Ric Flair will return to the ring on July 31 for what is being advertised as his final match.
It will mark Flair's first bout since 2011. No opponent has been announced for the 73-year-old. During his Hall of Fame career, Flair had many trademark spots including his chops, the figure four, the flair flop, and coming off the top rope in some manner.
While Flair was usually thrown off the top rope after going up and over one corner and running to the adjacent corner, ascending to the top rope, he did land, or try to land, a double ax handle smash a time or two during his career.
Speaking to the Tampa Bay Times, Flair said he plans on coming off the top rope one more time in his final bout.
“That’s what I’m working on. It’s just a timing issue. I’ll guarantee I’ll be coming off the top rope. Whether it’s the flip or not, I don’t know," Flair said when asked if he'll take a flip bump if he's caught with a punch the stomach coming down with a double ax handle off the top.
Flair has posted multiple videos of him training with Jay Lethal in the lead up to his return. He said about taking a body slam from Lethal, "That was just an experiment to make sure my pacemaker didn’t come unplugged from landing on the mat."
Speaking on his podcast after the match was announced, Flair addressed criticisms and concerns people may have about his return. You can find his full comments by clicking here.
While it is unknown who Flair will be wrestling, Ricky Steamboat revealed that he declined the offer to do the match. You can find his full comments by clicking here.