There will always be that itch to return to the ring, no matter how much time has been spent away from it. For Ric Flair, the ring means everything to him. That's why “The Nature Boy” is expected enter through the ring ropes one last time.
ESPN was the first to confirm that Flair would be competing in a match on July 31 in Nashville. Competing at the Nashville Fairgrounds during SummerSlam weekend, Flair will be joining a card promoted by Jim Crockett Promotions. It will be in conjunction with Starrcast V, a wrestling convention. The card will air on FITE.tv at 6:05 p.m. ET, an homage to the days of old start times for Jim Crockett Promotions.
This news comes after a video surfaced of Flair training with wrestler Jay Lethal. Flair would confirm his return on social media.
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“The Rumors Are True! I’m Going To Walk That Aisle, Style And Profile, One Last Time! July 31st! Nashville, Tennessee! Jim Crockett Promotions! I Will Prove Once Again, That To Be The Man, You’ve Got To Beat The Man! Now We Go To School! WOOOOO! TIX: RicFlairsLastMatch.com"
Born in Memphis, Flair started wrestling in 1971. In '75 he was involved in a serious plane crash that broke his back in three places. Despite doctors telling him his career should be over, Flair would return and wrestle until the late 2000s.
A member of the Four Horsemen, Flair would dominate Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. He is a seven-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, a ten-time NWA World heavyweight Champion, and a two-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Over his career, Flair was involved in legendary feuds with the likes of Sting, Ricky Steamboat, Terry Funk, Triple H, and more.
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At WrestleMania in 2008, Flair lost to Shawn Michaels in a retirement match. He would continue to make part-time appearances, however. In '09, he returned to the ring to face Hulk Hogan. Joining Impact Wrestling, Flair competed in a few unfavorable matches.
Returning to WWE around 2012-13, Flair would have a limited role in the ring. Flair was occasionally involved in storylines featuring his daughter Charlotte. He asked for his release from the company in '21 and has appeared in AAA and the NWA.
This will be the first time Flair will compete in a real match since he was placed in a medically induced coma in 2017. The coma was due to complications from bowel surgery.
Outside of wrestling, he has appeared in music videos for Offset and Bad Bunny. Recently, he was involved in accusations of sexual assault following an episode of Vice TV's Dark Side of the Ring, which focused on the 2002 "Plane Ride from Hell." Flair has denied the allegations.
It is unknown who his opponent will be or if it's a singles or tag match.
