Not so royal rumble: Wrestling legend Ric Flair asked to leave restaurant
Ric Flair: File photo. The "Nature Boy" said he was asked to leave a restaurant in Gainesville, Florida, over the weekend. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — During his long career in professional wrestling, Ric Flair has generated his share of feuds. His latest is aimed at a Florida restaurant after the Nature Boy got into an argument with management and was asked to leave.
Flair, 75, a two-time inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame and a 16-time world heavyweight champion across several wrestling promotions, was in Gainesville on May 5 to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Florida, The Gainesville Sun reported.
He was dining with family members at Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza restaurant at 1250 W. University Ave. when the professional wrestler apparently was asked to leave, according to the newspaper.
That did not sit well with “the stylin’, profilin’, limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin’ n’ dealin’ son of a gun,” the Sun reported.
Flair, whose real name is Richard Morgan Fliehr, blasted the restaurant on his social media accounts for “disrespecting” him, WCJB-TV reported.
“I spent $1,500 at Piesano’s Stone Fired Pizza to be disrespected more than I ever have in my entire life,” Flair posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “After taking 20 pictures with customers and staff, I was asked to leave because of an issue I had with the kitchen manager taking too long in the bathroom. I would highly recommend that anyone who want to enjoy a relaxing time in Gainesville at a nice restaurant to never visit this place! WOOOOO!”
Piesanos co-owner Jerry Roberts told the Sun that the “evidence was clear” about what occurred at the restaurant but did not elaborate.
Roberts then sent the newspaper a prepared statement via text message.
“We have reviewed video of the incident that took place recently at our restaurant. It is clear, our team worked in a professional manner to ensure the safety of guests and staff,” Roberts wrote. “We have thanked our team for their professionalism. We are proud of how they responded to this situation using and displaying our team values.”
Roberts said the restaurant did not plan to release the video.
During his four-decade career in the squared circle, Flair won the NWA world heavyweight title eight times. He won the WCW world title six times and was a two-time WWF (now WWE) world champion.
Flair had his last “official” match at the age of 73 on July 31, 2022. He teamed with his son-in-law, Andrade El Idolo, against Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett in Nashville, Tennessee.
Photos: Ric Flair through the years Here are some memorable photos of Ric “The Nature Boy” Flair through the years. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2003: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) professional wrestler Ric Flair and Trish Stratus participate in a panel during the "Professor for a Day" event at Nassau Community College March 3, 2003, in Garden City, New York. (Steven Henry/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2004: WWE wrestlers (from left) Ric Flair, Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton, Stacy Keibler and Miss Jackie attend the New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics NBA game March 9, 2004, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Ray Amati/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2007: Wrestler Ric Flair on the sidelines before the NFC Championship game as the Chicago Bears host the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 21, 2007, at Soldier Field, Chicago. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2008: Recording artist Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and pro wrestler Ric Flair attend the after party for Fox Searchlight's "The Wrestler" held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on December 16, 2008, in Beverly Hills, California. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2009: WWE Superstar Chris Jericho throws into the air former professional wrestler Ric Flair during WrestleMania 25 at Reliant Stadium on April 5, 2009, in Houston. (Bill Olive/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2010: Former American Professional Wrestler Ric Flair performs his famous yell "Wooooo!" for the media during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway, held at the Embassy Suites, on January 20, 2010, in Concord, North Carolina. (Jason Smith/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2015: John McEnroe (left) and Ric Flair speak at the Delta Air Lines VIP Reception & Chalk Talk, previewing the "Delta Passport to Madison Square Garden," a first-class sports and entertainment experience, on March 3, 2015, in New York City. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Delta)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2016: Professional wrestler Ric Flair (left) attends the 2016 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2017: Professional wrestler Ric Flair (left), director Rory Karpf and ESPN Films & Original Content VP and Executive Producer John Dahl "ESPN's 30 for 30: 'Nature Boy'" speak onstage during the ESPN portion of the 2017 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 26, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2019: Professional wrestler Ric Flair throws out the first pitch before a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 21, 2019, in Houston. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2020: Ric Flair and Poo-Pourri Spokeswoman Bethany appear at the Wynwood Marketplace on February 1, 2020, in Miami. (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Poo-Pourri)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2021: Former professional wrestler Ric Flair on the field before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans at TIAA Bank Field on December 19, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Photos: Ric Flair through the years 2022: Jeff Jarrett and Ric Flair in action during Ric Flair's Last Match at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on July 31, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)