Ric Flair on leaving WWE

Ric Flair said he was forced to leave a $300,000 payday on the table when WWE prohibited him from appearing on a 30-city autograph signing tour of the old NWA promotions. “I just can’t leave money on the table anymore,” Flair told Charleston.net. He also stated that there are no hard feelings. “I’m 59 years old and I’ve never stood on my own two feet without wrestling,” he said. “I need to find out if I can. Vince (McMahon) can’t prop me up forever.”

Flair also praised WWE. “I want everybody in the world to know that I love and respect the WWE,” he continued. “They’ve helped me through so much of my life and have made me a better person. They recognized me and my family at Wrestlemania, and have propped me up and helped me as long as they can.” To read the full story, visit Charleston.net.

The story also noted that there is some buzz regarding a potential “dream match” between Flair and Hulk Hogan, but Flair said he intends to respect his retirement bout. I hope that’s the case. Hogan vs. Flair is no longer the dream match. In fact, most of those matches are bad memories for Flair, because Hogan scored the vast majority of the wins.

More importantly, Flair already had the ultimate sendoff. WWE came through with an amazing weekend with the Hall of Fame, his match with Shawn Michaels, and that amazing Raw sendoff. It’s worth noting that the Gillespie Agency, which represents Flair, also represents Mick Foley and Roddy Piper.

 

It seems he is leaving on good terms if anything so I think that Flair could make some special appearances in WWE over the next few years.

The PWBite Rant Episode 24: Stylin’ & Profilin’

Episode 24 of the PWBite Rant is up on time this week. Since Jade is on the run from Jenny McCarthy’s people it’s only Arron, El Nagual and myself. This week we talk about Ric Flair’s departure from WWE, the likelihood of Mick Foley resigning his contract, WWE’s injury list, Kaz’s new gimmick, and we talk about the now infamous Mike Levy incident(if you haven’t seen it yet check the video here). Also we go over the cards for UFC 87 and TNA’s Hard Justice PPV.

P.S.

Seeing as next weeks PWBite Rant will be episode number 25 which I consider a milestone I want to attempt to record it LIVE!!! via uStream or Stikam I haven’t decided which one yet. What this means is all of you will be able to hear and chat with us as we record Episode 25. I don’t have all the details worked out yet but the tentative plan is to do this next Wednesday, August 13 starting at around 8pm EST if this changes I’ll let you know. Also don’t forget my Twitter, Facebook and our email address:

–sideshowRaheem

Bischoff on Flair’s Retirement

Eric Bischoff has posted his latest blog entry on his official website. He speaks on Ric Flair leaving WWE. Below are some of the highlights: 

But I cant help to wonder about Ric Flair’s motivation to leave WWE. In some ways, Ric Flair is in a simalar position to Brett Favre. In May I wrote in my blog “Finally” about how happy I was for Ric, that he could retire on a grand stage like Wrestlemania with the love, support, and respect from the people around him. To have the opportunity to retire in a way that put a proud period at the end of the last sentence of a great book that was Ric’s career is rare and should be appreciated.

If Ric asked for his release from WWE in order to pursue a career as a public/corporate speaker, I wish him the best. Ric is great in front of a crowd, and if charm and charisma were publicly traded commodities on the New York Stock Exchange, Ric would be a walking Fortune 500 company. 

But if Ric is being driven by his “sense of self”, and is contemplating a return to the ring as a result, I fear,that the special moment that was Ric’s retirement and in many repects his legacy, will be diluted forever in the process.

I have no comment on anything Eric Bischoff says to be honest. I really don’t like him so I can’t be impartial when he says anything. However in this, I agree with him. If Flair does step back into the ring to wrestle then this will mark his legacy forever.

Ric Flair Parts Ways With WWE

The WWE.com has posted that the recently-retired Ric Flair has amicably parted ways with WWE this is due to Flair wanting to make appearances at non-WWE shows and events. After his retirement at Wrestlemania 24 the WWE and Ric Flair came to terms on an agreement to keep Flair with the WWE in a public relations capacity. But because of he had an on going contract with the WWE Flair was unable to take outside bookings or make public appearances without WWE approval. This lead to Flair canceling several appearances the most notable of which was with the NWA All-Star wrestling show in June 2008. Now that Flair is free of his contract the Wrestling Observer is reporting that several independent promoters have been told today by representatives of Flair that he has parted ways with WWE and will be available for independent bookings.

–sideshowRaheem

Ric Flair Reconized By Congresswoman

Congresswoman Sue Myrick recently took the floor and breafly spoke about the career of Ric Flair here’s the video.

Of course this probably only happened because Ric Flair is a frequent finical contributor and supporter of a certain parties(Republican) political campaigns but it’s still cool.

–sideshowRaheem

Paul Heyman No Likey Ric Flair Send Off

I guess not everybody is pumped about Ric Flair’s send off on last Monday’s on Raw. The ever so upfront Paul Heyman express his dissatisfaction with what he calls the “sobbing” Ric Flair in a recent article he wrote for UK’s The Sun. Here a small piece of what he had to say:

“OK, so we’re going for yet another emotional moment. We had ’em crying at the Hall of Fame. Had ’em at Mania. OK, one more to go. Let’s give it to ’em on Raw. And after the first set of reunions for Flair, don’t you think it was time for the mass curtain call, the standing ovation, the “thank you Ric” chants and goodnight everybody? It was a treat for everyone to see Ric reunited with Tully and Arn and Windham and JJ. Anyone who knows the story of how JJ left WWE, and the enormous heat between JJ and Vince will tell you, this was Vince McMahon doing what he felt was right for business. Hey, there’s Ricky Steamboat. That’s a nice tribute. Their worst matches against each should be considered all time classics. Those two were magic together. Michaels’ appearance and hug makes it complete. That’s some great emotion. But watching Flair cry because Chris Jericho says thank you? Hey, here’s John Cena. And he’s saluting Flair. Whooop de freakin’ do. Yeah yeah, this is basic Thugonomics. What the hell does it have to do with anyone’s favorite Flair memories? Cena? Jericho? Where’s Fifi the French Maid?”

“And please, I’m begging someone to tell Vince and Kevin Dunn that f’n song about leaving the memories alone is not something that tugs at the heart, nor does it add to the emotion of a Ric Flair testimonial. Play Strauss’ Sprach Zarathustra – which was the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey – all night long. That other song is just Vince and Kevin saying: “Here’s the WWE touch to it all that makes it so great. Get over yourselves.”

I usually agree with everything Paul Heyman has to say, he even makes some good points in the article but I think he’s missing the point. Ric Flairs send off on last Monday’s Raw was great mainly because we’ll probably never see anything like that again. Sure seeing Ric Flair cry is kind of like seeing Superman without his cape but Flair is an emotional guy(not to unlike Paul Heyman) which is probably the reason he was able to cut all those classic promos over the years. For once the WWE did the right thing and sent and icon off with the respect he has earned. Anyway you can read the entire article here.

–sideshowRaheem

More From The Ric Flair Tribute

In case you didn’t hear the Ric Flair tribute from Monday’s Raw continued after they went off air. Both The Undertaker and Vince McMahon waited until the camera’s stopped rolling to come out in order not to break kayfabe but of course some fan with a camera phone captured the entire thing here it is:

–sideshowRaheem

Okay, Who Cried

Who’s gonna admit to getting emotional as Ric Flair got inducted into the Hall of Fame last night. In case you didn’t see it here it is, and yes sideshowRaheem may have teared up a bit “It’s Still Real To Me Dammit!!!”.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Countdown To Wrestlemania 24: Wrestlemania 22

Tickets sold out in under two minutes for Wrestlemania 22 in Chicago, Illinois. Wrestlemania 22 marked the first Wrestlemania not to feature the winner of the Royal Rumble in the final match of the night since Wrestlemania XV in 1999. CM Punk made his Wrestlemania debut as one of the “gangsters” in John Cena entrance. Bobby Lashley also made his Wrestlemania debut in the Money In The Bank Ladder Match.

The World Heavyweight Championship match was a triple treat that featured Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton and the champion Kurt Angle. This was Randy Orton’s first time competing in the main event at Wrestlemania. The match at just 9 minutes and 18 seconds was the shortest for a world championship in Wrestlemania history. Rey Mysterio pinned Randy Orton for the victory giving him his first World Heavyweight Championship.  Mysterio at only 5’8 and 165lbs would go down in history as the smallest World Heavyweight Champion in history. Because the pin fall was scored on Randy Orton this made the third time Kurt Angle would lose a championship at Wrestlemania without submitting or being pinned.

In the WWE Championship match Triple H faced off against the champion John Cena although Cena was being booked as a babyface the majority of the capacity crowd was against the WWE Champion. After 22 minutes and 2 second Cena forced Triple H to submit with the STFU. This was the second time Triple H would tap out in the main event at a Wrestlemania the previous time being against Chris Benoit at Wrestlemania XX.

The Date:

• April 02, 2006

The Card:

• United States Championship
  John “Bradshaw” Layfield (w/Jillian Hall) defeated Chris Benoit
• World Tag Team Championship Match
  Kane and The Big Show defeated Carlito and Chris Masters
• Hardcore Match
  Edge defeated Mick Foley
• Money in the Bank Ladder Match
  Rob Van Dam defeated Shelton Benjamin, Ric Flair, Finlay, Matt Hardy and Bobby Lashley
• Casket Match
  The Undertaker defeated Mark Henry
• No Holds Barred Match  
  Shawn Michaels defeated Vince McMahon
• The Boogeyman defeated Booker T and Sharmell
• Playboy Pillow Fight
  Torrie Wilson defeated Candice Michelle
• Women’s Championship Match
  Mickie James defeated Trish Stratus
• WWE Championship Match
  John Cena defeated Triple HUndertaker w/ Paul Bearer def. Kane
• Triple Threat World Heavyweight Championship Match
  Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton and Kurt Angle

 Celebrities in Attendance:

• Michelle Williams
• Joe Theismann
• P.O.D.

After the break see the Money In The Bank Ladder Match, Mick Foley vs Edge in a Hardcore Match, Mickie James vs Trish Stratus(c) for the Women’s Championship, Rey Mysterio vs Randy Orton vs Kurt Angle(c) for the World Heavy Weight Championship and Triple H vs John Cena(c) for the WWE Championship…………..

Countdown To Wrestlemania 24: Wrestlemania XX

Wrestlemania returned to “The World’s Most Famous Arena” with Wrestlemania XX this was the third time Madison Square Garden hosted the event. The United States Championship was defended for the first time in Wrestlemania history when Big Show faced off against John Cena who was making his Wrestlemania debut. As a result of a pre-match stipulation, Molly Holly had her head shaven clean by Victoria when she was unable to capture the Women’s Championship. The Rock made his very last appearance as a competitor in the WWE at Wrestlemania XX when he re-united the Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection in a Handicap Match against Evolution (Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair). After an extended absence, Paul Bearer returned to WWE at Wrestlemania XX when a accompanied The Undertaker to the ring for his match against Kane.

Chris Benoit had been waiting 18 years to finally get a shot at the World Championship after winning the Royal Rumble the then SmackDown! Superstar decided to jump ship to the RAW brand to face Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. Shawn Michaels interrupted the contract signing, though, and hit Benoit with the Sweet Chin Music. With Benoit knocked out, Michaels signed the contract. General Manager Eric Bischoff settled the controversy and made the match a Triple Threat Match. During the epic battle Triple H looked ready to lock in the Pedigree on Benoit but Benoit somehow reversed it into the Crippler Crossface, and with Michaels out on the floor, Triple H tapped out. This was Benoit’s second time winning the World Heavy Weight Championship but was his first and only time holding it since both the title and Benoit moved to the WWE.

The Date:

• March 14, 2004

The Card:

• United States Championship
  John Cena def. Big Show to become new champion
  
• Fatal Four Way World Tag Team Championship Match
  Booker T & Rob Van Dam def. La Resistance, Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade and the Dudleys to retain
• Christian def. Chris Jericho w/ Trish Stratus
• Handicap Match
  Randy Orton, Batista & Ric Flair def The Rock & Mick Foley
• Playboy Evening Gown Match
  Sable & Torrie Wilson def. Stacy Keibler & Miss Jackie
• Cruiserweight Open
  Ultimo Dragon def. Shannon Moore; Jamie Noble def. Ultimo Dragon; Jamie Noble def. Funaki; Jamie Noble def. Nunzio; Billy Kidman def. Jamie Noble; Rey Mysterio def. Billy Kidman; Rey Mysterio def. Tajiri; Chavo Guerrero w/ Chavo Classic def. Rey Mysterio to retain
• Goldberg def. Brock Lesnar (Stone Cold was special guest referee)
• Fatal Four Way WWE Tag Team Championship Match
  Scotty 2 Hotty & Rikishi def. Basham Brothers, World’s Greatest Tag Team and APA to retain
• Women’s Championship Match
  Victoria def. Molly Holly to retain
• WWE Championship Match
  Eddie Guerrero def. Kurt Angle to retain
• Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer def. Kane
• Triple Threat World Heavyweight Championship Match
  Chris Benoit def. Triple H and Shawn Michaels to become new champion

Celebrities in Attendance:

• Donald Trump
• Pete Rose

After the break see John Cena vs The Big Show(c) for the United States Championship, Brock Lesnar vs Goldberg with special guest ref Stone Cold, Kane vs The Undertaker, Kurt Angle vs Eddie Guerrero(c) for the WWE Championship and Chris Benoit vs Shawn Michaels vs Triple H(c) for the World Heavyweight Championship……………

WWE Monday Night Raw Discussion: Punk & Jericho v. MVP and Carlito

Another Monday night, another Raw. CAN YOU TASTE THE EXCITEMENT?

Well, OK, probably not. Regardless, tonight we’ve got CM Punk and Chris Jericho teaming up to face MVP and Carlito in a ladder match preview.

Speaking of Chris Jericho, how great was that MVP/Jericho bit on Smackdown this week? Who do you guys think won the verbal battle: MVP or Jericho? It’s close, but I’d go with MVP, just because he made fun of Jericho “saving us.” That cuts to the quick!

As of now, that’s the only match announced, but they are playing up Ric Flair’s last appearance in South Carolina, where tonight’s Raw is being held. He should get a great ovation in “Flair Country.”

There are only two more Raws before Wrestlemania 24, so the WWE better turn up the heat if they want to increase their buyrate (and Floyd Mayweather’s paycheck).

Here’s to hoping for Ric Flair in a career threatening handicap match against Snitsky and the Great Khali.

Countdown To Wrestlemania 24: Wrestlemania X8

Wrestlemania X8 a.k.a Wrestlemania XVIII marked only the second time the legendary event was held outside the United States (both held in Toronto’s SkyDome). Wrestlemania X8 was Diamond Dallas Page’s second Wrestlemania in the SkyDome. DDP was also a part of Wrestlemania VI when he drove the car that took The Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine to the ring. For the second year in a row, William Regal opened Wrestlemania with a Intercontinental Championship match this time against Rob Van Dam. Regal who lost the previous years Wrestlemania opener to Chris Jericho would lose again this year to Van Dam. Two Hall of Fame stars returned to Wrestlemania at Wrestlemania X8, Hulk Hogan took on The Rock for his first Wrestlemania appearance in nine years and Ric Flair battled The Undertaker for his first Wrestlemania appearance in ten years. Both superstars would be defeated in there Wrestlemania return match.

Wrestlemania X8 was the first and only time the “Undisputed Championship” was on the line at a Wrestlemania when Chris Jericho took on Triple H in the main event. Jericho also had to like his chances because Triple H was hobbling into Wrestlemania with a bum quadriceps. After returning from a serious quad injury, Jericho reinjured Triple H’s leg in the weeks heading into their main event match. But The Game was able to prevail, Triple H was able to hit the patented Pedigree for the win and the Undisputed Championship. Triple H’s reign on top only lasted a little over a month before he lost the WWE Championship to Hollywood Hogan at the Backlash.

The Date:

• March 22, 2002

The Card:

• Intercontinental Championship
  Rob Van Dam def. William Regal to become new champion
• European Championship
  Diamond Dallas Page def. Christian to retain
• Hardcore Championship
  Spike Dudley, Hurricane, Mighty Molly, Maven and lastly Christian all scored pinfalls to become Hardcore Champion during the night
• Kurt Angle def. Kane
• Undertaker def. Ric Flair
• Edge def. Booker T
• Stone Cold def. Scott Hall w/ Kevin Nash
• Fatal Four Way Elimination Match for World Tag Team Championship
  Billy & Chuck def. The Hardy Boyz, the APA and the Dudleys
• Icon vs. Icon Match
  The Rock def. Hollywood Hogan
• Triple Threat Women’s Championship Match
  Jazz def. Lita and Trish to retain
• Undisputed Championship Main Event
  Triple H def. Chris Jericho w/ Stephanie McMahon

Celebrities In Attendance:

• Drowning Pool
• Saliva

After the break see The Rock vs Hulk Hogan in an Icon vs Icon match, Ric Flair vs The Undertaker, Stone Cold vs Scott Hall and Triple H vs Chris Jericho for the Undisputed Championship………..

Video of the Day: Ric Flair’s “Road Rage” caught on tape!

Hogan wants Flair for Wrestlemania

In an interview for MTV.com Hulk Hogan said he wanted to wrestle Ric Flair for Wrestlemania.

“They (WWE) need a main event.” Hogan said. The ex champion also said that Vince McMahon should be the special ref.

In my opinion I think this is a good idea, what do you guys think?

WWE Raw Discussion: Umaga v. Ric Flair

On the heels of Armageddon, we’ve got another edition of WWE Monday Night Raw. The most compelling thing about this show, in my opinion, is the Ric Flair v. Umaga match-up. Of course, Flair has to win to extend his career with the WWE.

We’ve also got Orton and Kennedy v. Hardy and HBK, as well as a face-off between JBL and Jericho. If JBL is not returning to active wrestling, I’ll be shocked.

Discuss Raw here.