Ric Flair returns to WWE ahead of Royal Rumble 2027

2 sources3 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 5:25 PM

Last updated Sep 11, 2026

Ric Flair returns to WWE ahead of Royal Rumble 2027
Summary

Ric Flair announced his return to WWE, stating that he has reconciled with the promotion. The two-time Hall of Famer confirmed his intentions to appear at the Royal Rumble in Glendale, Arizona, next February. This development follows a period of friction between Flair and the organization, which included a ban from all WrestleMania 42 festivities earlier this year. The conflict stemmed from an incident involving Ludwig Kaiser. Flair additionally reported that he settled his differences with Hunter following recent communication. Outside of his professional wrestling activities, Flair is currently pursuing a $10 million lawsuit against FAM Networks regarding unpaid likeness rights. He claims the company failed to pay him for the rights to his name and image as agreed upon in a December 2025 contract.

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Key Details
  • Ric Flair confirmed he is back in with WWE following a reconciliation with Hunter.
  • The 16-time World Champion plans to appear at the Royal Rumble in Glendale, Arizona, next February.
  • WWE previously banned Flair from WrestleMania 42 events after a dispute involving Ludwig Kaiser.
  • Flair is currently engaged in a $10 million lawsuit against FAM Networks over likeness rights.
Latest Updates
  • 5:25 PMCageside SeatsRic Flair says he’s ‘back in’ WWE: ‘Me and Hunter hugged’
  • 4:34 PMWrestling IncRic Flair Says He's 'Back In' WWE, Plans To Attend Royal Rumble 2027
What they're saying
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Last we heard, Ric Flair was still believed to be under contract to AEW. That was per Fightful in April of this year. The WWE Hall of Famer’s AEW run was always odd, though. He got involved in Sting’s 2024 retirement run, but that was believed to be a promotional deal with one of Flair’s many licensing ventures. The Nature Boy appeared for a tribute to Steve “Mongo” McMichael on Collision last May, and was scheduled to appear with his legendary rival Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat at November’s Blood & Guts until health complications forced a change of plans. Naitch has continued to say good things about AEW head honcho Tony Khan, and had a loud-if-quickly-resolved blow-up with WWE earlier this year over a licensing deal he lost. We bring that all up because earlier this week on Booker T’s The Hall of Fame show, Flair told Book that they’ll be seeing a lot more of each other because he’s “back in” with WWE after making up with his longtime friend, Evolution teammate, and the company’s chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque (who Flair and many others refer to by his old kayfabe name “Hunter”). “I’m coming to the Royal Rumble…You’re going to see a lot of me now. I’m back in… Me and Hunter hugged. We made up. I’m back in.” Booker also floated the possibility of a WrestleMania 43 appearance for Naitch. I’m sure Flair won’t turn down a Saudi payday if offered, especially while fighting for rights to his digital identity. We’ll see if the Nature Boy shows in Riyadh next April. Do you think he’ll be at the Rumble in Phoenix? What will your reaction be if he is?

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Two-time Hall of Famer Ric Flair has made amends with WWE again. Will appear at the Royal Rumble 2027 in Arizona.

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