Update on Ric Flair’s ESPN “30 for 30” airdate & interviews

ESPN’s “30 for 30” documentary on Ric Flair is scheduled to air this fall, according to filmmaker Rory Karpf.

Karpf told Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch that the documentary is currently in the editing stage trying to pare down hours of interviews with Flair, interviews with colleagues, and footage provided by WWE through their working relationship with ESPN.

The interview list currently includes Sting, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley, Ricky Steamboat, Jim Ross, Eric Bischoff, and Four Horsemen members Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard.

Plus, family members WWE Women’s champion Charlotte and Flair’s first wife, Leslie. The family aspect will be a big part of the documentary, according to Karpf.

“In the wrestling world, the viewer isn’t sure what’s real or what isn’t, but ‘Nature Boy’ – Ric Flair wasn’t just a character,” said Karpf. “He was real. The wrestler he portrayed in the ring was also the man he was outside the ring. I found that to be fascinating. He’s led a crazy life that’s a natural for a 30 for 30. Plus I just love pro wrestling.”

As for the reaction Karpf is looking to generate from the documentary, the filmmaker said: “Hopefully they’ll have an emotional, visceral reaction. I think this is a film where the viewer can laugh, cry, and hopefully ‘Woooooo!’ I try to make my films accessible for everyone, so my ultimate goal is to make a film enjoyable for wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike.”