By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

TNA wrestler Ric Flair appeared on ESPN SportsCenter's new "Let It Flo" radio podcast with SportsCenter anchor Robert Flores covering a lot of ground on his view of the pro wrestling industry, TNA, and WWE. The following are highlights from the interview.

-- Asked what TNA needs to do to compete with WWE, Flair focused on WWE's lack of ready-made, new stars to replace the previous generation and said TNA needs to find a direction or a vision and stick with it.

"I tell everybody right now that WWE has never been more vulnerable with the top guys retiring or injured. They're basically entrusting the company with a lot of young guys and try to find that one guy who still shine and become that next (Austin, Rock, Shawn Michaels, or The Undertaker). We're so short on star power right now."

"Our company, we just need to get a direction and stick to it. Sometimes, I think they throw stuff against the wall out of desperation. For the most part, I think the direction is real good with a new regime in place and new thoughts and ideas."

Flair continued: "I think by the end of the year, I think we'll be in a much more competitive mode. We won't compete with WWE for another year-and-a-half, but, once again, that requires an effort on everybody's part. Not just the performers, but the people behind the scenes."

Flair also discussed the lack of awareness for TNA: "Another big issue with me is awareness and recognition. That falls on the lap of the network. They have to spend more money to advertise this show (Impact) is on. It's absurd that people think I'm still with WWE. It doesn't happen nearly as much now, but it's still confusing to people. I'm in an airport every other day and they'll say, 'God, I loved your retirement; what are you doing now?' And that really bugs me. 'I'm still here. Spike TV. 9:00 EST. Thursday nights.' (laughs)"

-- Flair was asked how the wrestling business has changed with the increased accessibility of information behind-the-scenes. "Unfortunately, it's affected the business a lot," he said. "I don't listen to anyone I hear unless they have knowledge of the business. In terms of it affecting the business, what it does is it affects the guys. The young guys, in general, run to the computer to see what the fans are saying. It doesn't matter what the fans are saying if you're doing your job. And the fans should not be dictating what we do."

After talking about Brett Favre being an example, in his view, of an athlete who performs at a high level and doesn't listen to fan criticism, Flair said, "You need to listen to your boss, if your boss is smart. Sometimes the boss isn't so smart, but an athlete knows if he's done a good job. You know when you walk out to the ring whether you've performed at a high level or not.

Flair continued: "I used to not perform at a high level. God gave me the health and ability to keep doing this and I'm probably in better shape now than when I retired when I wrestled Shawn Michaels. It drives me and gives me something to look forward to. If I don't have to wrestle and I just sit around, I don't take care of myself as well as I should and I don't work out as hard. I really like that. I like to compete. I'm not going to put it to rest until I'm ready to go home."

-- Asked if, 20 years ago, he thought he would still be in wrestling as a performer, Flair said with a chuckle, "Not a chance." Flair added: "I sat home for a year-and-a-half and I got a lot of work (with Coca-Cola and the Lottery), but it just wasn't the same. I like the schedule. I have fun. I like the guys here a lot. It's like a hobby. At this point in my life, it's a hobby."

Videos: The three-part ESPN Video series is below. Part 3 is the most newsworthy of the segments, but it's worth listening from the beginning to the end to get a full picture on where Flair is right now in his career. Part 2 includes Flair talking about Brett Favre returning to the NFL this season.







[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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