"WWE and I parted on the best of terms. This gives me the chance to pursue new opportunities...corporate speaking engagements, product sponsorships, autograph shows for my loyal fans (who made me what I am today) and film and television roles. My agent and I are very excited about what the future holds!"
His agent has also set up a page on Facebook.com for him, so that will be his "official website." His agent plans on posting his event schedule on the page. You can reach Flair's Facebook page at this link. You can also find the page by typing in "Ric Flair, The Nature Boy".
source: wrestlingfigs.com
August 4, 2008
Statement from Ric Flair
Official WWE Statement - Flair and WWE Part Ways
WWE and Hall of Famer Ric Flair have mutually agreed to contractually part ways. After an extraordinary career Ric has chosen to pursue opportunities outside of WWE.
August 3, 2008
More on the Ric Flair/WWE Situation
The Gillespie Agency, the agency that represents Ric Flair, sent out the following notice to wrestling promoters over the weekend:
"Ric Flair is no longer under contract with WWE. It was a friendly parting which will allow Ric to pursue things that were rejected by WWE in the past. And it will mean a more streamlined process than ever before. Just you guys and me and Ric. Let’s pull something together and make some money!"
Rumor Mill - Ric Flair Parting Ways with the WWE
According to a number of independent promoters, they were told today by representatives of Ric Flair that he has decided to part ways with World Wrestling Entertainment and that he is now available to take independent bookings.
The split is said to be an amicable parting of the ways related to the company not allowing him to take outside offers he wanted to accept. Over the past few months, Flair has been forced to back out of a number of previously scheduled outside bookings because WWE didn't approve of them.
source: f4wonline.com
Enhanced Athletes? It's Only Natural.
By today's standards, if most of us non-athletes took a random doping test, we'd probably fail it. Few consider this to be morally troublesome. For most of us, human enhancement is an essential part of daily life: We enjoy ultra-whitening toothpaste, vitamins, anti-aging skin cream, daily doses of caffeine and much more. We're already enhancement junkies. So why should athletes be restricted in carrying out their daily tasks -- such as breaking world records -- when the rest of us are unimped in gaining a competitive edge at the office by, say, drinking coffee?...More?
source: washingtonpost.com
Memories of "The Killer"
...Bryan Walsh, who began training under Kowalski in 1983 and worked professionally until 1998, recalls being in total awe of Kowalski when he first met him at his wrestling school office. “He was actually sitting down when I first walked up to him. Then he stood up. I’m looking at this guy, and I said to myself, ‘Wow, that really is Killer Kowalski.’ You don’t expect larger-than-life people to stick their hand out and say hello to you.”
Many other students besides Walsh, Paul Levesque (Triple H) and Joanie Laurer (Chyna) passed through the Killer’s doors. Future stars such as Big John Studd, Perry Saturn, John Kronus, Matt “A-Train” Bloom and Frankie Kazarian are all alumni.
Oddly enough, Laurer makes little mention of Killer in her 2001 autobiography, “If Only They Knew,” even ignoring the fact that her mentor helped pave her way to fame and fortune in Vince McMahon’s WWE.
I once asked Levesque, who at the time was engaged to Laurer, how his significant other could so easily dismiss Killer’s contributions to her career. “I can’t figure it out,” he said. “But I know one thing. I can tell you that Walter is a great guy.”...More?
source: charleston.net
Favre to be reinstated by NFL, report to Packers on Monday
Brett Favre will be reinstated and added to the Green Bay Packers' active roster Monday...More?
source: sportsillustrated.cnn.com
SmackDown House Show Highlights - Johnson City, TN
From an anonymous prowrestling.net reader:
Triple H announced as a no-show. A few boos, and they offered a refund before the end of the first match.
Refunds because Hunter wasn't there? Can this man get any more over?!
Shelton Benjamin beat Mr. Kennedy and MVP in a three-way to retain the U.S. Title. Kennedy was super over. Another fairly basic match which was pretty sloppy from time to time. Kennedy looked rough in my opinion, but I'll be the first to admit I am not a fan of the guy: "Look, I say my name! Then I say it again!" Maybe WWE will bring back the Cactus Jack amnesia gimmick one day: Kennedy gets kicked really hard in the head, comes in to do his schtick... and draws a complete and total blank. Where was I? Oh right, the match!
One highlight: Shelton gets sent to the outside right in front us, where there's a bag of popcorn lying ringside. He opens it, stands there and starts eating some. Nice little ad-lib. And that's why I love me some Shelton Benjamin. Finish came when Kennedy hit MVP with the Mic Check, but Benjamin caught Kennedy with a rolling cradle as he went to make the cover...More?
I like Ken Kennedy, but his new way of introducing himself and waiting for the crowd to answer isn't working for me.
The Glamazon’s new pal
Beth Phoenix made a new friend while on tour with WWE this week. Before the live Raw show in Washington D.C., The Glamazon stopped by the WWE Circle of Champions visit with Make-A-Wish’s Robert. The experience turned out to be a moving one for the former Women’s Champion.
“This was my first Make-A-Wish experience, getting to meet all the Circle of Champions honorees. Robert, in particular, stood out to me as a kid with an incredible fighting spirit. It was an emotional meeting, but at the same time, it was very uplifting for me. It makes you appreciate each and every day and know how important it is not to take anything for granted,” she told Diva Dish...More?
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
