Ric Flair was All Elite: Not any more.

[Venti]

Ok...

Over/under that Hogan will be next? Lol

[yokohamacpfc]

I think Flair has been talking loudly about having another match so Arn, Charlotte (via Andrade), maybe even Hunter (who is prevented from bringing Flair back to the E due to takeover/PR stuff) and others who care dearly for Flair have loudly made it known it would be nice if he were gainfully employed to stop such thoughts from distracting him and TK has taken one for the “keep Ric alive” team.

That’s the glass half full side, the chance that TK was a Flair fan as a kid but not a Hulkamaniac so he can forgive the former’s groping but not the latter’s racism is also very likely.

He brings nothing to the product as age and alcohol abuse have ruined his vocal cords meaning he can’t cut an understandable promo anymore and it’s been that case for years.

[Pure Fusion Jesse Walsh]

I can’t believe I have to cross another billionaire off my Christmas card list.

[Denny Zen is Cooking™]

Nov 2, 2023 16:46:02 GMT -5 Venti said:

Ok...

Over/under that Hogan will be next? Lol

That’s part of the issue here. TK has publicly banned Hulk Hogan from AEW events (https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2020/06/02/tony-khan-bans-hulk-hogan-from-all-aew-events/amp/) for his prior conduct, but then turned around and hired Flair.

Hogan and Flair are both problematic, and it’s a dangerous game for TK to apparently be casting judgment on which is “worse.”

[markymark]

Nov 2, 2023 16:31:44 GMT -5 crowley1986 said:

Nov 2, 2023 16:03:38 GMT -5 XIII said:

TK going full petty to get Flair just to piss HHH off is about the only reason I can see to even bother.

Flair is eventually going to say something in a promo or get hammered at a party with bigwigs and get some heat on AEW is my guess for how this turns out.(that’s if we’re lucky and he doesn’t sling his withered old Dong around backstage)

HHH is probably, "he's your problem now"

The irony would be if Punk shows up at Survivor Series(still a 50 50 chance)

[UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm]

gonna leave this alone cause i wanna try to find some enjoyment of AEW going forward but now i know that if I ever deal with insomnia again, all i have to do is remember the moment reading this news because this shit has flat out drained me of my soul and energy (ironically enough).

i don't even have it in me to argue about it, this shit is remarkably disappointing and i should be excited going to another AEW event shortly but nah. now all i want is cookies and a nap.

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2023 15:58:26 GMT -5 UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm said:

Nov 2, 2023 15:55:16 GMT -5 slickrickstyles said:

All i know is Brian Kendrick should have a job then...I will take a stoner conspiracy guy over the sexpest any day

i wouldn't even put that energy into the universe. one of the things that is tripping me out is that if he was fine with signing this dude to several years, what is keeping him from signing marty or some other shithead?

this is just nonsensical trash and f*** tony for doing this

This wasn't me saying what BK did was okay persay or his thoughts but as a fan of BK it frustrates me that we used "reasons" for some that seemingly don't apply to others.

Like I have a hard time buying how accurate the WBD pushback against Jay was now if they will allow this...blah definitely not trying to start a fight or weigh negatives just shocked that he is staying past Sting apparently.

I feel like Cartman when he has nightmares about hippies

no...Nah...noo...NOOOO

[UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm]

Nov 2, 2023 16:54:18 GMT -5 slickrickstyles said:

Nov 2, 2023 15:58:26 GMT -5 UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm said:

i wouldn't even put that energy into the universe. one of the things that is tripping me out is that if he was fine with signing this dude to several years, what is keeping him from signing marty or some other shithead?

this is just nonsensical trash and f*** tony for doing this

This wasn't me saying what BK did was okay persay or his thoughts but as a fan of BK it frustrates me that we used "reasons" for some that seemingly don't apply to others.

Like I have a hard time buying how accurate the WBD pushback against Jay was now if they will allow this...blah definitely not trying to start a fight or weigh negatives just shocked that he is staying past Sting apparently.

I feel like Cartman when he has nightmares about hippies

no...Nah...noo...NOOOO

nah i know, it is extremely hypocritical of him but i'm worried we're gonna will this f***er into signing someone like hogan or john wayne gacy at this rate

[mistery]

Nov 2, 2023 16:41:30 GMT -5 Nosnorb said:

What the hell is Tony thinking signing up Ric Flair to a multi year deal? Even if Ric was doing this for free, it would still feel like Tony was getting ripped off.

AEW financials are probably the embodiment of this Dril tweet at this point. Just replace Candles with talent contracts.

[The Rick Jericho]

When I heard this story and then saw it already 9 pages here.

Yeah, doesn't seem to be a popular look here.

[cjh]

Nov 2, 2023 16:46:02 GMT -5 Venti said:

Ok...

Over/under that Hogan will be next? Lol

Hogan just signed a new WWE Legends deal a month or two ago.

[Gerard Gerard]

It's okay everyone, it's all 4D chess to finally get Flair to fulfill his Ring of Honor dates.

[DrBackflipsHoffman]

Nov 2, 2023 16:54:59 GMT -5 UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm said:

i'm worried we're gonna will this f***er into signing someone like hogan or john wayne gacy at this rate

this man has already signed LEATHERFACE and let him almost KILL Jeff Jarret

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2023 17:09:26 GMT -5 The Rick Jericho said:

When I heard this story and then saw it already 9 pages here.

Yeah, doesn't seem to be a popular look here.

Not sure a thread has went this long in near total agreement in years

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2023 17:13:54 GMT -5 Gerard Gerard said:

It's okay everyone, it's all 4D chess to finally get Flair to fulfill his Ring of Honor dates.

Okay that was good haha

[ChitownKnight]

Nov 2, 2023 17:20:55 GMT -5 slickrickstyles said:

Nov 2, 2023 17:09:26 GMT -5 The Rick Jericho said:

When I heard this story and then saw it already 9 pages here.

Yeah, doesn't seem to be a popular look here.

Not sure a thread has went this long in near total agreement in years

I think everyone was overjoyed when McMahon got the boot, and equally as pissed when he came back lol

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2023 17:22:50 GMT -5 ChitownKnight said:

Nov 2, 2023 17:20:55 GMT -5 slickrickstyles said:

Not sure a thread has went this long in near total agreement in years

I think everyone was overjoyed when McMahon got the boot, and equally as pissed when he came back lol

ahh your right there...for some reason i always mix that one in my head with the sale thread...I was pretty worried about the likelihood of WWE becoming Saudi property and what would happen with the video library but yeah what a freakin roller coaster from the start of covid on...gee wiz

[khali]

Woooo Energy Drink is the fakest sounding product I’ve ever heard of. If I walked by it in a store I still would not believe it’s real.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

9 Pages without a single inclusion from me yet in just two hours... yep

... I got nothin' folks! Lmfao

Here's where I prove I am not "Mr. Defends AEW guy" because this is f***ing STUPID. I was fine with it if he was just gonna be there till Sting retired because it made sense to me, and Sting would have likely requested Flair there

... THIS? This is just inviting a lot of heat your way for no reason, especially with Tony being flippant about Vince. It was justified, but not if you're going to hire Ric Flair. Everyone knows what he's done, even if you could throw out the argument of "Oh he's changed" like... it doesn't change the fact it happened and he did it!

I know AEW was going to sign him before DSOTR, it was pretty clear, but it's very surprising they still end up doing so after time has passed and he made some WWE appearances. It doesn't really expunge you from doing the same, it just puts you on the same level.

At 74 years old, I have no idea what Ric Flair brings. He can barely cut a coherent sentence anymore, and now you will have people living in constant fear that this man might take bumps or wrestle for two years.

You could have partnered with the stupid energy drink company without this man being a presence on screen for two years if you REALLY had to do something, but now we got this. I will be really impressed if we come out of this two years later going "Wow what a great run", like in any facet.

I've disagreed with Tony Khan on a few things but probably nothing more than this, even Punk I was like "Well ok let's at least see if he can behave", here it's like "I don't see a single way this gets the value or return you want" even with the energy company paying most or all of the deal...

Guess we're stuck with this in whatever capacity for awhile, just when we thought this place or the overall wrestling community climate couldn't get in a better mood right? Lol

[lionheart21]

Nov 2, 2023 17:20:55 GMT -5 slickrickstyles said:

Nov 2, 2023 17:09:26 GMT -5 The Rick Jericho said:

When I heard this story and then saw it already 9 pages here.

Yeah, doesn't seem to be a popular look here.

Not sure a thread has went this long in near total agreement in years

Seriously. Even as someone who usually prefers AEW over WWE, there's just no defending this. I have no idea what Tony Khan is thinking here. This is low reward and incredibly high risk.

Even if it was to help send Sting off, I could somewhat understand that. I'd still feel uncomfortable seeing Flair onscreen, but I could understand that it's because of his history with Sting.

After Sting is gone, what business would he possibly have to be there?