Ric Flair hospitalized in Tampa after fall following blood clot diagnosis

Key points

• Ric Flair was hospitalized in Tampa on Oct. 23 after falling outside a bar, suffering cuts to his head and eye, with possible concussion.
• The fall occurred hours after Flair canceled a Seattle convention appearance due to a blood clot in his leg, which limits his travel to 3-4 hours.
• Flair plans vein stripping surgery to treat the clot, expecting to resume travel afterward, though the fall may impact this timeline.
• He cited Jalen Hurts' recent pulmonary emboli diagnosis as a warning about the dangers of blood clots.
• Flair has a history of health issues, including a 2017 intestinal rupture and recent wrestling matches where he passed out.

Background

Flair's recent health struggles follow a period of recovery from unspecified medical issues. His 2022 'Last Match' was marred by him passing out twice, and he made an AEW debut in 2023. This incident adds to a pattern of health-related cancellations and hospitalizations in his later career.

How outlets are covering it

OutKick and USA Today confirm the hospitalization and Flair's public statement about the blood clot. TMZ provides details on the fall, including injuries and the location (Wagamama restaurant), but its full article was inaccessible. Yahoo/ClutchPoints notes the clot may have been present for months and questions if the fall is related. All sources agree on the severity of the clot and Flair's decision to cancel travel. No outlets dispute the core facts, but emphasis varies: OutKick focuses on the fall, USA Today on the clot, and Yahoo on the timeline of the diagnosis.

Why it matters

Flair is a major figure in professional wrestling, and his health issues highlight the risks of blood clots, especially for older athletes. His public warning about the condition, referencing Jalen Hurts, underscores the medical seriousness of such diagnoses. The incident also raises questions about the safety of public appearances for individuals with recent medical complications.

What to watch

Flair is expected to undergo vein stripping surgery to address the blood clot. His recovery timeline and ability to resume travel or public appearances will depend on the outcome of the surgery and the severity of his fall-related injuries. Medical advice will likely continue to limit his activities in the short term.