Wrestler Ric Flair, 77, hospitalized after fall hours after revealing leg blood clot
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The gist
Wrestler Ric Flair, 77, was hospitalized in Tampa after a fall, hours after revealing a leg blood clot.
His travel is limited to 3–4 hours pending a vein procedure, affecting bookings.
Background
Ric Flair is a 77-year-old legendary professional wrestler, a 16-time world heavyweight champion and two-time WWE Hall of Famer known as "The Nature Boy." He has a long history of severe health problems, including being placed on life support in 2017 and years of heavy drinking after his son Reid's death in 2013. The news comes days after organizers announced he would appear at a Detroit wrestling event on Nov. 21, and hours after he cancelled a Seattle fan convention over a leg blood clot.
How it unfolded
- Oct 19, 2026Flair tells NewsNation podcast host Biff Poggi he still earns about $1 million a year through signings, appearances and endorsements, and recounts his 2017 ICU stay and years of heavy drinking after his son's 2013 death.
- Oct 20, 2026Organizers announce Flair will appear at Harpos Concert Theatre in Detroit on Nov. 21 for Noble Champions Group Pro Wrestling's The Grand Stage event, with meet and greet packages starting at $171.50.
- Oct 23, 2026Flair cancels a Seattle fan convention appearance due to a blood clot in his leg, saying doctors limited his travel to 3–4 hours and that he is scheduled for a procedure to strip the affected vein.
- Oct 23, 2026Flair is hospitalized in Tampa, Florida, after a fall while walking across the street after leaving Tampa's Wagamama bar and restaurant; TMZ reports cuts on his head and around his eye.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Flair said the clot is serious, that doctors limited his travel to 3–4 hours, and that a vein-stripping procedure should clear him for more travel afterward.
- Promoter
- Conrad, promoter of Flair's Last Match event, said Flair is "doing great" and "loving life in Tampa" with a great group of friends.
Still unverified
TMZ reported it is believed Flair may have sustained a concussion in the fall; his status after hospitalization is described as uncertain. Flair's claims that associates stole millions from him and that an agent stole $150,000 are his own allegations.