Why Did Ric Flair Leave WWE?

Why Did Ric Flair Leave WWE? Many fans are wondering why Ric Flair left WWE. Here are some possible reasons why Ric Flair might have left WWE.

Introduction

WWE Superstar Ric Flair is a legend in the world of professional wrestling. He has held numerous championships and has main evented some of the biggest wrestling events in history. But in 2008, Ric Flair shocked the wrestling world by abruptly leaving WWE.

There were many rumors at the time about why Ric Flair left WWE. Some said that he was disgruntled with his position in WWE, while others claimed that he was simply ready to retire. However, the true reason why Ric Flair left WWE is still a mystery.

In this article, we will take a look at all of the possible reasons why Ric Flair left WWE. We will also examine what Ric Flair has said about his departure from WWE, and try to come to a conclusion about what really happened.

The Backstory

Ric Flair’s story is the stuff of legend. Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1949, Fliehr was a gifted athlete who excelled in both football and track in high school. He was even offered a football scholarship to the University of Minnesota, but he turned it down choosing instead to play professional baseball.

Fliehr’s baseball career didn’t last long, and after a few years of floundering, he decided to give professional wrestling a try. It was the early 1970s, and the business was very different than it is today. There were no mega-corporations like WWE, and the sport was much more regional. Nonetheless, Flair quickly rose to the top of the ranks becoming one of the most popular performers in the business.

In 1974, Flair signed with the American Wrestling Association (AWA) where he quickly established himself as one of the top stars. He held the AWA World Heavyweight Championship for nearly four years before leaving for greener pastures.

In 1981, Flair made the jump to Vince McMahon Sr.’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF). This was a decision that would change his life forever. The WWF was struggling at the time, but McMahon saw dollar signs in Ric Flair and decided to make him the face of his company. The plan worked as Flair quickly became one of the top draws in wrestling.

Flair would go on to have an incredible run in the WWF/E winning numerous championships and headlining pay-per-view events for nearly two decades. He became synonymous with pro wrestling and is widely considered to be one of the greatest performers in history.

So why did Ric Flair leave WWE? There are many theories, but the most likely explanation is that he was simply ready to retire. Flair had been with WWE since 1991 and had barely taken any time off during that stretch. He had also just turned 60 years old which is ancient by pro wrestling standards. It’s possible that WWE asked him to take a pay cut or reduce his schedule, and he decided instead to walk away from the company

The Fallout

The fallout from Ric Flair’s departure from WWE was rather ugly. He would go on to sign with WCW and feuded with WWE head honcho Vince McMahon on-screen. The nature of their real-life relationship would make this feud all the more personal for fans to watch. Flair would eventually return to WWE in 2001, but their relationship would never be the same again.

The Aftermath

After Flair was released from his WWE contract, he took some time off to reassess his options. He wrestled a few matches on the independent circuit, but nothing that garnered much attention. He made a few appearances for TNA, but his time there was cut short due to creative differences. He also made headlines when he was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct in 2012.