Ric Flair signs multi-year AEW deal and agrees exclusive ‘Woooo! Energy’ partnership after debut appearance on Philadelphia show
- The ‘Woooo! Energy’ partnership is expected to cover most of Flair’s AEW salary
- He will be directly involved in ‘The Icon’ Sting’s retirement run going forward
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All Elite Wrestling has announced a multi-year deal with WWE legend Ric Flair and an exclusive partnership with his ‘Wooooo! Energy’ beverage.
Through the partnership, ‘Wooooo! Energy’ will now be carried in concession stands for select venues during AEW shows, stocked in the wrestlers’ locker rooms backstage and be seen on the announce desk during broadcasts.
‘I’ve been in the wrestling business for over 50 years,’ said Flair. ‘Together with AEW and Wooooo! Energy, I’ve never been more excited, and I’ve never had more energy! When the Nature Boy promises a show, you know how it’s gonna go! Wooooo!’
Flair made his surprising debut during last Wednesday’s show in Philadelphia as AEW CEO Tony Khan’s ‘special gift’ for ‘The Icon’ Sting.
‘Last Wednesday, the ‘Nature Boy’ made his epic return to TBS, more than 35 years since the Flair vs. Sting rivalry first began on the Superstation,’ said Khan. ‘It’s truly an honor to welcome the legend himself – and Wooooo! Energy – to AEW.
Wrestling legend Ric Flair has signed a multi-year contract with All-Elite Wrestling
Flair made his debut last Wednesday in Philadelphia as a ‘special gift’ for ‘The Icon’ Sting (left)
‘Ric cemented his legacy as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all-time long ago, and now his world-renowned persona and his amazing wrestling mind will be major assets to AEW’s programming and our position globally.
‘Most importantly, it’s fitting that the final chapter of Sting’s iconic career will unfold on TBS with Ric Flair by his side.’
Flair’s involvement going forward will be related to Sting’s recently announced retirement run that will culminate in his final matching taking place at the Revolution pay-per-view in 2024.
Throughout their legendary careers Flair and Sting have shared incredible rivalries, spectacular matches and formed a respected friendship.
‘When Ric came out and I heard his music play, it hit me,’ Sting said to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated.
‘I had this flashback, and it made me emotional. Ric is the guy who put me on the map. We’ve traveled around the world together, and Ric helped make me. Now he’s going to finish with me.
‘After all the travel, all the matches, all the press slams, all the chops, and all the woos–woooo!–I experienced the same feeling on Dynamite this past week with Ric that I did on that final Nitro. Except this time, it was so much more positive.
‘Tony Khan called me and asked me to go out in style. I liked that idea. I couldn’t say no. The AEW brand reminds me so much of the WCW brand. Tony allowed me to come back and have some fun, and I’m so grateful for that. It’s been a lot of fun.’
AEW announced the tweet and an exclusive partnership with his ‘Wooooo! Energy’ drink
The company also posted a press release on the signing and the exclusive partnership
Flair’s deal is said to be very similar to the one that wrestling legend Randy Savage signed when he joined WCW in the 1990s, which also included a lucrative partnership with Slim Jim, according to Fightful Select.
Slim Jim had paid a significant portion of Savage’s salary while he was with WCW and the deal with Wooooo! Energy should cover most of if not all of Flair’s AEW salary.
FIghtful also reported that AEW was largely motivated to add Flair for merchandising purposes including video games, action figures, and general merchandise.
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