Ric Flair Addresses Criticism Of In-Ring Return

At the age of 73, Ric Flair will return to the squared circle for one final match on July 31, competing at the independent wrestling event 'Ric Flair's Last Match' that is being promoted by Thuzio under the guise of Jim Crockett Promotions.

Not only is Flair 73-years-old, though, but he also hasn't competed inside the ring since a September 2011 TNA match against Sting, which has left many worried about his plan to come out of retirement.

Flair addressed those concerns on his 'To Be The Man' podcast.

"For the 30% of people who are worried about me getting in the ring and wrestling again, first of all, I assure you that I've been in the ring a lot more than I've shown on social media. I'm in better shape now than I was, better shape now because I train with Rob, John Cena's personal trainer, than I've ever been in my life in terms of cardio. I've never been a cosmetic wonder boy, so I am going to wear a shirt but I can assure you that in two and a half months, I will put on a clinic of what real wrestling should be about," he said.

The Nature Boy also claimed he isn't doing the match for the money, adding: "If you don't see how much money I make from Cameo, that alone I can live on for the rest of my life. I just made a commercial for Nu Image Rejuvenation Clinic, another commercial for Car Shield. My life is good, I don't need the money but I do like the glory. I'm never going to walk away from it. If I have a chance to get myself over, I'm going to do it. It's what I've been doing my whole life.

"It's not about the money, guys. I am going to make a lot of money because everything Conrad touches makes money. This is about me doing what I've done my whole life. I watch wrestling every day because I love it and I respect the guys in it."

A legend of the industry, Flair has been a free agent since he was granted his release from WWE last year.

Flair's former podcast co-host Mark Madden claimed Flair planned to work in All Elite Wrestling prior to allegations of sexual misconduct emerging during the 'Plane Ride From Hell' episode of Dark Side Of The Ring. Flight Attendant Heidi Doyle alleged on the show that Flair imposed himself on her and forced her to touch his genitals.

H/T to F4W Online