Ex-WCW Announcer Trying To Block Ric Flair's Wrestling Return

Former WCW man Chris Cruise wants the Maryland State Athletic Commission to NOPE Ric Flair.

Ric Flair blocked
WWE

Former WCW announcer Chris Cruise is attempting to block Ric Flair's return to a professional wrestling ring.

Rumours that Flair, 73, is working towards an in-ring comeback have been buzzing for several weeks now. Stemming from a recent clip of the iconic 'Nature Boy' going through his paces in the ring with AEW's Jay Lethal, they were strengthened by talk of Flair working towards a bout bitting himself and FTR against the legendary Rock 'N' Roll Express and a partner to be confirmed (as discussed on Wrestling Observer Radio). This is despite Flair's myriad health issues in recent years, including the kidney failure that almost led to his death in August 2017.

Now, Cruise has written to the Maryland State Athletic Commission ahead of contacting other authorities, urging them not to sanction Ric's comeback.

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A lengthy Facebook post saw Cruise mention Flair's ill health, alcohol problems, and age as the reasons he objects to him wrestling again:-

Hey you rubes, I screw around here a lot, but this is serious: Ric Flair should not be allowed to wrestle. Some reports indicate he has been working out with Jay Lethal in preparation to returning to the ring. He can’t be stopped from doing so in states that don’t have athletic commissions and licensing protocols, but insurance companies can step in and refuse to issue a bond to a promotion that books him. And for those states that do have commissions, they should be contacted to demand that they not allow Flair to wrestle. Simply put, Ric Flair returning to the ring is not wise. No how, no way. He’s 73, in poor health, an alcoholic, and has a pacemaker installed.
Today I emailed the following to the Maryland State Athletic Commission, since I live in Maryland, and will contact other commissions as well. I would encourage you to also email the commission (athletic@dllr.state.md.us) and urge its members to deny Flair a license. It won’t take long, and could help keep Flair alive. Here is the email I sent:
To the Commissioners of the Maryland State Athletic Commission: Recently, published reports indicate the professional wrestler known as Ric Flair, who is 73 and has a pacemaker, is considering returning to the ring. Obviously, that is not wise. It’s almost as if he wants to die in the ring. https://wrestlingnews.co/…/ric-flair-is-coming-out-of…/ I am writing as a citizen of Maryland to express my concern about the prospect of Mr. Fleihr being granted a license to wrestle in this state. I’m sure you understand how disastrous it would be for the Commission if he died in the ring during a performance for which you granted him a license.
I’d like to know what standards the Commission has for granting a license to a professional wrestler. Is a physical examination required? Are athletes over 70 and who have a pacemaker installed allowed to wrestle professionally in Maryland? I look forward to your reply.

Flair has not yet issued a public response to Cruise's post.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.