Ric Flair On The Man Trademark Controversy: "WWE Have Lost Respect For Me"

Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has said that the company has lost respect for him in the latest escalation for the trademark of The Man.

Flair, 70, has been referring to himself as the man for decades, often using the catchphrase "To be The Man, you've got to beat The Man" throughout his career.

The issue with this is that WWE Superstar Becky Lynch has spent the last year calling herself The Man, which has been a huge hit with fans.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, Flair said that he tried to forge a deal that would allow the RAW Women's Champion to continue using the moniker with his permission, though WWE alledgedly blew him off.

On August 26, the 16-time World Champion filed a patent application with the U.S Patent and Trademark office for the term 'The Man' in connection with professional wrestling, and if successful, WWE would have to get his permission to use it.

The Nature Boy said that though he supports Lynch and women's wrestling as a whole, this is a business decision as he wants the money he believes he is owed.

In the video by TMZ, Flair said how this is all because he wants to make sure his family are taken care for after he's gone.

He said: "When I almost died two years ago, one person stayed by me [his wife Wendy]. The whole time -- 31 days in the ICU, 12 days while I was dying on a respirator -- and I'm gonna take care of her, and her family, and my family that has taken care of me no matter what."

The Dirtiest Player in the Game also explained that the friction with WWE has had a negative impact on his daughter Charlotte. 

"I don't care what the WWE thinks of me personally, I know they love me, but obviously they've lost respect for me," he added.