Last week, we learned that Rick Flair is attempting to trademark "The Man" as being his own. That would mean WWE would have to start paying him in order for Becky Lynch to continue using that and the fallout from The Nature Boy's actions are being felt in a big way.
He's seemingly fallen out with his daughter Charlotte, while Triple H and Seth Rollins have both unfollowed The Nature Boy on Twitter. It's a strange move by Flair and one he seemingly realises is alienating him from his friends in the company. Now, he's explained that it boils down to him wanting to get paid so he can provide for his family.
"I’m glad that I’m having this opportunity to clear the air. When I first saw this [‘The Man’ Becky Lynch] thing go down in August 2018, I thought, ‘Cool, ‘The Man’ – my gimmick – versus my daughter, Charlotte.’ Okay, that’s the day it started, right after SummerSlam. I thought, cool. I said, ‘I’m going to make some money; it’s my trademark and they have it to use.’ I’ve been saying it’s [been mine] since 1981. So I got my worded statement, I sent [WWE’s lawyer] a text and the lawyer, who just has no respect for me whatsoever which is something I’m not going to deal with much longer, he said, ‘You’re wrong. It’s not even close.’ I said, ‘It’s not even close?’ So, boom, I sent him another text, he didn’t respond. So I had my lawyer call him and he blew off my lawyer. This is all in 2018 or in January of ’19."
Flair went on to say that even though Charlotte is upset with him, he's doing this for the rest of his family.
"It’s funny, my daughter is so mad at me because I filed, not even understanding that it’s not Becky. I have no beef with Becky. But here’s the deal: when I almost died two years ago, one person stayed by me the whole time for 31 days in ICU, 12 days while I was dying on a respirator, and I’m going to take care of her and her family, and my family that has taken care of me, no matter what. I don’t care what the WWE thinks of me personally; I know they love me, but obviously they have lost respect for me. If I don’t win, and even if I won, Becky can have [The Man] all day long. I’m glad! But I want the company to pay me for it because I’m going to take care of my family. I am going to be ‘The Man’, and if I don’t get it, you know what my tombstone will say? ‘He died trying to be The Man’."
This is a very strange move on Flair's part, especially as it's caused him to fall out with so many people. In fact, it's the sort of thing you would expect to see from disgruntled wrestlers who have had nothing to do with WWE for decades and with it widely believed this his quest to win this trademark will be a failure, it's unlikely the company will send any more work his way.
In that respect, he's only hurting himself and it seems doubtful that this sort will have a good resolution for him!