Ric Flair Blames Social Media for Ruining Professional Wrestling

In a candid interview on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, wrestling icon Ric Flair pulled no punches when discussing the impact of social media on today’s wrestling landscape.

The two-time WWE Hall of Famer expressed concerns that some wrestlers prioritize fan reactions on platforms like Twitter over heeding the sage advice of industry veterans.

Flair began by emphasizing that not all wrestlers are guilty of this behavior, acknowledging that talents like Charlotte Flair and AJ Styles understand the importance of timing and storytelling in matches. However, he stressed that many wrestlers seem to have misplaced their focus.

“Some of them like Charlotte, and I’m not gonna list the talent, but there’s a lot of talent that understand you have to be able to put things in at times in the match when they are more meaningful,” Flair explained. “AJ Styles is really good. It’s being able to turn the audience where they’re reacting to what you want them to, instead of them telling you what to do.”

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Flair’s criticism centered on his belief that some wrestlers today are more concerned with fan reactions on social media than with listening to the wisdom of experienced figures backstage.

“A lot of guys listen to the audience, and then instead of listening to what Vince [McMahon] says in gorilla or Michael Hayes, they run to the computer to see what the fans are saying,” Flair lamented.

Flair went on to assert that social media has negatively impacted the wrestling industry, leading some wrestlers to prioritize the opinions of fans and outsiders over those with genuine expertise.

“Some of these kids would rather have someone that knows nothing about wrestling say, ‘God, that was cool,’ when it was a living [expletive]. In other words, only care about what the guy says that’s sitting in that chair,” Flair declared.

Flair’s message is clear: he believes that wrestlers should value the insights and experience of backstage veterans like Vince McMahon and Michael Hayes over the often unpredictable world of social media.

In an era where fan engagement and online presence are increasingly crucial, Flair’s comments serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance wrestlers must strike between entertaining the audience and adhering to the traditions and wisdom of professional wrestling.

Do you agree with Ric Flair’s views on the impact of social media on today’s wrestling landscape? Leave us a comment below.