WWE News: Ric Flair’s Controversial Remarks On Triple H, Paul Heyman, & CM Punk
Ric Flair’s on-air role with the WWE has been restricted to that of the manager of his daughter, WWE Divas Champion Charlotte. He still styles. He still profiles. But mostly, he escorts Charlotte to the ring, occasionally throws his sport jacket, and distracts his daughter’s opponents allowing her to win in typical heel fashion. All in all, his antics are relatively tame for the dirtiest player in the game these days. However, Flair is not adverse to taking the gloves off on his podcast, WOOOOO! Nation.
It’s no secret that Ric Flair is close friends with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. The two teamed together in Evolution, and Hunter was even a groomsman in Flair’s most recent wedding. So it should come as no surprise that when the topic of HHH burying talent came up during Flair’s podcast, Naitch stood up for one of his closest friends, as transcribed by Wrestling Inc.
“I say ‘bulls–t’ to that. He [doesn’t] bury anybody. He doesn’t have to. It doesn’t make sense. If you are the best, all you got to do is go out to the ring and be the best. Does that make sense? Nobody can hold back your talent if you’re in the ring. If someone said, ‘I’m not going to give you the chance to get in the ring’, then, they’re holding you back. If they’re letting you get in the ring, you can simply distinguish yourself from your opponent or anybody else around.”
On one hand, Ric Flair is one of the greatest of all time, so it might be easier for him to say that HHH doesn’t bury talent. On the other hand, Flair has played a pivotal role in helping develop younger talent, and the Divas division is the latest example.
As noted, Flair’s primary role with the company now is to act as Charlotte’s valet/manager. The most prominent manager in WWE today is Paul Heyman, who, of course, serves as the advocate for Brock Lesnar. Ever since Lesnar and Heyman’s realignment, many have compared his work to that of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, so far as to say who the best-ever is. The fact that those comparisons are even made is a testament to Heyman’s modern-day skills. However, Ric Flair doesn’t quite see it that way.
“I don’t like that Paul talks for Brock because, to me, that heat goes on Paul. Does that make sense? I just think if you look back on a guy who talks a lot like Bobby Heenan, well Bobby Heenan had a ton of heat on him, but he got the crap beat out of him. And Paul, I don’t think he [has] been passed, physically to be taking bumps… I just feel like the people doing all the work in the ring should be having all the heat put on them.”
While Flair’s take is certainly interesting and contrarian, he did note that he’d like to manage Cesaro when the Swiss Superman returns from injury. He believes Cesaro could be a huge star if he had a manager, because he feels he is not good on the mic. Ironically, of course, Cesaro has had two managers in Zeb Colter and Paul Heyman.
CM Punk continues to remain a hot topic in pro wrestling circles, despite his declaration that he’ll never return to the WWE. Naturally, Punk’s departure came up, and Ric Flair had some interesting thoughts on that particular divorce.
“I thought [Punk] was a good performer. I don’t know if I’d call him ‘great’, but I thought he was good. I just know he left here in a lot of controversy and it seemed to affect AJ [Lee]’s run here too. I don’t really know. There [are] so many sides to the story. I just know that Hunter is arguably my best friend… and I can’t see Hunter doing anything to hurt anybody. And I know Dr. Amann. I can’t see Dr. Amann putting someone in a position to get hurt, so that’s all I can say.”
Obviously, in most cases, Ric Flair will side with his friend Triple H. We’ll see if his buddy, daughter, or both are able to retain their respective championships at Wrestlemania.
[Image via WWE]
