Watch Ric Flair’s Reaction To Vince McMahon’s Retirement
Recognized by WWE as a 16-time world champion, Ric Flair gave his reaction to Vince McMahon’s retirement accouncement.
The wrestling world was shocked when Vince McMahon announced his retirement from WWE via Twitter. “At 77, time for me to retire. Thank you, WWE Universe. Then. Now. Forever. Together. #WWE #thankful,” Vince tweeted on July 22.
News quickly broke and had many within the industry reacting to apparent farewell to Vince. Ric Flair, a former 2x WWE Champion, also gave his thoughts on the retirement. Flair has not been in the company since 2021.
Flair’s departure was explained when he appeared on an episode of Renee Paquette’s Oral Sessions podcast. “There was no animosity whatsoever,” Flair explained. “It was just business. I wanted to try something and they just had a different vision… [WWE wanted me] to just get paid, basically. A lot of money. Nothing was wrong with that.”
There is nothing but love and respect for Vince McMahon despite Flair not currently working for the WWE. “I wasn’t happy about it at all. I love Vince McMahon,” Flair said when asked by Chris Van Vliet about the Vince McMahon retirement. “He loved the business. He made us all who we are. From Hulk to everybody. I don’t care what everybody thinks, he made us. And, I have nothing but respect for him.”
Flair who was also shocked by the announcement is hopefully that Vince will still have his finger in the business as he labeled McMahon a genius.
Vince who purchased the WWE from his father in 1982, is now retired, but will continue to “support WWE in any way” that he can. In a statement released to WWE investors, Vince wrote, “I am extremely confident in the continued success of WWE, and I leave our company in the capable hands of an extraordinary group of Superstars, employees, and executives — in particular, both Chairwoman and Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Co-CEO Nick Khan.”
Ric Flair is currently set to wrestle his finally match in pro wrestling. The match is not with the WWE, but rather with AEW. Flair and son-in-law, AEW star Andrade El Idolo taking on AEW star Jay Lethal and WWE Hall of Famer and WWE executive Jeff Jarrett. The match will be on July 31st from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Ric’s last match was back in 2011 for Impact Wrestling.