Ric Flair in Brooklyn: Could it Be More Than it Seems?

[OYDK]

It has recently been rumored that Ric Flair is in Brooklyn for Summerslam along with a number of other legends that include Stone Cold, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and possibly The Rock. While it's been confirmed that Austin, Nash, and Hall are strictly in Brooklyn for promotional appearances, no such news has come out on Ric Flair. The logical thought would be that Ric is just in town to watch the show and support his daughter first-hand, but there's always the possibility that the Nature Boy makes a surprise appearance, especially considering how heavily his name was dropped on last weeks Raw.

Everybody under the wrestling sun knows that John Cena is competing for his 16th World Championship at Summerslam, a record held by, of course, Ric Flair. There is also an intrigue factor when it comes to the relationship between Ric Flair and HHH, Seth Rollins mentor. There are options for WWE if they do indeed decide to use Ric Flair as a piece in this feud. In kayfabe theory, it's possible that HHH calls up Ric Flair and asks for a favor. It's also possible that Ric Flair is there to stop John Cena. Maybe he's there to help John Cena. He could be there just to raise the winners hand when its all said and done. And again, he could just be there to support his daughter in her first PPV match.

Is it possible that we see Ric Flair get involved in the Cena/Rollins match on Sunday? Will he? Or is he just in town to watch the show? I'm sure there will be some who will tell me "I'm jumping to conclusions" (there always is), but I'd like to hear your thoughts. Also if Flair were to be used, what role would you like to see him play?

 

[MizMark11]

I don't see Flair going heel by costing Cena or anything. The idea of that has very little payoff, considering he's stated in interviews that he hopes Cena can break the record. With that being said...

Especially after Cena's comment on Raw, I think it's more likely that HHH will get involved. Maybe Cena and Flair can have a backstage segment, talking about how Flair gives his approval to Cena. HHH could even question Flair for doing that, but Flair insists that it's best for business. Then come match time, HHH screws over Cena to save the record, making HHH look like a douche for 1) screwing over Cena, 2) backstabbing his good friend/mentor and 3) helping Seth again.

But who knows? This is fantasy booking.

 

[Nature Boy]

If Flair did get involved and did turn Heel, what purpose would it serve?

Would there be a match against Cena?

Not sure the WWE would book it.

Besides, the fans simply want to love Flair at this stage.

If anything, I can see Flair in a backstage segment with Cena, as has been suggested, of Flair could even interfere on Cena's behalf or be in his corner.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

If Flair did get involved and did turn Heel, what purpose would it serve?

Would there be a match against Cena?

Not sure the WWE would book it.

Besides, the fans simply want to love Flair at this stage.

If anything, I can see Flair in a backstage segment with Cena, as has been suggested, of Flair could even interfere on Cena's behalf or be in his corner.

I pretty much agree here. Ric Flair's 66.5 years old and it's all but impossible that he'll wrestle in WWE again, especially against John Cena. We've seen Cena step his game up the last 6 months or so and it'd be embarrassing for Flair to even consider being able to keep up with him. I'm sure that some would love it as some thrive on nostalgia and allow it to blind them to the current limitations of their favorite wrestlers they grew up watching.

I could see Flair being on hand, maybe coming out to congratulate Cena if he ties his record. Of course, seeing as how Flair is Triple H's mentor and Rollins is Triple H's protégé, I suppose Flair could do something to keep Cena from winning and tying his record. There'd be no big payoff really aside from seeing Cena screwed out of the title and, quite frankly, I'm personally tired of seeing it go down that way. If they don't want Cena to get the strap right now, just have him lose outright; it's not gonna hurt Cena one iota and it'll be a huge rub for Seth Rollins.

 

[boozinjedi]

If Flair did get involved and did turn Heel, what purpose would it serve?

Would there be a match against Cena?

Not sure the WWE would book it.

Besides, the fans simply want to love Flair at this stage.

If anything, I can see Flair in a backstage segment with Cena, as has been suggested, of Flair could even interfere on Cena's behalf or be in his corner.

If they did do this...They wouldn't do it with title win #16,it would make more sense for them to do it if Cena goes after title-win #17
Having Cena tie Flair is one thing...Breaking the record is another.
If he does appear on camera it would most likely be supporting his daughter

 

[BigDaddyKewl]

I think we're going to get some screw job ending with Rollins picking up the win. I could see Flair coming out of the crowd giving Cena the low blow and allowing Rollins to hit the pedigree and pick up the win. It makes sense because of Flair's ties with Triple H and wanting to protect his World title record. It might help draw some interest in the fall months to have Flair back on TV. He's also shown he's still capable of getting his hands dirty and still taking some small bumps at his age.

 

[FlairFan2003]

Flair turning heel and costing Cena the title has no real payoff unless WWE plans on adding him to the Authority Angle in some sort of advisor/manager role along side HHH. If he just screws Cena out of title #16 and leaves then what good does that do, especially the crowds love Flair, turning him heel for one match and having him disappear is useless.

Flair could interfere in some way as Cena's friend which would help him get cheers from the crowd, especially if HHH comes down to aide Rollins. That wouldn't have to involve a long term commitment of appearances storyline wise for Flair and would make some sense, especially if he is shown supporting his daughter earlier in the night alongside the obligatory prep talk promo backstage with Cena.

Certainly there is no chance WWE is putting Flair in the ring for a payoff against a screwed Cena, Flair is 66 years old and after the Jerry Lawler heart attack WWE is scared stiff using any talent that is past their early 50s. The last thing WWE is having Cena beat a heel 66 year old Flair and Flair suffer a very legit/life threatening injury during said match - the fan outcry would be deafening as would the negative reaction from the media.

I think option #2 is most plausible because it gives WWE some leeway storyline wise (it makes sense if Flair sticks around for a bit and makes sense if he doesn't) and it makes more likely Cena will get cheered.

In the end WWE has lot invested in Rollins at this point - he is becoming the perfect cowardly but skilled heel in the classic Flair/HHH style, Edge as well during his Rated R SuperStar gimmick, he isn't losing the title yet. Likewise there is no way he beats Cena clean because his gimmick demands he win by cheating, undeserving of victory, to gain heat, therefore some sort of outside interference or screw job finish is likely.

WWE can get away with a non ending/screw job finish to this match (provided the bout itself is entertaining) because Taker-Lesnar is likely the real main event and Taker going over clean will be a dramatic and crowd pleasing outcome to send the fans home happy on.

 

[Messiah]

If anything Flair would help Cena win, but Flair needs to stay off SummerSlam. The last thing the fans need is for him involved somehow.. I don't see why Flair would cost Cena the match unless Flair is used in storylines going forward, but really who wants to see that?

 

[kadroan]

I think he's just there to watch Charlotte's match. I could see if they sold the Rollins/Cena match as the main event but they aren't which would be a legit reason to have Flair get involved in the match, celebration of course not costing/helping someone win the match.

 

[The Warlord]

Im not interested in seeing Ric Flair in any capacity...wrestling, promo, building a story. That guy needs to go. He needs to learn from Shawn and find another passion to make retirement easier. Theres nothing he can add of value to the WWE. Isnt the guy pushing 70 for christ's sake??!
At least with Austin and Rock...two guys who are in very good shape and still have a huge fan base...they could help contribute to the show.

 

[Headman]

He's probably there to support his daughter. But it does make sense to have him at the event as a dignitary with a possible record tying title change on the card.

 

[FlairFan2003]

Im not interested in seeing Ric Flair in any capacity...wrestling, promo, building a story. That guy needs to go. He needs to learn from Shawn and find another passion to make retirement easier. Theres nothing he can add of value to the WWE. Isnt the guy pushing 70 for christ's sake??!
At least with Austin and Rock...two guys who are in very good shape and still have a huge fan base...they could help contribute to the show.

Flair has a bigger fan base than Austin or Rock....he strectches 3 generations of wrestling fans....Austin & Rock hit just one. Austin (like Flair) cant wrestle, there is no match wise pay off because Austin cant get in the ring, in fact Austin is in worse shape physically than Flair despite the age difference due to his neck injuries.

Flair contributes as much if not more than Austin simply because he can bump in the ring even he isn't wrestling a full match (Austin cant do either, he is a promo and nothing else), Rock wont commit to a meaningful appearance due to his Hollywood Career.

 

[Rulk25]

If they do anything with this I think your scenario sounds the most plausible. Since we are never going to see a Flair or Charollete vs Cena match no pay off for Cena and I dont even see a Cena HHH match as I think the only match HHH is planning to still have is Mania with Rock

The only person who I could see Screw Cena is Host Jon Stewart

I don't see Flair going heel by costing Cena or anything. The idea of that has very little payoff, considering he's stated in interviews that he hopes Cena can break the record. With that being said...

Especially after Cena's comment on Raw, I think it's more likely that HHH will get involved. Maybe Cena and Flair can have a backstage segment, talking about how Flair gives his approval to Cena. HHH could even question Flair for doing that, but Flair insists that it's best for business. Then come match time, HHH screws over Cena to save the record, making HHH look like a douche for 1) screwing over Cena, 2) backstabbing his good friend/mentor and 3) helping Seth again.

But who knows? This is fantasy booking.

 

[#tamale]

Flair screws Cena because Flair wants to hold the record. That it's his and Cena doesn't deserve it. Flair goes crazy villain and he recruits Samoa Joe, Tyler Breeze, and BAMF to torment Cena and make sure he never wins the WWE World Heavyweight Championship again.

The payoffs; introduce the audience to Samoa Joe, Tyler Breeze, and BAMF by having them involved in a high profile feud with Cena. Cena has months of programming ready for him (probably ends in December). Above everything else, this would be great entertainment.