Ric Flair shares controversial observations on Charlotte Flair and John Cena

John Cena will return to WWE in two weeks to kick off his retirement tour that will wrap at the end of next year. Charlotte Flair has been on the shelf with injuries for just over one year now, but she is also headed back. Ric Flair has a noted history with both superstars and has just opened up on a few controversial topics.

The Nature Boy is recognized by WWE as a 16-time World Champion based on eight NWA reigns, six WCW reigns, and two WWE reigns. However, some sources have Flair's reigns ranging from 16 or 17 to 25, while Ric himself has claimed 21. John Cena is touted as a 16-time World Champion based on three World Heavyweight Championship reigns and 13 as WWE Champion. He has been pitched to break Flair's record for several years.

The Queen is a 16-time WWE singles champion, and she's had one run as Women's Tag Team Champion. Flair has not wrestled since suffering a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus during her SmackDown loss to Asuka on December 8, 2023, but the 38-year-old is set to return to action imminently.

Naitch appeared on Busted Open Radio this week and made surprising remarks on how John Cena no longer cares about breaking the World Title record as he's focused on his Hollywood career.

"John Cena doesn’t want to break a record. He doesn’t give a s**t about that. He’s in a different world now. Wrestling will always be his passion, but he doesn’t care [about breaking the record]," Flair said. [H/T to WrestlingNews]

The WWE Universe seemingly agrees that John Cena breaking Ric Flair's record could make for a memorable moment on his 2025 retirement tour. However, Ric thinks Charlotte Flair breaking the record would be a much bigger moment, if not the biggest moment in wrestling.

"I still think the biggest thing in the business, when it happens... it'll be a real game-changer, just like she is in real-life... is [Charlotte] breaking the title record. I believe it's in the cards, I can look at the show and see. It's a woman's world now, and she's the best women's wrestler alive," Flair said.

Ric thinks Charlotte finally realized how good she is during this hiatus. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer predicted his daughter would be a game-changer when she returns, adding that he'd bet $10,000 on Charlotte having the match of the night when she returns if her opponent is good. Ric predicted that Charlotte's return match would draw the highest rating for a women's singles match in some time.

John Cena and Charlotte Flair returning to WWE soon

WWE is heading into a new year, which includes the RAW Netflix premiere on January 6 in Los Angeles. Several superstars and special guests are set to appear.

John Cena was previously confirmed for the RAW Netflix premiere. The Face That Runs The Place will officially launch his retirement campaign that night, but he is not advertised for any tapings after that and is not listed for the Royal Rumble, but still could appear. The veteran grappler is listed for Elimination Chamber on March 1 and WrestleMania 41 on April 19 and 20.

Charlotte Flair is "on the cusp" of returning, according to backstage sources. She's been at the WWE Performance Center to train and other happenings, and was also at WWE HQ for a photoshoot and other "logistical work" for her comeback. Flair is not currently advertised for any events, and some speculation has her returning as a Royal Rumble surprise, but she could return before then.