Pop Culture

Ric Flair Expected to Make 'Full Recovery' Following Hospitalization in Atlanta (UPDATE)

Wendy Barlow, Ric's wife, gave an update on his condition.

Professional wrestler Ric Flair of 'ESPN's 30 for 30: "Nature Boy".'
Image via Getty/Frederick M. Brown
Getty

UPDATED 6:34 p.m. ET: Ric Flair is expected to make a full recovery, according to his wife Wendy Barlow.

Barlow spoke to TMZ about her husband's condition: "Due to ongoing health complications, Ric was taken to the hospital and is expected to undergo a procedure tomorrow morning, after which he expects to fully recovery."

See original story below.

Ric Flair has been hospitalized after suffering a medical emergency in Atlanta. TMZ reports that details are scarce but the situation is "very serious," according to anonymous tipsters. Conflicting reports say that the graveness of Flair's hospitalization was overstated by the website, stating that Flair is in the hospital for a planned procedure.

The legendary wrestler had been on an upswing since a health scare in 2017. That August, flair was hospitalized for kidney and congestive heart failure brought on by years of alcohol abuse. He was placed in a medically induced coma, doctors removed a portion of his bowel and put a pacemaker in his chest. The wrestler clearly viewed the scare as a wake-up call, vowing at the time to give up drinking entirely. He said that he began drinking as a way to socialize with other wrestlers and eventually to dull the pain of his job-related injuries.

“I never drank when I was working, but as soon as work was over, I went right to the mill,” he said, ​“I didn’t think I was an alcoholic, but obviously I was [...] I’ll never drink again. I never want to go through this again.”

By all accounts, he stuck by his commitment to get better. Flair appeared to be on the right track. He was medically cleared to wrestle again and recently attended a surprise 70th birthday party full of fellow wrestling stars and sports world friends. The revitalized Flair also was fit enough to stroll down the aisle to "Ric Flair Drip" at a commitment ceremony to his fiancee Wendy Barlow.

It is unclear what caused Flair's current scare.

This story is being updated.

Related Stories

Ric Flair Sneaker Shopping
Sneakers

Sneaker Shopping With Ric Flair

Ric Flair goes Sneaker Shopping with Joe La Puma at Stadium Goods in NYC and talks about partying with Michael Jordan and LeBron James being the greatest athlete of all time.

Matt Welty3327 days ago
Wendy Barlow, Ric Flair
Sports

Ric Flair Walks the Aisle to 'Ric Flair Drip' During Commitment Ceremony

Ric Flair didn't technically tie the knot on Wednesday, but his commitment ceremony with long-time love Wendy Barlow had the added bonus of a banging soundtrack.

countcenci2883 days ago
Not Available Lead
Sports

WOOOO! Ric Flair To Get "30 for 30" Treatment

Legendary wrestler Ric Flair will get the "30 for 30" treatment in the near future.

Adam Caparell3932 days ago

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App