Despite many expecting him to do so, Ric Flair has discussed why he hasn’t joined son-in-law Andrade El Idolo in AEW.
When Andrade El Idolo signed with AEW in June 2021 many expected that his illustrious father-in-law Ric Flair would be joining him especially after he asked and was granted his WWE release that August.
The two men hinted at the possibility in interviews and on social media and Flair accompanied Andrade when he squared off against Kenny Omega at AAA Triplemania XXIX.
However, the partnership was never brought to AEW with many believing that allegations made against Ric Flair in September 2021 regarding sexual misconduct, killed off any chance of a deal. During an episode of Dark Side of the Ring focusing on the ‘plane ride from hell’ an air stewardess made a number of claims regarding inappropriate behaviour by Flair.
These claims caused the Nature Boy to also be removed from WWE’s opening video package, while other projects were also affected.
This slowed rumours of a potential AEW-Flair link-up, but Andrade again teased the partnership in January 2022. Flair has also managed the star in other promotions.
Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast, To Be The Man, Flair explained that he wishes he could have managed Andrade but that AEW President Tony Khan chose to go in a different direction.
“I haven’t spoken with him, I knew he had a big match … I don’t really what — really haven’t kept track of what he’s doing there,” Flair said. “I had hoped, as I told you before, I wish Tony would have let me manage him. He is an absolutely phenomenal work and tough kid. I wish I could have managed him, but I guess Tony elected not to go with me for whatever reason.”
Andrade El Idolo is currently locked in a very public war of words with Sammy Guevara after the former WWE star claimed that the Spanish God complained about him being hit too hard. Andrade said that Guevara had approached the issue “like a little girl,” while Guevara shot back telling the star to go back to WWE.
H/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.