The Unseen Side of Ric Flair: Business & Legacy | Ric Flair DSH #849

Summary

Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour – The Unseen Side of Ric Flair: Business & Legacy | Ric Flair DSH #849

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Ric Flair
Release Date: November 1, 2024
Duration: Approx. 36 minutes

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Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with wrestling legend Ric Flair to delve into the multifaceted aspects of Flair's life beyond the squared circle. The conversation spans Flair's transition from wrestling to entrepreneurship, personal battles, health challenges, family dynamics, and his perspectives on contemporary societal issues.

Transition from Wrestling to Entrepreneurship

Sean Kelly (B) initiates the discussion by highlighting Ric Flair's shift from a celebrated wrestling career to successful business ventures.

Ric Flair (A):
"I make three times as much money as I've ever made in wrestling in one year." ([05:35])

Flair elaborates on his ventures into the energy drink and cannabis industries, emphasizing the importance of aligning with the right partners. He shares how his real estate investments, particularly owning and selling Gold's Gym franchises, significantly contributed to his financial success.

Notable Quote:
"The money came after. I make more money now than I ever made in wrestling in one year." ([05:35])

Personal Struggles and Mental Health

Flair opens up about his experiences with anxiety, revealing a side rarely seen by fans. He discusses the relentless travel schedule during his wrestling days, which exacerbated his anxiety and led to periods of sleeplessness and extreme fatigue.

Ric Flair (A):
"I used to have a little anxiety. I didn't go to bed for three or four days in a row." ([00:42])

Health Challenges and Recovery

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Flair's severe health issues, including a ruptured intestine that led to multiple organ failures. He recounts his arduous three-and-a-half-year recovery journey, highlighting the resilience required to overcome such life-threatening conditions.

Notable Quote:
"I went septic. Total kidney failure, respiratory heart failure, and pneumonia." ([13:57])

Flair emphasizes the importance of taking his health seriously post-recovery, admitting that while he strives to maintain a healthy lifestyle, he continues to struggle with alcohol consumption.

Family and Personal Life

Discussing his personal life, Flair reflects on his multiple marriages and the impact of his demanding career on his family relationships. He candidly shares regrets about not spending enough time with his children due to his relentless work ethic.

Ric Flair (A):
"Time spent with my kids will always be a regret." ([27:37])

Despite these challenges, Flair expresses pride in his children’s achievements, noting that they have forged their own paths and achieved financial independence.

Notable Quote:
"They made their own money. They don't need it." ([33:07])

Views on Social Media and Modern Wrestling

Flair contrasts his wrestling era with the current social media-driven landscape, expressing concerns over the authenticity and increased scrutiny that celebrities face today. He laments the rise in public criticism and the challenges it poses to personal and professional lives.

Ric Flair (A):
"People are so jealous of success. It's unbelievable. There's a lot of hate, especially at my age." ([03:57])

Political and Social Commentary

The discussion shifts to Flair’s perspectives on contemporary political issues, including his critical views on the effectiveness of presidential administrations in addressing pressing matters like immigration and military support. He underscores the need for better care for military personnel and veterans, questioning the prioritization of international aid over domestic welfare.

Ric Flair (A):
"We need to take better care of our military. The kids that come back from overseas that are hospitalized and crippled, that should be the most fixable thing in the world." ([29:24])

Philanthropy and Legacy

Flair discusses his philanthropic efforts, particularly his contributions to cancer research and ALS awareness. He emphasizes the importance of giving back and supporting causes close to his heart, inspired by personal connections and witnessing the struggles of friends and family.

Notable Quote:
"I give money to charity now, and I got a friend who's got ALS. It's horrible." ([34:21])

Future Endeavors and Conclusion

Looking ahead, Flair mentions his involvement in potential film projects and ongoing business initiatives. He expresses contentment with his current achievements and legacy, focusing on ensuring his children’s success while planning to support charitable causes posthumously.

Ric Flair (A):
"Life is good. I couldn't be happier." ([21:50])

Sean Kelly (B):
"We’ll link it below for people watching this. Thanks for coming on, Rick." ([36:44])

The episode concludes with Flair encouraging listeners to follow his ventures on social media and continue supporting his brands, leaving a lasting impression of a man who has navigated the highs and lows of fame with resilience and foresight.

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Key Takeaways

• Entrepreneurial Success: Ric Flair successfully transitioned from wrestling to profitable business ventures in energy drinks and cannabis.
• Personal Battles: Flair has faced and openly discussed his struggles with anxiety, alcoholism, and severe health issues.
• Family Dynamics: Despite multiple marriages and a demanding career, Flair expresses pride in his children’s independent successes.
• Health Prioritization: Post-recovery, Flair emphasizes the importance of maintaining good health and supporting others facing health challenges.
• Social and Political Views: Critical of modern social media dynamics and political inefficiencies, Flair advocates for better support systems for veterans.
• Philanthropy: Active in charitable efforts, particularly in cancer and ALS research, reflecting his commitment to giving back.
• Legacy and Future: Focused on ensuring his children’s prosperity and supporting charitable causes, Flair remains a significant figure both in and out of the wrestling world.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Business Success:
  "I make three times as much money as I've ever made in wrestling in one year." – [05:35]

• Anxiety and Travel:
  "I used to have a little anxiety. I didn't go to bed for three or four days in a row." – [00:42]

• Health Struggles:
  "I went septic. Total kidney failure, respiratory heart failure, and pneumonia." – [13:57]

• Family Regrets:
  "Time spent with my kids will always be a regret." – [27:37]

• Social Media Critique:
  "People are so jealous of success. It's unbelievable. There's a lot of hate, especially at my age." – [03:57]

• Political Views:
  "We need to take better care of our military. The kids that come back from overseas that are hospitalized and crippled, that should be the most fixable thing in the world." – [29:24]

• Philanthropy:
  "I give money to charity now, and I got a friend who's got ALS. It's horrible." – [34:21]

• Contentment with Life:
  "Life is good. I couldn't be happier." – [21:50]

---

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Ric Flair's life beyond the glitz and glamour of wrestling, providing listeners with valuable insights into his business acumen, personal resilience, and enduring legacy.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, music fans, there are some great concerts headed this way. Don't miss out on all the shows in your favorite venues, like Deftones at Madison Square Garden, Eagles at the Sphere, and Foster, the people at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are going fast, so don't wait.

[B]

Head to livenation.com to get your tickets.

[A]

Now that's livenation.com. i think stuff like that is driven by anxiety. And, you know, when you travel as fast as I was traveling, different day.

[B]

Man, I can't even picture you with anxiety. I thought you were just laser folks.

[A]

I used to have a little anxiety.

[B]

Really? Wow.

[A]

I didn't go to bed for three or four days in a row.

[B]

You were out here partying, man. You're probably hallucinating at that point.

[A]

I'm not hallucinating, but I was tired.

[B]

All right, guys, Ric Flair here, one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Thanks for coming on, man.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

And brought the product, too.

[A]

Brought it all, man.

[B]

I've had some of those edibles. Great time.

[A]

Good luck the rest of the day.

[B]

Yeah, not today. I knew today I had to be sharp. I take those at night, man. What else you been working on, man? I know this brand's taken off.

[A]

Ah. And the energy. The energy drink and the cannabis has kept me busy.

[B]

Yeah, you're still working, man.

[A]

You're still grinding, traveling with it. Yeah, you got to support it.

[B]

You travel a lot.

[A]

Yeah, sure do.

[B]

Do you feel like you're still working as much as you used to, or have you taken some time off?

[A]

As much? I used to, but I enjoy it. I mean, I like the people I work with, and these cannabis guys are the best. Some of the best friends I've had. As. As are the guys with the energy drink.

[B]

Nice. When did you start using?

[A]

We've all become, like, really close friends.

[B]

That's awesome.

[A]

Makes it nice.

[B]

Yeah, I know. Those guys are great people. When did you start using cannabis? Was it when you were wrestling?

[A]

No, I didn't start using cannabis until maybe three years ago. The edibles.

[B]

Oh, wow. So really late.

[A]

I mean, I smoked marijuana and all that before, but I had asthma as a kid, so I didn't really wasn't. I didn't. Didn't like it. It just. It affected. And then I finally grew out of it, like in my mid-30s. Damn.

[B]

I didn't know you had asthma.

[A]

Yeah, but I smoked, but nothing bad. I mean, there's nothing worse. I was dying, but I carried an inhaler once in a while, you know, you get nervous. It's all Things, stuff like that is driven by anxiety. And you know, when you travel as fast as I was traveling, different day.

[B]

Man, I can't even picture you with anxiety. I thought you were just lazy.

[A]

I just have to get a little anxiety.

[B]

Really? Wow.

[A]

Letting go to bed for three or four days in a row.

[B]

You were out here partying, man. You're probably hallucinating at that point.

[A]

Hallucinating, but I was tired.

[B]

Were you going on benders often? Like partying? Just celebrating for days every night. Damn. You never got sick of it?

[A]

Nope.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Not when I was younger. Yeah, I get sick of it now. I just can't do it as often.

[B]

Damn, your mindset is different, man. Yeah, I went through that phase in college, but I got kind of sick of it.

[A]

I got worse after just a starter kid for me.

[B]

Yeah, that opened your eyes.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Wrestling for 52.

[A]

For the unsavir. Unforeseeable future.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, you're a living testament in that. Wrestling for 52 years. What was your favorite era? What Was your favorite years? 80s.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

How come?

[A]

No social media. Wide open week out here in Vegas.

[B]

So you think social media kind of ruined that, that wrestling?

[A]

No, I didn't. I think it's for a lot of things. I mean, he used to be very conscious of all you. Not that anybody was misbehaving, but you gotta, you know, people are just loving. People love to indict you. Yeah. People that are people are so jealous of success. It's unbelievable. There's a lot of hate, especially at my age.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah. You think people, like, see me making all this money? Really?

[B]

That's interesting. I thought people would lay off at your age because you're older and wiser, but you're still getting hate.

[A]

Well, you just say by nobody that'll ever recognize themselves. I mean, they all have a phony tag name and that goes. Right.

[B]

Yeah, I get. I get hate too. But then I'll click on it.

[A]

They criticize you one day, the next day they love you.

[B]

So, yeah, yeah, I get a ton of hate and I click on their profiles and it's like a fake profile.

[A]

They're all fake.

[B]

Yeah. People can't use their real accounts because they're too nervous to talk. Yeah, yeah, it sucks.

[A]

Then you can find them.

[B]

Have you ever confronted a hater in person?

[A]

Only if they confronted me. I never, you know, never thought one out.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, there's too many to even bother with that. That's interesting. 80s so, yeah, everything started becoming documented and you kind of had to move in silence after that, right?

[A]

No, not moving silence. No, I've never really changed. I just. You just have to be more aware of what you're doing, you know?

[B]

Yeah. There's a lot of people that are like, paparazzi is following you around. Right. It's annoying.

[A]

Yeah. People always want, you know, your life.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because it's a board with theirs.

[B]

When did you realize this could be a business, like a lucrative business in wrestling? Because at first the money wasn't there. Right.

[A]

Well, I never made the big money in wrestling. I missed that. Damn it.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

Yeah. Wow.

[B]

I thought you made. Made millions wrestling.

[A]

No, I never. I never had a million dollar year wrestling.

[B]

Damn. Okay, so the money came after.

[A]

The money came after. I make more money now than I. I make three times as much money as I've ever made in wrestling in one year.

[B]

Whoa.

[A]

Let me see. Almost four times.

[B]

Holy crap. That's interesting. So when did.

[A]

The most money I ever made in one year in wrestling was 850,000.

[B]

Damn. 850?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I didn't know that because you see all the guys now, they're killing it. Right. Logan, Paul and wwe, they got to be pulling millions. So you paved the way for those people.

[A]

Well, you know, I don't look at it like that. I'm just. I'm happy for them. You know, they. I like to see people evolve. I like to see the business evolve. I like to see people prosper. I mean, it's what it's all about. I mean, I think I had a lot to do with, you know, helping make it happen, but I don't regret not having the money.

[B]

So you were just doing it because you loved it.

[A]

I loved it. Yeah.

[B]

Nice. And what year did. So you retired a few times, right?

[A]

Well, I retired in 2008 and I was going through a divorce and. Oh, God. It's a long story. So when you're paying a lawyer $30,000 a month and paying $30,000 a month in alimony, you go through the money fast. So I went back to work.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

A couple times. But then actually, the biggest thing that I run into, I had some real estate deals that did very well. I had 10 gold gyms.

[B]

Whoa.

[A]

It did real well. I used to work out at those in the Carolinas.

[B]

You did in Jersey? They had a Gold's Gym, Bridgewater in New Jersey.

[A]

At Gold's Gym? Yeah. They were very popular at one time, So I had 10 of those. And then knowing the gym business got so prostituted, I sold them. But I made good money. On them. Nice. And then, actually, I make a lot of money. I do very well signing autographs for Fitterman Sports. But along came this cannabis and the Woo. Energy opportunities. And these are the two biggest things I've ever been involved in.

[B]

Whoa. So that's just working with the right people then, right?

[A]

Finding the right partners and people, you know, guiding me in the right direction.

[B]

Nice.

[A]

Like the Rodman over here.

[B]

Yes, sir. He goes to the same gym as me. Shout out to Lifetime. What happened to Gold's Gym? I feel like they were everywhere today.

[A]

They just. Well, what happened is that they. An example, when I opened mine in 91, I was charging $50 a month, and now you can work out for $12 a month and it's Planet Fitness. I mean, I don't know how they keep. I don't know how they stay open, you know, but they're packed.

[B]

That's how they stay open. You can't even get a machine. So many people.

[A]

But I mean, they kept clean. And there's a lot of things about the gym business. You have to be very careful of it. The, you know, you have to keep the locker rooms for the women really clean. And, you know, I've been in some. I just wouldn't work out in.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Now the one that seem to be taking over the business in our lifetime.

[B]

Dude, they're 400amonth.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

That's how much people are paying for that gym.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But it's honestly worth it.

[A]

Yo. The prime. The new lifetime in harbor island business. Nicest job I've ever been in my life.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. The sauna, the hot tub, the cold plunge ball. You playing pickleball?

[A]

A little bit, yeah.

[B]

Let's go. I love pickleball.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I kind of want to own a pickleball team, honestly, you know.

[A]

You got the money?

[B]

I got some money. I've lost a lot too, like you.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know.

[A]

Well, if you knew what I lost to divorce and lawyers.

[B]

I saw what happened to my dad, so. I can imagine.

[A]

And penalty and interest.

[B]

Oh, man. 60k a month, you said? Jeez. That was for custody of the kids. You were fighting for the.

[A]

No, no, no. That's just. I was. I was paying alimony to three women.

[B]

Holy crap.

[A]

At one time. Damn. Did he gang up on me?

[B]

You think they coordinated it or was it.

[A]

No, it's just that I had been married. Great. Had great marriage for 10 years. And which she just decided. I decided she couldn't live my travel schedule. I was gone every day the 70 days I'd worked 365 days a year. Twice on Saturday, twice on Sunday. That's no exaggeration. When I was a world champion, going from New Zealand to Tokyo, back to London, London back to St. Louis, St. Louis to Atlanta, out to Portland, Oregon. I mean, it was that kind of a schedule.

[B]

That's nuts.

[A]

Yeah. So that. That marriage lasted 25 years and then that was the expensive one.

[B]

So.

[A]

No, it was never, never an issue with the kids. It just. They want alimony, they want to get paid.

[B]

25 years of that lifestyle is impressive actually. Cuz I think a lot of women would go crazy not seeing their husband. And your kids must have taken it hard too, right?

[A]

She never left the kitchen of 11,000 square foot home.

[B]

Yeah, when you put it like that.

[A]

You gotta do with all that and the kids are gone.

[B]

Yeah. No, that's something I struggle with too. I travel a lot and it's definitely hard. Dating an entrepreneur and businessman. I could see why some girls can't handle it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Now, I was watching you on Rampage Jackson's show. Shout out to Rampage. He's coming on soon. You said you had 35 robes that cost 15 grand each?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Do you still have those?

[A]

No.

[B]

You sold them off?

[A]

No, my wife stole them all.

[B]

Oh, your wife.

[A]

All my wives stole my robes. Damn. One took five, one took six. I've given numerous to charity. One's in the Smithsonian and then we'll go back to me.

[B]

That's cool.

[A]

One just sold for $108,000.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

And I could probably go out and get them, but because they're all like. They've been stolen, you know, like out of locker rooms. Yeah.

[B]

108K for one. If you could find 10 of them, that's a million bucks right there.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You might have to hit up your ex wife.

[A]

Yeah. Like they're gonna give them back, right? Yeah.

[B]

You think she. She still has them or you think she sold them?

[A]

I don't know. I. You know, I've gotten to the point where I don't care.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That paid. You're gonna steal my stuff?

[B]

You're at peace with all of. All of it? Yeah.

[A]

I didn't used to be, but I am now.

[B]

That's good because that stuff will eat at you. Right? Oh, God, that resentment. And open.

[A]

Your last thing you do, everybody's gone. And you open the place where you keep your secret stuff. All gone.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Bank account empty.

[B]

What? Damn.

[A]

Oh, yeah, I got a lot of stories. It'll be in my movie, rocks. Making a movie in my life. Story.

[B]

Let's go. When's that dropping?

[A]

Well, the pitch is going on right now. I don't know. It'll be a three part series, I think. I. I think. And hopefully on Netflix, but I don't know for sure. What?

[B]

Nice.

[A]

And I don't want spoiler. Don't want to quote me on that.

[B]

You. You have a 30 for 30 though, right?

[A]

ESPN, I already have a 30 for 30. And then the one that really killed it was becoming Ric Flair on Peacock.

[B]

Peacock?

[A]

Yeah. Made by wwe.

[B]

Oh, wow. I didn't see that one.

[A]

That's better than a 30 for 30.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What made that one so good, you think?

[A]

More information, more detail. It was. It was an Emmy nominated.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, it was probably cool getting to show your backstory. The people didn't know that about you, right?

[A]

Yeah. Me being adopted. I have an orphanage, a stolen baby and all that.

[B]

Whoa.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Wait, you were adopted, you said?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, I didn't know that.

[A]

I was still not of an orphanage.

[B]

Stolen out of an orphanage. So they didn't legally adopt you?

[A]

They did, but they illegally adopted me from people that stole me, so.

[B]

Holy crap.

[A]

Yeah, they didn't. They weren't aware of it.

[B]

Damn. What a story. Yeah. You've been through some stuff. I also saw you. You take your blood work every 30 days. That's really interesting.

[A]

After being sick and I do it. I'm religious about it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's 2017. I was prepared. It took me three and a half years to come back from that.

[B]

Whoa, 2017. Was that the heart attack here?

[A]

Huh?

[B]

Was that when you had a heart attack?

[A]

I didn't have a heart attack. My. My intestine ruptured.

[B]

Oh, your intestine.

[A]

I had a bar while I was drinking.

[B]

Holy crap.

[A]

I went septic. Total kidney failure, respiratory heart failure, and pneumonia.

[B]

Damn. Took you three years to recover from that?

[A]

Well, I had a stoma for a year. You know, the stone is. That's where the bag is attached to your intestine.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

In other words, you. You use your. Your. It's a bag.

[B]

So that's your intestine, the bag.

[A]

No, it's attached to your intestine.

[B]

Got it.

[A]

And then they waited almost 18 months because they wanted to make sure it healed before they tried to put it back together. And then it's a strange story because the doctor came in the first day and he goes, you know, you can't eat or drink anything here, obviously, on the intravenous. But on the ninth day, it wasn't working, and he Told my partner, he said, well, if it's not working tomorrow, I gotta put him back to back on. Next day clicked.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Yeah. So I'm very lucky.

[B]

Holy crap.

[A]

I don't take it for granted.

[B]

Yeah. That's awesome. Was your mindset, like, were you kind of checked out? What were you thinking during that phase?

[A]

Just hoping it would work.

[B]

So you were still optimistic?

[A]

Well, you know, you learn not to be optimistic. I was, you know, functioning pretty well by that point. But traveling like that, especially going to California, I've. I've had the bag break on me on a plane. And stay. I have to stay in the bathroom for three and a half hours on the plane.

[B]

Whoa.

[A]

Yeah. You can't walk around with an open.

[B]

Holy crap.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, because when you're that high up, the pressure probably breaks the bag.

[A]

Just that. It just can't. You can't expose the cabinet. That odor and. Yeah, just. Just not a cool thing. So I'm very fortunate I got nice by that.

[B]

So you've been taking your health super serious since that moment?

[A]

Everything except drinking.

[B]

You can't cut that out, man.

[A]

I can't.

[B]

I love that. My dad's Irish, so I know how that. That goes. He drank a 30 pack a day.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Crazy. You wouldn't even feel it.

[A]

No, I know. Well, I. I don't feel a 30 pack, but I. I like vodka.

[B]

Yeah. Wow, that's a. That's a tough one. Vodka chaser, at least a little cranberry for the kidneys. Oh, man. How long?

[A]

I drink a lot more water than I used to.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Water is important. And I saw on Rampage's show, actually. You've been drinking since 15. You started young. Yeah, you might say it's freshman year in high school.

[A]

I mean, I wasn't drinking every day then, but I can. Yeah, I remember the first time I ever did.

[B]

That's impressive. So you were drinking every day for. For a certain period, though?

[A]

Every day of my life, yeah.

[B]

Like, how long did that last?

[A]

When I started drinking, Literally drinking. I was 18.

[B]

And you didn't take a day off?

[A]

No. I don't know.

[B]

Holy crap. That's impressive. For real.

[A]

Like when I was in rehab for 35 days.

[B]

Other than that, I couldn't drink.

[A]

Then I drank. What's worse for you? Ten Diet Cokes, two packs of Marlboros, and two cans of Skoal. Or some drinking. I took that coin they gave me, walked across the street, put it on the bar, and ordered a 12 pack to go.

[B]

Man, you got blessed genetics Yeah, I don't think a lot of people could sustain that. I think it's genetics and your mindset combined. Just a workhorse.

[A]

Gotta be optimistic.

[B]

Yeah, I love that. Were your family big drinkers too? Your friends?

[A]

Yo. Yeah. Drink? Yeah. Never have a problem finding people to drink.

[B]

Yeah. That's never an issue for you. You've drank with some cool people. Motley crew.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

You party with those guys? I saw their. Their movie on Netflix.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What did you think of that movie?

[A]

I haven't seen it.

[B]

Oh, you didn't see it?

[A]

Yeah, no, I drank with those guys and we're in Jacksonville, Florida. Good guys.

[B]

They seemed like the craziest partiers I've ever seen.

[A]

Yeah. I tell you, it's a lot of fun as Kid Rock.

[B]

Kid Rock?

[A]

Yeah. Kids. A lot of fun.

[B]

Yeah. What was he like?

[A]

Phenomenal. One of the greatest people ever met.

[B]

I love that man.

[A]

And I've had a few beers with. I guess you would call him a big time celebrity. Post Malone.

[B]

Oh, posty.

[A]

Yeah. Posting Ray.

[B]

He can hang.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. He's good at beer pong.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You good?

[A]

We play beer pong.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'll see him next Tuesday.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

In the Birmingham.

[B]

How good are you at beer pong?

[A]

Good.

[B]

Yeah. All right. We might have to play one of these days.

[A]

Let's do it.

[B]

I got the reach. Got that wingspan. Yeah. Let's do it, man. I haven't drank in a while, but if you want to drink, I can't turn that down.

[A]

What? Why have you drank in a while?

[B]

Just been working, man.

[A]

To be honest, that's an excuse not to drink.

[B]

Yeah. I can't. I feel like I can't do both.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We have been hanging out with the right guy.

[B]

Yeah, I guess not. You're the only one I know that could pull off both. I don't know other people that can do that, man.

[A]

Up till 4am to the gym before I caught the plane.

[B]

You're nuts. I can't. I heard when you're in plane, you get drunk faster, right? When you're up. No.

[A]

Last time I was on a plane, Hogart and I were flying out of San Jose. We drank 10 Bloody Marys apiece before we took off. The guy cut us off before he took off. In the air?

[B]

That's nuts. I thought the altitude gets. Gets you more drunk, but not with you.

[A]

I've drank all the way to Tokyo without going to bed.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Who could keep up with you? Have you ever met someone that could?

[A]

A lot of people can yeah. Yeah. You'd be amazed.

[B]

That's surprising. Who can out drink you?

[A]

Oh, I don't know. Now most of my friends are dead. Roddy Piper could.

[B]

Okay. Damn. You're one of the few remaining, man.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

How does that make you feel?

[A]

Makes me nervous.

[B]

You fear death?

[A]

Well, we just lost two guys, and then we just lost a third, so, you know, things happen in threes. And then my very close, when Pete Rose just passed away, so.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

That's. You never know when you're part of that three.

[B]

Yeah. I'm sorry to hear that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But you've lived.

[A]

I was with him. I was with him the day before he died.

[B]

Holy crap. And was he fine or.

[A]

Fine? They died of natural causes. They were 83.

[B]

Whoa.

[A]

What a fun guy. What a great, tremendous human being.

[B]

Damn. Well, that's probably the best way to go out. At least, you know, no disease or anything. Damn, that's sad.

[A]

That was last one of my Sunday.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

In Nashville.

[B]

That happened with one of my guests recently. Dude.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I was with him, filmed a great podcast, and next week he died. 64 years old.

[A]

If I walk out here and fall over, you'll be famous.

[B]

I wouldn't want to be famous for that, man. Damn. Yeah. Death is one of those things, though. You know, you got it.

[A]

You can't run from it.

[B]

Can't. But you've lived such a fulfilling life. Like, is there anything you haven't accomplished at this point that you want to feel like you've done everything?

[A]

I've done everything.

[B]

Like, I can't even think of what you could do. You've traveled the world.

[A]

Buy another house. But why? I mean, I've had every car, everyone. I've got beautiful children. That's the important thing. Know that they're safe and they're. They're well off financially. And my grandchildren are good and they're healthy and beautiful. Life is good. I couldn't be happier.

[B]

I love that. Yeah. That's my goal. Like, the next generation should be better than. Than how I lived.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

With my kids.

[A]

Yeah. No, they're all covered financially.

[B]

That's awesome. Yeah. You've traveled the world, too. You've probably been to damn near every country.

[A]

The only place I haven't been is the Mideast.

[B]

Mideast.

[A]

Well, I've been. I've been in Afghanistan and all that to see the truth. And I've been in Djibouti now, but I haven't been to. I've been to Israel, and I've never been to. Trying to Think about going to Iraq or not. I don't think I went to Iraq, just Afghanistan.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

That's rough.

[B]

Yeah. What was that like, witnessing all that rough? Yeah. I remember growing up as a child seeing that war on the news every day. Looked crazy.

[A]

Absolutely horrible.

[B]

My cousin served in Iraq. Yeah, those. Those two wars were.

[A]

I haven't got enough to say about how much the military should be appreciated and more.

[B]

Absolutely. Those guys are risking their lives for us, right?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yes. Crazy times we're in right now with all these wars. Scary. What made you want to go to Afghanistan? Did someone with the wwe.

[A]

We all went the company one.

[B]

Oh, nice. To inspire the troops.

[A]

Yeah, they were. WWE is really supportive of the military.

[B]

Nice.

[A]

Now we don't go overseas anymore. They always during the holidays go to like Fort Hood or one of the big four or Camp Lejeune or. Or Fort Bragg. I mean they always.

[B]

That's cool.

[A]

And put on a show and we go out and see all the troops.

[B]

Shout out to the wwe. It's cool to see big companies, you know, giving back.

[A]

WWE stands out, I think, a far and above everybody else, really, in terms of supporting troops. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. You rarely see big companies go out there and do stuff like that, you know.

[A]

That's sad too.

[B]

It is. Yeah. Well, it's capitalism, right. I guess some people, some companies will sacrifice their consumers health for money. You're seeing that with certain food companies and medical companies. It is sad. So anywhere you want to travel that you haven't been yet?

[A]

Don't.

[B]

Space.

[A]

Huh?

[B]

Space.

[A]

No. I've never wanted to go. I haven't cared much about it. I think. I think I'm from space. People have suggested that.

[B]

What about the Titanic? Underwater? Would you go down there?

[A]

No, I can only go about 30ft and it hurts my eardrums.

[B]

I feel that. Yeah. I don't get the whole space obsession, man. I don't think the risk to reward is what is there.

[A]

Well, I don't understand how we can go to the moon. We can't cure cancer. Facts don't get me going on that. Well, don't. Don't get me going on that.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. We got to be careful.

[A]

We can go to the moon. We can do all this technology wise, which you're more than aware of being in this business. Yeah, but we can't cure cancer. We can't cure paralysis.

[B]

Come on, we got all these AIs now.

[A]

Yeah, that's what, that's what bothers me. I mean, I. I think it's great. We've gone to the moon and all that. But how do you put together technology like that? We can't. We can't help our own people that are dying of stuff that's been. I. I'm just, you know, I just hope that everybody's been upfront and being honest because we have too many people dying of cancer.

[B]

One in two dogs have it now too. One in two dogs have cancer when they die. Yeah.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

It's going up in humans and dogs.

[A]

Yeah, I know it's going up in humans.

[B]

Yeah. It's something really bad with. I don't want to misquote, but a lot of humans, when they die, either have cancer or they die from cancer these days. It's really terrible. I hope they. They could find a cure in our lifetime. That'd be cool.

[A]

Yeah. I wouldn't count on it.

[B]

You don't think so?

[A]

Well, I just don't. I can't believe we haven't found a cure yet. I mean, and certainly the emotion of guys like Jimmy B. And I don't ever watch those shows, like, with this. You've seen Jimmy V speech, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And the guy, my good friend from ESPN that died a couple years ago.

[B]

Oh, the. The black guy had that. Dressed in the suits.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Stu, Stu.

[B]

Anyway, I know who you're talking about.

[A]

Yeah. You know, gave a speech and his daughter, I mean, then he died a week later. And the announcer from tnt, I mean, these. Those speeches are remembered forever and they're played over and over again, but we. We just can't seem to get over the hump and find any solution.

[B]

Yeah, I'm with you on that. Steve Jobs, too. That was a Stuart Scott. Yeah. Steve Jobs was an eye opener for me. Because you have all that money.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Still die from cancer. That was like, holy crap. We're all vulnerable to this.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You know, because usually you could buy your way out of a lot of problems. Have you noticed that?

[A]

Oh, of course.

[B]

I love your honesty.

[A]

I haven't had the opportunity to do that, but I've wanted to a couple times.

[B]

Oh, man. Did the materialism of buying cars and houses, did that ever get old to you?

[A]

No, just. It's got what I wanted. I wasn't even. I wasn't even conscious of it. Does that make sense? Yeah, I just knew I like nice stuff.

[B]

Yeah, you love buying nice stuff. You made the robes popular, man. That wasn't around before. Right. You were like the first big guy to wear those.

[A]

I think Gorgeous George did, like, years ago, but I've maintained it, man. See, there we go.

[B]

Always Brandon. Any regrets?

[A]

Yeah. Time spent with my kids will always be a regret. But I can't. I couldn't have made the money and been as successful as I was if I didn't go to work. Because back then, if you don't go to work, you didn't get paid.

[B]

Right.

[A]

There was no guaranteed contracts back then for us.

[B]

Yeah. I think to make it big in.

[A]

Anything, your name was on the marquee. You had to be there.

[B]

Wait, you said no contract?

[A]

No contracts didn't come into play until. Till the 90s.

[B]

Whoa. So you were just doing word of mouth, like, handshake deals?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Holy crap.

[A]

All of us were.

[B]

So you had a lot of trust in these guys back then. Because these days I feel like that wouldn't work.

[A]

We didn't work back then. I'm not. I'm just telling you how we lived. I didn't say it worked.

[B]

Oh, man. Yeah, I would have too much doubt over that. I need everything in paper these days when you're dealing with money and stuff.

[A]

No, exactly.

[B]

Especially in our economy right now. A lot of fear and recession talks.

[A]

Yeah. What do you like in the election?

[B]

I like Trump.

[A]

Yeah?

[B]

Yeah. What about you?

[A]

Well, I was just with Kid rally and Trump Jr. Nice. Yeah, I don't have anything. I don't know, Kamala. I wish I knew it. I've met Donald Trump several times. You know, they have a different message. But sometimes when I go to bed at night, I'm thinking to myself, you know, life is life and what is gonna change? I mean, every time we switch a presidency, people expect the world to turn around.

[B]

True.

[A]

It can't happen. No matter who's in that spot, which is a very tough spot to be in. They just can't make changes. I mean, who's gonna fix the border tomorrow? I mean, in one day.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

The election is not going to fix it.

[B]

Yeah. It's not going to happen.

[A]

We've been through three presidencies that has no. I mean. And then I guess my biggest gripe is that which I mentioned earlier is that we need to take better care of our military. The kids that come back from overseas that are hospitals and crippled, and that should be the most fixable thing in the world.

[B]

Yeah. That's what gets me, too. We're sending all this money to other countries.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

We got homeless people, we got veterans suffering.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, why can't we take care of them?

[A]

Why are we sending all that over there?

[B]

Billions.

[A]

I know. Why.

[B]

Well, there's some. Yeah, there could be some dark reasons why, but.

[A]

No, I understand why we keep the Koreans happy, you know, but, jeez. You know, sometimes you got to start taking care of the people at home.

[B]

It's sad. Certain cities now are not the same, Man. You walk the streets and it doesn't feel right.

[A]

Yeah. And I don't think anybody. I don't care whether it's Putin or anybody. Got the nerve to push the button.

[B]

The nuclear button.

[A]

Yeah. Once they push the button, everybody's gone.

[B]

Yeah. I agree.

[A]

And, I mean, everybody threatens it, but you do that, you're killing your own family as well as yourself.

[B]

100. You can't do that without repercussions.

[A]

I know. And it would be huge.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's why I think we are. They all know we're the strongest. People want to play it down, but even though we've reduced our military, we've been told it's been reduced. I have to believe we're still the most powerful country in the world.

[B]

We gotta be out there. I agree, though. I think they put a lot of stress on the President.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

When in reality.

[A]

Yeah. And you don't really know what can happen to change the next day, because then the President's got to deal with the House.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And the House has got to deal with the Senate, and the Senate's got to deal with the House of Representative. I mean, there's so many ways that the president just can't go. This is this. This is this. This is. This doesn't work like that.

[B]

Yep. Have you always been big in politics?

[A]

I almost ran for governor.

[B]

Really?

[A]

North Carolina. We decided there were too many skeletons in my closet.

[B]

In 91, Stormy Daniels stories would have been coming out.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What made you want to run?

[A]

Was it because I'm good friends with Jesse Ventura?

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And Jesse was the governor of Minnesota, and they. People wanted me to run for governor. North Carolina. Was that 2001? Let me think. What was Jesse Governor?

[B]

I'm not sure. I was too young for this.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I was born in 97.

[A]

Yeah. So I flew as campaign manager, and at the end of the day, it just didn't seem worth it. When I went. I went and saw Jesse, and he said, rick, it's a lot more than.

[B]

It seems like, you know, you would have been stressed.

[A]

Yeah. And I wouldn't have been. I would have really been her social. Oh, yeah.

[B]

Well, that's the cool thing about Trump. All his skeletons are out there.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, I know.

[A]

That's what I'm saying. And it doesn't Seem to have affected his popularity.

[B]

Not at all. Maybe at first a little bit, but now it's like, oh, I like it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, because at least you know him.

[A]

Oh. Just with his son last Sunday.

[B]

Trump Jr. With.

[A]

And went with the kid. Yeah. And what a nice guy he is.

[B]

Great guy. I met him, too. And that's a good, good sign about Trump, because if his kids are nice, you know, that's a sign. He's a good father.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

I look at that when I meet people, I look at how their kids act.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Because a lot of rich, successful people, their kids are, like, all over the place.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

You know, I'm sure you see that all the time.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

They call them trust fund babies.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, what's that like, balancing that with your kids, knowing you have all this money and success, but you still want them to be hard workers and everything?

[A]

Oh, just something I've taught them, you know, even though, I mean, they've made their own money, they're not living off my money.

[B]

Really?

[A]

They made their own money? Yeah.

[B]

You didn't give them any money?

[A]

No, they made their own money. I will leave. When I'm gone, I'm leaving the money. But they've made their own money.

[B]

Nice.

[A]

They've made their own way. I didn't. My daughter's probably the best, greatest female wrestler that ever lived. My other daughter's in the medical business. My son is in the recycling business and doing real well with that. Nice. Yeah. They've all made their own money.

[B]

That's awesome. Well done. Yeah, Shaq's like that, too.

[A]

I'm glad we straightened that out, because that was. That's. That's how things come out.

[B]

Wrong.

[A]

No, they've made their own money.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I'll be leaving the money, but they don't need it.

[B]

That's impressive. So you plan on leaving them all your money, though? Yeah, that's always a debate. Should I leave it to the kids? Should I give it to charity or whatnot? Sometimes when you give.

[A]

I'll give it to them and they'll make that decision. You know, I. I don't. I. You know, I give money to charity now, and I got a friend who's got als. It's horrible.

[B]

Yeah, that's a tough one.

[A]

I'll be leaving money to that.

[B]

But how do you choose the charities you give money to?

[A]

Well, I've always been big into md. I've always been big into cancer, of course, and cancer research, like the Jimmy V. But this ALS thing, man, that My friend has is. You know where they're totally alert here. Totally 100, but nothing works.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

It's very sad. Yeah.

[B]

You could go crazy like that.

[A]

Damn.

[B]

I remember doing that ALS ice bucket challenge years ago. You remember that?

[A]

Sure. Yeah.

[B]

That was a good marketing campaign.

[A]

I'll see Kevin. I'll see Kevin Hart today. I did that with him.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Nice. Is he performing tonight? Kevin Hart?

[A]

He's out. We're doing a. We're here to work with the energy for a convenience store convention.

[B]

Oh, nice. He's a partner in this. The energy stuff.

[A]

He has his own brand.

[B]

Okay. Yeah.

[A]

Shout out to how big is this? Which I'll have to remind him. Yeah.

[B]

You guys in any stores yet? Where could people find this stuff?

[A]

Oh, God. Riding those.

[B]

Yeah, we're. We're in a lot of stores already and actually, part of the reason we're here is to promote into new stores.

[A]

But we're in stores 7 11, Target, Giant Eagle.

[B]

Nice. Oh, yeah. What about these blunts? Where can you find these?

[A]

Everywhere. Well, we're what, 16 states now? I am. Were launching in Puerto Rico as well.

[B]

Nice. I didn't know weed was legal.

[A]

14. All right.

[B]

Four of them are coming soon.

[A]

Oh, okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. When's Puerto Rico? That's pretty soon, right? Yeah.

[B]

Got the flower too. I didn't know weed was legal in Puerto Rico. That's cool.

[A]

Oh, it will be. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. That's gonna be a big market. Well, dude, thanks for coming on. Where can. Where can people find out what you're up to next?

[A]

They can just look at my Instagram or look at my. I've got a booking agent, but my primary thing now is to, you know, travel and help support these brands. And the best way to do that is to be out there.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. We'll link it below for people watching this. Thanks for coming on, Rick.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Yup. Thanks for watching, guys. See you next time.

[A]

Hey, music fans. There are some great concerts headed this way. Don't miss out on all the shows in your favorite venues like Deftones at Madison Square Garden, Eagles at the Sphere, and Foster the People at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are going fast, so don't wait.

[B]

Head to livenation.com to get your tickets.

[A]

Now that's livenation.com.