On Wednesday, October 31, WWE superstar “Nature Boy” Ric Flair spoke with Between The Ropes to discuss WrestleMania 24 coming to Orlando on March 30, 2008, when he will be returning to action, his future in wrestling and more.

Flair was very pleased that WrestleMania 24 will be at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando next March. “I’m really excited. I think it’s long overdue to be in the state of Florida. With the history of wrestling in Florida and all of the talent that has come out of here in the last 30 years – WrestleMania will be a huge success here.”

Flair goes on to talk about his career when it comes to wrestling in the Sunshine State. “It’s a huge part of my career. Of course, one of my greatest rivals and one of the greatest rivalries in the history of our business and certainly in my career was the run I had with Dusty Rhodes which started in Tampa and went all through the state of Florida, up into Georgia and through the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic area before we went on a national level. I have great memories of Eddie Graham and the TV tapings on Tuesday mornings in Tampa and then wrestling (in Orlando) at the Eddie Graham Sports Arena. It was a great part of my life and a great experience and a real learning curve for me.”

For over a month, there have been rumors about Flair quitting the WWE which he puts a rest to. “It was never where I quit and anything like that. They were trying to figure out what to do with me in terms of the wrestling part of it. This part of what I’m doing now for the company has always been factored in. I think they were just trying to figure out what to do with me wrestling-wise because I still can wrestle. I still enjoy it but it’s very hard for them to build a lot around me because of my age. I get that. I don’t get it but I get it.”

Even though he is 58 years old, he knows that many fans still enjoy seeing him out there in the ring. “I’m still at that point in my life where I think put me out there. If there’s somebody better, fine. If there’s not, keep me out there. And I don’t see a lot of guys better. We make two hours of television…there’s 10 minutes for the Naitch somewhere man. I’m really proud to be a part of the product. It’s an awesome company and an awesome show and the show on March 30 will be phenomenal as usual.”

As for when he will return to action, he says, “I’ll probably be back in the ring in November. I just took a couple of months off. They gave it to me. I opened a new business and I had to work on that. That took some time. Actually, they didn’t have a storyline for me so I just moved along with it and it worked out great.”

After more than 30 years as a wrestler, one of the big question surround the Nature Boy at this point is when he may decide to retire but that isn’t the cards just yet. “I’m leaving that in the hands of the company. I feel great. I work out hard. Working out is not the same as being in the ring obviously so when I go back it will take me a little while to get back in really good shape – ring shape. They’ll tell me when it’s time. I feel good. Physically I could feel better. That’s one of the problems this part (brain) isn’t letting this part (heart) go yet. But it’s all good and I’m just proud to be a part of it.”

Now at the end of a legendary career which has seen world titles, parties, and its fair share of ups and downs, Flair says that if he had to do it all over again, he would do it all the same except for one thing. “The only difference is that I would never ever have tucked my head in WCW. After all those years and what I’ve accomplished and to let some guy come in buffalo me and tell me I was getting older. It doesn’t eat at me unless someone else brings it up. The business has been so good to me and I’ve made so many good friends and I’ve had so many great times.”

So how would the Nature Boy feel about one more run with the world title? “It would be awesome. I have it in me to do that but they have to give me the green light.”

To listen to the entire interview with Ric Flair, including his thoughts on the state of the business, some of the younger guys he enjoys and more, visit www.BetweenTheRopes.com and listen to the interview and the entire archive of the October 31st show. Join us for Between The Ropes for two hours every Wednesday night at 10:00pm ET on WQTM 740 The Team in Orlando, Florida and streaming worldwide on BetweenTheRopes.com. {plug}