Ric Flair has hinted that he may sue WWE if given the opportunity in an effort to gain control over a trademark he believes he already owns.
Speaking on the latest episode of his Wooooo Nation Uncensored podcast, Ric Flair addressed his latest dispute with WWE over their use of the phrase “The Man.” The 16-time World Champion had previously noted that he sold the trademark for his “To be the man” catchphrase to WWE so that it could be reworked for Becky Lynch.
Discussing the dispute, Ric Flair said that he is one of the few performers to own his own intellectual property, revealing that Steve Austin doesn’t own the “Stone Cold” name.
“I owned the trademark ‘To Be the Man,’ if I own that trademark and then they use that trademark to create ‘The Man’ [Becky Lynch], which has been my label my entire career,” Flair said. “I thought it up, it’s mine and I own it and I’m one of the few guys that own my intellectual property.
Steve doesn’t own Stone Cold, believe it or not, I don’t think it’s right and he should have it but when they get a hold of it, they’re going to keep it. They have their reasons and I’m not the one making those calls. I own my stuff.”
Flair went on to recall a conversation he had with Triple H over the issue. The Nature Boy explained that he was told “To be the man” and “The Man” were two separate things.
“Hunter told me that Stone Cold is trademarked. I said ‘Why don’t you call her The Game?’ He said that’s trademarked too, I said ‘So is The Man?’ He said ‘No it’s not, To Be the Man and The Man are two different things,” Flair said. “Please. It’s old news now, it’s behind us but let’s get the facts straight, they still don’t own it. And if I get a chance and I get cleared legally, I’m going to go back and get it.”
On the same episode Flair claimed that he had received an offer to wrestle AEW star and TNT Champion Sammy Guevara in Israel.
H/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.