Ric Flair Breaks Silence on Early AEW Dynamite Exit — Nature Boy Reveals Why He Left Early

Wooo became oh no in Greensboro last Wednesday night — and Ric Flair wants fans to know exactly what happened.

AEW Dynamite’s Blood & Guts special emanated from the legendary Greensboro Coliseum, a venue forever linked with Flair’s iconic legacy. Greensboro is Flair Country, and the Nature Boy being backstage made the night feel even more historic. But fans never saw him walk through the curtain.

On Monday morning, Flair took to X with an explanation and a sincere apology.

What Happened in Greensboro? Flair Explains Sudden Exit

Both Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat were backstage for AEW’s brutal Blood & Guts event, adding a touch of Carolina wrestling royalty to an already high-octane night. Steamboat made it to TV — joining Tony Schiavone in-ring for an interview — but Flair was nowhere to be seen.

That wasn’t the plan.

According to Flair, he had to leave the show early due to a rotator cuff injury that flared up and prevented him from participating in a planned segment involving Steamboat, FTR, and Brodido.

Flair issued a heartfelt message:

“I want to apologize to everyone for having to leave the AEW show early last Wednesday due to my rotator cuff injury… I appreciate Tony Khan giving me the opportunity to be on the show… I would never disappoint you intentionally.”

The segment Steamboat appeared in — where FTR interrupted and attempted to ambush him before Brodido made the save — seemed tailor-made for Flair to get involved in some capacity. Instead, the Nature Boy was forced into an early exit.

Flair Reflects on His Time in AEW

Flair had a working relationship with AEW throughout 2023 and 2024, though his involvement was sporadic and never extended into a major storyline. Still, his presence always adds a sense of legitimacy and nostalgia to any show he’s on.

Flair made it clear he hopes to be back once he’s healthy:

“After I have my shoulder healed up, I’ll be back up and running… I look forward to being invited again.”

At 16 recognized world championships and two WWE Hall of Fame inductions, Flair’s legacy is bulletproof. But his willingness to apologize directly to fans shows why he remains one of the most beloved figures in wrestling history.

Full Gear Ahead: Brodido vs. FTR Set for AEW World Tag Titles

The Steamboat segment that Flair missed wasn’t just nostalgia — it was the latest beat in AEW’s hottest tag team feud. FTR and Brodido will collide for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Full Gear on November 22.

The PPV lineup is already stacked:

• Adam Page vs. Samoa Joe — AEW World Championship
• Kris Statlander vs. Mercedes Moné — AEW Women’s World Championship
• Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe — TNT Championship (No DQ; Briscoe must join Don Callis Family if he loses)
• And more matches expected to be added throughout the week

Full Gear is shaping up to be explosive — and Flair’s unexpected exit only added more intrigue to an already wild week for AEW.

🗣️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

Flair’s apology feels genuine and speaks to his old-school mentality. Even at 76, he still cares deeply about “never disappointing the fans.” The fact he traveled to Greensboro — a city where he helped define wrestling history — only to be forced out due to injury had to be frustrating.

AEW had the perfect Carolina nostalgia segment lined up. Flair and Steamboat on the same show, confronting (or getting confronted by) FTR? That’s a rare generational moment. The angle still worked with Steamboat, but Flair’s presence would've elevated it even more.

Expect AEW to try again. If Flair’s shoulder heals quickly, Tony Khan won’t pass up another chance to bring the Nature Boy back for a meaningful cameo — especially with Steamboat and a red-hot tag division in play.

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