Ric Flair: AEW Should Develop Their Own Product Rather Than Competing With WWE
Ric Flair gives his take on AEW vs. WWE.
Ric Flair knows all about competing against WWE as he was at the center of the Monday Night Wars in the 90s as one of the top stars in WCW. While AEW has yet to run their first official show, many fans are already pumping them as the next big threat to WWE. Flair believes that AEW should worry less about WWE and more about what they can bring to the world of wrestling.
“I’m old school, so I think anytime there is an opportunity for guys to work who are qualified and have been trained properly in a position to be somewhat successful in their attempt to work for either company, I’m all about that,” Flair told CBS Sports. “I think that’s great. I don’t think [AEW] should focus on the competition [with WWE] as much as just developing their own product. Their success will come from that.”
On the subject of AEW backer Tony Khan, Flair said, “The word competition is great. People love that part of time in the world, but this will be the first time someone with the kind of money that [Jacksonville Jaguars co-owner] Tony [Khan] brings. You know who Tony Khan is? Tony Khan is a sophisticated, intelligent, well-bred ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair with money. Tony Khan is the limousine-riding, jet-flying, kiss-stealing, bringing the hottest chick to every party that I go to with him, son of a gun. Now that he has the joint over in England [as co-owner of the Premier League team Fulham FC], I’m sure he has kissed girls all over the world and made them cry. If I had Tony’s bankroll in the ’80s, who knows where I would have been.”
While Khan is the money behind the operation, the man who has been front and center for AEW has been Cody Rhodes, the son of Dusty Rhodes. Flair and Dusty had one of the best rivalries in wrestling throughout the 80s. And when it comes to Dusty’s son, Flair has nothing but praise.
“Cody is a great performer and I’m happy that he landed where he has landed on his feet like this. It takes someone with a lot of courage and not just motivation. But to generally take that step forward on your own and be prepared to put yourself in a position where you might not be the most popular guy in the world but you are determined to make something work. It takes a hell of a man. That’s my take on Cody.”
In case you missed it, Flair is scheduled to headline Starrcast II as the guest of honor in the Roast of Ric Flair. You can find out more information by clicking here.
