Pro wrestling legend Ric Flair was reportedly taken to a Florida hospital after falling outside a bar in Tampa, according to TMZ.
The report says Flair was outside the establishment when he fell, injuring his face and possibly suffering a concussion. TMZ reported that he cut his head and eye, which was bleeding, and was placed in an ambulance.
Tampa Fire Rescue told OutKick and Fox News Digital that it responded to a fall outside the establishment and transported an adult male to a local hospital. The department did not identify the patient, citing HIPAA guidelines.
The reported fall occurred hours after Flair said he would miss a scheduled appearance in Seattle because of a blood clot in his leg. In a statement on X, Flair explained that his doctors had limited his travel to three to four hours, putting Seattle outside the permitted range. He said he had to prioritize his health and recovery, calling blood clots “extremely serious” and potentially life-threatening. He also pointed to recent complications involving blood clots in Jalen Hurts’ lungs as a reminder that the condition should not be taken lightly.
Flair said he is scheduled to undergo surgery on the affected vein, and his doctors expect the procedure will allow him to be cleared for more travel afterward. He added that the decision was not made lightly, apologized for the inconvenience and disappointment, and thanked fans for their patience, understanding and continued support.
Flair, 77, has faced health and alcohol-related issues over the years. He has moved in and out of professional wrestling in recent years. His billed “Last Match” took place in 2022, a tag-team bout in which he teamed with his then-son-in-law, Andrade, against Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal. Flair later revealed that he passed out twice during the match.
He made his All Elite Wrestling debut in 2023 and appeared briefly during Sting’s final professional match at AEW Revolution, where Sting and Darby Allin faced the Young Bucks. During his career, Flair was an eight-time WCW world heavyweight champion, a nine-time NWA world heavyweight champion and a two-time WWE champion.