Ric Flair Reveals Who He’s Backing in WrestleMania 41 Main Event

The Nature Boy is picking sides—and he’s rolling with the champ. Ric Flair didn’t hold back during his recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, where he shared his thoughts on Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena ahead of their WWE Championship clash at WrestleMania 41.

When asked who he thinks will walk out with the gold, Flair didn’t hesitate. “Because he’s on a roll,” he said about Rhodes. The WWE Hall of Famer made it clear that Cena might not even be interested in winning the title at this stage in his career. “To be honest with you, I don’t think John wants to retire with the title,” Flair said, adding, “John is a company guy. He wants what’s best for business.”

Flair’s comments strike at the heart of the current Cena narrative—one where the 16-time World Champion appears more focused on elevating others than padding his own legacy. And according to Flair, that’s exactly why Rhodes should—and likely will—retain.

Flair also acknowledged the elephant in the room: his current ties to AEW. While he expressed excitement for WrestleMania, he admitted that working with Tony Khan complicates things when it comes to participating in WWE events. “It’s very difficult for me to participate in the activities while I’m working for Tony [Khan],” he said. Still, he was complimentary of his current boss, calling Khan “the greatest guy in the world.”

Even while under an AEW banner, Flair made it clear he’s keeping an eye on WWE—and he’s all in on Cody Rhodes continuing his reign. “I’m happy for everybody. It’s going to be a great show. I’m glad there’s two companies because that’s more opportunities for guys to work,” Flair noted.

So while Cena may have the legacy, the movie roles, and the WrestleMania spotlight, Flair’s betting on the American Nightmare to leave with the gold—because in his eyes, Cena’s focus is on giving back, not taking the crown.

Do you agree with Ric Flair’s take that John Cena doesn’t want to retire as champion? Or do you think there’s still one more title run left in him? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know what you think.