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As if the landscape of professional wrestling wasn't wild enough, Ric Flair has reportedly been released from WWE. Reports state that Flair requested his release due to frustrations with recent storylines he'd been involved in.
Unfortunately, the last thing we'll remember Ric Flair for in WWE is screaming "call me daddy" after Lacey Evans announced her pregnancy. That's definitely not the way a WWE Hall of Fame career should end.
Considering that Charlotte Flair's fiancé Andrade El Idolo is in AEW, as well as some of the Four Horsemen, we're wondering if The Nature Boy could be on his way to the company. If so, what would Flair bring to the table? What kind of storylines can we see emerge should Flair join All Elite Wrestling?
#5 Ric Flair joins Andrade and Chavo Guerrero
It's probably the most obvious move, but man what a move it would be. Seriously, these three men walking out on Dynamite dressed from head to toe in some thousand dollar suits? The image alone is worth bringing Ric Flair in.
Andrade and Flair have gotten incredibly close in recent years thanks to Andrade's engagement to Charlotte Flair. The 16-time world champion has spoken publicly about Andrade a hand full of times, considering him one of the greatest talents in the sport today.
With not one, but two world class legends backing up Andrade's legacy, it could elevate the man straight to the top of the card. And if Ric Flair and Andrade are in AEW, who's to say another member of the family won't make the jump when their contract expires?
#4 Ric Flair manages an up-and-coming tag team
The thing about Ric Flair is that he's not a spring chicken anymore. The man won't be wrestling, so the best way to use him would be to put his name alongside some rising stars. If we're not aligning him with his future son-in-law, let's put Ric Flair with a tag team.
Why a tag team? His Four Horsemen brother Tully Blanchard also happens to be managing former AEW Tag Team Champions FTR. If Flair can bring a team at the bottom of the division up to the standards of FTR and the Young Bucks, it would do wonders for their careers and prove that Flair can coach talent right to the top.
Who should Ric Flair manage if we were to go with the current AEW tag teams? My top two picks come down to The Acclaimed or Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky.
As far as the Horsemen, it's rather difficult considering Flair's comments about them this year. Flair had said in an interview with Wrestling Inc. that he'd had a falling out with the entire group, as they'd not been there for him during Reid's death or during his medical issues in recent years.
Still, in the world of wrestling, never say never. And maybe something like this could be the first step to healing between the two.
#3 Ric Flair sets his sights on Sting and Darby Allin
Ric Flair has a lot of history with the legends associated with AEW. Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson are obvious choices. The Four Horsemen are one of the greatest, if not the greatest stables of all time. It's a fact, and I won't hear any slander stating otherwise, that they've got the greatest theme song to ever exist.
Darby Allin and Sting are a great combination, but the two are really missing a legit rival. Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky had a great middle feud to set up Allin's next major rivalry, but that was about it. This is the only entry where Flair won't outright be looking to manage someone first.
What if Ric Flair introduces himself to Sting and Darby, seemingly wanting to reconnect with the Stinger? He's been shown hanging around the two here and there over the last few months. Then we notice that Ric Flair and Darby Allin are together even when Sting isn't present.
I'm not saying turn Darby on Sting, but Flair could be the one that tries to get Darby to tone down his reckless style. After all, he'd probably still be TNT Champion if he wasn't going high risk every single week, defending the belt non-stop. Maybe Sting should've talked him out of some of those matches.
Then again, maybe Sting wasn't the right man to do that. But Naitch? The Dirtiest Player in the Game? It would be right up his alley to try and steal Sting's protege out from under him. It would also be something that Sting would prepare Darby Allin for if Ric Flair appeared in AEW.
The story would come down to a "will he/won't he" scenario that could intrigue a lot of fans, and possibly bring in older viewers.
#2 Ric Flair introduces a new star to feud with Cody and Arn Anderson
Continuing that Four Horsemen angle, Ric Flair could find himself facing off against Arn Anderson and his protege Cody Rhodes. Should that happen, Flair may be bringing someone to take out the son of his late great rival Dusty Rhodes.
Ric Flair and Arn Anderson have some personal issues that would need to be addressed. Again, going back to that interview with Wrestling Inc., Flair said he brought up Arn by name first because he'd been so close to his family. They were like brothers.
Ric Flair's pain is understandable and completely justifiable. Anyone that's gone through some traumatic loss or had near-death experiences probably understands exactly what he went through. If he's on his way to AEW, though, much like we said regarding Tully Blanchard, this could be a way to start rebuilding the relationship.
Who would Flair bring in to take on the son of Dusty Rhodes, though? Well, Andrade is an option. Though, if a certain NXT Champion were to make the jump, he'd definitely be a prime pick for the Nature Boy, bay-bay.
#1 Ric Flair forms a new Four Horsemen
Of course, why start feuding with his Horsemen buddies when they can work together? That's right, super group time. Tully Blanchard's FTR and Shawn Spears, Arn Anderson's Cody Rhodes and Ric Flair. And yes, FTR and Shawn Spears are currently in The Pinnacle, but how long can that last? Especially with an egomaniac like MJF steering the ship.
Ric Flair could be the catalyst for the whole turn. Why would Tully want to be bossed around by MJF? He's working with, arguably, the best tag team on the roster. He's got a great singles act in Shawn Spears by his side. They should be following no one's rules but their own.
Ric Flair has the ability to refocus FTR on the real goal, the AEW Tag Titles. With Flair and Tully by his side, Shawn Spears could go after any championship he wanted. And Cody?
Well, if Arn Anderson is willing to reunite with Ric Flair, he'd more than likely go along with his coach. Dusty and the Horsemen had some hellacious battles in their careers. It would only make sense to see his son cross that line.
Plus, if we get this, we could see the new Horsemen face off against The Elite. There's surely a way to work around Cody's "never challenge for the AEW World Title" stipulation.
Cody and the legacy of WCW and the NWA versus Kenny Omega, who represents the current era of professional wrestling. It's a money maker to say the least, and one that would be that much sweeter if Flair, Anderson, and Tully were backing Cody up.
