All Japan Pro Wrestling announced yesterday that former World Champion Ric Flair will be appearing on their show at the Tokyo Arena on January 26, 2013. Exactly what Flair's role will be has yet to be announced but it is thought he will take part in an angle or at the very least make an announcement that his son Reid will be training in AJPW.
Flair recently returned to television as part of RAW when he introduced John Cena as the Slammy Award Winner for Superstar of the Year. Flair would then be attacked by The Shield and would clean house and throw in a figure four for good measure.
The WWE is expected to use Flair to help push his daughter Ashley who is wrestling in the developmental system as Charlotte. Flair has said that he would like to step into a WWE ring and wrestle again but according to reports WWE CEO Vince McMahon is against having Flair get into the ring for a match due to stipulations that saw Flair retire after losing a match to Shawn Michaels and with Flair being 63 years old McMahon does not want to take a chance on Flair's health being compromised in the wake of Jerry Lawler, who is the same age as Flair, having a heart attack.
Flair continues to be a hotbed of controversy due to his antics in his personal life with the most recent development being estranged wife Jacqueline suing him in order to have a judge force Flair to own up to financial obligations he agreed to in a separation agreement. Jacqueline claims Flair owes her $35,000 in back alimony, support and legal fees plus $4,000 a month going forward and she has yet to be paid.
There are a number of endorsement opportunities that are in a state of limbo due to Flair's mess of a personal life. The North Carolina State Education Lottery has used Flair in the past for their instant win scratch off games and they are said to be interested in using Flair in the future as is the South Carolina State Education Lottery but they are reluctant to move forward until Flair solves his legal issues. The Coca-Cola company and BYB Brands have signed Flair to endorse a new line of energy supplements called "Fuel in a Bottle" but little has been done due to Flair's legal issues.
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