Ric Flair’s Last Match isn’t a cash grab. Source? Ric Flair himself.
The 73-year-old wrestling icon cleared up one common notion about what is being called his final professional wrestling match, which will take place in Nashville on July 31. On the latest episode of his To Be The Man podcast, Flair insisted that he is in a good place financially and it’s the allure of the crowd reaction, not the chance to make more money, that has led him to this moment (h/t to Figure Four Online for the transcription).
“If you don’t see how much money I make from Cameo, that alone I can live on for the rest of my life,” Flair said. “I just made a commercial for Nu Image Rejuvenation Clinic, another commercial for Car Shield. My life is good, I don’t need the money but I do like the glory. I’m never going to walk away from it. If I have a chance to get myself over, I’m going to do it. It’s what I’ve been doing my whole life.”
Flair also spoke about being in great physical shape for the match, working with “John Cena’s personal trainer” and getting his cardio where it needs to be. His cardiologist has apparently given his blessing as well, which is no small deal — Flair had a pacemaker implanted in 2019 as a result of ongoing heart issues, and has had additional health scares over the past five years.
One question still unanswered is who will join Flair in the ring. The match will reportedly be a six-man tag team match, giving other wrestlers the opportunity to work both with and against the Nature Boy. One popular name thrown around was Ricky Steamboat, who had one of the greatest pro wrestling matches of all time against Flair in 1989, but Steamboat recently said he declined an offer to participate.
Tickets for Flair’s Last Match go on sale Friday, May 27 at 12 p.m. ET, and the event will be broadcast live on FITE TV.