Monday, AUGUST 4 - 12:18 P.M.

-Ric Flair's decision to leave World Wrestling Entertainment has a number of people within the industry scratching their heads. The hope of his friends is that he's making the right long-term move, yet there is concern that he is making another bad financial decision by leaving the security of WWE for a run outside the company.

Flair has been telling friends that he is excited about some potential projects he's involved in, and has dropped the names of some major corporations who want to do business with him. He was also frustrated that WWE limited some of the appearances he wanted to make and the assumption is that he feels he can make more money outside WWE than he would have had he continued working for them.

Although Flair is said to be struggling to make the adjustment to life outside the wrestling ring, no one I've spoken with believes his WWE departure has anything to do with his desire to return to the ring for TNA or any other company.

More than one Flair friend has confessed to being concerned Flair's life after wrestling. His wife Tiffany was conspicuous by her absence from the Smackdown tapings in Charlotte last month, and friends fear that he still lives for the moment and hasn't learned from his past financial mistakes. Flair has borrowed money from Vince McMahon in recent years to help with his taxes and other financial issues, but all indications are that he still lives a frivolous lifestyle.

Flair's friends and colleagues believe he can make good money without WWE's help. He should have no trouble making a good living via personal appearances, autograph shows, sponsorship deals, and perhaps even reality television. The big question is whether Flair can settle down and live within his means regardless of how many millions he earns.

If Flair chooses now to settle down, then the question is whether he's surrounded by people who truly have his best interest in mind. Are they willing to watch over him and not just cash in on his popularity resurgence following WrestleMania weekend?

-Flair isn't the only WWE legend who might be on his way out of the company. Dot Net Members currently have access to a story I wrote this morning that explains why Summer Slam could be Mick Foley's last date with WWE for a while. For instant access to that story an all the other membership perks, become a Dot Net Member for only $5 per month by visiting the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

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