Conrad Thompson emphasizes that Ric Flair isn't returning to the ring for the money.
Flair, 73, will lace up his boots at the Ric Flair's Last Match event on July 31. There, he will compete in his first match since 2011 when he teams up with Andrade El Idolo to face Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett.
During an appearance on the Battleground Podcast, Conrad Thompson, the promoter of the event and Flair's son-in-law, discussed some of the negative reactions to the legend's return to the ring. He pointed out that some people think he's doing in for the money, whereas the WWE Hall of Famer could easily retire on the earnings he draws through Cameo and autograph signings.
“Here’s the thing for me. As we’re recording this, The Rolling Stones are touring. Why? A lot of people who are against the idea of Ric wrestling say, ‘Oh, he must need the money.’ Y’all reckon Mick Jagger needs money? No, Ric could comfortably retire just on his Cameo earnings, much less, he is the highest autograph circuit rate of anyone. I know there was a big uproar recently about another star who’s in that business now, and people said, ‘Can you believe they charged that much?’ For Ric’s, it’s almost double. So he’s fine. This is more about the glory, and he wants to be on that stage and walk that aisle and be Ric Flair one last time. Given the fact that since he wrestled last, he lost his son, and he nearly lost his life, and man, what’s wrong with being Ric Flair one more time? I’m all for it, his doctor’s for it, he feels like he can do it, he’s comfortable, his doctor’s comfortable. Let’s go, man. We’re gonna have some fun July 31 at Ric Flair’s Last Match," Thompson said.
Thompson went on to note that returning to the ring is Flair's decision, and he compared it to bands who keep touring the world.
"I think it’s his call. I know that there was a couple of pretty vocal people who tried to motivate local municipalities and things like that to get them to stop this. But the reality is, it’s up to Ric. This is America, this is what we do. What’s the difference between some of these touring acts who are all over the world and playing their ass off and losing 12 pounds of sweat a night and all this, performing their shows, and Ric doing his thing? It’s a tag match, guys. If you’re expecting a five, six, or seven star affair, Kenny Omega, AJ Styles, Bryan Danielson hard-hitting, that’s not what this is gonna be. You know what this is gonna be? Fun," he said.
Thompson also stated that Flair's last match will deliver special moments that will make the fans feel something.
Ric Flair's Last Match is part of Starrcast V in Nashville, Tennessee during SummerSlam weekend. Bret Hart, Mick Foley, Paige, and Johnny Gargano, among others, will be doing stage shows at the event. Fans can order the full package of events now on FITE.
Fans can check out the current lineup for Ric Flair's Last Match by clicking here.
