Ric Flair had been considering breaking his ties with WWE for at least a few weeks before the split happened, although he told almost nobody in the company about it beforehand. His three-year contract, which was thought to be for the same $500,000 annual downside guarantee he had been on as a wrestler in his previous deal, came to what is thought by most to be an amicable end. Flair thinks that he can earn more by booking his own appearances and, by managing his own schedule, can free up time for other avenues of income such as Hollywood or TV commercials.
WWE had prevented Flair from accepting tentative appearances in recent months, most notable a $225,000 guaranteed sum for 30 appearances with the NWA. Bob Trobich, a Charlotte attorney Flair knew from his Jim Crockett days, had put together the deal so that Flair would get a 50% advance to do autograph sessions at NWA house shows. The sessions would be limited to 200 fans, each paying $100, giving each one some time to interact with Flair in person. The NWA would tape the shows for TV, which would also include Flair cutting a promo about his memories of the city they were appearing in. WWE, understandably, was uncomfortable with Flair appearing on another promotion’s TV show.
This came in addition to other deals WWE nixed Flair from accepting, which further aggravated Flair as he was being kept on the road as a goodwill ambassador up to 20 days per month – more than when he was an active wrestler. Flair thus struggled to find free dates to accept offers WWE could approve, or time for writing the second book that he has been considering.
Flair was flooded with offers as soon as word broke out about his status, including ROH and the IGF, with everything from autograph sessions to corporate speaking engagements on the table. TNA may be an option too, since Flair has been a supporter of Jeff Jarrett in the past, whilst the company is in the middle of a major Sting storyline that Flair would fit into easily, yet there is also obvious tension with Vince Russo and the political ramifications so far as his future relations with WWE are concerned. He was also offered $15,000 for a shoot interview, which is believed to be the biggest offer to date. A reality TV show with Reid Flair has also been discussed, following the success of the Hogans show on VH1.
Flair’s financial motivation was increased somewhat by the recent separation from his wife of two years, Tiffany Van Denmark, 36, a former fitness competitor. They had met in 1999 as Flair’s second marriage, of twenty-two years, was collapsing. This latest issue (Tiffany has yet to file for divorce) again compounds Flair’s financial obligations. His reputation as the ultimate playboy when his career really took off led to him living his Nature Boy gimmick to the full, yet this actually stemmed from his childhood. His upper middle-class parents were very concerned with money as they grew up in the Depression, with this constant stressing over finance prompting Flair to go in the opposite direction and worry about having a good time rather than fretting over expenditure. According to the latest reports, Flair is currently living in an apartment with Reid whilst the divorce is finalised.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 11 August 2008 (subscribe here)
