Who Is Riki Johnson? The Truth About Charlotte Flair’s First Husband

Most people know Charlotte Flair as one of the biggest stars in WWE. She’s powerful in the ring, full of confidence, and the daughter of wrestling legend Ric Flair. But before all the fame and championship belts, Charlotte had a difficult chapter in her personal life — a short, painful marriage to Riki Johnson.

Their relationship only lasted a year, but it left a deep mark. It involved heartbreak, a shocking arrest, and a public legal fight. Today, many fans still ask: Who is Riki Johnson? What really happened between him and Charlotte? In this article, we’ll take you through Riki’s life, their marriage, the dark moments, and what he’s doing now.

Riki Johnson Quick Bio

Who Is Riki Johnson?

Riki Johnson became known because of his marriage to Charlotte Flair, but not much is known about him outside of that. He was born on April 5, 1986, in North Carolina, United States. As of 2026, he is 39 years old.

He is American, Caucasian, and follows Christianity. He’s around 5 feet 11 inches tall and has brown hair and brown eyes. He keeps a very low profile, and doesn’t share anything on social media. No Instagram, no Twitter, nothing. He prefers a quiet and private life, which makes his story even more interesting to fans who only know him through the news and Charlotte’s book.

Riki Johnson and Charlotte Flair’s Marriage

Riki Johnson and Charlotte Flair (whose real name is Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr) got married in May 2010. At that time, Charlotte hadn’t yet become the wrestling superstar we know today. She was just starting to figure out her path in life.

The marriage didn’t last long. By early 2013, the two had divorced. There weren’t many details shared back then. But later, Charlotte opened up about that time in her life. She said the relationship was painful and damaging — and it wasn’t just a normal breakup. It involved abuse, stress, and regret.

Even though they were married for only one year, that short time had a huge impact on Charlotte’s life. It also brought Riki into the public eye, whether he wanted it or not.

A Short and Troubled Love Story

From the outside, their relationship may have seemed normal. But Charlotte later said it was far from peaceful. She spoke about the emotional and physical pain she experienced during the marriage. She felt ashamed and confused, and often asked herself, “Why did I stay so long?”

She also said she wasn’t strong enough at the time to walk away. Looking back, she described herself as a young woman who didn’t know how to protect herself. She called that part of her life “dark” and “hard to talk about.”

Charlotte even said writing about Riki Johnson in her book was the hardest part. But she shared her story in hopes that it might help others going through similar things.

Charlotte Flair’s Shocking Arrest in 2008

One of the most surprising parts of their story happened before the marriage even started. In 2008, Charlotte was involved in a fight between Riki Johnson and Ric Flair, her father. It happened in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and things got out of control quickly.

When the police arrived, Charlotte tried to break up the fight, but it didn’t go well. According to reports, when an officer told her to put her hands behind her back, she said, “Don’t touch me” more than once. The officer then used a taser on her and arrested her.

She was charged with assaulting a police officer, even though she said she was just trying to stop the fight. This moment became part of the bigger story about how toxic and chaotic her relationship with Riki was, even before they got married.

Domestic Abuse Allegations Against Riki Johnson

In 2017, Charlotte released a book called Second Nature: The Legacy of Ric Flair and the Rise of Charlotte. In the book, she shared painful details about her marriage to Riki Johnson. She said she experienced emotional and physical abuse. She even mentioned being slapped, yelled at, and feeling trapped.

She also claimed that Riki had drug problems, lost jobs, and struggled to stay stable. One of the hardest parts to read is when Charlotte wrote:

“I think about that girl now, and it brings tears to my eyes. Why wasn’t I strong enough to leave?”

Charlotte said writing about it was a way to heal and show others they are not alone. She wanted to be honest, even if it was hard. The book made fans see a new side of her — not just a strong wrestler, but also a survivor of abuse.

The $5 Million Lawsuit

But Riki Johnson did not stay silent. In late 2018, he filed a $5 million lawsuit against Charlotte, her father Ric Flair, the WWE, and co-writer Brian Shields. He said the book was full of lies that made him look like a terrible person.

He claimed he was not abusive, did not have drug issues, and wasn’t fired from any jobs. He said the story in the book hurt his reputation, embarrassed his three children, and caused emotional pain to him and his family.

He even said Charlotte made racist remarks to police during the 2008 arrest — something that wasn’t included in the book. WWE responded quickly, saying the lawsuit was “without merit” and that they would “vigorously defend themselves.”

What the Court Case Revealed About Both Sides

The lawsuit from Riki Johnson made a lot of noise when it hit the news. He said that what Charlotte Flair wrote in her book was completely false. He claimed that she made it all up to make herself look like a hero who escaped abuse.

Riki even said he had proof, including police reports and dashcam videos, that would help show he was not guilty of what she claimed. Still, Charlotte never backed down from her story. She said it was her truth and something she had lived through.

After a few months, the lawsuit was settled privately. That means it didn’t go to court. We don’t know exactly what was agreed upon, but it most likely included money and a decision to stop the public fight. Even though we don’t know the details, the case shows how messy things can get when personal stories are shared with the world.

What We Know About Riki Johnson’s Life Today

So, where is Riki Johnson in 2026? The truth is — he’s staying very quiet. After the lawsuit and all the attention, Riki chose to stay away from the spotlight. He doesn’t talk to the media and doesn’t have any public social media accounts.

People who know him say he’s just trying to live a normal life, far from the world of wrestling and drama. He doesn’t go to events, doesn’t give interviews, and never posts online. It seems like he just wants to be left alone.

Even with everything that happened, some fans are still curious about him. But for now, Riki Johnson is living a life that’s private, peaceful, and far away from fame.

Does Riki Johnson Have Kids or a New Family?

Yes, Riki Johnson is a father of three. But he has never shared their names or any personal details about them. He has tried hard to keep his children out of the spotlight, especially after the book and the lawsuit.

There is no public record of him getting married again. Some believe he may be in a relationship, but nothing has been confirmed. Most signs point to him being single and focused on raising his kids and living a quiet life.

It’s clear that Riki cares deeply about protecting his family now — maybe even more so because of what happened in the past.

Riki Johnson’s Career and Net Worth

Riki Johnson is not a celebrity. He doesn’t act, wrestle, or work in entertainment. Because of this, there’s very little public info about his job or career.

Some reports guess that his net worth is around $1 million, but that’s not confirmed. Most of his money might come from personal work or the settlement he got from the lawsuit with Charlotte Flair.

Compared to Charlotte, who is a millionaire with a WWE career, endorsements, and TV appearances, Riki Johnson has stayed far from the spotlight and lives much more privately.

How Riki Johnson Is Remembered by WWE Fans

Even though Riki Johnson wasn’t part of WWE, fans still remember his name. Why? Because of the book. Because of the arrest. And because of the lawsuit.

To many fans, he’s known as “Charlotte Flair’s first husband” — someone from her past who caused her pain. Others see him as a man who stood up for himself and didn’t want to be wrongly blamed.

No matter which side people take, Riki Johnson remains a name that shows up in WWE history, even if he never stepped into the ring.

Final Thoughts

Riki Johnson’s story is one of pain, drama, and silence. He was married to one of the most famous women in wrestling, but that marriage turned into a public mess. From arrest drama to book claims and a $5 million lawsuit, their short relationship left a big mark.

Today, Riki Johnson lives a quiet life. He doesn’t seek attention. He doesn’t tell his side in interviews. He just keeps moving forward.

His story reminds us that being connected to a celebrity can bring both fame and trouble. And that sometimes, the quietest people have the loudest stories.

(FAQs)

How old is Riki Johnson and when was he born?

Riki Johnson was born on April 5, 1986, which makes him 39 years old in 2026.

Was Riki Johnson ever a WWE wrestler?

No — Riki Johnson was never part of WWE. He became known only because of his marriage to Charlotte Flair, not for wrestling.

Why did Riki Johnson and Charlotte Flair divorce?

They divorced in early 2013 after just one year of marriage. Charlotte later claimed there was abuse and emotional pain, which Riki denied.

Is Riki Johnson married now?

No, Riki Johnson is not married in 2026. After divorcing Charlotte Flair, he has stayed single and very private.

What is Riki Johnson doing now in 2026?

Riki Johnson is living a quiet life far from the public eye. He has no social media, avoids media, and focuses on his family and privacy.

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