Paul Heyman has revealed that he once attempted to goad Ric Flair into a physical confrontation, part of a long and complicated relationship between the two wrestling figures that stretched back decades and included real tension during their time in WCW.
Speaking on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Heyman described Flair as “an interesting subject” when reflecting on their history together, according to Fightful. Heyman explained that the main event of the very first wrestling show he ever promoted featured Flair, tying the two men together from the earliest days of Heyman’s career in the industry.
Despite that early connection, the relationship between Heyman and Flair was not always smooth. Wrestling Headlines reported that Heyman used the Bensinger interview to reflect on backstage issues the pair had during their overlapping time in WCW, a period in wrestling history well known for its volatile locker room politics and clashing personalities among its top stars and agents.
According to the reporting from both outlets, Heyman recalled trying to lure Flair into an actual physical altercation at some point during their friction, but Flair ultimately did not take the bait. Neither source detailed the specific incident that prompted Heyman’s attempt to provoke Flair, nor did they specify an exact date or location tied to the confrontation, but both outlets confirmed the broader characterization that Heyman sought a physical response from Flair and was unsuccessful in drawing one out.
Wrestling Headlines noted that the interview also touched on how the two men eventually were able to move past their earlier issues, though the circumstances behind that resolution were described as unusual rather than explained in granular detail within the available reporting.
The dynamic between Heyman and Flair has long been a subject of interest for wrestling fans given their respective roles shaping the industry across multiple eras, with Heyman building a reputation as one of wrestling’s most notable managers and promotional minds while Flair became one of its most decorated in-ring performers. Heyman’s comments on the Bensinger program offer a rare first-person account of the friction that existed between the two during their overlapping careers, even as both men went on to maintain prominent standing within professional wrestling long after their WCW tenures.
No further details regarding the current relationship between Heyman and Flair were included in the available reporting.
