Despite not appearing for the company since March 2024, two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is still under an AEW contract and won’t be involved in the John Cena storyline as he approaches breaking Flair’s World title record leading into WWE WrestleMania 41.
During a Tuesday appearance on Busted Open Radio where he addressed last Friday’s newsworthy Charlotte Flair/Tiffany Stratton promo segment, Flair said he still works for AEW, something that had flown under the radar even though he had casually mentioned it in interviews over the last year.
Dave Meltzer confirmed the news with both Flair and AEW.
“I work for another company. I’m sure I’d be more than welcome (at WrestleMania). It’s competition. (AEW) opens up more opportunities for guys to work. If I wasn’t working with Tony (Khan), I would be absolutely be there. You couldn’t keep me out of the building,” he said.
He didn’t specify and was not asked if WWE had approached him to be involved. His current deal is not considered to be a restrictive contract even though Flair said it was “very difficult for him to participate in activities while I’m working for Tony (Khan),” putting over the AEW head as “the greatest guy in the world.”
Flair was mentioned by name during one of the recent promo segments between Cena and Cody Rhodes as part of the build to their WrestleMania match. He was also referenced during the aforementioned Charlotte/Stratton segment.
In July 2024, it was reported that Flair was done with AEW as there were no creative plans for him with his energy drink company’s sponsorship wrapping up. Khan had said at one point that the sponsorship was “essentially paying” for Flair to appear on TV. In a November 2023 appearance on Wrestling Observer Radio a month after he made his on-screen debut, Flair said it was a two-year deal.
“I’m not mad about it by any means. Every time (WWE) talks about the title record, my name gets mentioned. It keeps me relevant. It’s cool,” he said.
While he thinks Rhodes should retain the undisputed WWE title against Cena later this month, Flair said if Cena breaks the unofficial record and becomes a 17-time World champion, he’s absolutely ok with that.
“I’m extremely happy for John. I wish I could be there and shake his hand. I actually wanted Charlotte to break the record, but if he breaks it, more power to him. I cannot say enough good things about John Cena,” Flair said, later discussing some of the various title changes he had in his career that weren’t recognized that put his actual record at more than 20.
