Ric Flair Breaks Silence On WWE Release, Denies Reports
The 16-time World Champion on the reasons behind his WWE release, Charlotte, and more.
Ric Flair has told People Magazine that he requested his WWE release as he and the company didn't see eye to eye on some business opportunities that he wanted to explore.
Claiming that he and WWE parted on good terms, he shot down the idea that there might be any ill will involved at the same time:-
“We just didn’t see eye to eye on some business opportunities that I wanted to pursue, so I asked for my release. There has been no animosity and everything has been on friendly terms.”
WWE officially announced Flair's release from the company on Tuesday. This came 24 hours after Fightful and Wrestling Inc. broke the story, with Fightful Select reporting that sources had indicated Ric had asked to be let go after voicing his frustrations on creative matters.
The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer was later told that Flair being cut was a Vince McMahon decision, not Ric's own, and came following Flair contacting Vince, concerned about his daughter Charlotte's booking. In the interview, Flair said that this was "absolutely not true."
The wrestling icon added the following:-
"It happens sometimes in business; you just don't see eye to eye. But how could I have any animosity towards the company who made me who I am? They literally made me who I am. Some of my best friends in the world work at the company. How could I possibly be upset with the company where my daughter is currently the most decorated woman's wrestler in history?"
Finally, Flair called the situation "a mutually agreed-upon decision," confirming he will be moving forward with those other business opportunities.
The 72-year-old's last WWE run commenced in December 2012, when he returned following an ill-received TNA stint.