AEW Warned About Creating Dissension In the Locker Room After Ric Flair Signing

Ric Flair signed a multi-year deal with AEW, and that was a big endorsement for his energy drink as well. WWE actually got call about that deal first, but they were already committed to another energy drink deal.

AEW has brought in some big names in the pro wrestling world, but most of them were in-ring competitors. At 74-years-old, Ric Flair has already wrestled his last match, and that may not change. That being said, Flair will be around in AEW as much as Tony Khan needs him.

During Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru, the famous pro wrestling manager spoke about AEW bringing in Ric Flair. He warned that this kind of huge name backstage could cause dissension in the locker room, because there is certainly an unbalanced power structure when it comes to fame levels between those backstage and in the ring.

“Well and here’s the thing is that, again, we’re in a situation where the most well-known biggest stars, biggest celebrities, and mainstream names in the wrestling industry that work for AEW have always continued to be behind the scenes or backstage or in a non-wrestling role. And I mean, you know it’s hard for the young guys to get over when everybody sees these older guys as the big stars.”

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“Especially when the guys are too old to be able to work with these young guys and put them over. So then you start creating the dissension in the locker room where the young guys are going, Oh, geez, these guys, all they got to do is show up and plug their energy drink or do commentary or don’t even show have to show up, they all get paid. And, you know, we actually got to take bumps and get hurt.”

Jim Cornette has seen a lot in the pro wrestling business, and he’s not finished commentating on what he sees. Odds are, AEW will never call him at this point, but he seems to be fine outside looking in when it comes to Tony Khan’s company.

Ric Flair had a segment with Sting, as he was Tony Khan’s “gift” to the Stinger. Only time will tell what he does next in AEW, but he probably won’t be wrestling at this point of his career.

What’s your take on AEW bringing in Ric Flair? Was this the right move at this stage in AEW’s development? Let us know what you think in the comments section!