[madbroon]

Perhaps the camera being so close was simply as a result of it being in the ring for the lengthly promos cut by both men and nothing more?

[wwffans123]

Hahaha

[JY57]

http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-01...ponse-26083406

Ric Flair responds to WWE Champion CM Punk's latest "pipe bomb"



WWE Champion CM Punk has made his name of late as a man who’s not afraid to speak the truth, or at least, to speak his mind. Ever since that fateful night in Las Vegas 19 months ago, The Straight Edge Superstar has proven he’s not afraid to target anyone in WWE, from the Chairman to the Chief Operating Officer to the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim General Manager of Monday Night Raw, if it means getting what he wants. He’s even taken to launching his “pipe bombs” at the WWE Universe as of late, which if not incredibly ironic, is certainly brazen and an unmistakable mark of how boundless Punk’s rage is at the “system” that surrounds him.

But among the volleys of the champion’s latest verbal blitzkrieg this past Monday are strewn a couple shells that may have woken the sleeping dragon. Punk said:

“I don’t care about the people of Tampa Bay, Fla. There are good guys and there are bad guys in this world, and make no mistake about it ladies and gentlemen: I am a bad, bad man, and I can freely admit it.
“But Ric Flair will come out here and he’ll cry his 182-year-old eyes out and say ‘Oh, I did it for all of you’ — now [the Tampa crowd is] wooing. Shawn Michaels can come out here and lose his smile and find his smile, but then in a tearful Hall of Fame speech he’ll say that his entire career was just to gain your acceptance. And then a man like Edge is forced to retire and he’ll say that he misses competing for people like you. Now these people, these men are either weak or they’re dishonest and they’re liars. It’s either one or the other …
“Two types of people on this earth: those born to be in the spotlight and those born to pay to see the people in the spotlight. You are born to pay to see champions like me. It’s not the other way around.
Even for a Superstar known for scorched-earth missives, those are strong words. But as the old saying goes, two can play that game, and never one to take abuse from anybody, “The Nature Boy” himself has fired back.

“The fans do matter,” Flair told WWE.com in an exclusive interview. “When I was performing at any point in time, I performed because I wanted to be the best, No. 1. I wanted fans to walk out that door — whether they liked me or didn’t like me — saying they saw everything they expected to and more.”

The 16-time World Champion (and recently dubbed one of the “creators of swag” by LeBron James) is certainly no stranger to controversy and divided reactions. Flair’s storied career was marked by endless stints of wheeling and dealing his way to various championships, which he didn’t always retain through the most scrupulous of means, much like Punk. Despite the fact “Naitch” has certainly amassed his fair share of enemies through the years, however, he emphasized the importance of performing for the WWE Universe.

“I performed to gain fans’ respect,” Flair said. “I think I’ve gained respect because I haven’t always been the most loved guy in the wrestling business. I spent a lot of years being a bad guy.”

Asked whether he could find some common ground with Punk’s insistence that he performs for his own benefit, though, The Dirtiest Player in the Game responded, quite emphatically, in the negative.

“No! Why would I perform for myself?” Flair said. “I couldn’t wait to walk out that door and show people what I had, whether they liked me or not.”

And as it turns out, “Naitch” might have a “pipe bomb” or two of his own left in the tank despite the champion’s critical assumptions; he concluded the interview not with an anecdote or a platitude, but a personal message to CM Punk himself.

“Like I said, if you like me or don’t like me, learn to love it baby, because it is the best thing going today. And that’s the quote I’ll drop on him [down the line] if I see him. WOO!!!”

[JY57]

TheRock
One of the loudest ovations I've ever received. Thank U @WWE Universe! Tonight.. #RockOnSmackdown pic.twitter.com/VnTbgWjc

-

[Dusty Roids]

Isn't Punk a fan of Dwayne now since he's Roadblock in the upcoming GI Joe movie?

[Rock316AE]

Like I said in the Flair thread, can only hope to see The Rock and The Rasslin' GOD! in a segment together, would be great. IIRC, months ago in the ratings thread I predicted a Rock/Flair segment for the 20 years special of RAW. Looks like a realistic bet now. Rock/Flair is magic and it's a shame we didn't see more from them over the years.





And for Rock to say that Miami on SmackDown was one of the loudest ovations he has ever got, that shit must have been a legit building shaker. Now the SD noises in WWE's editing are even more annoying, wish it was a live show. Sounded like a huge pop.

[God Movement]

Rock and Flair probably will get a segment, since Flair is still being linked with Punk.

[That's irrelevant]

It's such a shame that Ric Flair vs The Rock didn't happen at WrestleMania 20 as originally planned. The Rock stated numerous times in interviews back in 2003 that we was willing to go back to have big dream matches at WrestleMania with the likes of Ric Flair, Sting, and many more wrestlers that he idolized. With Rock being the biggest Flair mark ever, it would have been cool to see them work a singles match with each other.

But eh, we will probably get a segment with The Rock and Ric Flair which will be amazing. Can't complain there.

[VegaQB]

Punk/Flair/Rock any combination of 3 on the mic would be GOLD.

Unless it will lead bigger things (ala Rock v Brock II ) ı dont see Rock losing at RR. Im a fan of both Punk & Rock but just because the historical meaning of this reign I want Punk retain. That being said sooner or later someone gonna take the title. In todays WWE, Rock is the perfect guy for it.

[vanboxmeer]

The fact of the matter is that Punk appreciates Uncle D.J. for coming back and working a program with him. It is afterall going to be his biggest program of his entire career with the most exposure that he can benefit from. He's undoubtedly excited and putting on his working boots now instead of meandering about trying to make these new goofs they're trying to push look good.