Career Timeline of Ric Flair: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Ric Flair built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Ric Flair, born Richard Morgan Fliehr, is a highly decorated and widely considered the greatest professional wrestler of all time. His career spanned five decades. He is currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) for special appearances in a legends role. Flair's wrestling career is marked by his charisma, in-ring skills, and multiple world championships.
December 10, 1972: Ric Flair's Wrestling Debut
On December 10, 1972, Ric Flair made his professional wrestling debut for Verne Gagne's AWA promotion in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, wrestling George "Scrap Iron" Gadaski to a 10-minute draw.
1973: First Appearances in Japan
In 1973, Ric Flair made his first appearances in Japan with International Wrestling Enterprise (IWE) as part of a working agreement between the IWE and AWA promoter Verne Gagne, competing in IWE's "Big Summer Series".
May 13, 1974: NWA Debut
On May 13, 1974, Ric Flair debuted for Jim Crockett Promotions' National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territory in the Mid-Atlantic region, defeating Abe Jacobs.
May 1974: Departure from AWA
In May 1974, Ric Flair left the American Wrestling Association (AWA).
May 1974: First Championship Win
In May 1974, shortly after his debut, Ric Flair won his first championship in Jim Crockett Promotions, teaming with Rip Hawk to defeat Bob Bruggers and Paul Jones for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship.
February 9, 1975: NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship
On February 9, 1975, Ric Flair captured his first singles title, beating Paul Jones for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship.
April 27, 1978: Flair Challenges for NWA United National Championship
On April 27, 1978, Ric Flair unsuccessfully challenged for the NWA United National Championship while working for Jim Crockett Jr.'s Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.
April 20, 1980: Fifth United States Heavyweight Championship
On April 20, 1980, Ric Flair defeated Jimmy Snuka to win the United States Heavyweight Championship for a fourth time.
January 27, 1981: Losing the United States Heavyweight Championship
On January 27, 1981, Ric Flair lost the United States Heavyweight Championship to Roddy Piper in a title versus title match, where Flair's United States Heavyweight Championship and Piper's Television Championship were on the line.
September 17, 1981: First NWA World Heavyweight Championship
On September 17, 1981, Ric Flair defeated Dusty Rhodes for his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship in a bout with Lou Thesz as special guest referee.
January 6, 1983: Unsanctioned Title Loss
On January 6, 1983, Ric Flair had an unsanctioned title loss to Carlos Colón in Puerto Rico. The title change was not officially recognized by the NWA.
1983: Starrcade '83: A Flare for the Gold
In 1983, at Starrcade '83: A Flare for the Gold, Ric Flair regained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Harley Race in a steel cage match.
March 1984: Title Exchange with Harley Race
In March 1984, Ric Flair lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Harley Race and won it back in the span of three days in New Zealand and Singapore.
October 21, 1985: Flair Wrestles Rick Martel in Double Title Match
On October 21, 1985, Ric Flair wrestled Rick Martel in a double title match, where Flair defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and challenged for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. The match ended in a double countout.
July 26, 1986: Losing NWA World Heavyweight Championship
On July 26, 1986, Ric Flair lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Dusty Rhodes at The Great American Bash in a steel cage match.
September 25, 1987: Flair loses NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Ron Garvin
On September 25, 1987, Ric Flair lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Ron Garvin in Detroit.
November 26, 1987: Flair regains NWA World Heavyweight Championship
On November 26, 1987, Ric Flair regained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Ron Garvin at WCW's Starrcade '87: Chi-Town Heat in Chicago.
February 20, 1989: Ricky Steamboat Wins NWA World Heavyweight Championship
On February 20, 1989, at Chi-Town Rumble in Chicago, Ricky Steamboat defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, beginning a feud between the two.
May 7, 1989: Flair Regains NWA World Heavyweight Championship
On May 7, 1989, at WrestleWar, Ric Flair defeated Ricky Steamboat to regain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The match was later voted 1989's "Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
July 23, 1989: Flair Defeats Terry Funk at The Great American Bash
On July 23, 1989, at The Great American Bash, Ric Flair defeated Terry Funk, leading to a continued feud and the reformation of The Four Horsemen.
February 1990: Flair Resigns as Head Booker
In February 1990, Ric Flair resigned from his position as head booker for WCW.
July 7, 1990: Flair Loses Title to Sting at Great American Bash
On July 7, 1990, Ric Flair lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Sting at The Great American Bash.
January 11, 1991: Flair Regains Title from Sting
On January 11, 1991, Ric Flair regained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Sting after Sting was unmasked as the Black Scorpion at Starrcade '90: Collision Course in 1990.
May 19, 1991: Flair regains NWA World Heavyweight Championship
On May 19, 1991, at SuperBrawl I in St. Petersburg, Florida, Ric Flair defeated Tatsumi Fujinami to reclaim the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
August 1991: Flair signs with WWF
In August 1991, Ric Flair signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), marking a significant change in his career.
February 1992: Flair faces Roddy Piper in title-versus-title matches
In February 1992, Ric Flair, as WWF Champion, faced Intercontinental Champion Roddy Piper in a series of title-versus-title matches that were inconclusive.
April 1992: Flair tours Japan with SWS promotion
In April 1992, Ric Flair toured Japan with the Super World of Sports (SWS) promotion as part of an agreement between the WWF and SWS, participating in both tag team and singles matches.
July 1992: Flair causes distrust between Savage and Warrior
In July 1992, Ric Flair and Mr. Perfect sowed distrust between Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior, leading to an attack on both wrestlers and an injury to Savage's knee.
September 15, 1992: Flair Defends WWF Championship Against Genichiro Tenryu
On September 15, 1992, Ric Flair defended the WWF Championship against Genichiro Tenryu at a Wrestle Association R event in Yokohama, Japan. The match ended in a draw.
November 1992: Flair teams with Razor Ramon at Survivor Series
In November 1992, Ric Flair teamed with Razor Ramon to face Randy Savage and Mr. Perfect at the Survivor Series.
1992: Revival of Feud with Randy Savage
In 1992, Ric Flair revived his feud with Randy Savage.
January 1993: Flair Competes in Royal Rumble and Loser Leaves WWF Match
In January 1993, Ric Flair appeared in the Royal Rumble and subsequently lost a Loser Leaves the WWF match to Mr. Perfect on Monday Night Raw.
February 11, 1993: Flair's Last Appearance with WWF
On February 11, 1993, Ric Flair made his last appearance with the WWF before returning to WCW, marking the end of his run with the company.
February 1993: Flair Returns to WCW as a Hero
In February 1993, Ric Flair made a triumphant return to WCW as a hero, initially hosting a talk show due to a 'no-compete' clause.
September 1993: WCW Leaves NWA
In September 1993, WCW officially left the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). At Fall Brawl, Flair lost the title to "Ravishing Rick" Rude.
June 1994: WCW International World Heavyweight Championship Unification and Feud with Hulk Hogan
In June 1994, at Clash of the Champions XXVII, Ric Flair defeated Sting in a unification match, merging the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. He also started a feud with Hulk Hogan after Hogan's arrival in WCW.
1994: Flair Begins Feud with Ricky Steamboat
In 1994, Ric Flair began another feud with longtime rival Ricky Steamboat, and began a tweener turn.
January 1995: Return to WCW Television and Involvement with Vader
In January 1995, Ric Flair returned to WCW television for an interview at Clash of the Champions XXX. After attacking Hulk Hogan at Superbrawl V, Flair began managing Vader and had a short-lived storyline where he was "possessed."
April 29, 1995: Match against Antonio Inoki in North Korea
On April 29, 1995, Ric Flair wrestled Antonio Inoki in front of 190,000 spectators in Pyongyang, North Korea at the May Day Stadium, losing the match. This event was a joint show between New Japan Pro-Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling.
August 4, 1995: Broadcast of Collision in Korea
On August 4, 1995, the match between Ric Flair and Antonio Inoki from April 29 was broadcast on pay-per-view under the title of Collision in Korea.
December 1995: WCW World Heavyweight Championship Win at Starrcade
In December 1995, at Starrcade, Ric Flair won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Lex Luger and Sting by countout, and then defeating Randy Savage after interference from the Four Horsemen.
1995: Second Match of Nitro
In 1995, Ric Flair participated in the second match of Nitro.
July 17, 1996: Flair challenges Shinya Hashimoto for IWGP Heavyweight Championship
On July 17, 1996, Ric Flair challenged Shinya Hashimoto for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in NJPW but was unsuccessful.
September 1996: WarGames Match at Fall Brawl
In September 1996, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson teamed with Sting and Lex Luger to lose to the nWo (Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and an impostor Sting) in the WarGames match at Fall Brawl when Luger submitted to the impostor Sting's Scorpion Deathlock.
October 1996: Jeff Jarrett's Arrival in WCW
In October 1996, Jeff Jarrett came to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Four Horsemen, gaining a fan in Ric Flair.
1996: Changes in the Four Horsemen
In 1996, Brian Pillman left WCW and Steve "Mongo" McMichael became the fourth member of the Four Horseman.
February 1997: Jeff Jarrett Joins the Four Horsemen
In February 1997, Ric Flair allowed Jeff Jarrett to join the Four Horsemen, despite the other members' disapproval.
July 1997: Jeff Jarrett Kicked Out of the Four Horsemen
In July 1997, Ric Flair kicked Jeff Jarrett out of the Four Horsemen due to the instability Jarrett's presence caused.
September 1997: Curt Hennig Turns on Flair and the Four Horsemen at Fall Brawl
In September 1997, Curt Hennig turned on Ric Flair and The Four Horsemen at Fall Brawl, slamming the cage door onto Flair's head.
1997: Miss Elizabeth joins nWo
In 1997, Miss Elizabeth was taken by the nWo and eventually returned as Randy Savage's valet when he joined the nWo.
1997: Role in the nWo Invasion Storyline
Throughout 1997, Ric Flair played a major role in the New World Order (nWo) invasion storyline, often taking the lead in the war against Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Hollywood Hulk Hogan.
April 9, 1998: Ric Flair no-shows Thunder
On April 9, 1998, Ric Flair no-showed a live episode of Thunder in Tallahassee, Florida, leading to a lawsuit.
April 1998: Ric Flair disappears from WCW television
In April 1998, Ric Flair disappeared from WCW television due to a lawsuit filed by Eric Bischoff.
September 14, 1998: Ric Flair returns and reforms Four Horsemen
On September 14, 1998, Ric Flair returned to WCW and reformed the Four Horsemen with Steve McMichael, Dean Malenko, and Chris Benoit.
December 1998: Ric Flair loses to Eric Bischoff at Starrcade
In December 1998, Ric Flair lost to Eric Bischoff at Starrcade after interference from Curt Hennig.
January 17, 1999: WCW's Souled Out pay-per-view match
On January 17, 1999, at WCW's Souled Out pay-per-view in Charleston, West Virginia, a tag team match between Ric Flair and his son David against Curt Hennig and Barry Windham led to real-life tension between Flair and Hulk Hogan.
2000: WCW World Heavyweight Championship Wins
During 2000, Ric Flair won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice, marking his last world title wins.
March 2001: Final Match of Nitro
In March 2001, Ric Flair, as the leader of the Magnificent Seven, lost the final match of Nitro to Sting.
November 19, 2001: Return to WWF as Co-Owner
On November 19, 2001, Ric Flair returned to the WWF as the co-owner of the company, following the end of the WCW/ECW Invasion storyline.
January 20, 2002: Street Fight Victory over Vince McMahon at Royal Rumble
On January 20, 2002, at the Royal Rumble, Ric Flair defeated Vince McMahon in a Street Fight.
2002: Turning Face and dissolution of Evolution
After Vengeance, on June 26, Triple H took time off and Ric Flair turned face for the first time since 2002 before going on to win the Intercontinental Championship at Unforgiven and the group was dissolved.
June 15, 2003: Victory over Shawn Michaels at Bad Blood
On June 15, 2003, at Bad Blood, Ric Flair defeated Shawn Michaels after Randy Orton struck Michaels with a chair.
January 25, 2004: World Tag Team Championship Defense at Royal Rumble
On January 25, 2004, at the Royal Rumble, Ric Flair and Batista successfully defended the World Tag Team Championship against the Dudley Boyz in a tables match.
February 2004: World Tag Team Championship Defense with Batista
In February 2004, Ric Flair and Batista successfully defended the World Tag Team Championship against The Dudley Boyz twice.
January 9, 2005: Elimination Chamber Match at New Year's Revolution
On January 9, 2005, at New Year's Revolution in the Elimination Chamber match, Randy Orton eliminated Batista with an RKO and Triple H pinned Orton with Batista's help to win the title.
February 7, 2005: Singles Match Loss to Shawn Michaels in Japan
On February 7, 2005, Ric Flair lost to Shawn Michaels in a singles match on Raw, broadcast from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
2006: Program with Mick Foley and match at SummerSlam
In 2006, Ric Flair and Mick Foley worked a program, culminating in a violent "I Quit" match at SummerSlam 2006 involving barbed wire and thumbtacks, elements associated with Foley's Cactus Jack persona.
February 15, 2007: Flair defeats Carlito on Raw
On February 15, 2007, Ric Flair defeated Carlito in a match on Raw. This victory led Carlito to realize Flair was right about him lacking heart, initiating a tag team partnership between them.
January 27, 2008: Flair defeats Montel Vontavious Porter at the Royal Rumble
On January 27, 2008, Ric Flair continued his "career threatening" matches by defeating Montel Vontavious Porter at the Royal Rumble. This was part of a storyline where Vince McMahon had declared that the next match Flair lost would force him into retirement.
February 2008: Retirement Stipulation Matches in Japan
In February 2008, Ric Flair wrestled Mr. Kennedy and William Regal in Japan with the stipulation that he would retire if he lost.
February 18, 2008: Flair Announced as First Inductee into WWE Hall of Fame
On February 18, 2008, Shawn Michaels announced Ric Flair as the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2008.
2008: Flair originally retires
In 2008, Ric Flair originally retired at the age of 59, despite facing criticism for continuing to wrestle.
2008: Match of the Decade
In 2008, the match between Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24 was named as the "match of the decade" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
November 21, 2009: Flair Loses to Hulk Hogan in Australia
On November 21, 2009, Ric Flair returned to the ring as a villain and lost to Hulk Hogan in the main event of the first show of the "Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin" tour in Australia. The match ended with Hogan using brass knuckles.
2009: Flair returns to the ring
In 2009, Ric Flair returned to the ring after originally retiring in 2008. He broke his vow to never again lace up his boots.
January 4, 2010: Flair Debuts in TNA
On January 4, 2010, Ric Flair made his debut appearance for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) on Impact!. He arrived in a limo and observed the main event between A.J. Styles and Kurt Angle.
January 25, 2011: Flair Pulls Out of TNA Tour
On January 25, 2011, it was reported that Ric Flair had pulled out of TNA's Maximum Wooo! tour of Europe mid-tour due to monetary disputes.
January 9, 2012: Four Horsemen to be Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame
On January 9, 2012, it was announced that the Four Horsemen would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, making Ric Flair the first two-time inductee.
April 28, 2014: Flair Endorses The Shield on Raw
On the April 28, 2014, episode of Raw, Ric Flair appeared alongside the reunited Evolution and The Shield, but showed his endorsement for The Shield. This was significant as they were Evolution's opponents at Extreme Rules, effectively turning his back on his old teammates.
September 2019: Trademark Dispute Over "The Man"
In September 2019, Ric Flair threatened legal action against WWE and filed a trademark for the term "The Man," which was being used by Becky Lynch, causing tension with his daughter Charlotte.
May 2020: Transfer of "The Man" rights to WWE
In May 2020, Ric Flair transferred the rights to "The Man" nickname and gimmick to WWE, resolving the trademark dispute that began in September 2019.
January 4, 2021: Flair starts storyline with Lacey Evans
On January 4, 2021, on Raw, Ric Flair began a storyline with Lacey Evans, who flirted with Flair during a match against Charlotte Flair and Asuka.
August 14, 2021: Flair makes Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide Debut
On August 14, 2021, Ric Flair debuted in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) at Triplemanía XXIX, accompanying Andrade "El Ídolo" to the ring and interfering in his match against Kenny Omega.
August 29, 2021: Flair Returns to NWA at NWA 73
On August 29, 2021, Ric Flair returned to the NWA at NWA 73, marking his first appearance since his NWA Hall of Fame induction in 2008. He thanked both the NWA and WWE.
May 16, 2022: Flair Announces Final Match
On May 16, 2022, it was announced that Ric Flair would have his final wrestling match on July 31 in Nashville, titled Ric Flair's Last Match.
August 6, 2022: Flair accompanies Andrade at WWC Anniversary show
On August 6, 2022, Ric Flair accompanied Andrade during his match against Carlito at the 49th WWC Anniversary show, interfering and causing Carlos Colón to attack him.
September 26, 2022: Flair Announces He Will Never Retire
On September 26, 2022, during celebrations for his 50th anniversary in professional wrestling, Ric Flair announced that he would never retire.
January 2023: Flair States Desire to Redo Last Match
In January 2023, Ric Flair stated that he did not want to wrestle again aside from wanting to redo his Last Match.
October 25, 2023: Flair Appears on AEW Dynamite
On October 25, 2023, Ric Flair appeared on AEW Dynamite as a "gift" from Tony Khan to Sting for his upcoming retirement, marking his first TBS appearance since 2001.
November 2, 2023: Flair Signs Multi-Year Deal with AEW
On November 2, 2023, it was announced that Ric Flair had signed a multi-year deal with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
November 2023: Signing with AEW
In November 2023, Ric Flair signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) to perform a legends role for special appearances.
November 18, 2023: Flair Makes AEW Pay-Per-View Debut at Full Gear
On November 18, 2023, Ric Flair made his AEW pay-per-view debut at Full Gear, accompanying Sting, Darby Allin, and Adam Copeland to the ring and delivering chops and a low blow to Christian Cage.
January 6, 2024: Flair Accompanies Sting and Allin to the Ring on AEW Collision
On January 6, 2024, Ric Flair accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring on AEW Collision, and later performed a promo with Sting.
January 10, 2024: Flair Delivers Chops Inside an AEW Ring
On January 10, 2024, Ric Flair accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring and delivered chops inside an AEW ring for the first time, during their match against Powerhouse Hobbs and Konosuke Takeshita.
March 3, 2024: Flair Accompanies Sting and Allin at Revolution Pay-Per-View
On March 3, 2024, Ric Flair accompanied Sting and Allin to the ring at the Revolution pay-per-view in Greensboro Coliseum, and received superkicks from The Young Bucks during the match.
July 12, 2024: Report of Flair Parting Ways with AEW
On July 12, 2024, it was reported by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Ric Flair had parted ways with AEW, although this was later retracted.
January 2025: Flair States He Will Never Return to the Ring
In January 2025, Ric Flair stated that he would never return to the ring, reversing his previous statements about potentially redoing his last match.
May 14, 2025: Flair Returns to AEW at Collision: Beach Break
On May 14, 2025, Ric Flair returned to AEW as part of the tribute segment for Steve McMichael at Collision: Beach Break.
November 8, 2025: Announcement of Flair's Return to AEW
On November 8, 2025, it was announced that Ric Flair would return to AEW on November 12 for the 2025 Blood and Guts special.
November 12, 2025: Flair's AEW Appearance at Blood and Guts Special
On November 12, 2025, Ric Flair appeared at AEW's Blood and Guts special before the televised broadcast. It was reported that he left early due to pain from a rotator cuff injury.
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