Ric Flair says ex-girlfriend has come ‘running back’ to him — then adds huge twist

WWE legend Ric Flair raised some eyebrows when he announced on social media that his ex Wendy Barlow “came running back” to him after their split in September 2024.

Flair, who was with Barlow for 13 years before their September 2024 breakup, shared in an X post Sunday that he “is available” and gushed over Barlow for “taking the best care of me” during their relationship.

In another post on Monday, Flair clarified that the pair are not back together, and instead explained how they’re focusing on renewing their friendship.

“I Told You. It Was Only A Matter Of Time Until You Came Running Back!!” Flair wrote Saturday, including a photo of the two sitting court side at Lakers-Pelicans game in Los Angeles in 2020.

“At Least I Know I Am In Good Hands Because You Have Always Taken The Best Care Of Me Out Of Anyone In The Whole World. She Finally Figured Out There Is Only One Ric Flair And One James Bond, And Currently Ric Flair Is Available For Any Kind Of Action. Let’s See If Wendy Still Has It! LFG!”

After that, Flair fired back at “negative” responses to his post, and praised Barlow for taking care of him during his health struggles in 2017.

“Wendy And I Are Not Renewing A Relationship,” Flair wrote. “We Are Renewing A 34 Year Friendship. She Has Her Own Residence And I Have Mine. She Is Coming To Tampa Primarily To Take Care Of Her Parents, Who Are Both In Their 80s And Not In Good Health. Wendy Will Continue To Do What She Does Best, Travel The World, And Help People Who Are Struggling In Other Countries.

“I’ll Resume What I Do And Love Most Which Is Attending Public Events And Signing Autographs At Meet & Greets. Please Don’t Turn Something Positive Into Something Negative. If That’s All You Have To Do, Find Something Better To Do.

“The One Part I Am Sure Of, Which She Reminds Me Whenever We Speak, Is That She Will Always Be There For Me If I Get Sick Again, And I Was SICK For Two Years! Her Whole Family Took Care Of Me. Find Someone Else To Hate On! Wendy And I Are Good.”

Flair and Barlow held a wedding ceremony in 2018, but they were never legally married, he confirmed to People in 2022.

When Flair announced the couple’s split in September 2024, he thanked Barlow for “standing by my side through my terrible health crisis in 2017.”

The 16-time WWE champ was hospitalized with stomach pains and placed in a medically induced coma for 12 days for a ruptured intestine.

Flair said he spent 31 days in the ICU and that he was given a 20 percent chance to live.

In May 2019, the two-time WWE Hall of Famer was hospitalized for a medical emergency and underwent surgery, according to TMZ.

At the time, Flair said it was a “miracle again” that he was alive and that he had a “$1.8 million tune-up.”

Flair was previously married four times, to Leslie Goodman (from 1971-1983), Elizabeth Harrell (from 1983 to 2006), Tiffany VanDemark (from 2006-2009) and Jackie Beems (from 2009-2014).