Ric Flair is ‘willing to walk away’ (Picture: AEW)
Ric Flair has offered to quit All Elite Wrestling after backlash over controversial comments he made earlier this week.
The WWE Hall of Famer, who recently signed a multi-year deal with rival promotion AEW, is set to appear with Sting ahead of his impending retirement, and deliver a promo on tonight’s episode of Rampage.
The segment was filmed in front of a live crowd on Wednesday after Dynamite was finished, and those in attendance have claimed Flair said a line which has prompted outrage on social media.
It’s said the 73-year-old star invited women in the audience ‘from ages 18 to 28’ to his hotel room, adding: ‘No boyfriends or husbands.’
Fans have also criticised Flair being featured on the show in any capacity, and the Nature Boy has addressed the controversy with an apology to AEW boss Tony Khan, while insisting he has ‘earned the right to do whatever’ he wants.
Writing in his usual capitalised style, he posted on X (formerly Twitter): ‘I Am So Tired Of Hearing All This Negativity! I Don’t Need To Work, And I Don’t Need The Money.
‘Can’t I Simply Enjoy Being By My Dear Friend @Sting’s Side For The Next Few Months Without So Much Hatred? I Know I’m Old, But That Doesn’t Mean I Can’t Enjoy Life!
‘I Have Earned The Right To Do Whatever I Want & I’m Exactly Where I Want To Be!’
He offered to ‘walk away’ if Khan feels like he is painting him or the company in a bad light.
He added: ‘I Appreciate Everything @TonyKhan, But I’m More Than Willing To Walk Away If I Am Embarrassing You And Your Company. All I Can Say Is I’m Sorry!’
Flair joined AEW to be part of Sting’s upcoming retirement (Picture: AEW/Lee South)
Some fans and high profile names have come to Flair’s defence under an identical post on Instagram, with Kevin Nash commenting: ‘Besides the fact you have earned the right. You wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t drawing fans. You always bring a smile to my face. Go Michigan!’
Stone Cold Steve Austin added: ‘Ric, I enjoy watching you do all the things you do. And you’re always having fun. Keep doing you. And that’s the bottom line.’
And fellow AEW veteran Chris Jericho urged him to not ‘listen to online’ A-holes, urging him to ‘do what you want’.
When Flair signed with AEW, some fans referenced past allegations made against the former world champion – which he denied – after they resurfaced in a 2021 episode of Dark Side of the Ring, while others have pointed to the company’s shift to signing older talent.
This comes Adam ‘Edge’ Copeland, 50, recently debuted while ‘Big Show’ Paul Wight, 51, recently returned to action on Dynamite.
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The WWE Hall of Famer has addressed the backlash.