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Showing posts with label Ric Flair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ric Flair. Show all posts

January 22, 2014

Backstage Details on Why WWE is Working with Ric Flair Again


According to PWInsider.com, WWE is more open to working with Ric Flair again as he was said to be "on his best behavior" at the WWE Raw Old School show. Flair's WWE status remains, however, on a case-by-case basis.

It's being said that Triple H was heavily involved in getting Flair to deal with his issues last year, and during a family phone call involving Triple H, he reportedly told Flair that unless he addressed his personal issues, he would be cut off from the company. Since Flair addressed those issues in the past several months, WWE is once again open to working with him.

January 17, 2014

Dana White disagrees with WWE Network aspect, says McMahon "hates" UFC, talks Flair at Fight Night


UFC president Dana White says he does not think WWE made a good decision putting their monthly PPVs on the WWE Network as part of the $9.99-per-month offering.

White addressed the topic following the UFC Fight Night card on Wednesday. White was asked if he would consider putting UFC PPVs on their similar "Fight Pass" offering.

"Vince is a guy who is a trailblazer," White prefaced. "Who knows. Maybe that works for him. Doesn't make sense to me... Now you're seeing a lot of the distributors talking about dropping them. DirecTV and others, too, talking about dropping them."

White continued with his overall feelings of frustration with WWE and McMahon. "He's a trailblazer and it's hard to doubt Vince when you look at what he's done. Good for him. I hope it works out for him and it's successful for them.

"I have nothing (against WWE)," White added. "He hates the UFC. We don't hate the WWE." Asked if McMahon really "hates" UFC, White replied, "Sometimes it does seem like it. I wish him and WWE nothing but the best."

This led to a question about "sharing" Brock Lesnar's services for WWE and UFC PPV cards. "Never know," White grinned. "Do we talk? Yeah, me and Brock talk."

White also addressed WWE Legend Ric Flair appearing at the Fight Night card on Wednesday. White said Flair "called and wanted to come" to the event and he met Flair in-person for the first time.

"A lot of the WWE guys love the UFC. They come and stuff. It's just Vince that doesn't love it. All the other guys do; just not Vince," White said.

source: pwtorch.com

January 2, 2014

Flair, Rhodes have lessons for wrestling offspring


Famed pro wrestler Ric Flair has been visiting Tampa Bay a lot lately, to see a woman.

WWE fans familiar with Flair’s roguish reputation might figure he’s dating an exotic dancer here.

Truth is, he’s stepping out of character with this relationship by playing the role of father to a daughter who happens to be following in his footsteps.

The Charlotte, N.C., resident known as “The Nature Boy” resides in Indian Rocks Beach when visiting his 27-year-old daughter Ashley who is training to be the next star of World Wrestling Entertainment at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando.

Flair comes to Tampa Bay to be near her. She is his daughter, he explained, and he misses her.

“I tell everyone in the world that I have always been the best father I could be and that I was the worst husband,” Flair said with a laugh rooted in his many divorces.

“Wooo!” he exclaims, his trademark shout.

Is the 64-year-old Flair concerned that Ashley has chosen such a potentially hazardous career path?

Well, he worries she carries baggage.

“There will be added pressure on her,” he said, “because she is my daughter.”

There’s no telling whether Ashley sees the relationship as a plus or minus. WWE prohibits trainees from doing interviews.

But Cody Rhodes has some opinions on the subject.

The legend of his father, the good guy Dusty Rhodes, was born in the wrestling halls of Tampa in the 1970s, and by the time he retired, had spread across the world.

When he broke into the WWE, the fans didn’t want to see “Cody Rhodes,” they wanted to see “Dusty Rhodes Junior.”

Nostalgic, they were looking to satisfy their longing for the days when his father was king.

“A lot of people preferred me to pander to those fans,” Cody Rhodes said. “They wanted me to dye my hair blonde like my dad, do his moves like the jab and the elbow, and talk like him.”

But Rhodes said he was warned by wrestling veterans that copying his father would make him an instant star at the cost of career success.

Nostalgia has a shelf life, they told him, and “Dusty Junior” would grow stale.

So he kept his hair black. He stayed away from his father’s signature moves. He played the villain.

It made for a longer journey, Rhodes acknowledges. In the beginning, many fans were upset he didn’t channel his famous father. He had to work to win them over. And he succeeded, wrestling today as one of the WWE’s top stars.

Still, for every Cody Rhodes there are a handful of second-generation wrestlers who failed because they couldn’t escape their fathers’ shadows, he said...More?

source: tbo.com

December 25, 2013

This Day In Wrestling History


Ric Flair wins his first World title. Flair teams with Greg Valentine to beat Gene and Ole Anderson for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
December 25, 1976

Kevin Von Erich defeated Bruiser Brody to win the NWA American Title and Ernie Ladd defeated Ray Candy by forfeit to win his 4th Mid-South North American title
December 25, 1978

World Class Championship Wrestling holds the first "Christmas Star Wars" event at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas, drawing a crowd of 18,000 fans (and a Texas record gate at the time) for a show that featured one of the most famous heel turns of all time, a turn that sparked arguably the greatest feud in Texas wrestling history, the Von Erichs vs. The Fabulous Freebirds.
December 25, 1982

Magnum T.A. & Mr. Wrestling II defeated Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart to win the Mid-South Tag Team Title
December 25, 1983

The Rock 'N' Roll Express defeated Ted DiBiase & Hercules Hernandez to win their 3rd Mid-South Tag Team Title
December 25, 1984

UPN airs the first ever WWE Smackdown "Christmas In Iraq/Tribute To The Troops", which was taped at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq on December 20th for an audience of soldiers overseas. The show included Vince McMahon knocking down Santa Claus for not bringing him a gift, only for "Santa" to reveal himself as Steve Austin. Austin then gave McMahon a stunner.
December 25, 2003

October 23, 2013

This Day In Wrestling History


Junzo Yoshinosato defeats Isao Yoshiwara in a tournament final to become the first Japanese Light Heavyweight Champion in Tokyo.
October 23, 1956

Abdullah the Butcher & Dr. Jerry Graham defeat Chris and John Tolos for the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
October 23, 1967

WWF(E) Champion Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair wrestle their first match in Dayton, Ohio. Flair wins via count out.
October 23, 1991

Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma defeated the Patriot & Marcus Bagwell for the WCW World Tag Team title.
October 23, 1994

Alundra Blaze defeated Bertha Faye for the WWF(E) Women's title.
October 23, 1995

Rodney "Yokozuna" Anoa'i died of a heart attack at age 34.
October 23, 2000

AJ Styles defeated Syxx-Pac for the NWA-TNA X title.
October 23, 2002

October 11, 2013

Rumor Mill - Major Top Name Quietly Completes WWE-Sponsored Rehab Stint


Ric Flair is wrapping up a month long stint in a rehab facility, having been sent at WWE’s direction and expense. Both sides have been trying to keep things extremely quiet, with Flair himself misdirecting close friends and family about his whereabouts. According to a source, only Flair’s “absolute inner circle” are aware of where he’s been.

Between the forced retirement of Jim Ross, Flair’s WWE job offer being rescinded and Flair ending up in rehab, the fallout from the WWE 2K14 symposium from SummerSlam weekend is really unbelievable when you think about it.

Ultimately it was Triple H that was able to convince Flair to check into rehab. Hunter has a position in mind for Flair and Flair was led to believe that if he sought help and was able to prove himself, another WWE offer would be forthcoming at some point.

Flair still has a lot of financial issues, which is the reason why he is taking bookings (reportedly at $15,000 per appearance) and is hopeful that if there are no issues, he’ll be brought back into the WWE family before long.

Sources close to Flair’s team say there was concern that endorsement opportunities could take a hit if it went public that he was in rehab. This is why a story was concocted that he was living with his daughter Ashley in Florida and laying low while the heat died down after the infamous WWE 2K14 panel.

source: wnw premium news

September 11, 2013

Rumor Mill - JR/WWE Update: Ross Said to Have Been "Let Go," "Retirement" Excuse Said to be a PR Move, What Really Caused Ross' Departure


Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer just released a breaking audio update, and has provided even more information on the developing story of Jim Ross announcing his retirement from WWE.

According to Meltzer, JR met with Vince McMahon in Connecticut last night, and all but a handful of Vince's inner circle had any idea why the meeting was taking place.

The reason why Jim Ross was let go from WWE was due to his inability to control Ric Flair at the WWE 2K Sports panel that took place the night before SummerSlam. As we noted earlier, there was talk of letting JR go "the minute the panel ended," as WWE felt he should have cut Flair off and regained control of the event.

Meltzer further noted that the part of the panel that drew the most heat for Flair was when he made mention of his son Reid's death and when he joked that John Cena never used to drink before they met but now he downs a six pack of beer every night.

The update went on to note that WWE is using the "retirement" excuse as a PR move to avoid major uproar over the firing of a beloved WWE talent and Hall of Famer. Meltzer stands by his belief that Ross was let go entirely due to the 2K Sports panel because just a couple weeks ago during his Q&A session in The UK, Ross said he had no plans to retire from WWE.

Another interesting note is that aside from Vince McMahon, Triple H and a couple other employees mentioning it on Twitter, no WWE wrestlers have commented on the news of JR retiring.

Rumor Mill - Possible Reason For Jim Ross' Retirement From WWE


As previously reported, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has announced that he is retiring from WWE effective immediately.

In an update to this story, The Wrestling Observer reports that WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon "had a role" in Ross's departure from the company. The website states that the two men met on Wednesday to discuss Ross's future with WWE, a conversation which led to Ross deciding to retire.

Word is that the "unruly behavior" of Ric Flair at the WWE 2K14 panel, which took place at last month's SummerSlam Axxess, was a factor in Ross's decision to retire, as WWE management felt that as the host of the event, Ross should have cut Flair off after he went off-script and made "several controversial remarks" not only in front of WWE executives, but also in front of executives representing 2K Sports.

source: wrestling observer

September 9, 2013

Rumor Mill - WWE Creating A New Role Specifically For Ric Flair – Backstage News On A Major Change In Direction


Prior to the problems WWE had with Ric Flair over SummerSlam weekend, there was a new position being created for him. In addition to filling the role as a “good will ambassador” for the company, Triple H was hoping to use his friend as an “elite level polisher” for developmental talent.

Basically, WWE wanted Flair to work with a few NXTers on main event psychology and promo work. The idea was for talent labeled the most impressive to have one on one time with Flair. One of the things Triple H is looking to change more and more in the coming years is having more of the promos and interviews being in the voice of the performer. This means scripting them less heavily and focusing more on giving the talent general goals and messages to convey, as opposed to memorizing scripts.

This is something seen as a gradual transition with some talent not being trusted in that role and being more heavily controlled. Obviously the better talkers will have more freedom.

So it’s Flair that is being tapped as “coach” for this transition but it could have been delayed due to heat accumulated at SummerSlam Axxess. The heat is expected to blow over (if it hasn’t already) and Flair is expected to land the position created for him.

source: wnw premium

August 22, 2013

Ric Flair on His 2K Legends Panel Behavior: "I Don't Know What Happened Last Night"


Steve Austin recently interviewed Ric Flair for his podcast, and the following is what Flair had to say regarding his behavior on the 2k Sports Legends panel over the weekend:

"I don't know what happened last night," Flair said. "They told me to entertain 'em and I did, but apparently it wasn't received the way it was supposed to be. The people who are running the game loved it, but the problem is corporate WWE gets mad at me, number one, which upsets me because I love the company and respect them so much. I guess we just drifted and told stories and they wanted the focus of the evening to be about the game."

August 19, 2013

The Ric Flair Weekend Follies, Jim Ross Caught in the Fallout


For those that missed it yesterday, Ric Flair had quite a weekend at the Symposium for the new WWE video game (you can find a video of the entire conference on the site). In a nutshell, Flair was feeling no pain and basically hijacked the show about half way in. WWE management was said to be really angry at Flair's behavior, pulling him from any more activity after the panel ended. The word I have received was that the video game company didn't really have any problems with how the panel went, but to be fair their interests overall are different than WWE's. A lot of the things that Flair said aren't in line with the mores of a family-friendly company.

Some sites apparently reported that Jim Ross, who hosted the event, was drunk at the panel symposium as well. Ross stated on his Twitter that he was not and if you watch the video, I think it would be a stretch for anyone to think that he was. On his Twitter he mentioned that any slurring in his voice was related to his Bells Palsy condition. As I mentioned yesterday he was certainly acerbic and brutally honest at times, but that doesn't equate to drunk. I found him to be very entertaining. Flair was too, but for a much different reason.

source: pwinsider.com

August 18, 2013

WWE Event Sponsored By Grey Goose?


The big story this morning stems from the video that we posted earlier today. Suffice it to say, WWE management is said to be really unhappy with how the WWE 2K14 panel "discussion" went last night. In case you missed it, Ric Flair was completely off the rails. Jim Ross, who was hosting, also appeared to be feeling no pain. In fact at a few points in the presentation JR even made a few references that the event was being sponsored by Grey Goose, which of course is high end vodka. To me, the best part of the presentation was when Paul Heyman got up and ripped up Jim Ross' script as it became obvious by that point that the thing had become a train wreck.

The ironic thing about Flair's behavior last night is that there has been a lot of talk about the company bringing him in as someone of a WWE Ambassador. If last night was a tryout for that spot, Flair has a lot of work to do. Seriously, WWE can't send him out to promote of TV PG product if that is the way he is going to conduct himself.

source: pwinsider.com

Controversial 2K WWE Legends Panel Featuring Ric Flair, Jim Ross, Steve Austin, Ziggler, Foley & More


Twitch.TV has posted a 75 minute video of the WWE 2K14 30 Years of WrestleMania Symposium that needs to be seen to be believed. Jim Ross hosted the event and, let's just say that he was in a condition where he was very acerbic and quite honest. Perhaps it was due to the "Snapple" he was drinking.

The panel consisted of Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, Mick Foley, Paul Heyman, Steve Austin and Ric Flair.

Flair was also in, uh, rare form, going down some roads that WWE probably wish would have stayed unpaved, so to speak. Things really get wild around the 38 minute mark.

You can watch the video, which is really unreal, at this link.

WrestleZone has learned that Ric Flair was pulled from last night's 2K Sports Legends panel, and it appears as though WWE sent Jerry Lawler to the event to replace Flair in talking to the media. According to a backstage source in WWE, WWE Executives Jane Geddes and Mark Carrano were summoned by TV exec Lisa Lee to the event to remove Ric Flair from the stage while the event was still ongoing. Lisa Lee apparently was shooting the event on her cell phone and notifying WWE management of the fact Flair appeared to be intoxicated. WWE is said to be furious about the public display by Flair, who has been negotiating to be the good will ambassador for the company.

Flair was said to be “out of control, profane and a total wreck.”

We can also exclusively confirm Stephanie McMahon LeVesque personally came to the event, and was whisked in by her own personal security staff to apologize to 2K Sports on behalf of WWE.

WrestleZone has been told WWE is furious with Flair, and also at host Jim Ross for losing control of the situation.

source: wrestlezone.com & pwinsider.com

The Must-Read Ric Flair Story From The WWE 2K14 Panel


Arda Ocal was at the WWE 2K14 Panel yesterday who tweeted on Ric Flair's emotional revelation:





Paul also had Reid's name engraved into the inside of the ring given to Ric.

March 30, 2013

This Day In Wrestling History


42,000 fans attended the WWF and Super World of Sports' WrestleFest event at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.
March 30, 1991

Triple H kicks Shawn Michaels out of D-Generation X and becomes the leader of the group. Later that night X-Pac, Billy Gunn and Road Dogg join DX with Triple H and Chyna.
March 30, 1998

WWE issued the following:

World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. Closes Transaction With Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2001--World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWF - news) today announced that it has closed its transaction to acquire certain assets of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
March 30, 2001

Wrestlemania 24 takes place, featuring Ric Flair's final WWE match. Flair would retire after Wrestlemania, but later come back to wrestle on shows in Australia for Hulk Hogan and for TNA.
March 30, 2008

March 29, 2013

Reid Flair, Ric Flair's Son, Passes Away

Reid Flair, the youngest son of WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, has passed away, PWInsider.com has sadly confirmed. He was only 25 years old.

Reid was found this morning in Charlotte, North Carolina. He had just returned from working for All Japan.

Reid was seen in the latter days of WCW, where both he and his father had heads shaved as part of an angle where Ric feuded with Vince Russo. Reid later began training as a pro wrestler under Bobby Eaton and George South, but personal issues, including a heroin arrest, sidetracked what was expected to be instant stardom for Reid, who had an excellent amateur pedigree.

At one point, he was slated to debut with Ring of Honor when the promotion was owned by Cary Silkin, but the arrest caused ROH to back off on those plans. That led to the beginning of the end of their relationship with Ric Flair.

Since then, there had been talk of Reid going to WWE developmental and the company had taken a look at him, but didn't sign him to a contract. He had been working in All Japan and was slated to make appearances with Ric this weekend in Maryland.

March 19, 2013

Flair and HBK on Triple H 'hanging up the boots'


He’s been a cornerstone of WWE for the better part of the last two decades, but on April 7 at WrestleMania, Triple H could be competing in a WWE ring for the very last time when he collides with Brock Lesnar in a barbaric No Holds Barred Match. Thanks to Paul Heyman’s sinister machinations, The Game must retire if he is unable to conquer the former WWE, NCAA and UFC Champion.

Brock Lesnar and Paul HeymanWith Heyman revealing the stipulations of this bout only after Triple H had signed the contract on the March 18 edition of Raw, the WWE COO was unaware that he was agreeing to terms that could prematurely end one of the most celebrated careers in WWE history. The revelation that Triple H’s final match could be fast approaching immediately sent shockwaves throughout the WWE Universe...More?

February 21, 2013

This Day In Wrestling History


After only 18 months with the WWF(E), Ric Flair made his return to WCW at SuperBrawl III.
February 21, 1993

February 20, 2013

This Day In Wrestling History


Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Joe "Scissors" Stecher to finally unify the World championship in St. Louis, Missouri. Lewis had been recognized as World champion in various areas, while Stecher held the linear championship belt. This match had been put off several times since 1925. While Lewis now has the strongest claim as World champion, the New York State Athletic Commission decides to recognize Hans Steinke as champion.
February 20, 1928

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat defeats Ric Flair for the NWA World Title.
February 20, 1989

February 9, 2013

This Day In Wrestling History


Mars Bennett defeats Betty Hawkins in Tampa, Florida to win the NWA Florida Women's Title.
February 9, 1953

WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeats Fred Blassie in a steel cage match at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland by escaping over the top of the cage. The match had been promoted with the concept that Blassie had invented the cage match and was "unbeatable" in it.
February 9, 1972

The Midnight Rider (the suspended Dusty Rhodes under a mask) defeats Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Tampa, Florida. However, after the match, NWA President Bob Geigel demanded that the Midnight Rider unmask. If Rhodes revealed it was him under the mask, he would have been banned for life, so he refused, and instead gave up the NWA Championship, which was returned to Flair.
February 9, 1982


WWF held a unique show at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. The entire show was made up of five tag team matches, followed by a tag team battle royale with all of the teams that had competed on the show. Here are the results from the event:
Jimmy Snuka & Blackjack Mulligan defeated Brutus Beefcake & Johnny Valiant.
Magnificent Muraco & Mr. Fuji defeated SD Jones & George Wells.
Hulk Hogan & Hillbilly Jim defeated Moondog Rex & Moondog Spot.
The Iron Shiek & Nikolai Volkoff defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo in a non-title match.
Roddy Piper & Cowboy Bob Orton defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco.
Hulk Hogan & Hillbilly Jim won a 10-team battle royale.
February 9, 1985

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Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear