Ric Flair deserves better than to go out like this. For those who missed it, Pro Wrestling Torch broke the news earlier this week that Flair has given his notice to WWE. Flair reportedly was unhappy with his diminished role, and his reasons for leaving had nothing to do with the recent suspensions for wellness policy violations.

One could argue that Flair, 58, should have retired a few years ago, but that’s missing the point. The fact is that whenever Flair was going to stop wrestling full-time — I won’t use the word “retire,” because few wrestlers every completely stop donning the tights — he should have departed with a major story line, not with a headline on a wrestling Web site.

There still is hope that Flair can leave with a bang, as WWE supposedly is trying to woo him back — or is that “Wooooo!” him back? — with the promise of a significant angle.

I’m betting that the “Nature Boy” returns, and if he does, there is big money in the 16-time world champion making one last run at a world title. Here’s what I would do: When Edge gets back, WWE should put the world heavyweight title back on him. Flair would then announce that he wants one final title match on the big stage — at WrestleMania 24 — and he will retire regardless of the outcome. Hey, if Rocky Balboa can do it, why not Flair? It could be billed as a “Match for the Ages.”

The angles and promos leading up to the match would be tremendous, with Edge as the cocky champion who has no respect for Flair’s legacy, and Flair as the sentimental favorite. Despite the 25-year age difference, the match would be believable because Flair and Edge are such good performers. The two have worked well together in previous matches, and I’d expect Flair to rise to the occasion once again.

It would be fitting if WWE inducted Flair into its Hall of Fame the night before the show, and then Flair won the title at the pay-per-view. Edge is so over that losing to Flair wouldn’t damage his character one bit. At the following Smackdown, Flair could give a tearful farewell promo, saying that he is keeping his promise to retire, and thus relinquishing the belt. That’s a perfect ending to one of the greatest careers in the history of wrestling.

In other news involving a former member of the Four Horsemen, it is rumored that WWE might have interest in bringing in Sid Vicious. I have no idea how much truth there is to it, but that would be a horrible mistake for several reasons.

With steroids and suspensions making headlines, Sid would be the last person WWE should want on the roster, especially because he has been described as being physically equal to how he looked when he was in his prime. I’m not making any accusations, but Sid is 46, and a hulking, ripped physique at his age would definitely raise eyebrows.

But beyond that, what value would Sid have? He was a big name in the late 1980s and 1990s, but he was not a big draw and he never lived up to the hype.

It’s not exactly a secret that Sid has wanted one more big run for several years. I have read interviews in which he has said that he has a great idea for a story line, one that’s never been done before.

I actually have some inside information on that. According to a former WCW star, Sid’s big idea is to do a “Bionic Man” gimmick. Basically, Sid would do an injury angle in which he required surgery, and the doctors would implant bionic parts in his body.

You know, Sid, there’s a reason that story line has never been done.