Flair Country
06-05-2008, 03:12 AM
World Wrestling Entertainment blocked Ric Flair from appearing at the NWA Hall of Fame ceremony, which will take place on 6/7 in Atlanta, Georgia.
One version of the story behind Flair being yanked making the rounds is that financial information regarding Flair's NWA-related appearances leaked online, causing them to be canceled. Another theory I've heard some discuss has been that WWE (who have approval power over Flair's appearances once they are arranged by Flair's agent) did not want Flair appearing in a ceremony that would obviously be filmed for some sort of future release.
I do know that two of the stipulations for Flair appearances are that he will not enter a wrestling ring and will not be taped in any way, shape, or form.
While Flair's career will still be celebrated in Atlanta, what was obviously the crowning jewel of the event for some, if not all, fans attending is now off the books. No matter the cause, it's always the fans who end up suffering.
The NWA issued the following statement in regard to the Flair situation this afternoon:
UPDATE ON 2008 NWA HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
Ric Flair, part of the 2008 NWA Hall of Fame class, will unfortunately not be present to receive this honor on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA. World Wrestling Entertainment, which has a contractual relationship with Flair, will not permit Flair to attend the ceremony.
"I am deeply sorry that Ric will not be in Atlanta for the Hall of Fame ceremony", said NWA Executive Director Robert K. Trobich. "Ric was very honored to be recognized by the NWA and wanted to be in Atlanta to thank his fans. Unfortunately, the WWE refused to allow him to be there. It is truly a sad action on their part, as the main people injured by the WWE's seeming petulance is the wrestling fans. Nonetheless, Ric Flair was a legend in the NWA long before the WWE was anything other than a regional promotion in the northeast. As such, Ric will still be a member of the 2008 class. He has earned that honor, and we intend to bestow it upon him", said Trobich.
The 2008 NWA Hall of Fame will commence on Saturday June 7, 2008 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA. Tickets for this event are on sale at ticketmaster.com or the Philips Arena box office.
PWInsider
One version of the story behind Flair being yanked making the rounds is that financial information regarding Flair's NWA-related appearances leaked online, causing them to be canceled. Another theory I've heard some discuss has been that WWE (who have approval power over Flair's appearances once they are arranged by Flair's agent) did not want Flair appearing in a ceremony that would obviously be filmed for some sort of future release.
I do know that two of the stipulations for Flair appearances are that he will not enter a wrestling ring and will not be taped in any way, shape, or form.
While Flair's career will still be celebrated in Atlanta, what was obviously the crowning jewel of the event for some, if not all, fans attending is now off the books. No matter the cause, it's always the fans who end up suffering.
The NWA issued the following statement in regard to the Flair situation this afternoon:
UPDATE ON 2008 NWA HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
Ric Flair, part of the 2008 NWA Hall of Fame class, will unfortunately not be present to receive this honor on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA. World Wrestling Entertainment, which has a contractual relationship with Flair, will not permit Flair to attend the ceremony.
"I am deeply sorry that Ric will not be in Atlanta for the Hall of Fame ceremony", said NWA Executive Director Robert K. Trobich. "Ric was very honored to be recognized by the NWA and wanted to be in Atlanta to thank his fans. Unfortunately, the WWE refused to allow him to be there. It is truly a sad action on their part, as the main people injured by the WWE's seeming petulance is the wrestling fans. Nonetheless, Ric Flair was a legend in the NWA long before the WWE was anything other than a regional promotion in the northeast. As such, Ric will still be a member of the 2008 class. He has earned that honor, and we intend to bestow it upon him", said Trobich.
The 2008 NWA Hall of Fame will commence on Saturday June 7, 2008 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA. Tickets for this event are on sale at ticketmaster.com or the Philips Arena box office.
PWInsider