Ric Flair says his WWE departure was a business decision and it had nothing to do with any issues he had with storylines in the company.
Ric Flair spoke to PEOPLE after his WWE departure was confirmed and denied the reports that he asked for his release because he had issues with storylines involving his daughter, Charlotte Flair. Ric said those reports are “absolutely not true” and it was just a business decision to create new opportunities for his brand.
“It happens sometimes in business; you just don’t see eye to eye,” Flair told PEOPLE. “But how could I have any animosity towards the company who made me who I am? They literally made me who I am. Some of my best friends in the world work at the company. How could I possibly be upset with the company where my daughter is currently the most decorated woman’s wrestler in history?”
Flair continued, explaining that it was just a business decision and he’s looking to create his own collection of wines, as well as other ventures.
“It was a mutually agreed-upon decision and I will be moving forward to pursue other exciting endeavors such as my own line of wine, my own network, as well as comic books,” he stated. “I had to make this decision personally for my business and my brand.”
On Monday, Wrestling Inc and Fightful reported Flair had asked for his WWE release and had it granted. The company confirmed Flair had been let go on Tuesday, issuing a one-sentence statement that they’d come to terms with the wrestling legend on his release. Flair later confirmed to TMZ that he’d been the one to make the request and issued a statement thanking the company for putting him in a position to succeed and that the two sides “have a different vision for my future.”
After a two-year run with TNA Wrestling beginning in 2010, Flair had made sporadic appearances with WWE starting in 2012. He was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame for a second time and appeared as an on-air personality as a manager for The Miz and his daughter, Charlotte. Flair was also involved in storylines with Triple H, Batista and Randy Orton, and his final on-air run took place this year and it saw him align with Lacey Evans.
All Still Holds True! To Be The Man, You Gotta Beat The Man! WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/scLjTqZ5io
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 4, 2021
Flair previously spoke out about the Evans angle, which ended in February due to Evans’ real-life pregnancy. Flair said that he didn’t care for the angle but explained to Ariel Helwani why he ultimately went through with it.
“In this instance, I didn’t [feel comfortable.] The one thing I’ve learned [is] you’re not gonna win a war when someone’s got their mind made up. And [Charlotte] most definitely didn’t like it. But the one thing I can say about me is I always said yes. Because…I didn’t want to be that guy that was always going oh god, that isn’t perfect for me. I mean, I don’t know how much you’ve followed my career, but I have been buried in the desert by [Vince] Russo. I’ve had my head shaved. I mean if you look at the other top guys in our industry, whether it’s Shawn [Michaels] or Hunter or Undertaker or Bret Hart,” Flair said, “nobody’s gone through all this.”
“I mean I’ve done everything. I’ve weathered every storm and I’ve come back, but when that was all over, I was mad. But now I don’t feel [angry.] I just look back and say I weathered it. And this was something where I got to TV,” Flair explained, “and Mr. McMahon wasn’t there to argue the point with. And he had stuff going on, and I don’t like to put the pressure on someone if I can’t talk to him.”
Related: Ric Flair Thanks WWE, Praises Time With Company In Statement Following Release
