WWE News: Major Heat on TNA Star Ric Flair, Headed Back to WWE?

Ric Flair wrestled what was supposed to be his retirement match at WrestleMania 24 in 2008, but it didn’t take him very long to get back in the ring. 

He wrestled just a year-and-a-half later in November 2009 on the Hulkamania tour, and by January 2010 he had debuted with TNA. 

Many wrestling fans have felt like Flair’s legacy has taken a huge hit since his WWE days ended, and although that may be true to an extent, Flair returned to wrestling out of necessity, as he has a long history of financial problems. 

But since Flair showed up in TNA, he’s had problems there too, as he’s become well-known for no-showing, particularly at live events. Heck, I recently attended a TNA live event at which he was supposed to perform, and there was no real explanation for his absence—he just wasn’t there. 

As you might imagine, Flair’s problems with TNA run deep, and we’re not getting a sense of just how deep they are. 

From PWInsider.com (via WrestlingNewsSource.com): 

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Backstage sources close to TNA as well as Flair are saying that Flair has a ton of heat on him for his behavior outside of the ring.  It was described as "being at the point it's not worth keeping Flair around." 

It has also been mentioned by these sources that Flair has not been able to cover his tab at several bars and restaurants in the Orlando area, including the Hard Rock Cafe in Citiwalk from which he has been banned.  After an incident at the hotel that houses TNA talent, Flair was removed from house shows in Louisiana and the last Impact taping before the show goes live next week. 

It also appears that Spike TV does not want Flair shown on their programming in his current condition. 

While there has not been an official comment, the talk backstage is that Flair is done with TNA.  The company officially declined to comment while referring to the fact that he is still on their official roster.

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I think it’s safe to say that the Flair experiment in TNA is probably over. 

If we’re just being honest with ourselves here, Flair’s TNA run hasn’t exactly been overly successful, and it has appeared at times as if Flair is in it for the money and nothing else. 

Since the day that Flair stepped foot in TNA, it’s been pretty clear that his heart stayed in the WWE, and this was never more evident than it was at this year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 

You could tell simply by looking at the Nature Boy that he wanted to come back to the place that he used to call home—the WWE. 

And I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens by the end of 2012. 

WrestlingNewsWorld.com reports that a top “legendary name” and TNA star is looking to return to the WWE, and one would have to assume that Flair could be that guy. 

Flair’s daughter Ashley recently signed a developmental contract with the WWE, and with all of Flair’s financial problems and struggles in TNA, it might be time to leave the company, head back to the WWE and finish out his career there. 

I’m not sure what the WWE’s current stance on Flair is, but the stage certainly appears to be set for him to return to the company.

Drake Oz is the WWE Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter and ask him any wrestling-related questions (to be answered in the B/R Mailbag) on Formspring.