Ric Flair Backtracks After Taunting His Ex: ‘It Was Only a Matter of Time Until You Came Running Back’

Ric Flair set off a firestorm on social media this weekend with a post about his ex, Wendy Barlow — and by Monday, he was walking much of it back.

The wrestling legend, 77, posted on X on Sunday, August 9 declaring, “I Told You. It Was Only A Matter Of Time Until You Came Running Back!! At Least I Know I Am In Good Hands Because You Have Always Taken The Best Care Of Me Out Of Anyone In The Whole World.”

He continued, “She Finally Figured Out There Is Only One Ric Flair And One James Bond, And Currently Ric Flair Is Available For Any Kind Of Action. Let’s See If Wendy Still Has It! LFG!”

Fans did not hold back in the comment section. “Ric you’re a hero to many but you sound like a raging misogynist here who doesn’t respect his wife,” one user wrote. Another wrote that the post was “PATHETIC, ARROGANT, NARCISSISTIC.”

Flair’s wrestling career spanned more than five decades and multiple world championship reigns. Known as “The Nature Boy,” he became famous for his flamboyant persona, signature “Woooo!” catchphrase and high-profile runs with the NWA, WCW and WWE.

He and Barlow, 58, held a wedding ceremony in 2018 but were never legally married, and the pair split in September 2024 after 13 years together, Us Weekly reported.

By Monday, August 10, Flair posted a follow-up seemingly aimed at cooling the backlash. “Wendy And I Are Not Renewing A Relationship. We Are Renewing A 34 Year Friendship. She Has Her Own Residence And I Have Mine,” he wrote on X. “She Is Coming To Tampa Primarily To Take Care Of Her Parents, Who Are Both In Their 80s And Not In Good Health.”

In the social media post, he added that Barlow would “Continue To Do What She Does Best, Travel The World, And Help People Who Are Struggling In Other Countries,” while he planned to focus on “Attending Public Events And Signing Autographs At Meet & Greets.”

Flair also addressed the online criticism directly: “Please Don’t Turn Something Positive Into Something Negative… Find Someone Else To Hate On! Wendy And I Are Good.”

He credited Barlow and her family with caring for him during a two-year health crisis, writing, “She Will Always Be There For Me If I Get Sick Again, And I Was SICK For Two Years!”

According to Men’s Journal, the wrestling legend, who nearly died from organ failure in 2017, later revealed he unknowingly suffered a heart attack during his final match in 2022 and underwent a heart procedure in 2023. He has also battled skin cancer twice in three years, most recently undergoing treatment for melanoma in 2025 before announcing that July that he was cancer-free.

Reaction to Flair’s second post was mixed, with one user posting, “Good for you Ric! Woooooo” while another wrote, “I’m Sure She Loves You Putting Her Business Out There. Also — You’re The One Who Made It Sound Like You Were Renewing A Relationship In The First Place. Nobody Was Asking.”