In the 1980s, Ric Flair revealed that he turned down an opportunity to join WWE, despite Vince McMahon’s efforts to recruit him during the company’s expansion. Flair, a major wrestling star at the time, chose to stay loyal to his wrestling group, the Four Horsemen, who were thriving and selling out venues. On the “Ariel Helwani Show,” Flair explained that he was committed to his friends and lifestyle and didn’t want to leave them to join WWE. He referenced key wrestling events from that era, such as WrestleMania 2 in 1986 and the first SummerSlam in 1988. Eventually, Flair did join WWE in 1991, where he won the Royal Rumble and later the WWE Championship. He also mentioned that being around Vince McMahon, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and other legends boosted his confidence.
Fan Take: This revelation shows how loyalty and timing played a huge role in shaping wrestling history and highlights the fierce competition between promotions in the ’80s. For WWE fans, it’s a fascinating glimpse into how their favorite stars made pivotal career decisions, impacting both the sport’s evolution and the legacies of wrestling icons.
