Ric Flair Questions WWE’s Booking For Randy Orton—Praises Daughter Charlotte Flair
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair isn’t holding back when it comes to sharing his thoughts on today’s WWE. In a candid new interview with eScapist Magazine, the 16-time World Champion praised his daughter Charlotte Flair as the best wrestler alive — but he didn’t stop there. Flair also put Randy Orton in that same elite category, while questioning why WWE and Triple H aren’t using “The Viper” to his full potential.
Ric Flair Sounds Off on Randy Orton
“The only person who I think is close to Charlotte, when he is on and healthy, when you think about in-ring timing and knowing where you are all the time, is Randy Orton,” Flair said.
But then came the sting: Flair admitted he doesn’t understand WWE’s approach.
“Randy’s really underutilized these days. I don’t know why. I think maybe he made somebody mad along the way. Randy’s not afraid to say what he thinks, and that’s not always popular.”
A History of Respect Between Flair and Orton
This isn’t the first time Flair has publicly backed Orton. The two share a history dating back to their days in the Evolution stable from 2003 to 2005, where Flair mentored a young Orton as he climbed to his first World Heavyweight Championship. Even now, decades later, Flair sees him as one of the finest performers in the game.
Where’s Randy Now?
Orton has been active but not always front and center. In recent months, he’s tangled with Drew McIntyre, teamed with Jelly Roll in a celebrity tag match at SummerSlam, and even revisited his rivalry with John Cena in the aftermath of WrestleMania. Despite those storylines, Flair clearly believes Orton deserves a higher spot on the card.
Charlotte’s Championship Legacy
On the flip side, Flair was quick to celebrate Charlotte’s ongoing dominance. Currently a WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Alexa Bliss, Charlotte has already racked up 14 world title reigns and continues to build her legacy as one of the greatest female superstars in wrestling history.
🗣️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
Flair’s remarks highlight an ongoing issue in WWE’s creative direction: what to do with Randy Orton. At 45, Orton is still performing at an elite level and is arguably one of the most consistent wrestlers of his generation. Yet WWE seems hesitant to give him sustained marquee programs. Was Flair simply voicing his trademark honesty, or is this another nudge at Triple H and WWE Creative to put Orton back in the spotlight? Either way, the Nature Boy’s words will not go unnoticed.
