Ric Flair was promoted to make an appearance on AEW Dynamite: Blood & Guts, a special event that aired on November 12 in Greensboro, North Carolina, which left viewers puzzled when he did not show up during the broadcast. While his famed rival Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat appeared on the program in a segment alongside FTR and Stokely Hathaway, Flair’s involvement was confined to off-camera interactions with the live audience before the show started.
Later, Flair took to social media to clarify his absence, revealing that he was dealing with a rotator cuff injury that caused him to leave the event early. He expressed his apologies to fans and AEW Chairman Tony Khan for having to depart prematurely.
In his message, Flair wrote, “I want to apologize to everyone for leaving the @AEW show early last Wednesday due to a torn rotator cuff. Thank you, @TonyKhan, for the chance to be part of the show. It was great to reconnect with such incredible talent and Ricky Steamboat. I’m looking forward to returning once my shoulder heals. Please know that I would never intentionally let anyone down.”
Fan Take: Ric Flair’s presence in AEW was highly anticipated, so his early departure due to injury is a disappointment for fans eager to see wrestling legends in action. However, his commitment to return once recovered signals exciting future opportunities for AEW to integrate iconic figures and enhance the sport’s storytelling and appeal.
