By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

TNA's Ric Flair was recently interviewed by Rob Leigh of The Mirror in the U.K. promoting TNA's U.K. Tour in 2011. In part two of the interview, Flair talked about why he continues to be in the wrestling business, what he thinks about a union in pro wrestling, and whether MMA affects wrestling business.

-- Flair, who joined TNA in January, said he continues to be part of the wrestling business because he enjoys performing and he doesn't have many other hobbies that hold his interest outside of wrestling.

"Without a shadow of a doubt," Flair said in response to a question on whether he's still in the business simply to keep performing. "I don't make anywhere near the money right now that I made the past. I have outside sources of income, but when you go through two divorces, you can always use more. Paying for weddings and stuff like that requires more. It's about my love of the business."

-- Flair said he doesn't see a union ever being formed in pro wrestling. He believes the ship has sailed on that happening. Flair cited the potential NFL lockout in 2011 as his argument against unionization in pro wrestling.

"It's way too late for that to happen," Flair said. "They tried to do that 20 years ago and I wasn't going to be involved in that. I'm happy with the way things are. ... Unions cause problems. Look at the NFL. There's going to be a walk-out (in 2011) or it will go right to the day of practice."

-- Flair took the "WWE approach" when asked to evaluate MMA as it relates to pro wrestling. Flair said he doesn't believe MMA affects the wrestling business.

"I think there's cross-over, but I don't think it affects us at all. I'm not saying wrestling fans don't watch MMA, but it is two different audiences," Flair said.

"My take on MMA is that those guys are phenomenal athletes and extraordinarily tough and committed but the people that are crazy about them got nothing going on themselves. I actually think most of the male public that is crazy for that are living vicariously for something they can never be."

When asked about pro wrestling fans living vicariously through wrestling stars, Flair's defense was "wrestling is more entertainment-based."

"MMA is what it is, those guys are out there trying to kill each other. And the guys that are sitting at home going 'wow' could never find that within themselves on the first day of their life," Flair said.

After cutting a promo on MMA fans, Flair said he doesn't believe MMA can make stars as well as pro wrestling can. He suggested a wrestler who becomes a star can live off his name well past an MMA fighter's longevity in the sport.

"It's hard to develop a star in that business that's going to have any longevity," Flair said. "In wrestling, a guy that develops a name for himself can do it for 15 years."

Link: Video of Flair's 13-minute interview can be viewed on The Mirror website at this link. (http://www.mirror.co.uk?bcpid=18731164001&bctid=89305961001)

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