Podcast Conrad Thompson has insisted his father-in-law Ric Flair is always in character when he’s out in public.
Ric Flair will only show his “real life” self if he’s behind closed doors.
The 77-year-old wrestling legend, who is a 16-time world champion and a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, is known for his iconic Nature Boy persona, complete with fancy suits and robes, expensive watches and outrageous nights out partying.
His son-in-law Conrad Thompson exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “If we’re talking about just interacting with the public, he’s always on.
“He’s always Ric Flair, but the real life guy, when you’re having family serious conversation – no, he is very much Richard Morgan Flier.”
Podcaster and mortgage broker Conrad, who is married to Ric’s daughter Megan Fliehr, admitted that anyone who sees the retired star in public should expect to get “the guy you see on TV”.
He explained: “If you’re going to have some sort of public interaction with him, maybe you work at a favourite watering hole, part of the nightlife, a fancy restaurant.
“In downtown Tampa, you’re going to meet the guy you see on TV. You’re going to meet Ric Flair.
“Now he may not have a three-piece suit on, and he may not have a $15,000 robe on, but he’s going to have a Ric Flair Rolex on and some big shades, and he’s going to be sitting right in front of the TV, right at the bar, belly up to the bar, checking out what’s going on, on ESPN.”
Conrad, who is currently making headlines after deciding to auction off the 1985-88 Intercontinental Championship used at WrestleMania III, said Ric is “doing great” and “loving life in Tampa”.
He added: “He has a great group of friends down there. And he’s got some great support down there.
“Shout out to Sandra, who I know has become a really valuable person in his life, and she’s helping taking care of Pop Pop, as I like to call him.”
Next year will mark five years since Ric’s final in-ring appearance, which Conrad promoted as the headliner for the Ric Flair’s Last Match event on July 31, 2022.
The Nature Boy teamed up with Andrade El Idolo, who was married to his daughter Charlotte Flair at the time, in a victory over Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett.
Conrad recalled: “It was a it was a stressful weekend for him because I think he was in his head. He put a lot of pressure on himself.
“I mean, they practiced that match over and over and over in so many different moves and transitions, and I mean, he really put a lot of thought and effort into it.”
He admitted the match that they “ultimate ran with” wasn’t the “original” plan when he and Ric first started discussing a retirement bout.
However, he added: “I still love the pairing that we came up with, and the match I saw them do in practice six times was unbelievable.
“And then on the day of, well, he forgot to hydrate, and even he wished us he had to do over on that one. But thankfully, I think we finally seen our very last Ric Flair match.”
Conrad is selling off the official Intercontinental Championship, which was used in the then-WWF from 1985 to 1988 and held by the likes of Tito Santana, Honky Tonk Man, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage and Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat.
The precious item is being sold via Heritage Auctions, with bidding – which runs through October 24 – currently at $125k.
For more information on the 1985 to 1988 WWF Intercontinental Championship belt, visit: www.WrestleManiaBelt.com.
Ric Flair only shows ‘real life’ persona behind closed doors
