Ric Flair Believes Cody Rhodes Should Have Defeated Roman Reigns

Wrestling legend Ric Flair recently made an appearance on SiriusXM Fight Nation‘s Busted Open, where he discussed his Sports Emmy nomination, his relevance in the wrestling world, and his opinions on current WWE storylines.

In a lively conversation with Dave LaGreca, Bully Ray, and Mark Henry, Flair opened up about his surprise at the nomination, his thoughts on Cody Rhodes, and his disappointment with the placement of certain matches at WrestleMania 39.

Listen to the full interview with Ric Flair via the SXM App

Emmy Nomination & Relevance

When the hosts congratulated Flair on his Sports Emmy nomination, he expressed his excitement, acknowledging the significance of the nomination for both himself and the WWE. He reflected on the rarity of awards for professional wrestling and expressed gratitude to his friends at ESPN, especially Stephen A. Smith, for their involvement in the documentary that earned him the nomination.

“The Rock has never been nominated for an Emmy, and he’s the biggest star in Hollywood. So it’s a big deal,” Flair expressed. “I’m excited, and I never anticipated this when I started the project, but it’s fine… I’ll just have to wait and see.”

Flair’s conversation with the hosts shifted to his ongoing relevance in the wrestling industry. Dave LaGreca highlighted how Flair’s popularity extends beyond the heyday of his NWA championship reign. Flair agreed, emphasizing the newfound relevance he has gained, even surpassing his popularity in the 1980s. Flair’s timeless appeal and unmatched charisma have made him an enduring figure in the hearts of wrestling fans across generations.

LaGreca said, “I always say you’re the greatest of all time, and I was having fights with kids back in the day when they would mention Hulk Hogan. I said, ‘I guess you never saw Ric Flair wrestle.'”

Cody Rhodes and Charlotte Flair

The conversation then turned to Flair’s views on Cody Rhodes, the current wrestling landscape, and WrestleMania 39. Flair expressed his belief that Cody should have defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania and even suggested that Cody should eventually dethrone Reigns. Flair also commended Cody’s matches against Seth Rollins, which showcased his exceptional skills in the ring.

“[Cody is] performing at a different level… the two matches with Seth Rollins were off the hook.” Flair continued, “I was in shock when [Cody] didn’t win it but, nobody knows what’s going on there and who was making the decisions.”

Moreover, Flair shared his disappointment over the placement of the tag match involving his daughter, Charlotte Flair, and Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania, asserting that the singles championships should always take precedence.

For more discussions on wrestling, tune in to SiriusXM Fight Nation’s Busted Open via the SXM App.