Ric Flair Critical Of Mick Foley's WWE Rants; Talks Sheamus, Charlotte's WrestleMania Opponent, More
Recently on WOOOOO! Nation, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair conducted a Q&A session and addressed a number of topics including his thoughts on Mick Foley being vocal about WWE programming, Sheamus cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase at WWE Survivor Series, and who his daughter, Charlotte, will face at WWE WrestleMania 32.
Flair was somewhat critical of Foley's recent commentary on WWE programming. While Flair indicated that he has a good relationship with Foley and respects his body of work in the professional wrestling business, Flair suggested that Foley is not around the company enough to really know what backstage issues play into WWE's decision making.
"The problem I have is [Foley is] not there. Like, to me, Mick has become a Monday morning quarterback. He's only observing what he's watching on TV. Do you know what I mean? And I don't think it's fair to the company to be ostracized or scrutinized by someone that's not there."
Flair claimed that injuries to Seth Rollins, Cesaro, and Randy Orton have been major hits to the company that have resulted in a lot of plans being scrapped. Also, Flair noted that Kevin Owens having to be written out of WWE television recently due to illness is another example of how plans had to be changed in the eleventh hour.
"[Foley]'s just saying 'this can happen', but if [he is] not there on top of it, watching it take place or unfold or come together, whatever the terminology would be, it's just hard for me to understand how you sit back and critique it."
Flair said that Vince McMahon and Triple H do not intentionally try to upset the internet wrestling community, but the sheer amount of content that has to be created on a weekly basis is challenging. Moreover, Flair suggested that it is difficult for young performers to get over when they are not being featured on a consistent basis.
"It's just three hours of TV and I think and I tell [WOOOOO! Nation co-host] Conrad [Thompson] all the time and I've gone on record saying this, it's hard for the young kids to build a brand." Flair continued, "it's hard to build a brand off and on. And I mean, you've got to be there for a period of time [and] people have to see you all the time."
On the subject of Sheamus winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series, Flair stated that he thinks Sheamus is a strong performer and WWE was in a difficult position in having to deal with Seth Rollins' injury.
"I'm biased because I'm very close friends with Sheamus and I think he's a very, very talented performer." Flair added, "do I like Sheamus? Yeah! Do I think he's a good champion? I think he's as good a champion as anyone else that could be there. I thought Seth was the best champion they've had in a while because he can do anything. I mean, Seth Rollins is a really gifted, talented guy and a phenomenal performer, but they had to move on and Seth won't be back for quite a while."
Flair said he likes the League of Nations stable as all four members can work and cut promos, but joked that they are not on the level of the Four Horsemen.
"I thought the League of Nations was very cool because that was the first time in a long time that you've got four guys that can work and talk. I mean, and you think about it, they all can perform [and] they all can talk. And I don't think I've ever seen [Alberto] Del Rio look better, physically. Del Rio looks great! I mean Sheamus has a great body. Barrett [has] got a great body. Rusev is just a great guy and Rusev is really a hell of a hand. I just think that if they run with this, and do it the right way, the League of Nations could be really cool. Are they the Four Horsemen? Hell no. No, but they're good! I watched that unfold, I was sitting out there with Stephanie [McMahon] and [Triple H] and I'm going, 'that's pretty damn cool! It's something different.' And it's the reality. It's real! They're all from a different country, but they all can work and they can all talk. I think it's real cool."
As for who Flair would like Charlotte to face at WrestleMania 32, he said that he was told that Charlotte will face either Sasha Banks or Bayley. Flair said that Bayley is very entertaining and there is enough time to build her up on the main roster prior to WrestleMania 32 for a match with Charlotte. Also, Flair said that Banks "is in a league of her own".
"From what I've heard, [Charlotte]'s either going to wrestle Sasha or Bayley, which would be great, either one of them. I'm just so thrilled for her. I hope that she is in that position and that she is there doing that. Things could change tomorrow. I think that Sasha or Bayley would be the two that I think are my favorite. Nothing against the other girls, I like them all, but I think that Bayley and Sasha and [Charlotte], the three of them, have phenomenal chemistry."
In addition to these topics, Flair discussed Shane Douglas, facing Brock Lesnar when 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin walked out on WWE, and much more. Click here to listen to the podcast. If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit WOOOOO! Nation with an H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Source: WOOOOO! Nation