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There are few pro wrestlers in history who are as polarizing as 16-time world champion Ric Flair. On one hand, Flair’s style and promos and have made him a one-of-a-kind star who has crossed over into the worlds of sports on pop culture. On the other hand, Flair’s complicated history with alcohol and his alleged mistreatment of women have landed him as a pariah in some circles of the pro wrestling world.
A recent run in with AEW superstar Mina Shirakawa won’t do anything to help change that reputation. Shirakawa, 37, rose to fame in the Stardom promotion in her native Japan. She then became famous in America after appearing on several AEW shows and recently announced her intent to join the promotion full-time.
[English subtitles] Mina Shirakawa tells a story of when she met Ric Flair in America and she said, “Woo!” at him, and he got mad and yelled, “Shut up!”#STARDOM #AEW pic.twitter.com/g9CpwtVJ3y
— meraWRESTLING (@meraWRESTLING) April 7, 2025
During a recent appearance on a Japanese television show, Shirakawa described meeting Flair for the first time and how the 76-year-old didn’t exactly take well to the interaction.
“Listen to this,” she began. “I met Ric Flair in America. I greeted him and told him I was a wrestler too.”
Shirakawa then explained that the two had been drinking at the same bar. Later on in the evening, she apparently did Flair’s famed “Woo!” only for him to turn to her and yell “shut up!” Shirakawa seems to have laughed off the interaction, but wrestling fans were far more critical of Flair.
mina clears that old bum https://t.co/k5bnNggHZ0
— conner (@winterweather) April 7, 2025
“I didn’t need any more reasons to hate that old slimey f–k Ric Flair but imagine saying that to Mina Shirakaw,” one fan tweeted.
“Another reason why Ric Flair sucks,” said another.
Flair is largely out of the spotlight these days, which is probably good thing for him. But time has not been particularly kind to his legacy.