Ric Flair criticized how much social media now drives wrestlers’ financial success, saying some names make millions of dollars more from their online presence than their in-ring talent.
The WWE Hall of Famer addressed the topic during an appearance on Hall of Fame with Booker T & Brad Gilmore. The conversation touched on how wrestlers promote their characters and build their brands outside the ring.
Flair said:
“There are more kids right now making money because of their social media than their talent. It’s absolute insanity. I mean, social media can make or break anybody. They got kids now making millions of dollars that couldn’t even walk in the g*ddamn ring with me and Book. I swear to God, they couldn’t—they couldn’t wrestle 30 minutes if they had to, much less—I mean, much less, you know, every day.”
In Flair’s view, building a social media following now carries far more weight in pro wrestling. It can let wrestlers command high salaries without necessarily matching the level of in-ring performance earlier generations needed.
Booker T disagreed, pointing to MJF as an example of a wrestler who has used social media to succeed.
“I think about social media and I say it’s the best thing in the world, and I think it’s the worst thing in the world at the same time, especially from our business perspective. But I say the kid, you know, like a MJF, I mean, he’s been able to manage still being a heel, still being, you know, vilified throughout this social media world. And I just want to give him a little props there just because he’s been different. He’s been unique.”
