Ric Flair Responds To Dark Side Of The Ring Allegations
Ric Flair has shared a statement where he addresses the serious allegations levelled against him in an episode of Dark Side Of The Ring.
Season three of the documentary series resumed with an episode detailing the infamous ‘Plane Ride From Hell.’ During the episode, a flight attendant who was working on the notorious flight seemed to allege that she suffered sexual harassment from a highly intoxicated Flair.
The flight took place in May 2002 after a tour of Europe that culminated in a UK exclusive pay-per-view, Insurrextion. Several WWE Superstars were involved in several incidents on board the flight and when the dust had settled, Mr Perfect Curt Hennig and Scott Hall found themselves out of a job.
Taking to social media, mentioned that he had been advised to keep quiet but was choosing to – in his words – “clarify a few things.” Flair also pointed to the ESPN 30 For 30 documentary that covered some of the darker periods of Flair’s life but never alluded to any allegations that the Dark Side Of The Ring episode threw up.
At the end of the statement, Flair said that no stories of him forcing himself on anyone were in the ESPN documentary because “it never happened.”
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) September 21, 2021
Flair then also issued this follow-up statement to Wrestling Inc.:
To clarify, the “helicopter” as it was called, is accurate. I wish I could blame it on youth, but it was a case of drinking too much and being inappropriate and I apologize for that (and have countless times over the years).
I made some bad decisions during dark periods in my life, and it is something I’ve spent a significant part of years I was given by the doctors in 2017 trying to make right.
I condemn sexual assault in any way, shape or form. I could (and have) written books (as have others) that have covered my transgressions. I’ve made some terrible decisions, but I’ve never forced myself on anyone in any way. Period.
A Car Shield commercial featuring Flair was “paused” following the allegations and Flair’s presence has since been taken out of the opening package that airs before WWE shows.
Meanwhile, Tommy Dreamer who caused controversy with his comments about the alleged incident has been suspended by IMPACT Wrestling. In addition, he has been removed from his spot as a host on Busted Open Radio.