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Ric Flair Reveals He Was Originally Supposed to Main Event the First WWE SummerSlam

ric flair
(Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images)

Prior to his hospitalization and surgery this past week, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair spoke with Sports Illustrated on August 9th, and the interview has just been published.

During the interview, Flair revealed original plans for the 1988 WWE SummerSlam PPV called for Randy Savage to defend the Title against Flair.

“It’s true,” Flair said. “I was on my way to work for Vince [McMahon] and wrestle Savage at the Garden. My contract was up and Vince McMahon had been in touch with me. But I decided my best move was to remain in the NWA because I was so attached to my friends in the Four Horsemen. I thanked McMahon for the offer. I just couldn’t get myself to leave.”

Flair added, “I was too attached to my friends down there and too loyal to the NWA. Ultimately, it worked out, and I ended up working for Vince later. I respected Vince so much for asking me, but at that point, I just could not find a way to leave.”

The match was of course scrapped, and the main event turned out to be Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant and Ted DiBiase, and although Flair did work with WWE from 1991-1993, his first SummerSlam did not come until 2002, against Chris Jericho.

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