View source for Ric Flair

{{short description|American professional wrestler (born 1949)}}
{{Very long|date=August 2025}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Ric Flair
| image              = Ric Flair Photo Op GalaxyCon Richmond 2025.jpg
| caption            = Flair in 2025
| birth_name         = <!--Leave it blank as Richard Morgan Fliehr was given to him by adoptive parents and his real name is still being debated!-->
| other_names        = Richard Morgan Fliehr
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1949|2|25}}<ref name=pwhof/>
| birth_place        = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], U.S.<ref name=pwhof/>
| education          = [[Wayland Academy, Wisconsin|Wayland Academy]]
| occupation         = {{hlist|Professional wrestling manager|professional wrestler|author}}
| years_active       = 1972–present
| alma_mater         = [[University of Minnesota]]
| spouse             = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Leslie Goodman|1971|1983|reason=divorced}}|{{Marriage|Elizabeth Harrell|1983|2006|reason=divorced}}|{{Marriage|Tiffany VanDemark|2006|2009|reason=divorced}}|{{Marriage|Jackie Beems|2009|2014|reason=divorced}}}}
| partner            = Wendy Barlow (2011–2024)
| children           = 4, including [[David Flair|David]], [[Charlotte Flair|Ashley]], and [[Reid Flair|Reid]]
| relatives          = [[Conrad Thompson]] (son-in-law)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article195052554.html|title=Ric Flair announces his daughter's engagement to a guy wrestling fans know well|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|website=charlotteobserver.com|first=Mark|last=Price|date=January 17, 2018|access-date=January 28, 2020}}</ref>
| module             = {{infobox professional wrestler|child=yes
| names              = [[The Black Scorpion (professional wrestling)|The Black Scorpion]]<ref name=pwhof/><br />Nature Boy<ref name=pwhof/><br />Ric Flair<ref name=pwhof/>
| height             = 6 ft 1 in<ref name="wwe-bio"/>
| weight             = 243 lb<ref name="wwe-bio"/>
| billed             = [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], U.S.<ref name="wwe-bio"/>
| trainer            = [[Verne Gagne]]<ref name="wwe-bio"/><ref name="slam"/>
| debut              = 1972<ref name=pwhof/><ref name="woodward">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/53439/this-day-in-history-ric-flair-wrestles-his-first-professional-match-38-years-ago-today-terry-funk-wins-the-world-title-sixperson-hell-in-a-cell.html?p=1|title=This day in history|last=Woodward|first=Buck|date=December 10, 2010|website=PWInsider|access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| retired            = [[Ric Flair's Last Match|July 31, 2022]]<ref name="Ryder"/>
}}
| signature          = Ric Flair Signature.png
}}
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}
'''Richard Morgan Fliehr'''<ref name="PS55">{{cite news|title=Power Slam|work=This Month in History: February|publisher=SW Publishing|id=55|page=28|date=January 1999}}</ref>{{efn|According to Flair's autobiography ''[[To Be the Man]]'', his birth name was listed on different documents as Fred Phillips, Fred Demaree, and Fred Stewart. On March 18, 1949, he was legally adopted by the Fliehr family and was renamed Richard Morgan Fliehr.}} (born February 25, 1949), known professionally as '''Ric Flair''', is an American retired [[professional wrestler]]. Regarded by multiple peers<ref name="GOATPeers"/> and journalists<ref name="GOATJournalists"/> as the greatest professional wrestler of all time, Flair's career spanned 50 years.

He is noted for his tenures with [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] (JCP), [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later [[WWE]]) and [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA). Much of his career was spent in JCP and WCW, in which he won numerous titles. Since the mid-1970s, he has used the moniker "the Nature Boy". A major [[pay-per-view]] [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Draw|attraction]] throughout his career, Flair headlined the premier annual NWA/WCW event, [[Starrcade]], on ten occasions, while also co-headlining its WWF counterpart, [[WrestleMania]], [[WrestleMania VIII|in 1992]], after winning that year's [[Royal Rumble]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/8/mainevent|title=WrestleMania VIII main event|publisher=WWE|access-date=January 23, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' awarded him their [[PWI Wrestler of the Year]] award a record six times, while ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'' named him the [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)|Wrestler of the Year]] (an award named after him and [[Lou Thesz]]) a record eight times. The first two-time [[WWE Hall of Fame]] inductee, first inducted with the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2008)|class of 2008]] for his individual career and again with the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2012)|class of 2012]] as a member of [[The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|The Four Horsemen]], he is also a member of the [[NWA Hall of Fame]], the [[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]] and the [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' Hall of Fame]].

Flair is recognized by WWE as a 16-time [[Professional wrestling world championship|world champion]] ([[List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions|8-time]] [[NWA World Heavyweight Champion]], [[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|6-time]] [[WCW World Heavyweight Champion]], and [[List of WWE Champions|two-time]] [[WWF Champion]]),<ref>{{cite web|title=Ric Flair's title history|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/ricflair/titlehistory|publisher=WWE.com|access-date=January 12, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112041043/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/ricflair/titlehistory|archive-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> although the number of his world championship reigns varies by source, ranging from 16 or 17 to 25.<ref name="worldtitles"/> He has claimed to be a 21-time champion.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/_qgcYjV5o1w Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140611090520/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qgcYjV5o1w Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qgcYjV5o1w&t=31s|title=Ric Flair Return|date=November 1, 2009|work=[[Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin]]|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=February 4, 2010|time=31 seconds|quote=Fact be known, it's 21 times. 16, I'll take credit for.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He was the first holder of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and the [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]] (which he also held last). As the inaugural WCW World Heavyweight Champion, he became the first person to complete the [[WCW Triple Crown]], having already held the [[WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] and [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]]. He then completed the [[WWE Triple Crown]] when he won the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]], after already holding the WWF Championship and the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]].

== Early life ==
Fliehr was born on February 25, 1949, in [[Memphis, Tennessee]].<ref name="PS55"/> His original parents were Luther and Olive Phillips, the latter of whom was also credited with the Demaree and Stewart surnames; nevertheless, his birth name is commonly considered to be Fred Phillips, even if he is also credited on various records as Fred Demaree or Fred Stewart.<ref name=RicFlairToBeTheMan1>{{cite book|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|editor1-first=Mark|editor1-last=Madden|editor2-first=Keith Elliot|editor2-last=Greenberg|editor1-link=Mark Madden|editor2-link=Keith Elliot Greenberg|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|chapter-url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|access-date=July 2, 2017|edition=Hardcover, 352pp|date=June 2004|publisher=[Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group]|isbn=978-0-7434-5691-3|page=8|chapter=Chapter One: Black Market Baby|quote=Depending on which documents you read, my birth name was Fred Phillips, Fred Demaree, or Fred Stewart, and I was born in Memphis on February 25, 1949. My biological mother's name was Olive Phillips, Demaree, or Stewart. My biological father is listed as Luther Phillips.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008164605/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> He was adopted by Kathleen Kinsmiller Fliehr (1918–2003) and Richard Reid Fliehr (1918–2000). The Fliehrs decided to adopt due to Kathleen being unable to become pregnant after giving birth to a daughter who died shortly after.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man|isbn=9780743456913|page=4|edition=illustrated|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|last2=Greenberg|first2=Keith Elliot|year=2004|publisher=Simon and Schuster }}</ref> At the time of his adoption (arranged by the [[Tennessee Children's Home Society]] as part of [[Georgia Tann]]'s infant trafficking scandal)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/06/11/victims-tennessee-childrens-home-society-adoption-scandal-involving-georgia-tann-share-their-stor-4/682152002/|title=Georgia Tann victims recount tales of lives lost in infamous adoption scandal|first=Ron|last=Maxey|work=[[The Commercial Appeal|Memphis Commercial Appeal]]|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=April 1, 2021}}</ref> his adoptive father was completing a residency in [[obstetrics and gynecology]] in [[Detroit]], Michigan.<ref name="RicFlairToBeTheMan2">{{cite book|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|editor1-first=Mark|editor1-last=Madden|editor2-first=Keith Elliot|editor2-last=Greenberg|editor1-link=Mark Madden|editor2-link=Keith Elliot Greenberg|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|chapter-url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|access-date=July 2, 2017|edition=Hardcover, 352pp|date=June 2004|publisher=[Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group]|isbn=978-0-7434-5691-3|page=8|chapter=Chapter One: Black Market Baby|quote=My father's salary was a bit of an issue. He was only making $3,000 a year, but my mother explained he was only doing his residency in Detroit, and that any child they adopted would live a relatively privileged life, and most likely go to college.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008164605/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> His adoptive mother worked for the ''[[Star Tribune]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Shortly afterward, the family settled in [[Edina, Minnesota]].<ref name=page6>{{cite book|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|first=Ric|last=Flair|publisher=Pocket Books|page=6|date=July 2004|isbn=0-7434-5691-2}}</ref> However, they would move to [[Golden Valley, Minnesota]] where the young Fliehr lived throughout his childhood.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/kare11-sunrise/nature-boy-ric-flair-drops-by-kare-11/89-82994d70-f214-4f6a-acc3-b9d951c3112f|title='Nature Boy' Ric Flair drops by KARE 11|first=Dana|last=Thiede|publisher=KARE 11|date=November 23, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref><ref name=page6 /> Though not officially diagnosed with [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] (ADHD), Flair stated in his 2004 memoir ''To Be The Man'' that he was in fact the "epitome of the disease" while growing up, partying and even having sex and drinking alcohol by the age of 14.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|first=Ric|last=Flair|publisher=Pocket Books|page=7|date=July 2004|isbn=0-7434-5691-2}}</ref>

After ninth grade, he attended [[Wayland Academy, Wisconsin|Wayland Academy]] in [[Beaver Dam, Wisconsin]] for four years, where he participated in [[Scholastic wrestling|wrestling]], [[High school football|football]], and [[Track and field|track]].<ref name=RicFlairToBeTheMan>{{cite book|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|editor1-first=Mark|editor1-last=Madden|editor2-first=Keith Elliot|editor2-last=Greenberg|editor1-link=Mark Madden|editor2-link=Keith Elliot Greenberg|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|chapter-url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|access-date=January 15, 2010|edition=Hardcover, 352pp|date=June 2004|publisher=[Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group]|isbn=978-0-7434-5691-3|pages=11–12|chapter=Chapter One: Black Market Baby|quote=After the ninth grade, I left Minnesota to go to Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin... [...] I lettered in three sports. I played middle linebacker and fullback on the football team, threw the shot put, and wrestled...|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008164605/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> After high school, Fliehr briefly attended the [[University of Minnesota]].<ref>{{cite web |title=When Nature (Boy) calls: A baseball player hangs with his hero |url=http://www.startribune.com/when-nature-boy-calls-a-baseball-player-hangs-with-his-hero/557876861/ |website=StarTribune.com|date=August 22, 2019 }}</ref>

== Professional wrestling career ==
{{long|section|words=9,000|date=September 2025}}
=== American Wrestling Association (1972–1974) ===
A successful [[amateur wrestling|amateur wrestler]] in his teens, Flair trained as a professional wrestler with [[Verne Gagne]].<ref name="slam">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/flair.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522073933/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/flair.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 22, 2015 |title=Ric Flair|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=November 13, 2007|author=Milner, John and Richard Kamchen}}</ref> He attended Gagne's first wrestling camp with [[Greg Gagne (wrestler)|Greg Gagne]], "Jumpin{{' "}} [[Jim Brunzell]], [[Iron Sheik|The Iron Sheik]] and [[Ken Patera]] at Gagne's barn outside Minneapolis in the winter of 1971. On December 10, 1972, he made his debut in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, battling [[George Gadaski|George "Scrap Iron" Gadaski]] to a 10-minute draw while adopting the ring name Ric Flair.<ref name="slam"/><ref name="woodward"/> During his time in the [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA), Flair had matches with [[Dusty Rhodes]], [[Chris Taylor (wrestler)|Chris Taylor]], [[André the Giant]], [[Larry Hennig]] and [[Wahoo McDaniel]].<ref name="Acclerator Bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/flair.html#nwama |title=Ric Flair |access-date=March 6, 2008 |publisher= Acclerator3359.com}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/7G69Kkb0VGE Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20121116165413/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G69Kkb0VGE&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G69Kkb0VGE|title=Ric Flair vs Chris Taylor (AWA 1974)|last=paywindahdusty|date=June 21, 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== International Wrestling Enterprise (1973) ===
Flair made his first appearances in Japan in 1973 with [[International Wrestling Enterprise]] (IWE) as part of a working agreement between the IWE and AWA promoter Verne Gagne. He competed in IWE's "Big Summer Series" throughout June and July, facing opponents such as [[Animal Hamaguchi]], Great Kusatsu, Katsuzo Matsumoto, [[Mighty Inoue]], and [[Rusher Kimura]].<ref name="KreikenbohmIWE"/>

=== Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling (1974–1991) ===
==== Becoming the Nature Boy (1974–1981) ====

In 1974, Flair left the AWA for [[Jim Crockett]]'s Mid-Atlantic region in the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA), debuting on May 13, 1974, by defeating [[Abe Jacobs]]. Shortly after his debut, Flair won his first championship in the promotion, by teaming with [[Rip Hawk]] to defeat [[Bob Bruggers]] and [[Paul Jones (wrestler)|Paul Jones]] to win the [[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship|Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship]]. After a lengthy title reign, Flair and Hawk lost the titles to Paul Jones and [[Tiger Conway Jr.]] on December 6. [[Brute Bernard]] substituted for an inactive Hawk during the title defense.

Flair captured his first singles title on February 9, 1975, by beating [[Paul Jones (wrestler)|Paul Jones]] for the [[WCW World Television Championship|Mid-Atlantic Television Championship]]. After holding the title for six months, he lost it back to Jones on August 8. During the same time, Flair began feuding with [[Wahoo McDaniel]] over the [[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship|Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship]]. After coming up short in several title opportunities, he finally defeated McDaniel for the title in a [[Luchas de Apuestas|title vs. hair match]] on September 20.

On October 4, 1975, however, Flair's career nearly ended when he was in a serious plane crash in [[Wilmington, North Carolina]] that took the life of the pilot and paralyzed [[Johnny Valentine]] (also on board were [[Mr. Wrestling]], Bob Bruggers, and promoter [[David Crockett (wrestling)|David Crockett]]).<ref name="slam1">{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/12/28/the-plane-crash-that-changed-wrestling/|title=The plane crash that changed wrestling|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=November 13, 2007|date=December 28, 2000|author=Molinaro, John}}</ref><ref name=pwhof/> Flair broke his back in three places and, at age 26, was told by doctors that he would never wrestle again.<ref name="slam1"/> He conducted a rigorous physical therapy schedule, however, and returned to the ring just three months later, where he resumed his [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with Wahoo McDaniel over the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship in January 1976.<ref name="slam1"/> The crash forced Flair to alter his wrestling technique away from the power brawling style he had used early on to one more focused on grappling, which led him to adopt the "Nature Boy" gimmick he would use throughout his career. He lost the title back to McDaniel on May 3, 1976. However, three weeks later, he regained it by defeating McDaniel in a rematch on May 24.

The title exchange with McDaniel continued as Flair lost the title to McDaniel in a [[steel cage match]] on September 11. On October 16, Flair defeated McDaniel in a title versus hair match to regain the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship. During this time, Flair teamed with [[Greg Valentine]] to defeat [[Minnesota Wrecking Crew (professional wrestling)|The Andersons]] ([[Gene Anderson (wrestler)|Gene Anderson]] and [[Ole Anderson]]) in a [[no disqualification match]] to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship on December 26. The following day, Flair lost the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship to McDaniel in a no disqualification match.

In the midst of his tag team championship reign, Flair defeated [[Rufus R. Jones]] to win his second Mid-Atlantic Television Championship on April 4, 1977. On May 8, Flair and Valentine lost the World Tag Team Championship back to the Andersons in a steel cage match.

A few days later, on May 15, Flair received his first opportunity for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Harley Race]]. Race retained the title after the match ended in a double count-out. Flair then lost the Mid-Atlantic Television Championship to [[Ricky Steamboat]] on June 15, beginning a lengthy and historic rivalry between the two. On June 30, Flair and Valentine defeated [[Dino Bravo]] and Tiger Conway Jr. to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship.

On July 29, Flair defeated [[Bobo Brazil]] to win his first [[WWE United States Championship|NWA United States Heavyweight Championship]] in [[Richmond, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ON THIS DAY IN PRO WRESTLING HISTORY (JULY 29): RIC FLAIR VS. BOBO BRAZIL, NICK BOCKWINKEL VS. MIL MASCARAS |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-history-july-29-ric-flair-vs-bobo-brazil-nick-bockwinkel-vs-mil |website=Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online |date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair and Valentine lost the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship to Paul Jones and Ricky Steamboat on August 22. Flair defended the United States Heavyweight Championship against numerous challengers, including Steamboat, whom he wrestled in several matches, such as title versus title match for Flair's title and Steamboat's Mid-Atlantic Television Championship. On October 30, Flair and Valentine defeated The Andersons to win the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|NWA World Tag Team Championship]]. On October 20, Flair lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Ricky Steamboat.

[[File:Ric Flair and Ernie Ladd, 1981.png|thumb|Flair (left) in a 1981 match against [[Ernie Ladd]]]]

On March 30, 1978, Flair and Valentine were stripped of the World Tag Team Championship by NWA management due to continuously ending their matches via disqualification. On April 9, Flair defeated [[Mr. Wrestling]] in a title versus hair match to capture his second United States Heavyweight Championship. On October 30, Flair and [[Big John Studd|John Studd]] defeated Paul Jones and Ricky Steamboat to win the Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship, but lost the titles back to Jones and Steamboat, five days later on November 5. After retaining the title against several challengers including [[Blackjack Mulligan]] and [[Jimmy Snuka]], Flair lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Steamboat on December 17. Flair then came up short against Steamboat in several title challenges, before defeating him in a steel cage match to win his third United States Heavyweight Championship on April 1, 1979. During this time, Flair began feuding with the original "Nature Boy" [[Buddy Rogers (wrestler)|Buddy Rogers]], due to Flair referring to himself as "The Nature Boy". The rivalry concluded in a match between the two at ''Battle of the Nature Boys'' on July 8, in which Flair defended the United States Heavyweight Championship against Rogers. Rogers put Flair [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#P|over]] in the match, leading to Flair retaining the title and cementing his place as the new "Nature Boy" of professional wrestling.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nissen |first1=Edan |title=5 Wrestling gimmicks that were inspired by somebody else |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/5-gimmicks-you-didn-t-know-were-inspired-by-someone-else |website=Sportskeeda |date=November 5, 2018 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

A month later, on August 12, Flair teamed with Blackjack Mulligan to defeat [[Baron von Raschke]] and Paul Jones to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Flair and Mulligan lost the titles back to Raschke and Jones on August 22. Flair then began feuding with Jimmy Snuka over the United States Heavyweight Championship, defeating him to win the title for a fourth time on April 20, 1980. Flair lost the title to his former tag team partner Greg Valentine on July 26. Flair defeated Valentine in a [[lumberjack match]] to win his fifth United States Heavyweight Championship on November 24. On January 27, 1981, Flair lost the title to [[Roddy Piper]] in a title versus title match, where Flair's United States Heavyweight Championship and Piper's Television Championship were on the line. The United States Heavyweight Championship's current owner [[WWE]] does not recognize the title exchange with Greg Valentine and recognizes Flair's reign uninterrupted from April 20 to January 27. Flair faced Piper in various rematches for the title throughout the year but failed to regain the title.

==== NWA World Heavyweight Champion (1981–1991) ====
{{see also|The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|l1=The Four Horsemen}}
[[File:Flair pins Rhodes, Lou Thesz counts the pinfall, September 17 1981.png|thumb|Flair pins [[Dusty Rhodes]] to win the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] as [[Lou Thesz]] (left) counts the pinfall, on September 17, 1981.]]
On September 17, 1981, Flair beat [[Dusty Rhodes]] for his first [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name="pwhof" /> In the following years, Flair established himself as the promotion's main franchise in the midst of emerging competition from [[Vince McMahon]]'s [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). An unsanctioned title loss took place on January 6, 1983, to [[Carlos Colón Sr.]] in [[Puerto Rico]].<ref name="worldtitles">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=30190&p=1|title=Ric Flair: The 16-time... 18-time... 21-time... Exactly how many times has he been World Champion?|author=Buck Woodward|publisher=PWInsider.com|date=April 2, 2008|access-date=April 6, 2014}}</ref> Flair recovered the championship belt in a phantom change seventeen days later not officially recognized by the NWA. [[Harley Race]] won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Flair in 1983, but Flair regained the title at [[Starrcade (1983)|Starrcade]] in a [[steel cage match]].<ref name="pwhof" /> Officially, Flair won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship eight more times. Flair lost the title to Race and won it back in the span of three days in [[New Zealand]] and [[Singapore]] in March 1984. At the [[1st Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions|1st David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions]] at [[Texas Stadium]], Flair was pinned by [[Kerry Von Erich]], but he regained the title eighteen days later in Japan<ref>{{cite web |last1=Van Winkle |first1=Adam |title=Remembering Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich 35 Years On |url=https://www.twm.news/remembering-ric-flair-vs-kerry-von-erich-35-years-on/ |website=The Wrestling Movement |date=May 7, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> and reigned for two years, two months and two days, losing the title to Dusty Rhodes on July 26, 1986, at [[The Great American Bash (1986)|The Great American Bash]] in a [[Steel cage match|Steel Cage Match]].<ref>{{cite web|date=May 12, 2021|title=Dusty Rhodes vs Ric Flair - The Great American Bash 1986 - Steel Cage Match|url=https://atletifo.com/wrestling/classicmatches/dusty-rhodes-vs-ric-flair/|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=Atletifo Sports|language=en-US}}</ref> However, Flair regained the title at a house show on August 9, when Rhodes passed out in the Figure Four leglock.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tweddell |first1=Ross |title=How Ric Flair Won His 16 Recognised World Titles |url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/how-ric-flair-won-his-16-recognised-world-titles |website=Cultaholic |date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

In late 1985, the tag team of [[Arn Anderson]] and [[Ole Anderson]] began aiding Flair (whom [[Anderson family|they claimed as a "cousin"]]) in attacks against Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A. and [[Michael Smith (wrestler)|Sam Houston]]. A few weeks later, the Andersons interrupted Houston's match against [[Tully Blanchard]] and the three villains combined to rough up the youngster. Shortly thereafter, Flair, Blanchard and the Andersons formalized their alliance, calling themselves [[The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|The Four Horsemen]], with Blanchard's manager [[J. J. Dillon]] also coming on board. Upon the group's inception, it was clear that The Four Horsemen were unlike any villainous alliance that had ever existed, as the four rule breakers immediately used their strength in numbers to decimate the NWA's top fan favorites (most famously a vicious beatdown to Rhodes with a baseball bat in a parking lot) while controlling the majority of the championship titles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaston |first1=Erik |title=Full Career Retrospective and Greatest Moments for the Four Horsemen |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1950006-full-career-retrospective-and-greatest-moments-for-the-four-horsemen |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Ric Flair Big Gold 1986.png|thumb|Flair with the "Big Gold" NWA World Heavyweight Championship, circa 1986]]
By 1986, wrestling promoter [[Jim Crockett, Jr.|Jim Crockett]] had consolidated the various NWA member promotions he owned into a single entity, running under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance. Controlling much of the traditional NWA territories in the southeast and Midwestern United States, Crockett looked to expand nationally and built his promotion around Flair as champion. During this time, Flair's bookings as champion were tightly controlled by Crockett, and a [[Big Gold Belt|custom championship belt]] was created for Flair. Flair lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Detroit to [[Ron Garvin]] on September 25, 1987. Garvin held the title for two months before losing to Flair on November 26, 1987, at WCW's first pay-per-view event, [[Starrcade (1987)|Starrcade]], in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jim Ross On Why Ronnie Garvin Beat Ric Flair For the NWA Title in 1987 |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/jim-ross-on-why-ronnie-garvin-beat-ric-flair-for-the-nwa-title-in-1987-if-flair-wanted-garvin-to-win-because-he-wasnt-a-threat/ |website=411Mania |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>
In early 1988, [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] and Flair fought to a 45-minute time-limit draw at the first ever ''[[Clash of the Champions I|Clash of the Champions]]''. On February 20, 1989, at [[Chi-Town Rumble]] in Chicago, [[Ricky Steamboat]] pinned Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. This prompted a series of rematches, where Steamboat was presented as a "family man" (often accompanied by his wife and young son), while Flair opposed him as an immoral, fast-living "ladies man". Following a best-of-three falls match with Steamboat that lasted just short of the 60-minute time limit (and ended with a disputed finish where Steamboat retained the title) at ''[[Clash of the Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun]]'' on April 2, Flair regained the title from Steamboat on May 7, 1989, at [[WrestleWar (1989)|WrestleWar]] in a match that was voted 1989's "[[PWI Match of the Year|Match of the Year]]" by ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Linder |first1=Zach |title=The three best matches ... ever: Flair and Steamboat on their famous trilogy |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/wcw/ric-flair-ricky-steamboat-trilogy-interview |website=WWE.com |access-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref> On July 23, 1989, Flair defeated Terry Funk at [[The Great American Bash (1989)|The Great American Bash]], but the two continued to feud through the summer and eventually Flair reformed The Four Horsemen, with the surprise addition of longtime rival Sting, to combat Funk's [[J-Tex Corporation]]. This led to an [["I Quit" match]] at ''[[Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout]]'' which Flair won.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ojst |first1=Javier |title=Ric Flair and Terry Funk – Their Unforgettable Feud from 1989 |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/ric-flair-terry-funk-feud/ |website=Pro Wrestling Stories |date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref> Flair then kicked Sting out of The Four Horsemen upon his challenge for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, resulting in a revived feud between the two. On July 7, 1990, Flair dropped the title to Sting at [[The Great American Bash (1990)|The Great American Bash]].<ref name="pwhof" /> After being unmasked as The Black Scorpion at [[Starrcade (1990)|Starrcade]] in 1990, Flair regained the title from Sting on January 11, 1991.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clements |first1=Matt |title=CvC: Sting Vs. Flair Is The Best Rivalry In Pro Wrestling |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/539869-cvc-sting-vs-flair-is-the-best-rivalry-in-pro-wrestling |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

Subsequent to this title win, Flair was recognized by WCW as the first [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW World Heavyweight Champion]], though he was still also recognized as NWA World Heavyweight Champion. On March 21, 1991, [[Tatsumi Fujinami]] defeated Flair in a match in Tokyo at the [[WCW/New Japan Supershow#I|WCW/New Japan Supershow]]. While the NWA recognized Fujinami as their new champion, WCW did not because Fujinami had backdropped Flair over the top rope in a violation of WCW rules. On May 19, 1991, Flair defeated Fujinami at [[SuperBrawl I]] in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]] to reclaim the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breaston |first1=Erik |title=Full Career Retrospective and Greatest Moments for Tatsumi Fujinami |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2406004-full-career-retrospective-and-greatest-moments-for-tatsumi-fujinami |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> In the spring of 1991, Flair had a contract dispute with WCW president [[Jim Herd]], who wanted him to take a substantial pay cut. Flair had resigned as head booker in February 1990 and Herd wanted to reduce Flair's role in the promotion even further, despite the fact that Flair was still a top draw. According to Flair, Herd also proposed changes in his appearance and ring name (i.e. by shaving his hair, wearing a diamond earring and going by the name [[Spartacus]]) in order to "change with the times".<ref name="sun">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2004/06/27/516827.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018090653/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2004/06/27/516827.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2015|title=Flair rips Mick Foley|last=Baines|first=Tim|publisher=Ottawa Sun|date=June 27, 2004|access-date=May 14, 2007}}</ref> Flair disagreed with the proposals and two weeks before [[The Great American Bash (1991)|The Great American Bash]], Herd fired him and vacated the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. While Flair had left for the WWF, he was still recognized as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion until September 8, when the title was officially vacated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoy-Browne |first1=Richard |title=Historic Moments in Wrestling part 7: Ric Flair leaves WCW for the WWF |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/historic-moments-wrestling-part-7-ric-flair-leaves-wcw-wwf-9500417.html |website=Independent U.K. |date=June 6, 2014 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

=== All Japan Pro Wrestling (1978–1987) ===
While working for [[Jim Crockett Jr.]]'s [[Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling]] (MACW), Flair began working tours for [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW). On April 27, 1978, Flair challenged for the [[NWA United National Championship]] in a losing effort. Throughout the 1980s, Flair defended the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] in All Japan against the likes of [[Genichiro Tenryu]], [[Riki Choshu]], [[Jumbo Tsuruta]], [[Harley Race]], and [[Kerry Von Erich]]. On October 21, 1985, Flair wrestled [[Rick Martel]] in a double title match where he defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and challenged for the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]], but the match ended in a double countout. As All Japan withdrew from the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) in the late 1980s, [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) began a working agreement with [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW).

=== New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1989–1991, 1995–1996) ===
In 1989, the working agreement led to a feud between Flair and [[Keiji Mutoh]], who was wrestling under The Great Muta [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]], in the United States for WCW. On March 21, 1991, Flair defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and challenged [[Tatsumi Fujinami]] for the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] in a double title match on the [[WCW/New Japan Supershow]] at the [[Tokyo Dome]]. Fujinami beat Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but later lost the title at WCW's [[SuperBrawl I]] on May 19, 1991, in the United States.<ref name="smokyrobmoore">{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/smokyrobmoore/jp082399.htm|title=View from the Rising Sun by Masanori Horie-Ric Flair: To Be The Man, You've Got To Beat The Man|publisher=Geocities.com|access-date=April 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109045521/http://www.geocities.com/smokyrobmoore/jp082399.htm|archive-date=November 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 1995, while under WCW contract, Flair participated in the [[G1 Climax#1995|G1 Climax]] tournament in [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW), where he beat [[Shiro Koshinaka]], drew [[Masahiro Chono]], and lost to Keiji Mutoh. On July 17, 1996, Flair challenged [[Shinya Hashimoto]] for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort in NJPW.<ref name="smokyrobmoore" />

=== World Wrestling Federation (1991–1993) ===
Flair signed with the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) in August 1991. His arrival was hyped by [[Bobby Heenan]], beginning with the August 11 episode of ''[[WWF Wrestling Challenge|Wrestling Challenge]]''. On the September 21 episode of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars]]'', Flair debuted in WWF with the [[Big Gold Belt]], calling himself "[[Big Gold Belt#"Real World's Heavyweight Championship"|The Real World's Champion]]".<ref name="pwhof" /> Led by his "financial adviser" Bobby Heenan and his "executive consultant" [[Curt Hennig|Mr. Perfect]], Flair repeatedly issued challenges to WWF wrestlers like [[Roddy Piper|"Rowdy" Roddy Piper]] and [[Hulk Hogan]]. His first match with the promotion saw him wrestle Mark Thomas to a no contest on the September 28 episode of ''Superstars'' by provoking Piper to attack him, and Flair then attacked Piper with the Big Gold Belt and a chair. His first televised win in WWF occurred on the September 29 episode of ''Wrestling Challenge'' by [[squash (professional wrestling)|squash]]ing [[Jim Powers]]. Flair wrestled a team led by Piper at [[Survivor Series (1991)|Survivor Series]] in November and helped [[The Undertaker]] defeat Hogan for the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] that same night.<ref name="cardspg90" /> WCW sued Flair in an attempt to reclaim the championship belt,<ref>{{cite book|title=The Death of WCW|last1=Reynolds|first1=R.D.|last2=Alvarez|first2=Bryan|page=38|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2004|isbn=978-1-55022-661-4}}</ref> but Flair claimed otherwise due to a loophole in NWA policy; at the time he first became champion, the NWA required all of the wrestlers that it selected to be world champion to put down a security deposit of $25,000, which, in effect, resulted in the belt being leased to any wrestler who held it. The NWA, in usual cases, would return the deposit and any interest that may have accumulated upon the conclusion of the wrestler's championship reign. They did not do this for Flair before he was terminated by WCW, and since the money was still owed to him by the NWA upon his signing with the WWF, Flair believed that the title belt had become his personal property to do with as he pleased.<ref>{{cite AV media|date=2008|title=Nature Boy Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection|medium=DVD|language=en|publisher=Warner Brothers}}</ref>

At the [[Royal Rumble (1992)|1992 Royal Rumble]], Flair won the [[Royal Rumble match|namesake match]] to claim the vacant WWF Championship. Flair entered as number three in the Rumble match and lasted 60 minutes, last eliminating [[Sid Eudy|Sid Justice]] with help from Hulk Hogan, who had been eliminated by Justice seconds earlier.<ref name="cardspg90">{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling's Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=89–91}}</ref> In February 1992, Flair faced the [[WWF Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Champion]] Roddy Piper in a series of inconclusive [[title-versus-title match]]es. [[Randy Savage]] then challenged Flair for the WWF Championship as part of the double main event at [[WrestleMania VIII]]. In the storyline, Flair taunted Savage by claiming that he had a prior relationship with Savage's wife, [[Miss Elizabeth]]. Savage defeated Flair for the title at WrestleMania.<ref name="cardspg90" /> In July 1992, as Savage prepared to defend the title against [[The Ultimate Warrior]] at [[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam]],<ref name="cardspg90" /> Flair and Mr. Perfect sowed distrust between the two by suggesting that they would back one or the other during their match. They actually attacked both Savage and Warrior, resulting in the latter winning by countout, and injured Savage's knee, an injury that Flair exploited to regain the title in a match with Savage three days later on September 1 in [[Hershey, Pennsylvania]], which aired on the September 14 episode of ''[[WWF Prime Time Wrestling|Prime Time Wrestling]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fiorvanti |first1=Tim |title=The robes of Ric Flair |url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/21275353/nature-boy-robes-stories-ric-flair |website=ESPN |date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> On September 15, 1992, Flair defended the WWF Championship against [[Genichiro Tenryu]] at a [[Wrestle Association R]] event in [[Yokohama]], Japan; the match ended in a draw.<ref name="KreikenbohmWAR" /> Flair's second reign ended when he lost the title to [[Bret Hart]] on October 12 at a [[house show]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wakeman |first1=Travis |title=WWE Turning Point: Analyzing Historical Impact of Bret Hart vs. Ric Flair |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2089150-wwe-turning-point-analyzing-historical-impact-of-bret-hart-vs-ric-flair |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

Flair teamed with [[Scott Hall|Razor Ramon]] to take on Savage and Perfect at the [[Survivor Series (1992)|Survivor Series]] in November 1992.<ref name="cardspg90" /> Flair appeared in the [[Royal Rumble (1993)|Royal Rumble]] in January 1993, then lost a [[Loser Leaves Town match|Loser Leaves the WWF match]] to Mr. Perfect on the January 25 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1993/ |title=RAW 1993 Results |access-date=April 30, 2007 |author=Online World of Wrestling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607173201/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1993/ |archive-date=June 7, 2008}}</ref> Flair had a verbal agreement with Vince McMahon with the condition that if he wasn't going to be used in a main event position and had an offer to go elsewhere, he would be released from his contract. He opted to leave WWF when he was going to be moved to a mid-card position and Bill Watts offered to come back to WCW.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Mike |title=Zelina Vega Being Let Go For Things Wwe Talents Still Do, Why Flair's First Wwf Run Abruptly Ended, Where Is Aleister, Bivens And More {{!}} Pwinsider.com |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=142497 |access-date=December 25, 2020 |website=Pwinsider.com |date=December 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair then fulfilled his remaining house show commitments and took part in the WWF's "Winter Tour '93" of Europe. He made his last appearance with the WWF on February 11, 1993, before returning to WCW.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/93.htm|title=History of WWE: 1993|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210002116/http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/93.htm|date=February 10, 2005|archive-date=February 10, 2005}}</ref>

=== Super World of Sports (1992) ===
In April 1992, Flair toured Japan with the [[Super World of Sports]] (SWS) promotion as part of an agreement between the WWF and SWS. In his first bout, he teamed with [[The Natural Disasters]] to defeat [[Ashura Hara]], [[Genichiro Tenryu]], and [[Takashi Ishikawa]] in a [[six-man tag team match]]. He went on to defeat Tenryu in a singles match, then lost to Tenryu in a [[two-out-of-three falls match]].<ref name="KreikenbohmSWS" />

=== World Championship Wrestling (1993–2001) ===
==== WCW World Heavyweight Champion (1993–1996) ====
{{see also|The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|l1=The Four Horsemen}}[[File:Flickr - simononly - WWE Fan Axxess - Classic Memorabilia-Ring Gear (7).jpg|thumb|One of Flair's signature robes]]Flair triumphantly returned to WCW as a hero in February 1993. As a result of a "no-compete" clause he was initially unable to wrestle, so he hosted a short-lived talk show in WCW called ''A Flair for the Gold''. Arn Anderson usually appeared at the bar on the show's set, and Flair's maid Fifi cleaned or bore gifts. Once he returned to action, Flair briefly held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for a tenth time after defeating [[Barry Windham]] at [[Beach Blast (1993)|Beach Blast]] before WCW finally left the NWA in September 1993. At [[Fall Brawl (1993)|Fall Brawl]], Flair lost the title, now rebranded the [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]], to [[Rick Rude|"Ravishing Rick" Rude]]. At [[Starrcade (1993)|Starrcade]] in 1993, Flair defeated Vader to win the WCW World Heavyweight title for the second time. In the spring of 1994, Flair began a [[glossary of professional wrestling terms|tweener turn]] and started another feud with longtime rival [[Ricky Steamboat]] and challenged Steamboat to a match at [[Spring Stampede (1994)|Spring Stampede]] which ended in a no contest from a double pin, causing the title to be held up. Flair then defeated Steamboat in a rematch to reclaim the held-up title on an episode of WCW Saturday Night. The WWE does not count this victory as a new title win.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Colling |first1=Bob |title=WCW Spring Stampede 1994 4/17/1994 |url=https://wrestlingrecaps.com/wcw/wcw-spring-stampede-1994-4171994/ |website=Wrestling Recaps |date=August 30, 2010 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> Flair then challenged [[Robert Fuller (wrestler)|Col. Robert Parker]] to wrestle one of his men at [[Slamboree (1994)|Slamboree]], which turned out to be [[Barry Windham]], whom Flair defeated, afterwards he quietly turned heel and took [[Sherri Martel]] as his manager.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaston |first1=Erik |title=Full Career Retrospective and Greatest Moments for Sensational Sherri |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2287526-full-career-retrospective-and-greatest-moments-for-sensational-sherri |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref> He would also wrestle [[Lord Steven Regal]] in a five-match series under [[Marquess of Queensberry Rules]], which aired on [[WCW Worldwide]] between April 30 and May 28, in which Flair won the series, with 2 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws.<ref>{{cite web |title=This Week in WCW History: The Marquis of Queensbury Cup – Ric Flair vs Lord Steven Regal [1994] |url=https://wcwworldwide.com/2016/04/this-week-in-1994-the-marquis-of-queensbury-cup-ric-flair-vs-lord-steven-regal-on-worldwide/ |website=WCW Worldwidw |date=April 29, 2016 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

In June 1994 at ''[[Clash of the Champions XXVII]]'', Flair defeated Sting in a unification match, merging the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, and solidifying his heel turn after his alliance with Sherri was brought into the open after she helped him win the match while pretending that she had sided with Sting. After becoming the unified and undisputed WCW champion, Flair feuded with Hulk Hogan upon Hogan's arrival in WCW in June 1994, losing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to him in July at [[Bash at the Beach 1994|Bash at the Beach]]. Flair continued to feud with Hogan and finally lost to Hogan in a steel cage retirement match at [[Halloween Havoc 1994|Halloween Havoc]]. Flair took a few months off afterwards before returning to WCW television in January 1995 for an interview at [[Clash of the Champions XXX]]. After attacking Hogan at [[Superbrawl V]], Flair also began appearing as a part-time manager for [[Big Van Vader|Vader]], who was engaged in feud with Hogan, and developed a short-lived angle where he was "possessed", even attacking his old WWF opponent [[Randy Savage]] at the first [[Uncensored (1995)|Uncensored]]. He soon afterwards returned to wrestling (explained on-air by having Flair nag Hogan for months until Hogan and Savage both petitioned WCW management to let Flair come back).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Colling |first1=Bob Jr. |title=Reliving A Feud Volume #38: Hulk Hogan Vs. Ric Flair In WCW '94 – '00 |url=https://wrestlingrecaps.com/2017/12/05/reliving-a-feud-volume-38-hulk-hogan-vs-ric-flair-in-wcw-94-00/ |website=Wrestling Recaps |date=December 5, 2017 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> Upon returning to wrestling, Flair quickly revived his 1992 feud with Savage, but this time also got Savage's father [[Angelo Poffo]] involved after he put him in a [[figure four leglock]] at [[Slamboree 1995]].

On April 29, 1995, Flair wrestled [[Antonio Inoki]] in front of 190,000 spectators in [[Pyongyang]], [[North Korea]] at the May Day Stadium in a losing effort under a joint show between [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] and [[World Championship Wrestling]]. The event was broadcast on August 4, 1995, on [[pay-per-view]] under the title of [[Collision in Korea]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Greene |first1=Dan |title=Oral History of Pro Wrestling's 1995 Historic Excursion into North Korea |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/04/27/muhammad-ali-ric-flair-oral-history-pro-wrestling-north-korea |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> In the fall of 1995, Flair began a short feud with Arn Anderson, which culminated in a tag match that saw Flair turning on Sting to reform the new Four Horsemen with Flair as the leader, Arn Anderson, Brian Pillman, and Chris Benoit as the members. With the new Four Horsemen, Flair won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship two more times before the nWo invasion storyline began in WCW, with the first one being in December 1995 at [[Starrcade (1995)|Starrcade]], where Flair defeated Lex Luger and Sting by countout and then defeated Savage after all three Four Horsemen members ran to the ring and Arn Anderson knocked out Savage with brass knuckles, thus allowing Flair to pin Savage to win the match and the title. Afterwards Savage won the title back on ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]'' after Starcade, but Flair won the next match at [[SuperBrawl VI]] to regain the championship. During the feud, Savage's manager Miss Elizabeth turned against him and became Flair's valet. Together with Woman and Debra McMichael they would escort Flair to his matches until Miss Elizabeth was taken by the nWo in the fall and eventually returned as Savage's valet when he joined the nWo in 1997. Flair lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship eventually three months later to The Giant. The feud with Savage continued with The New Four Horseman joining the Dungeon of Doom to create an Alliance to end Hulkamania. Together the factions wrestled Hogan and Savage in a triple steel cage, End of Hulkamania match; losing to the reunited Mega Powers. Afterwards, Flair went on to win the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship and there were also changes in the Four Horseman in 1996, as Brian Pillman left WCW and Steve "Mongo" McMichael became the fourth member.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Norris |first1=Luke |title=What Happened to Chicago Bears Legend and WCW Star Steve McMichael? |url=https://www.sportscasting.com/what-happened-to-chicago-bears-legend-and-wcw-star-steve-mcmichael/ |website=Sportscasting |date=August 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

==== Feud with the New World Order (1996–1999) ====
{{see also|The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|l1=The Four Horsemen}}
[[File:Rick_Flair_1996.jpg|thumb|Flair in 1996]]
Once again as a top [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]], Flair played a major role in the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo) invasion storyline in late 1996 and throughout 1997. He and the other Horsemen often took the lead in the war against [[Scott Hall]], [[Kevin Nash]], and [[Hulk Hogan|Hollywood Hulk Hogan]], whom Flair immediately challenged for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at the ''[[Clash of the Champions XXXIII]]'', but won only by disqualification. In September 1996, Flair and Anderson teamed with their bitter rivals, [[Sting and Lex Luger]], to lose to the nWo (Hogan, [[Kevin Nash]], [[Scott Hall]], and an [[Jeff Farmer (wrestler)|impostor Sting]]) in the WarGames match at [[Fall Brawl (1996)|Fall Brawl]] when Luger submitted to the impostor Sting's [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Scorpion Deathlock]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Melok |first1=Bobby |title=The complete history of WarGames |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/complete-history-wargames |newspaper=Wwe |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>

In October 1996, two developments occurred that affected the Four Horsemen when [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF, and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen as he immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen. Flair finally let Jarrett join the group in February 1997, but the others did not want him, and in July 1997 was ultimately kicked out of the group by Flair himself, who had enough of the instability Jarrett's presence caused the Horsemen. Flair also feuded with [[Roddy Piper]], [[Sean Waltman|Syxx]], and his old nemesis [[Curt Hennig]] in 1997, after Hennig was offered a spot in The Four Horsemen only to turn on Flair and The Four Horsemen at [[Fall Brawl (1997)|Fall Brawl]] in September 1997, in which Hennig punctuated the act by slamming the cage door onto Flair's head.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keith |first1=Scott |title=Monday Night Wrong: The New World Order tastelessly parodies the Four Horsemen |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/wwe/news/wcw-wwf-attitude-era-nwo-ric-flair-four-horsemen-mr-perfect-arn-anderson-retirement/1lywqd32lwspn1qj9flaa4wgbz |website=Sporting News |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>

In April 1998, Flair disappeared from WCW television, due to a lawsuit filed by Eric Bischoff for no-showing a live episode of ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]'' on April 9, 1998, in [[Tallahassee, Florida]]. After the case was settled, Flair made a surprise return on September 14, 1998, to ceremoniously reform the Four Horsemen (along with [[Steve McMichael]], [[Dean Malenko]], and [[Chris Benoit]]). Flair feuded with Bischoff for several months afterward. Flair repeatedly raked Eric Bischoff's eyes during this feud. This culminated in a match at [[Starrcade (1998)|Starrcade]] between Bischoff and Flair in December 1998, which Bischoff won after interference from Curt Hennig, a former member of the Four Horsemen. The following night in Baltimore on ''Nitro'', Flair returned and threatened to leave WCW, demanding a match against Bischoff for the presidency of the company. The match was made, and despite the nWo interfering on Bischoff's behalf Flair won and was granted the position of president of WCW. This resulted in a match at [[SuperBrawl IX]] between Flair and Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, which Flair lost after being betrayed by his own son [[David Flair]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cameron |first1=Tony |title=7 nWo Members You Won't Remember |url=https://wwfoldschool.com/7-nwo-members-you-wont-remember/ |website=WWF Old School |date=January 31, 2016 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>

==== Final world championship reigns (1999–2001) ====
{{see also|Magnificent Seven (professional wrestling)|l1=The Magnificent Seven}}
In spite of his son's betrayal, Flair signed a rematch at [[Uncensored (1999)|Uncensored]] on March 14 which was billed as a First Blood barbed wire steel cage Match against Hogan where Flair's presidency and Hogan's WCW World Heavyweight Championship were on the line. Despite being the first to bleed, Flair won the match by pinfall thanks to the bias of the referee [[Charles Robinson (referee)|Charles Robinson]], who counted Hogan out.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Norris |first1=Luke |title=Top 20 worst world title changes in wrestling history |url=https://fansided.com/2017/06/07/worst-title-changes-pro-wrestling-history-wwe-wcw/ |website=Fansided |date=June 7, 2017 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>

As on-air WCW President, Flair began abusing his power much like Bischoff had, favoring villains over fan favorites and even awarding the [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] (which was vacated by [[Scott Steiner]] due to injury) to his son David and resorting to whatever means necessary to keep him as United States Heavyweight Champion. Flair eventually formed a stable of followers which included [[Roddy Piper]], Arn Anderson and the [[Jersey Triad]] to keep things in order. Flair's reign as president came to an end on the July 19 episode of ''Nitro'', when he faced and lost to Sting for the position. During the course of the match, Sting had Flair in his Scorpion Death Lock, but with the referee knocked unconscious, no decision could be reached. A returning Eric Bischoff came to the ring and began ordering the timekeeper to ring the bell, which he eventually did, awarding the match and the presidency to Sting (who promptly gave it up upon receiving it).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frye |first1=Ryan |title="The Nature Boy" Ric Flair: The Story of Professional Wrestling's Imperfect Man |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1033786-the-story-of-professional-wrestlings-imperfect-man-the-nature-boy-ric-flair |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>

Flair won his last world titles in his career by winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice during 2000, the company's last full year of operation. When WCW was purchased by the WWF in March 2001, Flair was the leader of the villainous group called the [[Magnificent Seven (professional wrestling)|Magnificent Seven]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaston |first1=Erik |title=Full Career Retrospective and Greatest Moments for Rick Steiner |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2517666-full-career-retrospective-and-greatest-moments-for-rick-steiner |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair lost the final match of ''Nitro'' to Sting, recreating the second match of ''Nitro'' in 1995. Nevertheless, Flair has repeatedly stated in various interviews how happy he was when WCW finally closed down, although at the same time the fact that many people would lose their jobs saddened him.<ref>''WWE: The Monday Night Wars'' DVD.</ref>

=== World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment (2001–2009) ===
==== WWF co-owner (2001–2002) ====
[[File:Flairwmx8blood.jpg|thumb|A bloodied Flair at [[WrestleMania X8]] in 2002.]]
After an eight-month hiatus from wrestling, Flair made a return to the WWF<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/jK94KEoFcjU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20131213111904/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK94KEoFcjU&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Citation|title="Nature Boy" Ric Flair Returns - Raw 11/2001|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK94KEoFcjU|language=en|access-date=October 18, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> on November 19, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/011119.html|title=Raw – November 19, 2001 Results|access-date= April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair reappeared on ''Raw'' following the end of the "[[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|WCW/ECW Invasion]]" that culminated in a "Winner Take All" match at [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]] on November 18 won by the WWF.<ref name=cards109>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling's Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=109–110}}</ref> Flair's new on-screen role was that of the co-owner of the WWF, with the explanation that [[Shane McMahon|Shane]] and [[Stephanie McMahon]] had sold their stock in the company to a [[consortium]] (namely Flair) prior to purchasing World Championship Wrestling and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/011119.html|title=RAW – November 19, 2001 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair's feud with [[Vince McMahon]] led them to a match at the [[Royal Rumble (2002)|Royal Rumble]] on January 20, 2002, in a [[Hardcore match|Street Fight]], where Flair defeated McMahon.<ref name=cards109/> Flair also wrestled [[The Undertaker]] at [[WrestleMania X8]] on March 17 where Flair lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwe/wweppv/wrestlemania/wrestlemania18/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627071542/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwe/wweppv/wrestlemania/wrestlemania18/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 27, 2017|title=WrestleMania X-8 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> The "co-owner" angle culminated in early 2002, when Flair controlled ''Raw'' and McMahon controlled ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020325.html|title=RAW – March 25, 2002 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>

On the May 13 episode of ''Raw'', Flair challenged [[Hulk Hogan|Hollywood Hulk Hogan]] to a no disqualification match for the [[Undisputed WWE Championship]]. Flair would later lose the contest before moving onto a rivalry with [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]. At [[Judgment Day (2002)|Judgment Day]] on May 19, Flair teamed with [[Big Show]] and lost to Austin in a two-on-one handicap tag team match. On the June 3 episode of ''Raw'', the feud between Flair and Austin would escalate after Austin defeated Flair in a singles contest. After Austin abruptly left the WWE in June while in a program with Flair, a match was hotshotted between Flair and McMahon for sole ownership of WWE, which Flair lost after interference from [[Brock Lesnar]] on the June 10 edition of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020610.html|title=RAW – June 10, 2002 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>

At [[King of the Ring (2002)|King of the Ring]] on June 23, Flair defeated [[Eddie Guerrero]] in a singles match after Guerrero and [[Chris Benoit]] would interrupt Flair's speech regarding losing his position as WWE co-owner; afterwards, Guerrero would lock Flair in his own signature figure four leg lock with help from Benoit. Flair's rivalry with Lesnar would continue into the month of July with Lesnar picking up wins over Flair in a singles match on the July 1 episode of ''Raw'' and in a tag team contest on the July 15 episode of ''Raw''. Flair then became involved in a short-lived rivalry with [[Chris Jericho]], leading to Flair defeating Jericho at [[SummerSlam (2002)|SummerSlam]] on August 25. Flair was granted a [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] match against [[Triple H]] on the September 2 episode of ''Raw'', which he lost. Later on that same night, Flair would team with [[Rob Van Dam]] as the duo were successful in defeating the team of Triple H and Jericho. At [[Unforgiven (2002)|Unforgiven]] on September 22, Flair was unsuccessful in capturing the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] in a singles contest against Jericho.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Jonathan |title=WWE Unforgiven 2002 Review |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/79333-wwe-unforgiven-2002-review |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

Under the WWE banner, Flair toured Japan periodically between 2002 and 2008. He successfully defended the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]] with [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] against [[The Dudley Boyz]] twice in February 2004. On the February 7, 2005, episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', broadcast from the [[Saitama Super Arena]] in Japan, Flair lost to [[Shawn Michaels]] in a singles match. In February 2008, Flair wrestled [[Ken Anderson (wrestler)|Mr. Kennedy]] in the [[Ariake Coliseum]] and [[William Regal]] in the [[Budokan Hall]], both under the stipulation that he would retire if he lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/08.htm |title=2008|website=Thehistoryofwwe.com|access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref>

==== Evolution (2002–2005) ====
{{main|Evolution (professional wrestling)|l1=Evolution}}
In September 2002 at [[Unforgiven (2002)|Unforgiven]], [[Triple H]] defended the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Rob Van Dam]]. During the match, Flair came down to the ring and grabbed the sledgehammer from Triple H and teased hitting him before hitting Van Dam, allowing Triple H to get the win, turning him heel in the process and accompanied Triple H to the ring as his manager.<ref name="Unforgiven - HHH vs RVD">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/rawmainevent/ |title=Triple H vs. Rob Van Dam for the World Heavyweight Championship |access-date=January 18, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921081355/http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2002/rawmainevent/ |archive-date=September 21, 2010}}</ref> Shortly after, [[Dave Batista|Batista]] moved from ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' to ''Raw'' and Flair also began accompanying him to the ring while continuing to second Triple H.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/liveevent/030124r.html|title=RAW – January 24, 2003 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> In June 2003 at [[WWE Bad Blood (2003)|Bad Blood]], Flair was able to defeat Shawn Michaels after [[Randy Orton]] struck Michaels with a chair.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling's Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|page=114}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040322.html|title=RAW – March 22, 2004 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>

At the height of Evolution's power, the group controlled all of the male-based championships of ''Raw'' after [[Armageddon (2003)|Armageddon]]. Batista teamed with Flair to win the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]] from the [[Dudley Boyz]] ([[Mark LoMonaco|Bubba Ray Dudley]] and [[Devon Hughes|D-Von Dudley]]) in a [[Gauntlet match|tag team turmoil match]] and Triple H regained the World Heavyweight Championship from Goldberg (in a [[triple threat match]] that also involved [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]]), with the help of the other members of Evolution. In January 2004 at the [[Royal Rumble (2004)|Royal Rumble]], Flair and Batista successfully defended the World Tag Team Championship against the Dudley Boyz in a [[Tables Match|tables match]], and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H fought Shawn Michaels to no contest in a [[Last Man Standing match]], thus retaining the championship. Flair and Batista lost the World Tag Team Championship on February 16 edition of ''Raw'' to [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] and [[Rob Van Dam]]. At [[WrestleMania XX]], Evolution defeated the [[Rock 'n' Sock Connection]] ([[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] and [[Mick Foley]]) in a 3-on-2 handicap match. The following week on ''Raw'' during the [[2004 WWE draft lottery]], Flair and Batista defeated [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] and [[Rob Van Dam]] to win their second and final World Tag Team Championship, but they lost the titles to World Heavyweight Champion [[Chris Benoit]] and [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] on the April 19 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dutta |first1=Sanjay |title=3 Opponents who have defined Batista's in-ring career |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/3-opponents-who-have-defined-batista-s-in-ring-career |website=Sportskeeda |date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

At [[SummerSlam (2004)|SummerSlam]], Orton pinned Benoit to become the new World Heavyweight Champion and the youngest World Champion in WWE history to date. On the episode of ''Raw'' the night after SummerSlam, Batista hoisted Orton on to his shoulders in what appeared to be a celebration, but following the [[thumbs signal|thumbs down]] from Triple H, the group proceeded to attack Orton. At [[Unforgiven (2004)|Unforgiven]], Triple H beat Orton to regain the World Heavyweight Championship, with help from Flair, Batista, and [[Jonathan Coachman]]. Orton's feud with Evolution continued until [[Survivor Series (2004)|Survivor Series]] where Triple H, Batista, [[Gene Snitsky]], and Edge were defeated by Orton, [[Maven Huffman|Maven]], Chris Jericho, and Chris Benoit in a [[Survivor Series match]] for control of ''Raw'' over the following month.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haverford |first1=Joey |title=Evolution: 10 Backstage Stories About The Faction That We Can't Believe |url=https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/wwe-evolution-faction-backstage-stories/ |newspaper=Thesportster |date=July 7, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

In the [[Elimination Chamber]] match at [[New Year's Revolution (2005)|New Year's Revolution]], Batista, Orton and Triple H were the last three remaining in the match. Orton eliminated Batista with a RKO and Triple H pinned Orton with Batista's help to win the title. Triple H suggested that Batista not enter the [[Royal Rumble match]], wanting the group to focus on Triple H retaining the title. At the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|Royal Rumble]], Batista declined, entered the Rumble at number 28 and won. Triple H tried to persuade Batista to challenge the WWE Champion [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] of [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] rather than for his World Heavyweight Championship. This involved Triple H plotting a feud between JBL and Batista, showing JBL badmouthing Batista in an interview and staging an attack on Batista with a limousine designed to look like Layfield's. The scheme was unsuccessful and at the brand contract signing ceremony on the February 21 episode of ''Raw'', Batista chose to remain on [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]], infuriating Triple H and thus quitting the faction. Batista defeated Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at [[WrestleMania 21]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Andrew |title=Looking back at WrestleMania 21 |url=http://socaluncensored.com/2019/04/03/wrestlemania-21-review/ |website=SoCal Uncensored |date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> Flair and Triple H also starred in an ad for WrestleMania 21 that parodied the film ''[[Braveheart]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Saraswat |first1=Akshay |title=[Throwback] When WWE superstars enacted iconic Hollywood scenes |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/throwback-when-wwe-superstars-enacted-iconic-hollywood-scenes-806288 |website=International Business Times |date=September 28, 2019 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

After [[Vengeance (2005)|Vengeance]], Triple H took time off and Flair turned face for the first time since 2002 before going on to win the Intercontinental Championship from [[Carly Colón|Carlito]] at [[Unforgiven (2005)|Unforgiven]], and the group was dissolved. Triple H returned at the "Homecoming" episode of ''Raw'' on October 3 where he was to team with Flair in a tag team match against Carlito and [[Chris Masters]]. After winning that match, Triple H betrayed Flair and attacked him with a sledgehammer. Flair retained the Intercontinental Championship against Triple H at [[Taboo Tuesday (2005)|Taboo Tuesday]] in a steel cage match, which was voted as such by the fans. Flair later lost to Triple H in an acclaimed Last Man Standing non-title match at [[Survivor Series (2005)|Survivor Series]], which ended their feud.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Joyce |first1=Brian |title=10 Greatest WWE Survivor Series Matches Of All Time |url=https://wrestletalk.com/features/10-greatest-wwe-survivor-series-matches-of-all-time/2/ |website=WrestleTalk |date=November 11, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

==== Final storylines and first retirement (2005–2008) ====
At the end of 2005, Flair had a feud with Edge that culminated in a WWE Championship [[Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match]] on ''Raw'' in early 2006, which Flair lost. On the February 20 episode of ''Raw'', Flair lost the Intercontinental Championship to [[Shelton Benjamin]], thus ending his reign at 155 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060220.html|title=RAW – February 20, 2006 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair took some time off in mid-2006 to rest and marry for the third time and he returned in June to work a program with his real-life rival [[Mick Foley]] that played off their legitimate past animosity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/060612.html|title=RAW – June 12, 2006 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair defeated Foley at [[Vengeance (2006)|Vengeance]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of a singles match|two out of three falls match]], then at [[SummerSlam (2006)|SummerSlam]] in an [["I quit" match]].<ref name="cardspg122" />

[[File:HBK-and-Flair-backhand-chops.jpg|thumb|Flair and [[Shawn Michaels]] deliver knife-edged chops to [[Ken Doane|Kenny Dykstra]] of the [[Spirit Squad]] in 2006]]
Subsequently, he was involved in a rivalry with the [[Spirit Squad]] on ''Raw''. On November 5, 2006, at [[Cyber Sunday (2006)|Cyber Sunday]], he captured the World Tag Team Championship from the Spirit Squad with Roddy Piper.<ref name="cardspg122">{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling's historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=121–122}}</ref> On the November 13 episode of ''Raw'', Flair and Piper lost the World Tag Team Championship to [[Rated-RKO]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/061113.html|title=RAW – November 13, 2006 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> due to a disc problem with Piper and had to be flown immediately back to the United States as soon as ''Raw'' was off the air. On November 26, 2006, at [[Survivor Series (2006)|Survivor Series]], Flair was the sole survivor of a match that featured himself, [[Ron Simmons]] (replacing an injured Piper), Dusty Rhodes and [[Sgt. Slaughter]] versus the Spirit Squad.<ref name="cardspg122"/>

Flair then began teaming with Carlito after Flair said that Carlito had no heart.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2007|work=Arena Reports|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=May 2007|page=130}}</ref> Flair defeated Carlito in a match after which Carlito realized that Flair was right.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070212.html|title=RAW – February 12, 2007 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Flair and Carlito faced off against [[Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch]] in a number one contender's match for the World Tag Team Championship, but were defeated. The two teamed up on the [[WrestleMania 23]] pre-show, and defeated the team of [[Chavo Guerrero]] and [[Gregory Helms]]. After weeks of conflict between Flair and Carlito,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04162007/|title=Italian Intercontinental surprise|date=April 16, 2007|last=Starr|first=Noah|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04232007/|title=A sign of things to come?|date=April 23, 2007|last=Starr|first=Noah|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> the team split up when Carlito attacked Flair during a match on the April 30 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04302007/|title=Khali's claim|date=April 30, 2007|last=Starr|first=Noah|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> At [[Judgment Day (2007)|Judgment Day]], Flair defeated Carlito with the figure four leglock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/4124402211/results/|title=Schooled|date=May 20, 2007|last=Starr|first=Noah|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=May 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530044911/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/4124402211/results/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On the June 11 episode of ''Raw'', Flair was drafted to the SmackDown! brand as part of the [[2007 WWE draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06112007/|title=One wild night|date=June 11, 2008|last=McAvennie|first=Mike|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> He briefly feuded against [[Montel Vontavious Porter]], unsuccessfully challenging him for the [[WWE United States Championship]] at [[Vengeance: Night of Champions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06222007/|title=A taste of vengeance|date=June 22, 2007|last=Rote|first=Andrew|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/4842036/resultsflairMVP06242007/|title=MVP puts on legendary show with win over Flair|date=June 24, 2007|last=Clayton|first=Corey|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080221200715/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/4842036/resultsflairMVP06242007/ |archive-date = February 21, 2008}}</ref> Flair rejoined forces with Batista to feud with The Great Khali; the alliance was short-lived, however, as Flair was "injured" during a match with Khali on the August 3 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08032007/|title=Handing notice|date=August 3, 2007|last=Fuhrman|first=Alissa|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08102007/|title=Answer to the challenge?|date=August 10, 2007|last=Fuhrman|first=Alissa|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>

After a three-month hiatus, Flair returned to WWE programming on the November 26 episode of ''Raw'' to announce "I will never retire".<ref name="retirement story start">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/articles/spacemountainopen|title=Win or go home – for good|date=November 26, 2007|last=Robinson|first=Bryan|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref name="Nov 26, 08">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/|title=Legend of the Fall|date=November 26, 2008|last=Adkins|first=Greg|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Vince McMahon retaliated by announcing that the next match Flair lost would result in a forced retirement.<ref name="retirement story start"/> Later in the night, Flair defeated Orton after a distraction by [[Chris Jericho]].<ref name="retirement story start"/><ref name="Nov 26, 08"/> It was revealed on the 15th anniversary of ''Raw'' that the win or retire ultimatum only applied in singles matches. Flair won several "career threatening" matches against the opponents such as Triple H, [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]], [[William Regal]], [[Mr. Kennedy]], and Vince McMahon himself among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12312007/|title=Life Goes On|date=December 31, 2007|last=Adkins|first=Greg|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2008/matches/6141204/results/|title=A Flair for greatness|date=January 27, 2008|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=May 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531011805/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2008/matches/6141204/results/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2008/matches/6323434/results/|title=Never Say Die|date=February 17, 2008|last=Adkins|first=Greg|access-date=March 5, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527083303/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2008/matches/6323434/results/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 29, 2008, Flair was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] as a part of the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2008)|class of 2008]] by Triple H. The day after, Flair wrestled at [[WrestleMania XXIV]] in [[Orlando, Florida]], losing to [[Shawn Michaels]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/2008/matches/6464438/results/|title=WrestleMania XXIV results: Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels|access-date=March 30, 2007|date=March 30, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=February 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226015754/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/2008/matches/6464438/results/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The match was lauded by fans and critics and was voted the 2008 ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' (PWI) [[PWI Match of the Year|Match of the Year]]. Flair's fight to keep his career going garnered him the 2008 ''PWI'' "[[PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]]" award.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ocampo |first1=Jorge |title=2008 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Awards: Triple H Fighter of the Year - Beer Money Couple of the Year - Ric Flair vs. HBK Fight of the Year |url=https://en.superluchas.com/premios-pro-wrestling-illustrated-2008-triple-h-luchador-del-ano-beer-money-pareja-del-ano-ric-flair-vs-hbk-lucha-del-ano/ |website=Super Luchas |date=February 10, 2009 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

==== Part-time appearances (2008–2009) ====
[[File:Ricflairwm24.jpg|thumb| Flair at [[WrestleMania XXIV]]]]
On the March 31, 2008, episode of ''Raw'', Flair delivered his farewell address. Afterward, Triple H brought out many current and retired superstars to thank Flair for all he had done, including Shawn Michaels, some of the Four Horsemen, [[Ricky Steamboat]], [[Harley Race]], and [[Chris Jericho]], followed by [[The Undertaker]] and then [[Vince McMahon]]. Along with the wrestlers, the fans gave Flair a [[standing ovation]]. This event represented a rare moment in WWE as both the heels and the faces broke [[Kayfabe|character]] and came out to the ring together. Flair made his first post retirement appearance on the June 16, 2008, episode of ''Raw'' to confront Chris Jericho about his actions during a rivalry with Shawn Michaels. He challenged Jericho to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Parking Lot Brawl|fight in the parking lot]], rather than an official match, but Jericho was stopped by Triple H.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06162008/|title=Plight of Champions|date=June 9, 2008 |publisher=WWE|access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref>

The following year on February 9, Flair once again confronted Jericho on ''Raw''. Jericho was attacking Hall of Fame members and Flair demanded he respect them, before punching Jericho.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02092009/|title=Coast busted!|date=February 2, 2009 |publisher=WWE|access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref> Flair appeared a month later to distract him during a [[Money in the Bank ladder match#2009|Money in the Bank]] Qualifying Match. Jericho then challenged Flair to come out of retirement for [[WrestleMania 25]]; instead Flair managed [[Roddy Piper]], [[Jimmy Snuka]] and [[Ricky Steamboat]] in a three-on-one handicap match at WrestleMania in a losing effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03092009/ |title=In your house|publisher=WWE|date=August 22, 2011 |access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03162009/|title=Texas Hold 'Em|date=March 10, 2009 |publisher=WWE|access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03232009/ |title=Kiss of death|date=March 16, 2009 |publisher=WWE|access-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref> On May 17, Flair returned during the [[Judgment Day (2009)|Judgment Day]] pay-per-view, coming to the aid of Batista, who was being attacked by [[The Legacy (professional wrestling)|The Legacy]] (Randy Orton, [[Cody Rhodes]] and [[Ted DiBiase Jr.|Ted DiBiase]]). On the June 1 episode of ''Raw'', Flair challenged Orton in a parking lot brawl match, and after interference from the rest of The Legacy, the fight ended with Flair trapped inside a steel cage and punted by Orton.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eck |first1=Kevin |title=Ric Flair goes all 'Super Shane' on Randy Orton on Raw |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-06-ric_flair_goes_all_super_shane_on_randy_orton_on_raw-story.html |website=Baltimore Sun |date=June 2009 |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204084432/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-06-ric_flair_goes_all_super_shane_on_randy_orton_on_raw-story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Ring of Honor and the Hulkamania Tour (2009) ===
[[File:Hogan Vs Flair.jpg|thumb|The main event of [[Hulkamania tour]] in 2009, Flair vs. [[Hulk Hogan]]]]
Flair signed with [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH) and appeared at the ''Stylin' And Profilin''' event in March 2009, clearing the ring after an [[ROH World Championship]] match ended with a run-in.<ref name="rohres">{{cite web|url=http://www.rohwrestling.com/pastresults/|title=ROH Past Results|publisher=[[Ring of Honor]]|access-date=June 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822123049/http://www.rohwrestling.com/pastresults/|archive-date=August 22, 2008}}</ref> He soon served as the company's ambassador, in an on-screen authority role, and appeared on the television show ''[[Ring of Honor Wrestling]]'' in May to cement his role.<ref name="rohhdnet0502">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzB99xNQO4M| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627083117/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzB99xNQO4M| archive-date=June 27, 2014 | url-status=dead|title=Ring of Honor HDNet Program 05/02/2009 Part 1/6|date=May 6, 2009|work=[[Ring of Honor]]|publisher=YouTube|access-date=June 6, 2009}}</ref> After a number one contender's match ended in a time-limit draw, and the following week a double count out, Flair announced ''Ring of Honor Wrestling's'' first ROH World Title match as a four-way contest.<ref name="rohhdnet0516">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWwPZ_PM6Ps| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627083115/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWwPZ_PM6Ps| archive-date=June 27, 2014 | url-status=dead|title=Ring of Honor HDNet Program 05/16/2009 part 4/7|date=May 18, 2009|work=[[Ring of Honor]]|publisher=YouTube|access-date=June 6, 2009}}</ref>

On November 21, 2009, Flair returned to the ring as a villain on the "[[Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin]]" tour of Australia, losing to Hulk Hogan in the main event of the first show by brass knuckles.<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/r/ric-flair.html|access-date=August 29, 2008|title=OWOW profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Hogan defeated Flair again on November 24 in Perth, Australia after both men bled heavily.<ref name=OWOW/> Flair also lost to Hogan on the two remaining matches on the tour.<ref name=OWOW/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_36909.shtml|title=11/21 Hulkamania Tour in Melbourne: Very detailed report on Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair's first matches back, Hogan and Flair bleed heavily, Undercard matches re-create Attitude Era|last=Pilone|first=Antonio|date=November 21, 2009|work=PWTorch|access-date=November 21, 2009}}</ref>

=== Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2010–2012) ===
====Debut and Fortune (2010)====
[[File:Flair TNA.jpg|right|thumb|Flair in TNA in 2010]]
{{main|Fortune (professional wrestling){{!}}Fortune|Immortal (professional wrestling){{!}}Immortal}}
On the January 4, 2010, episode of [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]]'s (TNA) ''[[Impact! (TV series)|Impact!]]'', Flair made his debut appearance for the company arriving via limo and later observing the main event between [[A.J. Styles]] and longtime rival [[Kurt Angle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_37861.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact Live Report 1/4: Jeff Hardy, NWO reunion, Hulk Hogan, TNA Knockout Title match, more surprises – ongoing coverage|date=January 4, 2010|last=Keller|first=Wade|author-link=Wade Keller|work=PWTorch|access-date=January 5, 2010}}</ref> It was later reported that Flair had signed a one-year deal with the company.<ref name="Flair Contract">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1262807843.php|title=More details on Ric Flair in TNA|publisher=WrestleView|date=January 6, 2010|last=Martin|first=Adam|access-date=January 7, 2010}}</ref> In the past, Flair had openly stated that he was loyal to the McMahons and wanted to end his career in WWE, however he had not had contact from WWE since June 2009 and decided to sign with TNA after waiting for the call from WWE for six months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/14662|title=Ric Flair Speaks on Sting, Signing with TNA and More|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114015320/http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/14662|archive-date=January 14, 2010}}</ref> On January 17 at [[Genesis (2010)|Genesis]], Flair helped Styles cheat to pin Angle and retain the [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_38198.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Genesis PPV Report 1/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle, Hulk Hogan's TNA PPV debut|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=January 17, 2010|work=PWTorch|access-date=January 18, 2010}}</ref>

In addition to Styles, Flair began informally managing [[Beer Money, Inc.]] ([[Robert Roode]] and [[James Storm]]) and [[Nigel McGuinness|Desmond Wolfe]] as a loose alliance. On the March 8 episode of ''Impact!'', Hulk Hogan and Abyss defeated Flair and Styles when Abyss pinned Styles.<ref name=March82010>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39660.shtml|title=TNA Impact Results 3/8: Keller's live ongoing report covering the historic beginning of Monday Night War II|author-link=Wade Keller|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=March 8, 2010|work=PWTorch|access-date=March 9, 2010}}</ref> Afterwards, the returning [[Jeff Hardy]] saved Abyss and Hogan from a beatdown at the hands of Flair, Styles and Beer Money, Inc.<ref name=March82010/> At [[Lockdown (2010)|Lockdown]], Team Flair (Ric Flair, Sting, Desmond Wolfe, Robert Roode and James Storm) was defeated by Team Hogan (Hulk Hogan, Abyss, [[Jeff Jarrett]], Jeff Hardy and [[Rob Van Dam]]) in a [[Lethal Lockdown match]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_40725.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown Results 4/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of PPV – Styles vs. The Pope, Team Hogan vs. Team Flair, Angle vs. Anderson|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=April 18, 2010|access-date=April 18, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the April 26 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair was defeated by Abyss in a match where Flair's and Hogan's WWE Hall of Fame rings were at stake, and as a result Flair lost possession of his ring to Hogan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_40954.shtml|title=KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 4/26: Flair comes out of retirement against Abyss with Hall of Fame rings on the line, RVD celebrates|first=Keller|last=Wade|date=April 27, 2010|access-date=April 28, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following week, Hogan gave the ring to [[Jay Lethal]], who returned it to Flair out of respect. This, however, was not enough for Flair, who attacked Lethal along with the members of Team Flair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_41070.shtml|title=TNA Impact Results 5/3: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live show from Orlando|first=Wade|last=Keller|date=May 3, 2010|access-date=May 4, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> After Styles dropped the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Rob Van Dam, then failed to regain it in a rematch and later was pinned by Jay Lethal, Flair adopted [[Frankie Kazarian|Kazarian]] as his newest protégé, seemingly replacing Styles as his number one wrestler.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_41609.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 5/27: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast [updated]|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=May 27, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=June 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_41729.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 6/3: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast [updated]|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|date=June 3, 2010|access-date=June 4, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

On the June 17 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair announced that he would reform the Four Horsemen under the new name {{Not a typo|[[Fortune (professional wrestling)|Fourtune]]}}, a group consisting of A.J. Styles, Kazarian, Robert Roode, and James Storm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276841662 |title=TNA Impact Results – 6/17/10 |last=Boutwell |first=Josh |date=June 18, 2010 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620150524/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276841662 |archive-date=June 20, 2010 }}</ref> Flair made a return to the ring on July 11 at [[Victory Road (2010)|Victory Road]], losing to Jay Lethal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_42443.shtml|title=TNA Victory Road results 7/11: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coveage [sic] of live PPV event|date=July 11, 2010|access-date=July 11, 2010|last=Keller|first=Wade|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the August 5 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair faced Lethal in a rematch, this time contested under Street Fight rules, with the members of {{Not a typo|Fourtune}} banned from ringside; Flair managed to win the match after an interference from [[Doug Williams (wrestler)|Douglas Williams]]. The following week, Williams and [[Matt Morgan]] were added to {{Not a typo|Fourtune}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_43075.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 8/12: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV "Whole F'n Show" (updated)|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=August 12, 2010|access-date=August 13, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> In the weeks leading to [[Bound for Glory (2010)|Bound for Glory]], Flair's stable's name was tweaked to Fortune to represent the expansion in the number of members in the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/images/stories/galleries/bfg2010/bfg6.jpg |title=Lethal Lockdown |access-date=October 13, 2010 |work=[[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105230616/http://www.tnawrestling.com/images/stories/galleries/bfg2010/bfg6.jpg |archive-date=January 5, 2016 }}</ref> On the October 7 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair was defeated by Mick Foley in a Last Man Standing match.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44353.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 10/7: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live Spike TV show – Foley vs. Flair, battle royal, Bound for Glory hype|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=October 7, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=October 7, 2010}}</ref>

====Immortal and second retirement (2010–2012)====
{{see also|Immortal (professional wrestling)|l1=Immortal}}
[[File:Ric Flair vs. Douglas Williams.jpg|thumb|Flair against [[Doug Williams (wrestler)|Douglas Williams]] in [[London|London, England]] on the TNA Maximum Impact! Tour, in January 2011.]]

On the following episode of ''Impact!'', Fortune formed an alliance with Hulk Hogan's and Eric Bischoff's new stable, [[Immortal (professional wrestling)|Immortal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44521.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 10/14: Complete "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV's live broadcast|date=October 14, 2010|access-date=October 15, 2010|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the November 18 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair returned to the ring, competing in a match where he faced Matt Morgan, who had been kicked out of Fortune the previous month; Morgan won the match after Douglas Williams turned on the rest of Fortune, when they interfered in the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_45386.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 11/18: Complete "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|date=November 18, 2010|access-date=November 18, 2010|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On January 25, 2011, it was reported that Flair had pulled out of TNA's ''Maximum Wooo!'' tour of Europe mid–tour after monetary disputes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_47065.shtml|title=TNA News: Ric Flair reportedly pulls out of TNA's European Tour, sources say dispute is over money|date=January 25, 2011|access-date=January 26, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> After missing a show in [[Berlin]], Germany, Flair returned to the tour on January 27 in [[Glasgow]], Scotland, reportedly apologizing to the locker room prior to the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/19198/|title=Flair not at TNA show today in Germany|date=January 26, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2011|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_47142.shtml|title=1/27 TNA results in Glasgow, Scotland: Anderson & RVD vs. Hardys, Jarrett vs. local star, Flair manages, does not wrestle|date=January 28, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2011|last=Orton|first=Rudi|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1296164528|title=Update: Ric Flair returns to TNA's European tour|date=January 27, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2011|last=Martin|first=Adam|work=WrestleView}}</ref> On January 29, Flair wrestled his only match of the tour, defeating [[Doug Williams (wrestler)|Douglas Williams]] in London, [[Rotator cuff tear|tearing his rotator cuff]] in the process making it his last singles win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_47213.shtml|title=1/29 TNA results in London, U.K.: Second detailed report on final tour show – Flair vs. Williams, Anderson vs. Hardy, Beer Money's popularity|date=January 29, 2011|access-date=February 1, 2011|last=Z.|first=Mohammad|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1296536810|title=Ric Flair suffers injury on the TNA European tour|date=February 1, 2011|access-date=February 1, 2011|last=Gerweck|first=Steve|work=WrestleView}}</ref> During Flair's time away from TNA, Fortune turned on Immortal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_47424.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 2/3: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV – "they" reveal, TNA World Title match|date=February 3, 2011|access-date=February 15, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Flair returned at the February 14 tapings of the February 17 episode of ''Impact!'', turning on Fortune during a match between A.J. Styles and [[Matt Hardy]] and jumping to Immortal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1297755371 |title=Spoilers: TNA Impact tapings for February 17 |date=February 15, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |last=Martin |first=Adam |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219115348/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1297755371 |archive-date=February 19, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_47818.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 2/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV – Against All Odds fall-out, Flair's TV return, TNA World Title match|date=February 17, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the March 10 episode of ''Impact!'', Flair defeated Styles and Hardy in a three–way street fight, contested as more of a two–on–one handicap match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/03/11/17576141.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717012325/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/03/11/17576141.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=Impact: Sting teams with RVD to face Hardy, Anderson|date=March 11, 2011|access-date=March 11, 2011|last=Bishop|first=Matt|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> On April 17 at [[Lockdown (2011)|Lockdown]], Immortal, represented by Flair, Abyss, [[Mark LoMonaco|Bully Ray]] and Matt Hardy, was defeated by Fortune members James Storm, Kazarian and Robert Roode and [[Christopher Daniels]], who replaced an injured A.J. Styles, in a Lethal Lockdown match, when Flair tapped out to Roode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_49368.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown PPV results 4/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live all-cage match PPV – Sting vs. Anderson vs. RVD, Angle vs. Jarrett|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=April 17, 2011|access-date=April 17, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The match was used to write Flair off television, as the following week he was scheduled to undergo surgery for his torn rotator cuff; however, Flair ultimately chose not to have the surgery as it would have required six months of rehab.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_49514.shtml|title=TNA News: Ric Flair has surgery to repair torn rotator cuff, background on original injury|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=April 22, 2011|access-date=April 23, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1304781251|title=News and notes on Ric Flair including Roddy Piper|first=Steve|last=Gerweck|date=May 7, 2011|access-date=May 12, 2011|work=WrestleView}}</ref>

Flair returned to television in a non–wrestling role on the May 12, 2011, episode of ''Impact Wrestling''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50020.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 5/12: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of big reveals, final PPV hype, battle royal main event|date=May 12, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Flair did not appear again for three months, until making his return on August 9 at the tapings of the August 18 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', confronting old rival Sting and challenging him to one more match. In exchange for Sting agreeing to put his career on the line, Flair promised to deliver him his match with Hogan if he was victorious.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1312947300 |title=Spoilers: Impact Wrestling for August 18 |last=Tedesco |first=Mike |date=August 9, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2011 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825101819/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1312947300 |archive-date=August 25, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/08/18/18573331.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629070454/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/08/18/18573331.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Impact: Flair finally returns to show|date=August 18, 2011|access-date=August 19, 2011|last=Bishop|first=Matt|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The match, which Flair lost, took place on the September 15 episode of ''Impact Wrestling''. The match with Sting would be the last of his career to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_53344.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling report – Flair vs. Sting 9/15: Blog on this week's TV main event|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=September 15, 2011|access-date=September 16, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> During the match, Flair tore his left triceps on a [[superplex]] spot, sidelining him indefinitely from in-ring action.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_53567.shtml|title=TNA News: Ric Flair scheduled for surgery next week after injury worsens, Flair addresses current health|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=September 22, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> At [[Bound for Glory (2011)|Bound for Glory]], Flair appeared in Hogan's corner in his match against Sting. Flair continued to make appearances for TNA until April 2012. In April 2012, Flair tried to have his TNA contract terminated, which led to TNA filing a [[TNA Entertainment, LLC v. Wittenstein and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.|lawsuit against WWE]] for contract tampering and eventually firing Flair on May 11.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_61772.shtml|title=TNA/WWE News: Details on TNA suing WWE & former TNA employee, Flair central figure in allegations, what's next in court|date=May 25, 2012|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=June 4, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1340063865 |title=Court documents confirm Ric Flair firing by TNA |date=June 18, 2012 |last=Martin |first=Adam |access-date=June 19, 2012 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823010606/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1340063865 |archive-date=August 23, 2012}}</ref> Having been inactive since his September 2011 injury, Flair announced in a December 3, 2012, interview that he would never wrestle again, owing chiefly to an on-air heart attack suffered by age peer [[Jerry Lawler]] following a ''Raw'' match three months earlier.<ref name="hunter">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlenewz.com/wwe-news/ric-flairs-exclusive-interview-with-wrestlenewz-part-1/|title=Ric Flair's Exclusive Interview|date=December 3, 2012|website=WrestleNewz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707173858/http://www.wrestlenewz.com/wwe-news/ric-flairs-exclusive-interview-with-wrestlenewz-part-1/|access-date=February 23, 2016|archive-date=July 7, 2018|quote=I want to be in the ring, but it will never happen again.}}</ref>

=== Return to WWE (2012–2021) ===
On March 31, 2012, while still contracted to TNA as a part of a deal with WWE which allowed Christian Cage to appear at [[Slammiversary 10]], Flair became the first person to be inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] twice, the second time as part of the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2012)|class of 2012]] with [[The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|The Four Horsemen]]. On December 17, 2012, Flair returned to WWE as a non-wrestling personality on the annual [[Slammy Award]]s show to present the Superstar of the Year award to [[John Cena]], who in turn gave the award to Flair. Flair's return was interrupted by [[CM Punk]] and [[Paul Heyman]], escalating into a confrontation that ended with him locking Heyman in the figure-four leglock. After clearing the ring, Flair was assaulted by [[The Shield (professional wrestling)|The Shield]] ([[Dean Ambrose]], [[Roman Reigns]], and [[Seth Rollins]]), until [[Ryback]] and [[Team Hell No]] ([[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] and [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]]) helped Flair fend off the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_67322.shtml|title=PWTorch.com - CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 12/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - The strangest show of the year concludes with the debut of a new monster heel; Ric Flair returns|website=Pwtorch.com|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref> Flair appeared on the main roster sporadically throughout 2013, as [[The Miz]]'s mentor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-01-14/wwe-raw-results-26084061/page-9|title=Antonio Cesaro crashed "Miz TV" with Ric. Flair|publisher=WWE.com|last=Benino|first=Antonio|date=January 14, 2013|access-date=January 15, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051613/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-01-14/wwe-raw-results-26084061/page-9|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_69088.shtml|title=PWTorch.com - CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 3/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live "Old-School Raw" - Taker returns, Rock-Cena in-ring confrontation, WM29 hype, more|website=Pwtorch.com|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref> He also occasionally appeared on ''[[WWE NXT (TV series)|NXT]]'' in 2013 and 2014, accompanying his daughter [[Charlotte Flair|Charlotte]] to the ring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_72059.shtml|title=James' WWE NXT Report 7/17|last=James|first=Justin|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=March 4, 2015|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

[[File:Charlotte as Divas Champion WrestleMania 32.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Flair accompanying his daughter, [[Charlotte Flair]] to the ring at [[WrestleMania 32]]]]
Flair appeared on April 28, 2014, episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', alongside the reunited [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]] (minus Flair) and The Shield; Flair showed his endorsement for The Shield, Evolution's opponents at [[Extreme Rules (2014)|Extreme Rules]], effectively turning his back on his old teammates. At [[Battleground (2014)|Battleground]], [[John Cena]] symbolically handed over his [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] belt to Flair, telling him to "take it" while promoting his match.<ref>{{cite web|title=RAW NEWS: World Title Retired?, WCW Theme, Ambrose, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_79571.shtml}}</ref> On the post-[[SummerSlam (2015)|SummerSlam]] ''Raw'' in August 2015, Flair interrupted [[Jon Stewart]], who had saved Flair's 16 world title record by preventing Cena's victory the previous night, telling him that the record would be broken eventually and he would rather it be by someone who he respects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2015-08-24/wwe-raw-results-27860040/page-6|title=Shows|website=WWE|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref>

Flair began making more frequent appearances with Charlotte after she won the [[WWE Divas Championship|Divas Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=96727&p=2|title=LIVE ONGOING WWE RAW REPORT: THERE IS A FOURTH HOUSE IN THE DIVAS REVOLUTION AND IT IS FULL OF JEALOUSY|author=Trionfo, Richard|website=PWInsider|date=September 21, 2015|access-date=September 21, 2015}}</ref> In January 2016, Flair and Charlotte began displaying [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villainous]] traits, with Flair often getting involved in Charlotte's Divas Championship<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Mike|title=WWE SMACKDOWN SPOILERS FOR TONIGHT|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/98854/wwe-smackdown-spoilers-for-tonight.html?p=1|website=PWInsider|access-date=January 7, 2015|date=January 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/01/24/caldwell2016rumblereport/|title=1/24 Royal Rumble PPV Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report|author=Caldwell, James|website=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 24, 2016|access-date=January 25, 2016}}</ref> and later [[WWE Raw Women's Championship|WWE Women's Championship]] defenses, thus turning heel for the first time since 2005 in WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=101412&p=2|title=COMPLETE RAW REPORT MARCH 18, 2016 & THOUGHTS|last=Richard|first=Trionfo|date=April 3, 2016|access-date=April 3, 2016|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/05/22/extremerulesliveresults/|title=5/22 WWE Extreme Rules PPV Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report|first=Caldwell|last=James|website=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=May 22, 2016|access-date=May 23, 2016}}</ref> This lasted until the May 23 episode of ''Raw'' when Charlotte turned on him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=102195&p=3|title=WWE RAW REPORT:FIVE OF SEVEN SPOTS IN MITB DETERMINED, MAIN EVENT FOR MITB ANNOUNCED, A RETURN, AND MORE|last=Richard|first=Trionfo|date=May 23, 2016|access-date=May 25, 2016|work=PWInsider}}</ref> On the November 28 episode of ''Raw'', Flair returned to congratulate the new Raw Women's Champion [[Sasha Banks]], who had defeated Charlotte to win the title, thus turning face once again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/11/28/kellers-wwe-raw-report-1128-live-coverage-charlotte-defends-sasha-banks-new-day-defends-anderson-gallows/|title=KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 11/28: Live coverage – Charlotte defends against Sasha Banks, New Day defends against Anderson & Gallows|date=November 28, 2016|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=November 28, 2016}}</ref> Flair made a surprise appearance during the November 14, 2017, episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]'' to congratulate his daughter Charlotte Flair, who won the [[WWE SmackDown Women's Championship|SmackDown Women's Championship]]. They shared an emotional moment on the ramp and did his iconic strut.

On the February 25, 2019, episode of ''Raw'', WWE celebrated Flair's 70th birthday and during the closing moments, Flair was attacked by [[Dave Bautista|Batista]]. The actual "attack" was never seen, only Flair being dragged by Batista.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/article/raw-ric-flair-birthday-celebration-february-25|title=Join Monday Night Raw for Ric Flair's 70th birthday celebration on Feb. 25|website=WWE|date=February 4, 2019|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania 35]], Flair assisted [[Triple H]] in defeating Batista, to keep his in-ring career going.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lambert |first1=Jeremy |title=Triple H Preserves Career; Defeats Batista With Help From Ric Flair At WrestleMania 35 |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/triple-h-preserves-career-defeats-batista-help-ric-flair-wrestlemania-35 |website=Fightful |date=April 8, 2019 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> Flair appeared on the July 22 ''[[List of WWE Raw special episodes|Raw Reunion]]'' episode and raised a toast alongside Triple H, [[Hulk Hogan]], [["Stone Cold" Steve Austin]], and various other fellow wrestlers of his era.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zucker |first1=Joseph |title=Video: Stone Cold Crushes Beer; Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair Appear on WWE Raw Reunion |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2846671-video-stone-cold-crushes-beer-hulk-hogan-ric-flair-appear-on-wwe-raw-reunion |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> In June 2020, Flair came back to WWE programming as a heel again, managing [[Randy Orton]] for a few weeks until the August 10 episode of ''Raw'' when Orton performed a punt kick on Flair's head.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Satin |first1=Ryan |title=Randy Orton Ends Association with Ric Flair Via Punt Kick (in the Dark) |url=https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/randy-orton-ric-flair-punt-kick-raw-video/#.XzjXl8AzaUk |access-date=August 16, 2020 |work=Pro Wrestling Sheet {{!}} Insider Wrestling News and Reports |date=August 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Aryan |title=WWE Universe Goes Wild After the Insane Randy Orton-Ric Flair Segment |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-raw-wwe-universe-goes-wild-after-the-insane-randy-orton-ric-flair-segment/ |access-date=August 16, 2020 |work=EssentiallySports |date=August 11, 2020}}</ref> On November 22, 2020, he made an appearance at [[Survivor Series (2020)|Survivor Series]] during [[The Undertaker]]'s retirement ceremony.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reichlin|first=Michael|date=November 22, 2020|title=The Rock, The McMahons, HBK, Ric Flair & More Pay Tribute to The Undertaker|url=https://www.sescoops.com/the-rock-the-mcmahons-hbk-ric-flair-more-pay-tribute-to-the-undertaker/|access-date=November 23, 2020|newspaper=Se Scoops|language=en-US}}</ref>

On the January 4, 2021, episode of ''Raw'', Flair started a storyline with [[Lacey Evans]], when during a match against [[WWE Women's Tag Team Championship|Women's Tag Team Champions]] Charlotte Flair and [[Asuka (wrestler)|Asuka]], Evans flirted with Flair. During the following weeks, Flair managed Evans, usually distracting his daughter Charlotte, including a participation in the Women's [[Royal Rumble (2021)|Royal Rumble]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-results/wwe-royal-rumble-womens-entrant-order-and-eliminations-331806|title=WWE Royal Rumble: Women's entrant order and eliminations|date=January 31, 2021|website=WON/F4W|access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> On the February 15 episode of ''Raw'', Evans' real-life pregnancy was announced and incorporated into a storyline with Flair impregnating Lacey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lacey Evans Announces She's Pregnant On Raw, Legit Pregnancy Being Worked into Storyline|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/lacey-evans-announces-pregnant-raw-legit-worked-into-storyline/|work=411MANIA|access-date=February 16, 2021|date=February 15, 2021 |first=Jeremy |last=Thomas}}</ref> Evans was scheduled to face [[Asuka (wrestler)|Asuka]] for [[WWE Raw Women's Championship|Raw Women's Championship]] at [[Elimination Chamber (2021)|Elimination Chamber]] but the match was [[Elimination Chamber (2021)#Canceled match|canceled]] due to her pregnancy and the storyline with Flair was canceled.<ref>{{cite news |title=WWE Raw: Los Flair inician el fin de su historia - Asuka pierde un diente |url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/96350-wwe-raw-noticias-ronda-22-de-febrero-de-2021 |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=Solowrestling |date=February 23, 2021 |language=es |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308062901/https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/96350-wwe-raw-noticias-ronda-22-de-febrero-de-2021 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On August 2, 2021, it was reported by Wrestling Inc. that Flair had asked for and was granted his release from WWE.<ref>{{cite web|last=Giri|first=Raj|date=August 2, 2021|title=Exclusive: Ric Flair No Longer With WWE|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/08/exclusive-ric-flair-no-longer-with-wwe/|access-date=August 2, 2021|website=Wrestling Inc.|language=en-US}}</ref> WWE confirmed his release the following day and considered it effective as of August 3.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.wwe.com/article/ric-flair-released|title=Ric Flair released|date=August 3, 2021|access-date=August 3, 2021|website=WWE}}</ref>

=== Late career (2021–present) ===
===="Ric Flair's Last Match" (2021–2023)====
{{see also|Ric Flair's Last Match}}
On August 14, 2021, at [[Triplemanía XXIX]], Flair made his [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] (AAA) debut by accompanying Charlotte's fiancé [[Andrade (wrestler)|Andrade "El Ídolo"]] to ringside during his match against [[AAA Mega Championship|AAA Mega Champion]] [[Kenny Omega]]. Flair would later get involved in the match by chopping Omega and applying the Figure Four leglock to Omega's second [[Konnan]].

On August 29, 2021, Flair made his return to the NWA at [[NWA 73rd Anniversary Show|NWA 73]]. It was his first NWA appearance since 2008 when he was inducted into the [[NWA Hall of Fame]]. At NWA 73, Flair thanked the NWA and WWE for several memorable moments and noted the importance of having several companies in the industry.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rueter|first=Sean|url= https://www.cagesideseats.com/2021/8/30/22648243/ric-flair-nwa-73-appearance-video-thanks-vince-mcmahon-triple-h-wwe-teases-aew-tony-khan|title= Ric Flair thanks Vince McMahon & Triple H, plans to get a drink with Tony Khan|date=August 30, 2021|access-date=August 31, 2021}}</ref>

On May 16, 2022, it was announced that Flair would wrestle his final match on July 31 in Nashville, called ''Ric Flair's Last Match'', finally retiring after nearly five decades in the ring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/33927221/legendary-wwe-wrestler-ric-nature-boy-flair-step-ring-one-final-july-according-sources|title=Legendary WWE wrestler Ric 'The Nature Boy' Flair to step in ring one final time in July, according to sources|work=[[ESPN]]|access-date=May 16, 2022|date=May 16, 2022|author=Raimondi, Marc}}</ref> On July 18, it was announced that Flair would team with his son-in-law Andrade El Ídolo against Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2022/7/18/23269215/ric-flair-last-match-andrade-jay-lethal-jeff-jarrett|title=Ric Flair's last match: He'll team with Andrade against Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett|access-date=July 18, 2022|date=July 18, 2022|author=Mrosko, Geno}}</ref> As part of the promo setting up the match, Lethal attacked Flair over being left out of the match card. Jarrett initially tried to help Flair, but attacked him after he rebuffed him and used expletives against his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2022/7/19/23269932/ric-flair-last-match-set-up-lethal-jarrett-bloody-parking-lot-beatdown-video-wild|title=The set-up for Ric Flair's Last Match is bonkers|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=July 18, 2022|author=Sean Rueter}}</ref> Flair and Andrade would go on to win the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/34326246/ric-flair-73-handles-pressure-authors-classic-performance-winning-final-wrestling-match|title=Ric Flair, 73, handles 'pressure,' authors classic performance in winning his final wrestling match|author=Marc Raimondi|work=ESPN|date=August 1, 2022|access-date=August 5, 2022}}</ref>

Flair later confirmed that he had passed out twice during the Last Match<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10044933-priest-denies-edge-rumor-ric-flair-talks-last-match-danielson-on-perfect-wwe-exit|title=Priest Denies Edge Rumor; Ric Flair Talks Last Match; Danielson on 'Perfect' WWE Exit|author=Tim Daniels|work=Bleacher Report|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 11, 2022}}</ref> and regretted announcing that it would be his final match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/ric-flair-last-match-regret-retirement-andrade-puerto-rico-wwe/|title=Ric Flair Regrets Declaring His Retirement Match His Last Match|author=Connor Casey|work=Comicbook.com|publisher=ViacomCBS|date=August 11, 2022|access-date=August 11, 2022}}</ref> A few days later, he accompanied Andrade during his match against [[Carlito (wrestler)|Carlito]] at the [[WWC Aniversario#2022|49th WWC Anniversary]] show held on August 6, 2022. Flair attempted to interfere before poking [[Primo Colón]] when he tried to stop him, causing [[Carlos Colón]] to attack him and forcing him to flee. Andrade would go on to lose the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/ric-flair-carlos-colon-brawl-puerto-rico-andrade-video-last-match/|title=Ric Flair Brawls With Carlos Colon in Puerto Rico One Week After His Last Match|author=Connor Casey|work=Comicbook.com|publisher=ViacomCBS|date=August 7, 2022|access-date=August 11, 2022}}</ref>

During the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of his debut in professional wrestling on September 26, 2022, Flair announced that he would never retire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/ric-flair-vows-to-never-retire|title=Ric Flair Vows To Never Retire|author=Aidan Gibbons|work=Cultaholic|date=September 27, 2022|access-date=September 30, 2022}}</ref> In January 2023 however he stated that he did not want to wrestle again aside from wanting to redo the Last Match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ric-flair-clarifies-doesnt-want-another-match/|title=Ric Flair Clarifies That He Doesn't Want Another Match|author=Jeremy Thomas|work=411Mania|date=January 19, 2023|access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref> In January 2025, Flair stated that he would never return to the ring.<ref name="Ryder"/>

==== All Elite Wrestling (2023–present) ====
[[File:Ric Flair's AEW debut, October 25, 2023.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Flair making his [[All Elite Wrestling|AEW]] debut, October 25, 2023]]
On the October 25, 2023, episode of ''[[AEW Dynamite]]'', Flair, in his first appearance on TBS since the March 21, 2001, episode of WCW ''Thunder'', appeared as a "gift" from [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW) founder [[Tony Khan]] to Sting for his upcoming retirement.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rueter |first1=Sean |title=Ric Flair's AEW debut was Tony Khan's gift to Sting |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2023/10/25/23932664/ric-flairs-aew-debut-tony-khan-gift-sting-retirement-video-christian-cage-full-gear |website=Cageside Seats |access-date=October 26, 2023 |language=en |date=October 25, 2023}}</ref> Both men previously wrestled in the final episode of WCW ''Monday Nitro'' on March 26, 2001. On November 2, 2023, it was announced Flair signed a multi-year deal with AEW.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/ric-flair-aew-contract-details-officially-revealed/|title=RIC FLAIR AEW CONTRACT DETAILS OFFICIALLY REVEALED|date=November 2, 2023|access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref> On November 18, 2023, he made his AEW PPV debut at [[Full Gear (2023)|Full Gear]], accompanying Sting, [[Darby Allin]] and [[Edge (wrestler)|Adam Copeland]] to the ring, and performing chops and a low blow to [[Christian Cage]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lowson |first=Thomas |date=November 18, 2023 |title=Of course Ric Flair Got Physical at AEW Full Gear 2023 |url=https://www.sescoops.com/news/of-course-ric-flair-got-physical-at-aew-full-gear-2023 |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=SE Scoops |language=en}}</ref> 

On the January 6, 2024 ''[[AEW Collision]]'' Flair accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring, and later performed a promo with Sting later in the night.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palegar |first=Sujay Gaurav |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Ric Flair breaks silence after big return on AEW Collision |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/news-ric-flair-breaks-silence-big-return-aew-collision |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref> On January 10, 2024, Flair once again accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring during their match against [[Powerhouse Hobbs]] and [[Konosuke Takeshita]], in which he once again delivered chops, this time inside an AEW ring for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DSilva |first=Roy |date=January 11, 2024 |title=Ric Flair gets physical with a 32-year-old AEW star on Dynamite |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/news-ric-flair-gets-physical-32-year-old-aew-star-dynamite |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref> On February 21, Flair would once again appear on ''Dynamite'' claiming he was unhappy with his involvement with Sting's retirement, and wanted to play a bigger role; he then entered [[The Young Bucks]] office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ewing |first=Brandon |date=February 22, 2024 |title=Ric Flair In AEW Is Set To Betray Sting Again... Or Is He? |url=https://www.thesportster.com/aew-ric-flair-betray-sting-revolution-young-bucks/ |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref> The following week on February 28, during Sting's final Dynamite appearance, he made his iconic entrance from the rafters, with Flair delivering punches and chops to The Young Bucks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ravens |first=Andrew |date=March 3, 2024 |title=Ric Flair Hypes Sting's Retirement Match At AEW Revolution |url=https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/aew/ric-flair-hypes-stings-retirement-match-at-aew-revolution |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=eWrestlingNews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Jr |first=Fernando Quiles |date=February 28, 2024 |title=AEW Dynamite Results: Sting Gets Help From Ric Flair Before AEW Revolution 2024 |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/aew-dynamite-live-stream-results-hangman |access-date=March 3, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}</ref> On March 3, 2024, Flair accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring at the [[Revolution (2024)|Revolution]] pay-per-view, in the [[Greensboro Coliseum Complex|Greensboro Coliseum]], the same venue in which the pair faced each other for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] at [[Clash of the Champions I]] in March 1988. During the match  Flair received superkicks from The Young Bucks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galenzoski |first=Coby |date=March 4, 2024 |title=AEW Revolution 2024 Review |url=https://wrestlingrepublic.com/aew-revolution-2024-review/ |access-date=March 5, 2024 |website=Wrestling Republic |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 12, 2024, it was reported by [[Dave Meltzer]] in the ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'' that Flair had parted ways with AEW.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nason|first=Josh|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/ric-flair-done-with-aew-as-energy-drink-sponsorship-winds-down|title=Ric Flair done with AEW as energy drink sponsorship winds down|quote=Those who have pointed out no “Wooooo! Energy” graphics on the screen of late, that is a smart observation and unless something changes, it doesn’t look like you’ll be seeing that going forward. There was no explanation given, but unless something changes, it does look like that deal is over with.|date=July 12, 2024|access-date=July 13, 2024|website=F4W Online}}</ref> However, Meltzer later confirmed in November 2025 that Flair remains under AEW employment.<ref name=flairaewemployment>{{cite news|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/ric-flair-not-appearing-aew-blood-and-guts/|title=Exclusive on Ric Flair not appearing during AEW Blood and Guts broadcast|first=Josh|last=Nason|publisher=Figure Four Online|date=November 13, 2025|accessdate=November 13, 2025}}</ref>

On May 14, 2025 at [[Beach Break (2025)|''Collision'': Beach Break]], Flair returned to AEW as part of the tribute segment for [[Steve McMichael]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ric Flair, Dean Malenko, Tony Schiavone, And AEW Pay Tribute To Steve 'Mongo' McMichael {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ric-flair-dean-malenko-tony-schiavone-aew-pay-tribute-steve-mongo-mcmichael |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=www.fightful.com |date=May 18, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

On November 8, 2025, it was revealed that Flair would return to AEW on November 12, 2025 for the [[Blood & Guts (2025)|2025 Blood and Guts]] special.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ric-flair-and-ricky-steamboat-to-be-at-aew-blood-guts/|title=Ric Flair And Ricky Steamboat To Be At AEW Blood & Guts|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|publisher=Fightful|date=November 8, 2025|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> On November 10, Flair even stated on social media that he would be at the event too.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1368212898006810&set=a.802557694572336|title=See You Wednesday In Greensboro For All Elite Wrestling Blood & Guts! WOOOOO!|first=Ric|last=Flair|publisher=Facebook|date=November 10, 2025|accessdate=November 12, 2025}}</ref> Though he would not show up on the televised broadcast, Flair was confirmed to have appeared at the event before its televised broadcast, but left early due to the great deal of pain he was in from a recent [[rotator cuff]] injury.<ref name=flairbloodandguts2025>{{cite news|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/11/17/ric-flair-says-he-left-aew-blood-guts-early-due-to-rotator-cuff-injury/|title=Ric Flair says he left AEW Blood & Guts early due to rotator cuff injury|first=Jack|last=Wannan|publisher=POST Wrestling|date=November 17, 2025|accessdate=November 17, 2025}}</ref><ref name=flairaewemployment /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/72-year-wwe-legend-viciously-attacked-on-aew-dynamite-ric-flair-no-shows/|title=72-Year-Old WWE Legend Viciously Attacked On AEW Dynamite; Ric Flair No-Shows|first=Animesh|last=Murai|publisher=ITR Wrestling|date=November 12, 2025|accessdate=November 12, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://gerweck.net/2025/11/13/ric-flair-did-appear-at-aew-blood-and-guts-photos/|title=Ric Flair did appear at AEW Blood and Guts (photos)|first=Steve|last=Gerweck|publisher=gerwick.net|date=November 13, 2025|accessdate=November 17, 2025}}</ref> Flair would confirm this as well.<ref name=flairbloodandguts2025 /> It is believed that Flair's planned appearance during the televised broadcast was going to involve him making an appearance alongside [[Ricky Steamboat]], who during the broadcast was attacked by [[FTR (professional wrestling)|FTR]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/news/why-ric-flair-left-aew-dynamite-appearance/|title=Why Ric Flair Left AEW Dynamite Before Planned Appearance|first=Lyle|last=Kilbane|publisher=TJR Wrestling|date=November 13, 2025|accessdate=November 17, 2025}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Flair was often popular with the crowd due to his in-ring antics, including rulebreaking (earning him the distinction of being "the dirtiest player in the game"), strutting and his shouting of "Woooooooo!" (Flair got the inspiration from [[Jerry Lee Lewis]]' "[[Great Balls of Fire]]").<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.providr.com/ric-flair-woo/2/|title=Ric Flair Reveals The Origin Of His Infamous 'Woo' Catchphrase|date=December 13, 2016|work=Providr.com|access-date=May 29, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715210522/https://www.providr.com/ric-flair-woo/2/|archive-date=July 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The "Wooo!" yell{{efn|"Wooo!" is officially spelled with four o's according to his autobiography, but can extend to any number of o's.<ref name=RicFlairToBeTheMan4>{{cite book|last1=Flair|first1=Ric|editor1-first=Mark|editor1-last=Madden|editor2-first=Keith Elliot|editor2-last=Greenberg|editor1-link=Mark Madden|editor2-link=Keith Elliot Greenberg|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|access-date=July 2, 2017|edition=Hardcover, 352pp|date=June 2004|publisher=[Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group]|isbn=978-0-7434-5691-3|quote=The "Woooo" started out short and clipped. It would later grow louder and longer.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008164605/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ric-Flair-To-Be-The-Man/Ric-Flair/9780743491815/excerpt_with_id/10729|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref>}} has since become a tribute to Flair, and is often shouted by the crowd whenever a wrestler performs a knife-edge chop, one of Flair's signature moves.<ref name="wwe-bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/ricflair/|title=Ric Flair profile|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=March 23, 2016}}</ref> It is also often shouted by the crowd whenever a wrestler utilizes Flair's [[figure-four leglock]] finisher.[[File:Figure Four Leg Lock.jpg|thumb|Flair performing his signature [[figure-four leglock]] on [[Hulk Hogan]] during the [[Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin|Hulkamania tour]]]]One of Professional Wrestling's biggest draws, Hulk Hogan, has said he himself is "number two" behind Ric Flair, who is the greatest wrestler of all time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mendhe |first1=Abhilash |title="I'm #2"- Hulk Hogan calls former WWE Champion 'third greatest wrestler of all time' |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-i-m-2-hulk-hogan-calls-former-wwe-champion-third-greatest-wrestler-time |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=Sportskeeda |date=February 11, 2022}}</ref>

From the late-1970s, Flair wore ornate fur-lined robes of many colors with sequins during in-ring appearances,<ref name="wwe-bio"/> and since the early 1980s, his approach to the ring was usually heralded by the playing of the "Dawn" section of [[Richard Strauss]]' "''[[Also sprach Zarathustra (Strauss)|Also sprach Zarathustra]]''" (famous for being used in the 1968 motion picture ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]'' and for the introduction to [[Elvis Presley]]'s concerts of the 1970s). Flair also described himself as a "[[limousine]]-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', son-of-a-gun (who kissed all the girls worldwide and made em cry)".<ref>{{cite news |title=The 10 best quotes of 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair's career |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/the-best-quotes-nature-boy-ric-flair-career/yEXintoJyar6tp3BVhakWJ/#:~:text=%22I'm%20Ric%20Flair!,you%20gotta%20beat%20the%20man.%22 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

On April 29, 1995, Ric Flair fought [[Antonio Inoki]] in the main event match of [[Collision in Korea]] Day 2. The event registered an attendance of 165,000 people, the largest crowd in professional wrestling history.<ref>{{cite web |title=NJPW International Shows |url=https://prowrestlinghistory.com/index.html |access-date=January 29, 2023 |work=ProWrestlingHistory.com}}</ref><ref name="notinflated1">{{cite web|last1=Meltzer|first1=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|title=April 11, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter|url=http://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/april-11-2016-wrestling-observer-newsletter-look-historic-wrestlemania|website=f4wonline.com|publisher=Wrestling Observer|access-date=April 7, 2016|quote=The all-time pro wrestling attendance record would be for shows on April 28 and April 29, 1995 at May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea. The announced crowds for those shows were 165,000 and 190,000, although the real numbers were about 150,000 and 165,000. The first show was headlined by Scott Norton vs. Shinya Hashimoto and the second by Antonio Inoki vs. Ric Flair. While there were tickets sold, most of the people attending got in free, and were pretty much ordered to attend, so it's not really a fair comparison.}}</ref><ref name="PWT">{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_84712.shtml |title=WCW FLASHBACK - "Collision in Korea" 20 yrs. ago today: Flair & WCW crew head to N. Korea with New Japan Pro Wrestling |last=Keller |first=Wade |author-link=Wade Keller |date=April 28, 2015 |website=PWTorch.com |publisher=[[Pro Wrestling Torch]]}}</ref>

On October 19, 1998, it was declared "Ric Flair Day" in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Mayor [[Sharon Sayles Belton]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1998103m.htm|title=WCW Monday Nitro 10/19/98|first=Bill|last=Wade|access-date=July 18, 2010|publisher=notifylist.com}}</ref> and on November 15, 2008, it was declared "Ric Flair Day" in Norfolk, Virginia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvHNgI225U| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627083223/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvHNgI225U| archive-date=June 27, 2014 | url-status=dead|title=Ric Flair at VCW Pt. 2|access-date=July 18, 2010|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> On March 24, 2008, Mayor Bob Coble, of Columbia, South Carolina, declared March 24 to be Ric Flair Day in Columbia. Flair also received the key to the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=60068|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209093048/http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=60068|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2013|title=Key to City|date=March 24, 2008|last=Santaella|first=Tony|access-date=March 24, 2008|publisher=WLTX}}</ref> He received the key to the city of [[Greensboro, North Carolina]] on December 5, 2008, to commemorate Flair's victory in a steel cage match against [[Harley Race]] at the [[Starrcade (1983)|inaugural Starrcade event]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2008/12/06/flair-given-key-to-the-city-in-greensboro/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820184237/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2008/12/06/flair-given-key-to-the-city-in-greensboro/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2023|title=Flair given key to the city in Greensboro|date=December 6, 2008|last=Coons|first=Christine|access-date=December 7, 2008|publisher=SLAM! Sports}}</ref> April 18, 2009, was declared "Ric Flair Day" in Charleston, West Virginia and he was presented with the key to the city by the mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.loganbanner.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&id=2418608-Flair-+Good+memories+in+W-Va-&article-Flair-%20Good%20memories%20in%20W-Va-%20=&widget=push&instance=secondary_news_left_column&open=&|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927231000/http://www.loganbanner.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&id=2418608-Flair-+Good+memories+in+W-Va-&article-Flair-%20Good%20memories%20in%20W-Va-%20=&widget=push&instance=secondary_news_left_column&open=&|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2011|title=Logan Banner – Flair: Good memories in W.Va.|last=Browning|first=Michael|access-date=October 7, 2009|publisher=Logan Banner}}</ref> Also, on June 12, 2009, Flair was presented with the key to the city of [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/photofiles/pow061209.html|title=City of Myrtle Beach – File Photos of the Week|year=2009|publisher=Myrtle Beach Local Government Page|access-date=September 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725223630/http://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/photofiles/pow061209.html|archive-date=July 25, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> and, in September, he received the key to the city in Marion County, South Carolina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/local/article/flair_makes_moving_speech_at_gala/76646/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120312170250/http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/local/article/flair_makes_moving_speech_at_gala/76646/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 12, 2012|title=Flair Makes Moving Speech at Gala|last=McFadden|first=Naeem|access-date=October 8, 2009|publisher=SCNow}}</ref> On July 17, 2010, Flair made a special appearance at Scotland Motors in Laurinburg, North Carolina and received the key to that city, as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/view/full_story/8773682/article-Ric-Flair-takes-part-in-dealership-grand-opening?instance=home_news_lead|title=The Laurinburg Exchange – Ric Flair Takes Part in Dealership Grand Opening|last=Lentz|first=John|access-date=July 18, 2010|publisher=The Laurinburg Exchange|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713191544/http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/view/full_story/8773682/article-Ric-Flair-takes-part-in-dealership-grand-opening?instance=home_news_lead|archive-date=July 13, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Ric Flair - Wooooo.jpg|thumb|left|Flair yelling "Wooooo!"]]

On the February 18, 2008, episode of ''Raw'', [[Shawn Michaels]] announced Flair as the first inductee into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] [[WWE Hall of Fame (2008)|class of 2008]]. The induction ceremony took place on March 29, 2008, with Triple H inducting him. This made him the first person to be inducted while still an active competitor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02182008/|title=Hall Monitor|date=February 18, 2008|last=Adkins|first=Greg|access-date=March 16, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Flair was later inducted into the [[NWA Hall of Fame]] in Atlanta, Georgia, but he did not participate in the event. On January 9, 2012, it was announced that the Four Horsemen would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, thus making Flair the first person to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/wwe-hall-of-fame/ric-flair-to-be-at-hall-of-fame|title=Flair will be in Miami|date=March 27, 2012|publisher=WWE|access-date=March 18, 2012}}</ref>

On April 15, 2008, Flair was honored in Congress by a representative from North Carolina, Republican [[Sue Myrick]], who praised his career and what he means to the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/industrynews/6885730|title=Ric Flair Honored in Congress|author=Gaston Gazette|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 16, 2008|access-date=October 10, 2009}}</ref> On September 29, 2008, it was announced that Flair's signature sequin covered robe that he wore at WrestleMania XXIV, in what was to be his last WWE match, would be placed in the pop culture section of the [[National Museum of American History]] in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/sep/28/a_new_kind_female_company_flair56149/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907115707/http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/sep/28/a_new_kind_female_company_flair56149/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2012|title=A new kind of female company for Flair|last=Mooneyham|first=Mike|publisher=The Post and Courier|date=September 28, 2008|access-date=September 13, 2009}}</ref>

In 1999, a large group of professional wrestling experts, analysts and historians named Flair the greatest NWA World Heavyweight Champion of all time.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingNWA51/nwa_greatest.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000310172915/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingNWA51/nwa_greatest.html | archive-date=March 10, 2000 | title=Experts pick Flair as greatest NWA champ }}</ref> In 2002, Flair was named the greatest professional wrestler of all time in the book ''The Top 100 Wrestlers of All Time'' by John Molinaro, edited by [[Dave Meltzer]] and [[Jeff Marek]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Molinaro|first=John|year=2003|title=The Top 100 Wrestlers of All Time|publisher=Winding Stair Press |isbn=1-55366-305-5}}</ref> in July 2016, Luke Winkie of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' also named Flair the greatest professional wrestler of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/07/26/wwe-wcw-ecw-100-best-wrestlers-all-time|title=Ranking the top 101 wrestlers of all time |last=Winkie|first=Luke|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref>

Flair's "Wooo" chant has been used throughout pop culture. Rapper [[Pusha T]] paid homage to Flair in numerous songs. For example, on the track "Sweet Serenade", he says, "Triple doubles, two hoes and check please (Wooo!), They love me on my Ric Flair shit (Wooo!), In that Phantom like I'm Blair Witch (Wooo!), Who are you to be compared with? (Wooo!)".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Pusha-t-sweet-serenade-lyrics|title=Pusha T (Ft. Chris Brown) – Sweet Serenade|access-date=December 20, 2019|via=genius.com}}</ref> Atlanta-based rapper [[Killer Mike]] also has a track named "Ric Flair".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/killer-mike-takes-over-los-angeles-with-ric-flair-20150421|title=Watch Killer Mike Take Over Los Angeles in 'Ric Flair' Video|publisher=RollingStone|access-date=August 14, 2017|date=April 21, 2015|author=Blistein, Jon}}</ref> American [[Trap music|trap]] musicians [[Offset (rapper)|Offset]] and [[Metro Boomin]] paid tribute to Flair in their hit song "[[Ric Flair Drip]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Offset-and-metro-boomin-ric-flair-drip-lyrics|title=Ric Flair Drip|access-date=November 20, 2017}}</ref> The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, hosted by battlefield guides and wrestling fans Jim Hessler and Eric Lindblade, often cites Flair's "Wooo" chant as well as other elements of Flair's mystique.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=68824431|title=Robert E. Lee vs George Pickett (S2 E7) from The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast|website=Stitcher.com|language=en|access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Sting flair big gold.jpg|thumb|[[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] and Ric Flair pose with a replica of the [[Big Gold Belt]]]]

=== Reaction to later career ===
Some have looked unfavorably upon Flair's career from the late-1990s onward. In 1998, wrestler and former WCW colleague [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] said that Flair had reached the "time to hang it up", having not been great for a "long time".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/may6_otr.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131053236/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/may6_otr.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2016|title=The Bottom Line: The TSN, Off The Record - Stone Cold Interview|date=May 6, 1998|website=Slam! Sports|access-date=January 23, 2016}}</ref> John Molinaro of [[Canoe.ca|Slam! Sports]] penned a 1999 article titled, "Ric Flair is tarnishing his legacy"; Molinaro saw Flair as a wrestler whose prestige was "in jeopardy".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/07/05/mat-matters-ric-flair-is-tarnishing-his-legacy/|title=Wrestling Editorial: Ric Flair is tarnishing his legacy|last=Molinaro|first=John|date=July 5, 1999|website=Slam! Sports|access-date=January 23, 2016}}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' writer Frank Ingiosi said that Flair had a "personal vendetta against his legend".<ref>{{cite web|title=PWI update archives: July 2006 - Respect Thine Elders|last=Ingiosi|first=Frank|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/pwiuarchivejuly06.html|website=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|access-date=July 24, 2014|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083355/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/pwiuarchivejuly06.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He nevertheless continued to wrestle until originally retiring in 2008, at age 59.

Despite the unfavorable reviews for continuing to wrestle, many of his later career matches were praised. The match between Flair and [[Shawn Michaels]] at [[WrestleMania 24]] in 2008 was named as the "match of the decade" by popular professional wrestling magazine ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rfgolds.com/matchofthedecade.htm?__cf_chl_tk=X1XcTs9JYZ1VUqoPSWfK3mCHR27TqEHpC3GG8qdaH0M-1647678350-0-gaNycGzNCKU | title=A Tribute to the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair | access-date=August 31, 2023 | archive-date=March 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326033101/https://www.rfgolds.com/matchofthedecade.htm?__cf_chl_tk=X1XcTs9JYZ1VUqoPSWfK3mCHR27TqEHpC3GG8qdaH0M-1647678350-0-gaNycGzNCKU | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Flair would ultimately return to the ring in 2009 and signed to wrestle for TNA the following year, breaking a vow to never again lace up his boots.<ref name="fsm">{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/art/news/107/ric-flair-claims-he-will-never-wrestle-again|title=Ric Flair Claims He Will Never Wrestle Again|date=December 17, 2012|website=[[Fighting Spirit Magazine]]|access-date=January 23, 2016|quote=Wrestling several matches on television and Pay-Per-View, Flair broke his promise... there was a feeling that Flair had tarnished his legacy.}}</ref> Wrestler [[Axl Rotten]],<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Axl Rotten|series=Busted Open|station=[[Sirius XM Holdings|Sirius XM]]|date=August 22, 2011|quote=How terrible is it that Ric Flair, one of the greatest wrestlers of all time had to come and tarnish his name and his reputation the way he has in TNA? When he left the WWE with that sendoff, which was a king's sendoff, which is what he deserved, to come back and do what he has done... has turned my stomach.}}</ref> [[National Football League|NFL]] writer Adam Rank,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/gridiron-breakdown-steve-smith-vs-ric-flair-0ap2000000310461|title=Gridiron Breakdown: Steve Smith vs. Ric Flair|last=Rank|first=Adam|date=January 5, 2014|publisher=[[National Football League|NFL]]|access-date=February 14, 2016}}</ref> and many fans<ref name="fsm"/> felt that he sullied his legend by continuing to wrestle in TNA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/151124/steamboat-vs-savage-aew-in-msg-europe-pricetag-for-final-countdown-njpw-strong-and-more.html?p=1|title=STEAMBOAT VS. SAVAGE, AEW IN MSG, EUROPE PRICETAG FOR 'FINAL COUNTDOWN', NJPW STRONG AND MORE|website=Pwinsider.com}}</ref> Asked in 2011 if Flair was tainting his prestige, former opponent [[Shane Douglas]] was harsher, stating that he had "been tarnishing his legacy since 1990".<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/M9paNKjdKNE Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20110929192026/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9paNKjdKNE&gl=US&hl=en&amp;has_verified=1 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9paNKjdKNE&t=15m40s|title=Interview with Shane Douglas|date=March 22, 2011|website=WNSvideo|access-date=January 23, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Also that year, Kevin Eck of ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' criticized the aging Flair for being unable to separate himself from his ostentatious [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] when not wrestling, and said: "I don't know what's sadder, Ric Flair tarnishing his legacy in the ring or embarrassing himself away from the ring".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2011/01/latest_incident_another_embarrassment_for_ric_flair.html|title=Latest incident another embarrassment for Ric Flair|last=Eck|first=Kevin|date=January 26, 2011|website=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|access-date=January 23, 2016}}</ref> Asked about Flair in 2015, wrestler [[The Honky Tonk Man]] felt that viewers would "remember only the last years of his career", which consist of "bad memories".<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/96cBVYb8Yac Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20170414161519/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96cBVYb8Yac&t=1m56s Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96cBVYb8Yac&t=1m56s|title=Honky Tonk Man on Ric Flair|date=February 3, 2015|publisher=The Hannibal TV|access-date=March 30, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Conversely, professional wrestling announcer [[Jim Ross]] in 2012 felt that Flair had not tarnished his legacy, observing only "passion and need to earn a living".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/jrs-qa/wrestling/do-you-think-ric-flair-has-somewhat-tarnished-his-legacy-wrestling-after-his-retire|title=Q&A|last=Ross|first=Jim|author-link=Jim Ross|date=April 23, 2012|website=JR's BarBQ|access-date=February 14, 2016|archive-date=March 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302220059/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/jrs-qa/wrestling/do-you-think-ric-flair-has-somewhat-tarnished-his-legacy-wrestling-after-his-retire|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, Flair said continuing to wrestle in TNA was the "number one" regret of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/prowrestling/ric-flair-regrets-working-for-tna/|title=Ric Flair Says He Totally Regrets Wrestling For TNA, Surprising Literally No One|last=Matheson|first=Danielle|date=August 3, 2016|publisher=[[Uproxx]]|access-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref>

== Other media ==
[[File:Ric Flair Comic Con.jpg|right|thumb|Flair at a Comic Con event in 2016]]
Flair has made numerous appearances in television shows. In 1996, Flair, along with other WCW wrestlers, appeared in an episode of ''[[Baywatch]]'' as themselves. In 2013, Flair made an appearance in ''[[Stuff You Should Know#TV show|Stuff You Should Know]]'', in the episode, "Bacteriopolis", as Dr. Roland Grayson. In 2014, Flair voiced himself in the animated series, ''[[Uncle Grandpa]]'', in the episode, "History of Wrestling".<ref>{{cite web |title=Real Life Uncle Grandpa Ric Flair Guest Starred on Cartoon Network's Uncle Grandpa |url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/real-life-uncle-grandpa-ric-flair-guest-starred-on-cartoon-networks-uncle-grandpa/ |website=Uproxx |date=September 12, 2014 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> In 2011, Flair voiced himself in the animated series, ''[[The Cleveland Show]]'', in the episode, "[[BFFs (The Cleveland Show)|BFFs]]".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ric Flair to Appear on The Cleveland Show |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ric-flair-to-appear-on-the-cleveland-show/ |website=411Mania |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

Flair released his autobiography, ''[[To Be the Man]]'', on June 29, 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/07/21/showbuzz/index.html#2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050417211903/http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/07/21/showbuzz/index.html#2 |archive-date=April 17, 2005 |title=Ric Flair, author |work=[[CNN]] |date=July 21, 2004 |access-date=March 16, 2008 }}</ref> The title is taken from one of his [[catchphrase]]s, "To be the man, you gotta beat the man!".<ref name=ajc>[https://www.ajc.com/sports/the-best-quotes-nature-boy-ric-flair-career/yEXintoJyar6tp3BVhakWJ/ The 10 best quotes of ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair’s career] AJC.com (August 14, 2017). Retrieved on August 14, 2017.</ref>

In 2009, Flair voiced Commander Douglas Hill in the video game ''[[Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vassallo |first1=Colin |title=Ric Flair In New Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 Game |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/116239-ric-flair-in-new-command-conquer-red-alert-3-game |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

It was announced on July 8, 2012, that Flair was to appear at [[Insane Clown Posse]]'s 13th Annual [[Gathering of the Juggalos]] weekend as a main stage host who was in charge of announcing the performers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/69991/ric-flair-returning-to-wrestling.html?p=1|title=Ric Flair Returning To Wrestling|date=July 8, 2012|last=Johnson|first=Mike|access-date=July 9, 2012|work=PWInsider}}</ref> However, his appearance at the event was cut short after his head was barely struck by a water bottle thrown from the crowd before announcing [[Tech N9ne]] to enter the main stage. Flair at that point left immediately after announcing Tech N9ne and did not go back out on the main stage to announce the remaining performers. Flair's final comment before he left the main stage was "Have fun".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/71104/Ric-flair-Incident-At-Gathering-Of-The-Juggalos.html?p=1|title=Ric Flair Incident at Gathering of the Juggalos|date=August 14, 2012|last=Johnson|first=Mike|access-date=August 14, 2012|website=Pwinsider.com}}</ref>

In 2015, Flair made his feature film debut, appearing in ''[[Magic Mike XXL]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/523633-ric-flair-films-movie-sequel-scene|title=Why Orton Has Been Pulled from WWE Overseas Tour, Ric Flair Films Scene for Big Movie Sequel, WWE Horror Posters|website=Wrestlezone.com|first=Nick|last=Paglino|date=October 31, 2014|access-date=July 4, 2015}}</ref> From May 2015-April 2016, Flair was host of a podcast titled "WOOOOO! Nation". The podcast was placed on hiatus after episode 46 which was uploaded on April 1, 2016. Flair returned to podcasting on [[Major League Wrestling|MLW Radio]] with a new show called ''The Ric Flair Show'' in July 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlwradio.com/ric-flair-show-comes-to-mlw-radio-network.html|title=MLW Radio Network|website=Mlwradio.com|access-date=February 6, 2022|archive-date=October 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014074320/http://www.mlwradio.com/ric-flair-show-comes-to-mlw-radio-network.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The final episode of ''The Ric Flair Show'' was uploaded on December 16, 2016. Flair stated that the reason that he had quit the podcasting business was because he could no longer be objective when it comes to his opinion of what is happening in the WWE.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=Jeremy |title=WWE News: Reason why Ric Flair is no longer hosting a podcast |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-reason-why-ric-flair-is-no-longer-hosting-a-podcast |website=Sportskeeda |date=April 10, 2017 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

In 2017, [[ESPN]] aired ''Nature Boy'', a ''[[30 for 30]]'' [[Documentary film|documentary]] about Flair's career directed by Rory Karpf.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rorykarpf.com/rorydirector/index.html|title=Rory Karpf, Filmmaker|first=Rory|last=Karpf}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2016/05/22/espn-30-for-30-ric-flair-ja-adande-the-undefeated-media-circus|title=Media Circus: ESPN set to air 30 for 30 on Flair|last=Deitsch|first=Richard|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=May 22, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref>

On October 31, 2017, [[Trap music|trap]] artists [[Offset (rapper)|Offset]] and [[Metro Boomin]] released a single titled "[[Ric Flair Drip]]" from their collaborative album with [[21 Savage]], ''[[Without Warning (album)|Without Warning]]'', in which Flair made an appearance in the music video.<ref>{{cite web|title=VIDEO: Offset & Metro Boomin – 'Ric Flair Drip'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2018/03/01/video-offset-metro-boomin-ric-flair-drip/|website=Rap-Up|access-date=March 1, 2018}}</ref> In December 2017, [[Latin trap]] artist [[Bad Bunny]] released a music video entitled "Chambea", in which Flair appeared.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/bad-bunny-ric-flair-wwe-raw-25-8096056/|title=Bad Bunny & WWE's Ric Flair Reunite at 'Raw 25': See Photos|author=Suzette Fernandez|magazine=Billboard|date=January 24, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref>

Flair signed an endorsement deal with online [[ticket exchange]] marketplace [[TickPick]] in August 2018. Under the agreement he would make guest posts on TickPick's blog, in addition to appearing in advertisements for the brand posted on its and his own social media channels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ric-flair-gets-new-endorsement-deal-tickpick/|title=Ric Flair Gets New Endorsement Deal With TickPick|author=Larry Csonka|work=411mania|date=August 2, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref>

Flair started appearing in an advertising campaign for CarShield in April 2021 (One of the commercials featured him alongside [[LA Knight]], who played the role of "The Overcharger").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ric-flair-featured-in-series-of-car-shield-commercials/|title=Ric Flair Featured in Series of Car Shield Commercials|author=Jeffrey Harris|work=411mania|date=April 10, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> The company paused it in September 2021 following allegations of sexual assault made by Heidi Doyle against Flair on an episode of ''[[Dark Side of the Ring]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ad-campaign-starring-ric-flair-paused-over-dark-side-of-the-ring-allegations/|title=Ad Campaign Starring Ric Flair Paused Over Dark Side of the Ring Allegations|author=Jeremy Thomas|work=411mania|date=September 17, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> It however resumed airing the commercials in December 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2021/12/29/fans-shocked-after-carshield-starts-airing-ric-flair-commercial-again/|title=Fans shocked after CarShield starts airing Ric Flair commercial again|author=Subhojeet Mukherjee|work=Ringside News|date=December 29, 2021|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref>

In November 2021, Flair brought back his podcast "WOOOOO! Nation". It was named "Wooooo Nation Uncensored" and was co-hosted by [[Mark Madden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/11/ric-flair-launching-uncensored-podcast-on-new-network-mark-madden-on-upsetting-marks/|title=Ric Flair Launching "Uncensored" podcast On New Network, Mark Madden On Upsetting Marks|author=Marc Middleton|work=Wrestling Inc.|date=November 11, 2021|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> Madden quit in March 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/03/ric-flair-podcast-host-mark-madden-quits-twitter-beef/|title=Ric Flair Podcast Host Quits Amid Raging Twitter Beef|author=Sai Mohan|work=Wrestling Inc.|date=March 28, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> He was replaced by Flair's son-in-law [[Conrad Thompson]] and the podcast was revamped into "To Be the Man" in April 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/04/conrad-thompson-reveals-vision-for-revamped-ric-flair-podcast/|title=Conrad Thompson Reveals Vision For Revamped Ric Flair Podcast|author=Eric Mutter|work=Wrestling Inc.|date=April 3, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref>

Flair signed an endorsement deal with Nu Image Medical, an online [[telehealth]] and medical company, in June 2022 to promote its [[men's health]] products.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/126378/Ric-Flair-Former-WWE-Wrestling-Champion-Partners-with-Nu-Image-Medical|title=Ric Flair, Former WWE Wrestling Champion, Partners with Nu Image Medical|author=Samantha Rossing|work=Newsfile Corp.|date=June 6, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> WWE and the streaming service [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] partnered to release a documentary on Flair titled ''Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair'' on December 26.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/it-list-ric-flair-documentary-hillsong-church-ring-in-2023-with-miley-cyrus-190209892.html|title=The It List: Pro wrestling icon Ric Flair reveals all in new doc, TLC explores most recent developments surrounding Hillsong Church, ring in 2023 with Miley Cyrus and all the best in pop culture the week of Dec. 26, 2022|work=Yahoo!|date=December 27, 2022|access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref>

In 2023 wrestling historian Tim Hornbeck released a book entitled "The Last Real World Champion:The Legacy of the Nature Boy Ric Flair."

==Business ventures==
Flair sells his official merchandise through his own website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/movies/wrestling-legend-ric-flair-will-call-phone-give-100-right-now/|title=Wrestling Legend Ric Flair Will Call You on the Phone if You Give Him $100 Right Now|author=Jude Terror|work=Bleeding Cool|date=December 6, 2017|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref>

He partnered with Scout Comics in 2021 to launch a comic book series named ''Code Name: Ric Flair''. Following allegations of sexual assault against him made on ''[[Dark Side of the Ring]]'', Scout Comics dropped the comic and Flair started personally selling it on his website. However, later in December 2022, the company agreed to publish it through its label. It was written by Scout Comics President James Haick III and was released in April 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/the-ric-flair-comic-that-was-from-scout-comics-but-now-may-not-be/|title=The Ric Flair Comic That Was From Scout Comics But Now May Not Be|author=Rich Johnston|work=Bleeding Cool|date=June 12, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicon.com/2022/12/15/scout-comics-announces-codename-ric-flair-for-spring-2023/|title=Scout Comics Announces 'Codename Ric Flair' For Spring 2023|author=Brendan M. Allen|work=Comicon.com|date=December 15, 2022|access-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://acmecomics.com/this-weeks-comics-merchandise-for-april-5th-2023/ | title=Greensboro's Original Since 1983: This Week's Comics & Merchandise for April 5th 2023! | date=April 4, 2023 }}</ref>

In July 2022, Flair launched a [[virtual restaurant]] chain named "Wooooo! Wings" in [[Nashville, Tennessee]] in partnership with Kitchen Data Systems ahead of ''Ric Flair's Last Match''. The name of the chain is based after Flair's signature exclamation. The food items of the outlet are prepared by KitchPartner restaurants, owned by Kitchen Data Systems. The chain expanded to six American cities in August 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/life/2022/08/ric-flair-opening-wooooo-wings-virtual-restaurants-in-alabama.html|title=Ric Flair opening Wooooo! Wings 'virtual' restaurants in Alabama|work=AL.com|date=August 2, 2022|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sheltonherald.com/news/article/Ric-Flair-s-Wooooo-Wings-now-available-in-SA-17348028.php|title=Ric Flair's 'Wooooo! Wings' now available in SA. Here's what's on the menu|work=Shelton Herald|author=R. Dallon Adams|date=August 3, 2022|access-date=October 5, 2022|archive-date=October 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006020607/https://www.sheltonherald.com/news/article/Ric-Flair-s-Wooooo-Wings-now-available-in-SA-17348028.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its launch and expansion was handled by [[Conrad Thompson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://huntsvillebusinessjournal.com/food-dining/2022/08/09/wrestling-legend-flair-brings-virtual-wings-restaurant-to-rocket-city/|title=Wrestling legend Flair brings virtual wings restaurant to Rocket City|work=Huntsville Business Journal|date=August 9, 2022|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref>

Flair also partnered with [[Mike Tyson]] and Verano Holdings Corp. to launch his own [[cannabis]] line called the "Ric Flair Drip" under Tyson's cannabis brand "Tyson 2.0". The line launched in October 2022 in [[Arizona]], [[Nevada]] and [[California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tucson.com/marijuana/wooo-ric-flair-talks-wrestling-business-and-cannabis-on-latest-podcast/article_6593a223-a200-5400-b436-9efd0b476623.html|title=Wooo! Ric Flair talks wrestling, business and cannabis on latest podcast|author=Edward Celaya|work=Arizona Daily Star|date=October 13, 2022|access-date=October 16, 2022}}</ref>

In July 2023, Flair partnered with Carma HoldCo and LGNDS to release a mushroom-infused energy drink called ''Wooooo! Energy''.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Bill |last=Pritchard |title=Ric Flair Has A New Mushroom Infused Drink Called 'Wooooo' Energy |website=wrestlezone.com |url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1387377-ric-flair-has-a-new-mushroom-infused-energy-drink-called-wooooo-energy |date=July 18, 2023 |access-date=September 13, 2024}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

=== Family ===

Flair married his first wife, Leslie Goodman, on August 28, 1971. Goodman was [[Jewish]], with her grandparents even wanting Flair to convert to [[Judaism]], which he ultimately opted not to do after attending [[Hebrew language]] classes.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|first=Ric|last=Flair|publisher=Pocket Books|page=22|date=July 2004|isbn=0-7434-5691-2}}</ref> They had two children, daughter Megan and son [[David Flair|David]]. Flair and Leslie separated in 1979,<ref>{{cite book|title=Ric Flair: To Be The Man|first=Ric|last=Flair|publisher=Pocket Books|page=78|date=July 2004|isbn=0-7434-5691-2}}</ref> before officially divorcing in 1983 after twelve years of marriage. On August 27, 1983, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Harrell. Promoter [[Jim Crockett Jr.]] served as the best man for the wedding. They had two children, daughter [[Charlotte Flair|Ashley]] and son [[Reid Flair|Reid]]. Beth and their children also made periodic appearances in WCW between 1998 and 2000. Flair and Beth divorced in 2006 after nearly 23 years of marriage.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bucher |first=Chris |date=August 16, 2017 |title=Elizabeth Harrell Flair, Ric's Ex-Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/sports/2017/08/elizabeth-harrell-flair-ric-ex-wife-abuse-affair-children-family-divorce-photos-pictures/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Heavy.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Voight |first=john |date=November 20, 2021 |title=Elizabeth Flair: Facts About Ric Flair's Second Wife |url=https://celeb-gossip.com/elizabeth-flair-ric-flair-wife-married/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Celebrity Gossip |language=en-US}}</ref> On May 27, 2006, Flair married his third wife Tiffany VanDemark, a fitness competitor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rfgolds.com/ricflairweddingpics.htm|title=Ric Flair Wedding Pics|work=A tribute to "Nature Boy" Ric Flair|access-date=September 15, 2007}}</ref> In 2008, Tiffany filed for divorce from Flair, which was finalized in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwmania.com/newsarticle.php?page=220130964 |title=Ric Flair Breaks Up With Third Wife Tiffany |publisher=PWMania.com |access-date=January 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225141952/http://www.pwmania.com/newsarticle.php?page=220130964 |archive-date=February 25, 2012 }}</ref> On November 11, 2009, Flair married his fourth wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Beems, in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} In 2012, Flair filed for divorce from Beems, which was finalized in 2014.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} Flair, in a non-legally binding wedding ceremony,<ref name=revelations /> married Wendy Barlow (known as Fifi, his "maid" in WCW), on September 12, 2018, at a resort in Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/daily-updates/daily-update-balor-teases-draft-g-1-climax-begins-wwe-signees-216606|title=Daily Update: Balor teases draft, G-1 Climax begins, WWE signees|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|access-date=July 19, 2016|date=July 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Satin|first=Ryan|author-link=Ryan Satin|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/ric-flair-married/|title=Ric Flairs Ties The Knot For Fifth Time|date=September 12, 2018|access-date=September 12, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Sheet}}</ref> Despite having a wedding ceremony, Flair and Barlow later revealed to ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' in January 2022 that they were never legally married, as they never applied for a marriage certificate.<ref name=revelations>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/sports/ric-flair-marries-wendy-barlow/|title=WWE Superstar Ric Flair and Wendy Barlow Split, Say They Were Never Actually Married|first=Tristan|last=Balagtas|publisher=People|date=January 31, 2022|accessdate=October 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name=nonlegalmarriage /> On January 31, 2022, Flair announced that he and Barlow had separated.<ref name=revelations /><ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Paul|date=January 31, 2022|title=Ric Flair and Wendy Barlow are getting a divorce|url=https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/ric-flair-and-wendy-barlow-are-getting-a-divorce/|access-date=January 31, 2022|newspaper=Wrestling News|language=en-US}}</ref> The two reconciled in May 2022, but separated again in September 2024.<ref name=ricflairwendybarlowfifi>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/ric-flair-announces-split-from-partner-wendy-barlow-8717180|title=Ric Flair Announces Split from Partner Wendy Barlow, Thanks Her for 'Standing By My Side' During Health Crisis|first=Daniel S.|last=Levine|publisher=People|date=September 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sotiriou |first=Peter |date=September 24, 2024 |title=Ric Flair Announces Split From His 5th Wife, Wendy Barlow |url=https://www.thesportster.com/ric-flair-announces-split-divorce-wife-wendy-barlow/ |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref> Flair and Barlow were acknowledged to have been in a romantic relationship for thirteen years prior to the 2024 separation.<ref name=ricflairwendybarlowfifi />

Flair's elder son David is a retired professional wrestler, who worked for [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] from 1999 to 2001, and made two televised appearances in the [[WWE|WWF]] in 2002 during the run-up to [[WrestleMania X8]]. Flair's younger son Reid, who signed a developmental contract with WWE near the end of 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greensborosports.com/index.php|title=WWE has signed Reid Fliehr of Charlotte, N.C., 19, the youngest son of Ric Flair, to a developmental contract. He debuted in Florida Championship Wrestling in January|publisher=Greensborosports.com|date=December 31, 2011|access-date=January 6, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201171302/http://www.greensborosports.com/index.php|archive-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref> was an accomplished high school wrestler and made several appearances on WCW television along with his sister Ashley and half-sister Megan. In 2004, Flair became a grandfather at the age of 55, when his older daughter, Megan Fliehr Ketzner, gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Morgan Lee Ketzner on May 9.<ref name=Marvez>{{cite news| title=DVD Shows That Wrestler's Career Was Not Without Flair| publisher=[[Sun-Sentinel]]| url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2004-03-05-0403030499-story.html| date=March 5, 2004| access-date=June 19, 2019| quote=Not only is Flair's daughter, Megan, set to give birth to her first child on May 9, two of his other children are excelling in high school athletics. Ashley Fliehr is one of the top volleyball players in North Carolina, while Reid Fliehr posted a 34-10 amateur wrestling record as a freshman.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/02/980288-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716060839/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/04/02/980288-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=Going toe to toe with Ric Flair|first=Tim|last=Baines|publisher=[[Ottawa Sun]]|date=April 2, 2005|access-date=September 15, 2007}}</ref>

On May 17, 2012, it was reported that Flair's daughter Ashley had signed with WWE<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/3-news/25694-friday-update-more-on-three-hour-raw-move-more-on-live-impacts-brooke-hogan-huge-weekend-schedule-of-shows-ashley-flair-signs-nxt-tapings-tons-more|title=Friday update: More on three-hour Raw move, more on live Impacts, Brooke Hogan, huge weekend schedule of shows, Ashley Flair signs, NXT tapings, tons more|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|date=May 18, 2012|access-date=May 18, 2012|last=Alvarez|first=Bryan|author-link=Bryan Alvarez}}</ref> adopting the ring name, Charlotte, which was later changed to include the Flair surname.<ref name="Firstmatch">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=79009|publisher=PWInsider|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=July 18, 2013|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|title=WWE NXT report: number one contender match; tag title match; second generation wrestler debuts; women's tournament finals next week}}</ref>

On March 29, 2013, Reid died from a drug overdose of [[heroin]], [[Alprazolam|Xanax]], and a muscle relaxant.<ref>{{cite web|title=Reid Flair cause of death revealed as drug overdose|url=http://www.prowrestling.net/artman/publish/miscnews/article10031874.shtml|publisher=prowrestling.net|access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref>

Sebastian Kidder, Flair's stepson through his relationship with Barlow, died by suicide on October 26, 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/10/27/ric-flair-stepson-sebastian-kidder-dies-suicide/|title=Ric Flair's Stepson Sebastian Kidder Dies By Suicie ... At 24 Years Old|publisher=TMZ|date=October 27, 2024|accessdate=October 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name=nonlegalmarriage>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/ric-flair-stepson-sebastian-kidder-dead-by-suicide-musician-was-24-8735047|title=WWE Legend Ric Flair's Stepson Sebastian Kidder Dies by Suicide at 24|first=Charlotte|last=Phillips|publisher=People|date=October 27, 2024|accessdate=October 27, 2024}}</ref>

=== Legal problems ===
In December 2005, a judge issued arrest warrants for Flair after a [[road rage]] incident that took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, in which Flair allegedly got out of his car, grabbed a motorist by the neck, and damaged his vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsoctv.com/news/5420940/detail.html|title=Wrestler Ric Flair Accused of Road Rage|date=November 28, 2005|publisher=WSOC Charlotte|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921025712/http://www.wsoctv.com/news/5420940/detail.html|archive-date=September 21, 2009}}</ref> Flair was charged with two misdemeanors, injury to personal property and simple assault and battery. This incident was ridiculed on WWE programming, most notably by the wrestler [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051205.html|title=RAW – December 5, 2005 Results|access-date=April 30, 2007 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>

In September 2007, Flair opened a financial business called Ric Flair Finance. In July 2008, Flair Finance filed for bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2008/08/ric_flairs_departure_from_wwe.html|title=Ring Posts: Ric Flair's departure from WWE|date=May 16, 2007|publisher=Baltimore Sun|access-date=August 19, 2008|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054448/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/wrestling/blog/2008/08/ric_flairs_departure_from_wwe.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following Flair's debut in [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA) his former employer, [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH), filed a lawsuit in 2010, alleging that Flair owed them over $40,000 and that he had not appeared at several events that he was contractually obligated to appear at.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1264921058|title=ROH files lawsuit against Ric Flair|date=January 31, 2010|last=Martin|first=Adam|access-date=June 26, 2011|publisher=Wrestleview}}</ref> The lawsuit was never resolved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/88060/former-roh-owner-rips-ric-flair.html?p=1|title=Former ROH owner rips Ric Flair|date=September 5, 2014|last=Johnson|first=Mike|access-date=January 27, 2016|work=PWInsider.com}}</ref>

Highspots Inc. claimed that Flair had given them the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] belt as collateral for a loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/49677/highspotscom-files-lawsuit-against-ric-flair-flairs-version-of-events-differs-greatly-from-theirs.html?p=1|title=HIGHSPOTS.COM FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST RIC FLAIR, FLAIR'S VERSION OF EVENTS DIFFERS GREATLY FROM THEIRS|date=August 3, 2010|last=Johnson|first=Mike|access-date=June 2, 2011|publisher=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagesideseats.com/2010/8/3/1603875/highspots-sues-ric-flair-over-lack|title=Highspots sues Ric Flair over lack of repayment of loans |date=July 3, 2010|last=Bixenspan|first=David|access-date=June 2, 2011|publisher=Cageside Seats}}</ref> A warrant for Flair's arrest was issued in May 2011 for being held in contempt of court for violating the terms of his settlement with Highspots. If Flair had failed to comply he could have potentially faced 90 days in jail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_50379.shtml|title=Flair News: Warrant issued for Ric Flair's arrest Thursday, related to failure to comply with legal settlement|date=May 26, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=June 2, 2011|publisher=ProWrestlingTorch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/05/27/2331708/ric-flair-held-in-contempt-over.html#storylink=misearch|title=Ric Flair held in contempt over loans|date=May 27, 2011|last=Ryan|first=Shane|access-date=June 2, 2011|publisher=CharlotteObserver}}</ref> On June 25, Highspots released a statement over their official Facebook page stating that someone had paid Flair's debts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1309106948|title=Highspots reveals Ric Flair pays up owed money|date=June 26, 2011|last=Adam|first=Martin|access-date=June 26, 2011|publisher=Wrestleview}}</ref>

=== Politics ===
Flair has long supported [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] political candidates in [[North Carolina]] politics.<ref name="governor">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/jan18_gov.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115112119/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/jan18_gov.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Flair aims to be N.C governor|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=March 11, 2008|date=February 8, 2000}}</ref> In 2000, Flair explored the possibility of running for [[governor of North Carolina]],<ref name="governor"/> but he never filed the papers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/feb8_gov.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714182339/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/feb8_gov.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Flair doesn't file to be N.C. governor – yet|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=March 11, 2008|date=February 8, 2000}}</ref> [[Jesse Ventura]] stated that, when Flair told him that he had received 143 speeding tickets in his life, Ventura urged him not to run.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/HbEBGZV2tkQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200604164413/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbEBGZV2tkQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |title=Jesse Ventura - Future President of the United States? | date=April 30, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbEBGZV2tkQ |publisher=Title Match Wrestling |access-date=June 5, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]], Flair declared his support for the Republican presidential candidate [[Mike Huckabee]]. He said of Huckabee, "[Huckabee] is a quality person, self-made, a great family man and he has a great vision for our country. And I'm here to excite the crowd."<ref>{{cite news |date=November 25, 2007 |title=Huckabee tailgates and welcomes wrestler support |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/25/huckabee-tailgates-and-welcomes-wrestler-support/ |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=January 6, 2012 |archive-date=January 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106091648/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/25/huckabee-tailgates-and-welcomes-wrestler-support/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Flair endorsed [[Ted Cruz]] during the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=PaulFSU|author=FSU Paul|number=630411988838031360|date=August 9, 2015|title=@nwalker6399 @RealBPhil I'm not against Trump. I want Ted Cruz though. I am against the wussy establishment candidates like Jeb.|access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref>

Flair announced in 2016 that he was running for president, with rapper [[Waka Flocka Flame]] as his running mate. However, he did not file a Statement of Candidacy (FEC Form 2).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fec.gov/press/resources/2016presidential_form2nm.shtml|title=2016 Presidential Form 2 Filers|date=April 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408031759/http://www.fec.gov/press/resources/2016presidential_form2nm.shtml|archive-date=April 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/watch-ric-flair-and-waka-flocka-flame-jump-into-presidential-race-111627/|title=Watch Ric Flair and Waka Flocka Flame Jump Into Presidential Race|first1=Scott|last1=Rafferty|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=October 19, 2016}}</ref>

===Health issues===
Flair has a heart condition called [[alcoholic cardiomyopathy]].<ref>{{cite book|title=To Be the Man|first=Ric|last=Flair|author-link=Ric Flair|editor=Mark Madden|publisher=[[WWE Books]]|edition=1st|location=[[Stamford, Connecticut]]|year=2004|isbn=978-0743456913}}</ref>

On August 14, 2017, Flair had surgery in Georgia to remove an [[bowel obstruction|obstructive piece of his bowel]], which led to various complications, most seriously [[kidney failure]], necessitating [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]] treatment and ongoing hospitalization.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2017/08/17/ric-flair-heath-update|title=Ric Flair Had Part of His Bowel Removed During Latest Health Scare|first=Justin|last=Barrasso|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=August 17, 2017}}</ref> He was discharged from rehabilitation and allowed to return home on September 21.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2017/0922/632433/impact-star-rips-promoter-for-alleged-sexism/|title=Impact Star Rips Promoter For Alleged Sexism, Ric Flair Returns Home, Mia Yim Added To MLW: One Shot - WrestlingInc.com|work=WrestlingInc.com|access-date=September 22, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

Flair suffered a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] during [[Ric Flair's Last Match|his final match]] on July 31, 2022.<ref name="Tessier 2024 p334">{{cite web | last=Tessier | first=Colin | title=Ric Flair Says He Suffered A Legitimate Heart Attack During His Last Match | website=Fightful News | date=May 6, 2024 | url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ric-flair-says-he-suffered-legitimate-heart-attack-during-his-last-match | access-date=May 6, 2024}}</ref>

In June 2025, Flair revealed that he had been diagnosed with [[skin cancer]] for the "second time in three years."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/health/ric-flair-skin-cancer-diagnosis-rcna211595|title=WWE Legend Ric Flair Reveals He's Been Diagnosed With Skin Cancer for 'Second Time in 3 Years'|first=Joyann|last=Jeffrey|publisher=Today|date=June 7, 2025|accessdate=November 12, 2025}}</ref>

== Real-life feuds and backstage problems ==
===Teddy Long===
WWE Hall of Famer [[Teddy Long]] claimed Flair was racist to him in his early career in the 1980s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.superluchas.com/teddy-long-se-sincera-sobre-sus-problemas-con-ric-flair/|title=Teddy Long opens up about his problems with Ric Flair &#124; Superfights|date=October 21, 2018|website=en.superluchas.com}}</ref> stating "Flair walked up to me one time and asked me, he said, '[[Nigger]] you like working here?".<ref name="TLY">{{cite AV media |people=Oliver, Sean (interviewer); Long, Teddy (interviewee| date =November 2014 | title =YouShoot: Teddy Long | publisher =Kayfabe Commentaries}}</ref> Long claims Flair never apologized to him and "hasn't changed over the years".<ref name="TLY"/>

=== Bret Hart ===
Flair engaged in an off-screen rivalry with [[Bret Hart]]. In October 1993, Hart gave a radio interview in which he said Flair "sucks" and described his workplace, WCW, as "minor league".<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Oliver, Sean (director)|year=2014|title=Timeline: History of WCW - 93 - Told by Vader|medium=DVD|publisher=Kayfabe Commentaries|quote=1993 - October - Bret Hart buries Ric Flair and WCW - Bret Hart was on Toronto all-sports radio station 'The FAN' and buried WCW and Ric Flair during an interview, saying WCW is 'minor league' and Flair 'sucks'.}}</ref> Flair, in his autobiography, accused Hart of exploiting the death of his brother [[Owen Hart|Owen]] and the controversy surrounding the [[Montreal Screwjob]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE|title=Flair Pulls No Punches in Book|author=Mike Mooneyham|date= July 4, 2004|access-date=May 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224923/http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=887C21B7-3048-52EA-1E34C39B8C6042BE|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> Flair also claimed in his autobiography that—despite Hart's popularity in Canada—he was not a formidable money-making [[List of professional wrestling terms#D|draw]] in the United States, a claim which Hart dismissed as "plain ridiculous" in a column written for the ''[[Calgary Sun]]''. Hart cited his headlining performances on consistently sold-out tours throughout his WWF career, while alleging that Flair wrestled to near-empty arenas. He also criticized Flair on what he perceived as insults to fellow wrestlers [[Mick Foley]] and [[Randy Savage]], both personal friends of Hart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/news/brethartonflair.html|title=Bret Hart on Flair|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Hart went on to criticize Flair in his own autobiography, mainly his in-ring talent, (mis)use of ring psychology and what Hart perceived as Flair's unsubtle [[Blading (professional wrestling)|blading]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Hart|first=Bret|author-link=Bret Hart|title=Hitman: My real life in the cartoon world of wrestling|publisher=Ebury Press|year=2007|isbn=9780091932862|page=303 pp}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Hart|first=Bret|author-link=Bret Hart|title=Hitman: My real life in the cartoon world of wrestling|publisher=Ebury Press|year=2007|isbn=9780091932862|page=286 pp}}</ref> However, they have since reconciled and are now friends.<ref>Flair, Ric; Bret Hart, ''WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair'', "Episode 3: Bret "The Hitman" Hart", [[CBS Local Media]], May 19, 2015</ref>

=== Shane Douglas ===
Flair also had a long-running feud with [[Shane Douglas]], who would refer to him as "Dick Flair" and accuse him of sabotaging his push in the NWA/WCW after getting a solid push and a rub from his tag team partner Ricky Steamboat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2000/08/23/the-franchise-on-flair-russo/|title=The Franchise on Flair & Russo|author=John F. Molinaro|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=May 14, 2007|date=April 23, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050215134500/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingBiosD/douglas_00aug23.html|archive-date=February 15, 2005}}</ref> In turn, Flair responded that Douglas was always the guy that would blame his shortcomings on others. He called Douglas out as well as accused him of steroid abuse during a broadcast of the Internet radio show ''WCW Live!'' in which he said that he would meet him anytime and anywhere if he would "take the needle out of his ass".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sporttoday.org/2_531d38a3edf41d6c_1.htm|title=Roid Abuser Ric Flair's PKB on Shane Douglas.|website=sporttoday.org}}</ref>

=== Mick Foley ===
Flair has also had problems with [[Mick Foley]]. In his 1999 autobiography ''[[Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|Have a Nice Day!]]'', Foley said that "Flair was every bit as bad on the booking side of things as he was great on the wrestling side of it".<ref>Foley, Mick. ''Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweat socks'' (p.2)</ref> This was in reference to how poorly Foley thought he was booked during his WCW career when Flair was on the booking committee. Flair responded in his autobiography by writing: "I do not care how many thumbtacks Mick Foley has fallen on, how many ladders he's fallen off, how many continents he's supposedly bled on, he will always be known as a glorified stuntman".<ref name=Flair2004>{{cite book|last=Flair|first=Ric|year=2004|title=Ric Flair: to Be the Man|page=[https://archive.org/details/ricflairtobeman00flai/page/211 211]|isbn=0-7434-9181-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ricflairtobeman00flai/page/211|publisher=Pocket Books}}</ref> They had an altercation in 2004 in Huntsville, and in 2006 they worked a program where Flair took part in some of the bloodiest and most violent matches of his career, particularly at the 2006 [[SummerSlam (2006)|SummerSlam]], in an "I Quit" match which had spots involving barbed wire and thumbtacks—trademark weapons from Foley's days as Cactus Jack. However, they have since reconciled and are now friends.<ref>Flair, Ric; Mick Foley, ''WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair'', "Episode 5: Hardcore Mick Foley and Ric Flair one on one!", [[CBS Local Media]], June 2, 2015</ref>

=== Hulk Hogan ===
In his book, Flair also touched on some real-life tension between himself and [[Hulk Hogan]] which largely stemmed from an incident that followed the conclusion of a tag team match between Flair and his son David and the team of [[Curt Hennig]] and [[Barry Windham]] at WCW's Souled Out pay-per-view on January 17, 1999, in Charleston, West Virginia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ric Flair reflects on Hulk Hogan's mistreatment |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/ric-flair-reflects-hulk-hogans-mistreatment/ |website=Online World of Wrestling |date=February 5, 2015 |access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> However, Flair has stated that he and Hogan remained friends despite their differences.<ref>Flair, Ric; Hulk Hogan, WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair, "EP 23: Hulk Hogan!", CBS Local Media, October 6, 2015</ref><ref>{{YouTube|8no4w9TE0Ys|"Hulk Hogan Appreciation Night at Madison Square Garden - February 27, 2015"}}</ref> Upon Hogan's sudden death from a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] at age 71 on July 24, 2025, Flair cried while remembering his friend during an interview with [[TMZ.com]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2025/07/24/ric-flair-remembers-hulk-hogan/|title=Ric Flair Breaks Down In Tears Remembering Hulk Hogan|first=T. M. Z.|last=Staff|date=July 24, 2025|website=TMZ}}</ref>

=== Bruno Sammartino ===
Flair and wrestler [[Bruno Sammartino]] had a real-life disagreement over what reports call "the infamous backstage snub" where Flair claims that Sammartino refused to shake his hand at a live event.<ref name=brunopwinsider>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=29056|title=BRUNO SAMMARTINO SHOOTS HARD ON RIC FLAIR AND EXPLAINS WHY HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR HIM AT ALL|publisher=pwinsider.com|access-date=December 29, 2012}}</ref> While Flair claims Sammartino ignored him due to comments made in his book, stating Sammartino was "a Northeast star who couldn't draw fans outside New York",<ref name=brunopwinsider/> Sammartino referred to Flair as a "liar" and stating: "No, I don't respect Ric Flair. I don't respect him at all".<ref>{{cite book|author=Guttman, James|year=2008|title=World Wrestling Insanity Presents: Shoot First... Ask Questions Later|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1550228366}}</ref> They reconciled and were friends until Sammartino's death in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/sammartinobruno/status/321292408807632896|title=Bruno Sammartino @SammartinoBruno|publisher=[[Twitter]]|date=April 8, 2013|access-date=July 26, 2015|quote=I had a nice friendly breakfast with Rick Flair heading home soon}}</ref>

===Becky Lynch===
In September 2019, Flair threatened legal action against WWE and filed a trademark for the term "The Man", which was being used as a nickname by heavily promoted wrestler [[Becky Lynch]]. The threats of legal action caused a rift between Flair and his daughter Charlotte, who was Lynch's onscreen nemesis at the time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daniels |first1=Tim |title=Ric Flair Threatening Legal Action vs. WWE for Becky Lynch's 'The Man' Gimmick |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2852466-ric-flair-threatening-legal-action-vs-wwe-for-becky-lynchs-the-man-gimmick |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Lynch responded to the actions by asserting that she still liked and respected Flair.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mendhe |first1=Abhilash |title=WWE News: Becky Lynch reveals what she thinks of Ric Flair |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/wwe-news-becky-lynch-reveals-what-she-thinks-of-ric-flair |website=Sportskeeda |date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair transferred the rights to "The Man" nickname and gimmick to WWE in May 2020. The terms of the transfer were undisclosed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sripad |title=Ric Flair vs WWE for 'The Man' trademark comes to an end |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-ric-flair-vs-wwe-the-man-trademark-comes-end |website=Sportskeeda |date=May 30, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020}}</ref> Flair began feuding with Lynch in 2021, accusing her of using the term without his explicit permission, but their dispute was resolved when he apologized to her in January 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phelan |first1=Chris |title=Real-Life Bad Blood Between Becky Lynch & Ric Flair Thankfully Over, Says Seth Rollins |url=https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/becky-lynch-ric-flair-the-man-feud-over-seth-rollins |work=USA Insider |publisher=[[USA Network]] |date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=February 10, 2023}}</ref>

==="Plane Ride from Hell"===
Flair was part of the infamous 2002 "[[Plane Ride from Hell]]". Flair was accused of wearing his signature wrestling robe while naked and forcing two female flight attendants to touch his penis; they would later sue the WWE, though the case was ultimately settled out of court.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/04/10/ric-flairs-long-list-legal-troubles/100284810/|title=Ric Flair's long list of legal troubles|first=Justin L.|last=Mack|website=The Indianapolis Star}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://grantland.com/features/the-wrestler-real-life/|title=The Wrestler in Real Life|website=Grantland|date=September 6, 2011|access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> The allegations were discussed on the Canadian documentary series ''[[Dark Side of the Ring]]'' in 2021 on an episode dedicated to the flight. Flair released a statement after the episode aired denying the allegations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-ric-flair-releases-statement-dark-side-of-the-ring-accusations-sexual-assault-flight-attendant/|title=Ric Flair Releases Statement on Dark Side of the Ring Accusations|website=Comicbook|first=Connor|last=Casey|date=September 20, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2022}}</ref> Flair was also removed from the WWE's intro signature afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-ric-flair-removed-opening-signature-video-dark-side-of-the-ring-sexual-assault-merchandise-story-time/|title=WWE Has Removed Any Sign of Ric Flair From Their TV Programs|first=Connor|last=Casey|date=September 22, 2021|website=Comicbook|access-date=September 14, 2022}}</ref>

== Championships and accomplishments ==
[[File:Ric Flair, NWA World Heavyweight Champion, 1982.png|thumb|Flair held the [[NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship|NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] 9 times]]
[[File:Ric Flair.jpg|thumb|Flair was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2008 for his singles career]]
[[File:Ric Flair and the 4 Horsemen (6923653168).jpg|thumb|Flair was also inducted in 2012 as a member of [[The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|The Four Horsemen]]]]
* '''''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'''''
** Match of the Year (2008) {{small|vs. [[Shawn Michaels]] at [[WrestleMania XXIV]]}}<ref name="Baltimore2008">{{cite web|last=Eck|first=Kevin|title=2008 Awards|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-01-2008_awards_1-story.html|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=January 2, 2009|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204084430/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-01-2008_awards_1-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**Class of 2021<ref>{{cite web |title=Induction Class 2021 {{!}} Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame |url=https://www.prowrestlinghall.org/induction |website=IPWHF |access-date=December 14, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
* '''[[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
** Class of 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1350498191 |title=Flair, Watts, Taylor to enter Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame |date=October 17, 2012 |access-date=October 17, 2012 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021002839/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1350498191 |archive-date=October 21, 2012}}</ref>
* '''[[Jim Crockett Promotions|Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling/Jim Crockett Promotions]]/[[World Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|8 times]])<ref name="wcwwhchistory">[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-h.html WCW World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WCW International World Heavyweight Champions|2 times]])
** [[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 times]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/ma-h.html NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** [[WCW World Television Championship|NWA (Mid Atlantic)/NWA Television Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Television Champions|2 times]])<ref name="autogenerated3">[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-tv.html NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title history] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412062225/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-tv.html |date=April 12, 2008 }} At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** [[WWE United States Championship|NWA (Mid Atlantic)/WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|6 times]]){{Efn|name=Six|Flair did win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship six times and the six reigns were recognized even after World Championship Wrestling (WCW) took control over the championship and renamed it the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship in 1991. After WCW's purchase by WWE, the lineage of the championships were kept in the WWE United States Championship. WWE.com has published contradictory information on Flair's reigns – recognizing five reigns in one article, but describing him as a six-time champion in another article.}}<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-us-h.html NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Benigno|first1=Anthony|title=Ric Flair and David Flair — United States Championship|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/father-son-champions/page-8|publisher=WWE|access-date=July 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622225649/http://www.wwe.com/inside/father-son-champions/page-8|archive-date=June 22, 2015 |quote=The Dirtiest Player in the Game also had six stints with the United States Title, which is enough to build a legacy on in and of itself}}</ref>
** [[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) – with [[Rip Hawk]] (1), [[Greg Valentine]] (1), and [[Big John Studd]] (1)<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/ma-t.html NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)]] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|3 times]]) – with Greg Valentine (2) and [[Blackjack Mulligan]] (1)<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/midatlantic/nwa/ma-nwa-t.html NWA World Tag Team Title (Mid-Atlantic/WCW) history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
** First [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of WCW Triple Crown winners|WCW Triple Crown Champion]]
* '''[[National Wrestling Alliance]]'''
**[[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions|9 times]])<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html|title=NWA World Heavyweight Title|website=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
** [[NWA Hall of Fame]] (class of 2008)
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** [[PWI Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1987) <small>[[The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|The Four Horsemen]] vs. [[The Super Powers]] and [[The Road Warriors]]</small><ref name="PWI Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|title=PWI Awards|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|publisher=[[Kappa Publishing Group]]|access-date=August 14, 2017|archive-date=January 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121172943/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** Feud of the Year (1988, 1990) <small> vs. [[Lex Luger]]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Feud of the Year (1989) <small>vs. [[Terry Funk]]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[PWI Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]] (2008)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[PWI Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (1983) <small>vs. [[Harley Race]] (June 10)</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Year (1984) <small>vs. [[Kerry Von Erich]] at [[Parade of Champions#2nd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions|Parade of Champions 1]]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Year (1986) <small>vs. [[Dusty Rhodes]] at [[The Great American Bash (1986)|The Great American Bash]] in a [[steel cage match]]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Year (1989) <small>vs. [[Ricky Steamboat]] at [[WrestleWar (1989)|WrestleWar]]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Year (2008) <small>vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Decade (2000–2009) <small>vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV</small>
** [[PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (1978, 1987)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[PWI Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]] (1975)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[PWI Stanley Weston Award|Stanley Weston Award]] (2008)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[PWI Wrestler of the Year|Wrestler of the Year]] (1981, 1984–1986, 1989, 1992)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
**PWI Wrestler of the Decade (1980's)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwi-online.com/covers/FullSize/1990/90-04.gif |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204140208/http://www.pwi-online.com/covers/FullSize/1990/90-04.gif |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** Ranked No. 3 of the top 500 wrestlers in the [[PWI 500|''PWI'' 500]] in 1991, 1992, and 1994<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1991.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1991|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1992.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1992|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1994.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1994|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref>
** Ranked No. 2 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the ''PWI Years'' in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years|access-date=August 5, 2008|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616064424/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm|archive-date=June 16, 2008}}</ref>
* '''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]'''
** [[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum#Modern Era (1985–1996)|Class of 2006]]<ref name=pwhof>{{cite web|url=http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/bios/flair.asp|title=Ric Flair|publisher=Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|access-date=August 14, 2017|author=Westcott, Brian|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923110934/http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/bios/flair.asp|archive-date=September 23, 2017}}</ref>
* '''[[St. Louis Wrestling Club]]'''
** [[NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mo/mo-h.html|title=Missouri Heavyweight Title|website=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
* '''[[St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
** [[St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame#Inductees|Class of 2007]]
* '''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment/WWE]]'''
**[[WWE Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|2 times]])<ref name=th>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/ricflair/titlehistory|title=Title history: Ric Flair|work=WWE |access-date=March 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411093424/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/ricflair/titlehistory|archive-date=April 11, 2008}}</ref>
** [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|1 time]])<ref name=th/>
**[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|3 times]]) – with [[Dave Batista|Batista]] (2) and [[Roddy Piper]] (1)<ref name=th/>
**[[Royal Rumble]] ([[Royal Rumble (1992)|1992]])<ref name=th/>
**[[WWF Triple Crown Champion|13th Triple Crown Champion]]
**[[Slammy Award]] for Match of the Year ([[2008 Slammy Awards|2008]]) {{small|vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV}}
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] (2 times)
*** [[WWE Hall of Fame (2008)|Class of 2008]] - individually
*** [[WWE Hall of Fame (2012)|Class of 2012]] -  as a member of [[The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|The Four Horsemen]]
**[[WrestleMania Axxess#WWE Bronze Statues|WWE Bronze Statue]] (2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/ric-flair-getting-wwe-statue/#.WIewGBuLREZ|title=Ric Flair Statue Being Made For WrestleMania 33 Axxess|date=January 24, 2017|access-date=May 22, 2018|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104024259/https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/ric-flair-getting-wwe-statue/#.WIewGBuLREZ|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Heel|Best Heel]] (1990)
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best on Interviews|Best Interviews]] (1991, 1992, 1994)
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Hardest Worker|Hardest Worker]] (1982,1984-1988)
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1989) <small>vs. Terry Funk </small>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (1983) <small>vs. Harley Race in a steel cage match at [[Starrcade (1983)|Starrcade]]</small>
** Match of the Year (1986) <small>vs. Barry Windham at Battle of the Belts II on February 14</small>
** Match of the Year (1988) <small>vs. Sting at [[Clash of the Champions I]] </small>
** Match of the Year (1989) <small>vs. Ricky Steamboat at [[Clash of the Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun]]</small>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Charismatic|Most Charismatic]] (1980, 1982–1984, 1993)
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Outstanding Wrestler|Most Outstanding]] (1986, 1987, 1989)
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Readers' Favorite Wrestler|Readers' Favorite Wrestler]] (1984–1993, 1996)
** [[Worst Feud Award|Worst Feud of the Year]] (1990) <small>vs. The [[Junkyard Dog]]</small>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Worked Match of the Year|Worst Worked Match of the Year]] (1996) <small>with [[Arn Anderson]], [[Tonga Fifita|Meng]], [[The Barbarian (wrestler)|The Barbarian]], Lex Luger, [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]], [[Tom Lister Jr.|Z-Gangsta]], and [[Robert Swenson|The Ultimate Solution]] vs. [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] in a [[Triple Cage|Towers of Doom match]] at [[Uncensored (1996)|Uncensored]]</small>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)|Wrestler of the Year]] (1982–1986, 1989, 1990, 1992)
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic|Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic]] (1994) <small>Retirement angle</small>
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] (Class of 1996)

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="GOATPeers">The preceding material is supported by the following references:
* {{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/2018/11/27/stone-cold-steve-austin-ric-flair-wwe-greatest-of-all-time/ |title='Stone Cold' Steve Austin names Ric Flair as the greatest wrestler of all time |date=November 27, 2018 |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote=[Steve Austin:] Ric Flair is the greatest professional wrestler that ever lived. }}
* {{cite book|author=Ric Flair|title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FagQpIp66Y0C&pg=PT7|date=2010|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|isbn=978-1-4391-2174-0|page=7|quote=[Triple H:] Let me state this categorically: Ric Flair is the greatest wrestler of all time.}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/2004/07/18/flair-hart-war-of-the-words/ |title=Angle: Flair greatest ever |date=July 3, 2005 |author=Mike Mooneyham|website=MikeMooneyham.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote=[Kurt Angle:] ...overall the greatest ever is Ric Flair.}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ric-flair-hulk-hogan-give-their-top-3-wrestlers-all-time-ric-flair-hopes-ronda-and-charlotte-cross |title=Ric Flair & Hulk Hogan give their top 3 wrestlers of all time |date=February 13, 2018 |author=Andrew Thompson | website=Fightful.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote=[Hulk Hogan:] I pick Ric Flair first, because he's the greatest wrestler of all time.}}
* {{cite episode|title=Shawn Michaels|series=Stone Cold Podcast|network=[[WWE Network]]|date=December 13, 2015|minutes=8|quote=[Steve Austin:] Would you agree with me, that he [Flair] was the greatest of all time? [Michaels:] Yeah... I'm always gonna say Ric.}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/2004/07/18/flair-hart-war-of-the-words/ |title=Flair-Hart: war of the worlds |date=November 7, 2017 |author=Mike Mooneyham|website=MikeMooneyham.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote=[Buddy Landel:] Ric Flair is the single greatest wrestler – bar none – that has ever been in our business. [Dusty Rhodes:] The greatest wrestler to lace his boots was the 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair.}}
* {{cite episode|title=One More Round: The Undertaker|series=Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions|network=[[WWE Network]]|date=November 22, 2020|minutes=20 & 24|quote=[Steve Austin:] I think you and I are on the same page with Ric Flair being the greatest of all time. [The Undertaker:] Absolutely [...] I'm like, 'Wait a minute: You're Ric Flair, right? You're the greatest to ever do this.'}}</ref>
<ref name="GOATJournalists">The preceding material is supported by the following references:
* {{cite book|author=George Napolitano|title=Hot Shots and High Spots: George Napolitano's Amazing Pictorial History of Wrestling's Greatest Stars|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fGOFu7tMlGkC&pg=PA74|date=2011|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=978-1-77090-064-6|page=74|quote=Ric Flair is undoubtedly the greatest wrestler that I have ever seen.}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/2004/07/18/flair-hart-war-of-the-words/ |title=Flair-Hart: war of the worlds |date=November 7, 2017 |author=Mike Mooneyham|website=MikeMooneyham.com |access-date=January 4, 2019 |quote=Hart...sincerely believes he was the best wrestler in the business. Unfortunately for the Canadian legend, though, that label more aptly describes Ric Flair.}}
* {{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/07/26/wwe-wcw-ecw-100-best-wrestlers-all-time |title=A definitive ranking of the top 101 wrestlers of all time |date=July 26, 2016 |author=Luke Winkie| magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |access-date=January 4, 2019}}
</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmIWE">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1091&page=4&promotion=1153 | title=Ric Flair - Career - International Wrestling Enterprise | access-date=January 8, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch}}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmSWS">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1091&page=4&promotion=308 | title=Ric Flair - Career - Super World Sports | access-date=January 8, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch}}</ref>

<ref name="KreikenbohmWAR">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1091&page=4&promotion=161 | title=Ric Flair - Career - Wrestle Association-R | access-date=January 8, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch}}</ref>

<ref name="Ryder">{{cite web |url=https://www.webisjericho.com/ric-flair-confirms-if-hell-wrestle-again/ | title=Ric Flair confirms if he'll wrestle again | access-date=February 10, 2025 |first=James |last=Ryder |date=January 2025 |publisher=Cagematch}}</ref>
}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last1=Flair |first1=Ric |last2=Greenberg |first2=Keith Elliot |editor-last=Madden |editor-first=Mark |year=2005 |title=Ric Flair: To Be the Man |url=https://archive.org/details/ricflairtobeman00flai |url-access=registration |location=New York |publisher=Pocket Books |isbn=0-7434-9181-5 |oclc=60523429}}
* {{cite book |last=Foley |first=Mick |year=2000 |title=Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=0-06-103101-1}}
* {{cite video|title=Ric Flair & The Four Horsemen|date=2007|publisher=WWE Home Video|location=Stamford, Connecticut|oclc=144971907}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Ric Flair}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* {{IMDb name|name=Ric Flair}}

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