Ric Flair Speaks Out on Missing His AEW “Blood & Guts” TV Moment
Ric Flair, one of wrestling’s most iconic figures, has finally addressed his unexpected no-show during AEW’s recent “Blood & Guts” edition of Dynamite. Despite being advertised to appear alongside wrestling stalwart Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Flair ended up making only a brief pre-show appearance and then quietly exited the building.
What Happened at Greensboro
The event took place in Greensboro, North Carolina, a city with deep wrestling roots and strong ties to both Flair and Steamboat. According to reports, Flair was indeed present in the arena. He came out early to acknowledge the crowd but did not participate in the planned on-air segment. Instead, AEW seemed to shift its plans at the last minute, altering the originally scheduled appearance involving Flair, Steamboat, and the tag-team duo FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler).
The sudden change did not go unnoticed. While Steamboat delivered his part of the segment, Flair was conspicuously absent from the televised portion, leaving fans to wonder what went wrong.
The Injury That Kept “The Nature Boy” Off-Air
In his candor, Flair revealed the reason: a torn rotator cuff. He reportedly arrived at the venue in pain, but still made an effort to show himself to fans before stepping away. Sources say he removed his arm from a sling to avoid drawing attention to the severity of his injury, but the discomfort became too much to manage for the televised segment.
Wrestling insiders noted that because of the injury, AEW had to rework the live show’s flow. What was supposed to be a nostalgic reunion fell apart behind the scenes due to his physical limitations. Feeling the strain, Flair chose to leave after his brief pre-show moment, rather than push through and potentially worsen his condition.
Flair’s Ongoing Health Struggles
This isn’t the first time Flair’s health has gotten in the way of his AEW appearances. Earlier, he disclosed he’s on blood-thinning medication, a detail that reportedly wasn’t fully known to AEW leadership. In interviews, Flair explained that the medication stemmed from a serious leg blood clot in his past. He also shared that he wanted to contribute more physically, but safety concerns, especially around bleeding, complicated things.
At 76 years old, Flair has made clear that his body is not what it used to be. His ongoing use of blood thinners, combined with this recent shoulder injury, has made in-ring work much more difficult, if not risky.
A Message to Fans and AEW
Despite the setback, Flair expressed deep appreciation to AEW and its fans. He thanked AEW president Tony Khan for the chance to appear, underscored how much he values reconnecting with wrestling legends like Steamboat, and vowed that once his shoulder heals, he’s ready to come back stronger.
He also wanted his supporters to know: his exit wasn’t a slight or a sign of disrespect. “I would never disappoint you intentionally,” he said, clarifying that his absence was purely a health matter.
What’s Next for Flair and AEW
As Flair recovers, AEW continues to evolve. The company is already building toward future storyline arcs and matches. Meanwhile, FTR, who were part of the original segment with him, remain a focal point of AEW’s tag team division, and their championship aspirations carry on.
