Eric Bischoff Would Be 'Surprised' if AEW Didn't Offer Ric Flair A Deal

Eric Bischoff says he would be surprised if All Elite Wrestling does not offer Ric Flair a deal and would be even more shocked if The Nature Boy didn't take it.

Flair was released by WWE in early August and speculation has persisted since that the 72-year-old could join his future son-in-law Andrade El Idolo in AEW.

Bischoff believes Flair is 'as over' in the modern day as he's ever been and would prove to be a very valuable acquisition for AEW, if a deal can be reached.

Speaking on his 83 Weeks Podcast, Bischoff said: "I'm not sure if that’s going to happen or not. I did spend quite a bit of time with Ric both Friday night and Saturday night, and we talked a lot about AEW. I didn’t ask Ric specifically if he was going to go. I figured if Ric wanted to share that information, he’d volunteer it. I didn’t want to ask.

"I know Ric. I’ve known Ric a long time, 25-30 years, and Ric loves the business today as much as he did 20 years ago. I think if there’s an opportunity there, I would be surprised if Ric didn’t jump on board. I’d be equally as surprised if Tony Khan and the folks over at AEW didn’t find a reason to not extend an offer to him. Ric is a very valuable asset.

"I said this to Kevin Nash and Scott Hall and they both agreed with me. From where we sit, which is on the outside for the most part, but all of us pay pretty close attention and have a decent feel for things. We all agreed without hesitation that, in many respects, Ric Flair is as over today as he’s ever been. I’d go as far as to say Ric Flair is more over today than he’s ever been as a personality.

"Ric is not going to go out there and have 60 minute matches anymore, no more broadways left in Ric’s career. Ric’s value, his equity, what he brings to the table credibility wise to a company like AEW, I think, is still a very valuable asset. Obviously, he would have to be used properly and in a way that doesn’t overexpose him, but from what I’ve seen from AEW so far, they’ve done a good job of that, utilizing legends or legacy talent without overexposing them and overusing them.

"I think given the right situation, Ric would bring a tremendous amount of credibility to AEW. You could always use a little more, and because Ric has been able to expand his profile across such a wide demo, I’d be surprised if Tony [Khan] doesn’t offer him a deal. And if he does, I’d be even more surprised if Ric doesn’t take it."

H/T Wrestling Inc.