Ric Flair clears the air.
Ric Flair filed for the trademark "The Man" on Aug. 26 following Taylor Swift releasing a song on her Lover album by that name and Becky Lynch's constant use of the phrase on WWE television. Speaking to TMZ, Flair discussed why he filed for the trademark after a year of Lynch and WWE using and marketing the term.
"When I first saw [Becky Lynch become The Man] in August 2018, I thought, 'Cool. The Man. My gimmick vs. My daughter Charlotte.' I said, 'I'm gonna make some money. My trademark.' I've been saying it since 1981. I got my royalty statement and their lawyer, who has no respect for me whatsoever, said, 'You're wrong. It's not even close.' I sent him a text and he didn't respond. I had my lawyer call him and he blew off my lawyer. This is all in January 2019. I told [Triple H], 'I'm gonna file.' The reason they don't have [the trademark] is because it's too close to mine. I have 'To Be The Man' trademarked."
Flair continued, "I love Becky Lynch. No one has supported the women's division more than me. I don't know what the WWE spin has been to [Becky]. My daughter is so mad at me because I filed (for the trademark), not even understanding...it's not with Becky. I have no beef with Becky. Here's the deal, when I almost died two years ago. One person stayed by me the whole time and I'm gonna take care of [my wife] and her family and my family that has taken care of me, no matter what. I don't care what the WWE thinks of me personally. I know they love me, but obviously they've lost respect for me. [Win or lose], Becky can have [the trademark] all day long. I want the company to pay me for it. I'm gonna be The Man. If I don't get [the trademark], you know what my tombstone will say? 'He died trying to be The Man.'"
As of now, the trademark status is currently listed as "new application will be assigned to an examining attorney approximately 3 months after filing date."
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit TMZ with a h/t to Fightful for the transcription.
