Following his surprise departure from WWE, more details have come to light as to why Ric Flair asked to leave the company.
Flair leaving WWE has surprised many as the Hall of Famer reportedly re-signed with the company just over a year ago. However, despite signing the new deal, Flair has been an infrequent presence on WWE television.
His most recent storyline in early 2020 saw the 16-time World Champion betray his daughter Charlotte to side with on-screen partner Lacey Evans before the latter’s real-life pregnancy brought the storyline to a halt. Before then, Flair played an integral role in the storyline between Edge and Randy Orton.
According to a new report, it was this storyline featuring Lacey Evans which led Flair to question his future. The report from Fightful Select, notes that Flair had grown “frustrated” with certain booking decisions. This culminated in him going to Vince McMahon directly to air his grievances and ask for his release.
The report closes by saying that the “booking issues” Flair had were fairly recent, adding he had been open about his “distain” for the storyline involving Evans.
Speaking in an interview back in May of this year, Flair was outlined his issues with the storyline. Flair admitted that he “didn’t like” the story and wasn’t comfortable with it.
“In this instance, I didn’t (feel comfortable). It didn’t make a difference. One thing I’ve learned is that you’re not going to win a war when someone has their mind made up. [Charlotte] most definitely didn’t like it. I always say ‘yes’ because I didn’t want to be that guy who is like ‘that isn’t perfect for me.’ I have been buried in the desert, I’ve gotten my head shaved, no other top guys have gone through this. I’ve done everything. I’ve gotten fired for a year because I took my son to AAU Nationals. I’ve weathered every storm and come back. I got to TV and Mr. McMahon wasn’t there to argue the point with. He had stuff going on and, I don’t like to put pressure on someone if I can’t talk to him. He had made up his mind. I think a lot of it is because [Lacey] is a Marine and we can’t give enough back to the people who have served. He wanted her to be successful and the way to be successful sometimes is to take two other people who are doing well and give them the rub. She’s a nice girl, but it didn’t fit. We made the best of it and ultimately, she’s pregnant now with her husband. It was never anything personal, I barely know her.”
Charlotte Flair, meanwhile, said she felt that the story “helped her grow as a performer.”