Ric Flair Reiterates July 31 Will Be His Final Match
‘Ric Flair’s Last Match’ is set for Nashville on July 31
July 31 will see Ric Flair wrestle for the last time, as he teams with Andrade el Idolo to take on Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal in Nashville.
However, Flair has had several ‘last matches’ before, most memorably his ‘perfect’ retirement at the hands of Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24. Flair has insisted though that July 31 will be the last time he ever wrestles, saying the following on Insight with Chris Van Vliet:
"It has to be," Flair said. "That question, I get asked a lot. It will just have to be. Even if I do real well, I can't go back on my word to the people that have given me all this respect and time and have bought tickets. I've already been offered 10 matches at 50 grand a piece. Over in Europe, a guy offered me $100,000. This will be the last one. I can manage somebody in the ring, but this will be my last match."
Flair has stated several times that he’s not wrestling one last time because of money, and reiterated this fact to Van Vliet:
"It's not about money at all. I'm great, money-wise. When I saw Steve (Austin) and Vince (McMahon) at WrestleMania, people have been asking me to do it. Some people offered me $100,000 to do it, and I thought, 'Nah.' I don't want to go in and half-ass it, I need to really get in shape. I'm taking three months to get into shape, I feel great. I've had some ups and downs. I had plantar fasciitis, I still have it, but it's almost 90% healed. I pretty much have that under control and I feel great. I don't hurt, I don't ache. Why not? Who doesn't like the glory. If I pull it off, I'll be bigger than ever. It'll be more than a 'Wooo,' chop, and strut. I have to perform," Flair said.
H/T: Fightful