be defeated by friend-turned-foe Mr. Perfect in a loser-leaves match that would air one night after the 1993 Rumble, on the third episode of Monday Night Raw.
The match with Perfect was filmed one week before it aired, meaning Flair had already lost the loser-leaves match before his participation in the 1993 Royal Rumble match. Additionally, Flair also wrestled on non-televised events following the Rumble, including a Madison Square Garden event, and on a February 1993 tour of Europe, where he lost to Bret Hart on most nights.