Latest news with #RicFlair
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Ric Flair Makes Heartbreaking Confession Following Hulk Hogan's Death
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The recent passing of Hulk Hogan has forced his greatest rival, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, to confront his own mortality. In a candid and emotional new interview, the WWE Hall of Famer admitted to having growing fears that his own time could be running out. The world of professional wrestling was stunned last week when it was revealed that Hogan had passed away at the age of 71. In the days since, Flair, one of Hogan's closest contemporaries, shared his thoughts on the loss and his own life. "I think he just got tired. 11 back operations, hip replacements, now a neck surgery... How much can your body take? We've all put ourselves in ridiculous positions in the business, but I mean, I'm 5 years older than Hulk, and I don't hurt at all. I've had some serious health… — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 28, 2025 "Anxiety That I Could Be Next" Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Ric Flair reflected on the immense physical toll that a long career took on his friend. He believes the cumulative effect of dozens of surgeries is what ultimately wore down the legendary star. "I think he just got tired. Eleven back operations, hip replacements, and now a neck surgery. I mean, how much can your body take?" he said. Flair then turned to his own health. He noted the irony that despite his own serious health battles, he feels physically great, which now gives him a strange sense of unease. "Here I am, and I'm five years older than Hulk, and I don't have an ache or pain in my body," Flair said. "It bothers me, and of course, it gives me anxiety that I could be next." Ric Flair speaks onstage at The Roast of Ric Flair at Nashville Fairgrounds on July 29, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. Ric Flair speaks onstage at The Roast of Ric Flair at Nashville Fairgrounds on July 29, 2022 in Nashville, Two Pillars Of An Era For decades, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan were the two biggest and most defining stars in professional wrestling. Flair was the multi-time NWA and WCW World Champion, the "Nature Boy" who represented swagger and technical excellence. Hogan was the larger-than-life WWE Champion, the face of the global "Hulkamania" phenomenon. Their rivalry defined an entire generation of wrestling, and their real-life friendship was a complex bond between the only two men who understood the pressure of being at the top of the industry for so long. A Lifetime Of Defying The Odds Flair's anxiety is particularly poignant given his own incredible history of surviving near-death experiences. In 1975, a plane crash broke his back, and doctors told him he would never wrestle again. In 2017, he was placed in a medically induced coma and given a slim chance of survival after suffering from kidney failure. He has also successfully battled skin cancer twice. Having defied the odds so many times himself, Flair's comments are a raw and honest look at a legend grappling with the loss of a peer. It is a reminder that behind the larger-than-life characters are real people dealing with grief and the realities of aging, and that even "The Nature Boy" is humbled by the fragility of life.
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Ric Flair Slams Recent Promo Targeting Charlotte, ‘It Was Hurtful'
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 29: Ric Flair speaks onstage at The Roast of Ric Flair at Nashville ... More Fairgrounds on July 29, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by) Ric Flair is still a live wire with an open mic. The 76-year-old legend was a guest on Ariel Helwani's show on Monday and he was asked about a number of recent topics, not least of which was about the death of his contemporary and fellow wrestling icon Hulk Hogan. Helwani also asked Flair how he felt about his daughter Charlotte's current storyline with Alexa Bliss. Flair said he thinks 'it's the best part of the show.' Helwani also made mention of a recent promo from current women's WWE champion Tiffany Stratton that strayed into a very personal area. 'You know what? I'm embarrassed for her…,' Flair said. 'I'm not gonna say anymore because I don't want it to affect anything, but that was the cheapest s**t I've ever heard in my life.' Helwani said he didn't know if it was a shoot or a work. 'Well, whatever it was (whether it was a work or a shoot), it was hurtful,' Flair said. "If it was a shoot, that's even worse, because that's nothing to joke about.' In case you missed it, Flair is referring to the promo from the April 4 episode of SmackDown ahead of Charlotte and Stratton's championship match at WrestleMania. Stratton made comments about Charlotte Flair being alone and having an 0-3 record outside of the ring. That was a shot at Charlotte's three marriages and subsequent divorces. Yeah, it was pretty nasty, and Charlotte looked visibly and legitimately bothered. She even fired back, "Is that why Kaiser is in my DMs?" That was a reference to Ludwig Kaiser, Stratton's real-life boyfriend. Here is a look at the segment. We've seen promos flow into some uncomfortable places over the years, but this was one of the cringiest spots I can recall. I can imagine Ric wouldn't have appreciated his daughter's business being referenced that way. The two went on to have a strong match at WrestleMania, and Charlotte has rebounded well. As Flair and Helwani mentioned in their interview, the current program that has Flair and Alexa Bliss chasing the WWE Women's Tag Team titles is strong. Charlotte is as over with the crowd as she's been her entire career, and most importantly, she seems happy. Stratton is an outstanding performer, and at 26, she is one of the brightest stars in WWE. In 10 years, it will be interesting to see if she regrets taking that promo to a forbidden place, or if there are other things behind the scenes that led to the ether. As it is, Stratton is still the WWE Women's Champion, and both women are thriving in their current roles.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ric Flair reflects on Hulk Hogan's death and career: 'It gives me anxiety that I could be next'
The passing of Hulk Hogan this past week shook the pro-wrestling world to its core — and Hogan's longtime friend Ric Flair, in particular. The Hall of Fame duo were arguably wrestling's two biggest superstars throughout the 1980s. Rumors swirled in recent weeks regarding Hogan's declining health, yet from what Flair knew, Hogan was doing fine, which made the icon's death all the more shocking to him. Having had more time to process the news, Flair reacted to Hogan's passing Monday on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I had just talked to [Hogan's longtime friend] Jimmy Hart the day before [Hogan passed], and I didn't actually speak with Hulk, but everything was fine," Flair said. "I knew that he had health issues, but I thought they were being embellished by that radio disc jockey Bubba [the Love Sponge]. "[Hogan] seemed to be fine, but I think he just got tired. Eleven back operations, hip replacements, now a neck surgery. How much can your body take? "We've all put ourselves in ridiculous positions in the business. But, I mean, here I am, I'm five years older than Hulk and I don't hurt at all. I've had some serious health issues, but I don't have an ache or pain in my body. It bothers me, and, of course, it gives me anxiety that I could be next." Flair, 76, as alluded to, has had his own health scares in recent years. Just this year he overcame a battle with skin cancer, but now the two-time WWE Hall of Famer appears to be in good condition. At the height of Flair and Hogan's powers, there was no one as prolific in the business, making their every collision into a veritable dream match. Despite the arrogance oozed by Flair's kayfabe character, the living legend said he never had a problem being a notch behind Hogan at the boom of their popularity. "I have no problem giving that up," said Flair, who dubbed Hogan "the biggest star in the business." "There's a discussion that I would have with anybody. The two biggest stars [in pro-wrestling history], Hulk came first, and [Stone Cold] Steve [Austin] came second," he said. It's been well-documented over the years how aware Hogan was of his position within the industry and how he sometimes used it to his advantage, especially in WCW, where Hogan held creative control with his career within the company. However, Flair said he was never directly affected by Hogan's stardom and was never bothered by how Hogan handled his business in and around the locker room. "Back then, it's really hard to explain to fans — it was really tough to stay on top because everybody would stab you in the back, go to the promoter. Everybody," Flair said. "I'm proud of him. He fought for what he wanted. It's like, Roddy Piper was my best friend, but Piper would not put Hulk over. They hated each other, but they didn't hate each other personally. Everybody wanted that [top] spot. "My problem was promoters not paying me, but if I'm working with Hulk Hogan, I'm in the main event. That's all you can ask for as a wrestler. He's not controlling my paycheck. He's just a great guy that didn't trust anybody, and I took pride in [him trusting me]. He didn't trust Vader, he didn't trust Rick Rude. He just wanted to work with me when he first came [to WCW]. I'm the one that went and got him. I took [WCW Executive Producer] Eric [Bischoff] down to Disney to see him. [Hogan] was filming 'Thunder In Paradise.' They left me in the car, went in the trailer, and Hulk came out with a $25 million deal. I was stuck with my $500,000 deal, but I didn't care. I was in the main event." In 1992, Flair vs. Hogan was primed to be showcased on the biggest stage imaginable: WrestleMania 8. To set up the fantasy pairing, Flair won that year's Royal Rumble. Instead of facing Hogan, though, Flair unsuccessfully defended his WWF Championship against Macho Man Randy Savage, while Hogan defeated Sid Justice in the night's main event. Flair still can't say why he didn't wrestle Hogan at "The Showcase of the Immortals," but ultimately he boils it down to Hogan doing what was best for his own career. "I don't think Hulk wanted to leave [WWF] on a losing note," Flair said, "which I totally understand, because who am I after what he's done for the company?" After parting ways with WWF in 1993, Hogan famously joined WCW, where he turned heel and formed the NWO with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. As a master heel for the majority of his career, even technically when he was working as a babyface, Flair still finds the art of Hogan's iconic turn at Bash at the Beach 1996 to be flawless. When compared to modern-day moments, such as John Cena's shocking heel turn this year, Flair explained why Hogan's arguably most captivating on-screen moment can never be replicated. "Some guys just can't be a heel," Flair said. "John, as great as he is, he's just not a bad guy because he's such a good guy. Hulk could be a prick, but it's from all those years of battling for his spot. Everybody wanted Hulk's spot. But hey, man, it's a testament to who he is that he was able to go through it."
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE legend Ric Flair contacted Hulk Hogan multiple times in the last month before his untimely passing
passed away at the age of 71 on July 24 due to a cardiac arrest. He was in and out of the hospital because of his neck and back issues earlier this year, and the doctor had advised him to give his body rest to heal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Unfortunately, Hulk continued with his schedule, not heeding the warnings, and many are suggesting that this is what led to his sudden passing. Hogan's on-screen rival and off-screen friend, legend Ric Flair, was in tears when news of his passing became public. Flair was recently present at The Ariel Helwani Show, where he talked about Hogan's sudden passing and delved into his own struggles. Ric Flair was in contact with Hulk Hogan before his death Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan have been friends for decades. Having come up through the wrestling circuit at the same time, they worked with each other a lot and were two pioneers of the WWF, now known as the WWE. On his recent appearance at The Ariel Helwani Show, he revealed that he had called Hulk Hogan three times in the last month. He said that he thought Hulk was getting into some shady business with an unnamed individual, and tried to warn him. "This guy has been jerking him around this time." Whether those calls had any effect on Hogan, Flair didn't reveal, but being a good friend, he did try to steer him away from any possible danger. also said that he has no shame in admitting that Hogan and Steve Austin were the biggest stars in wrestling, bigger than him. "I have no problem giving that up... The two biggest stars are Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin." Even though they had an in-ring rivalry for a long time, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair shared a close friendship behind the screen, and have stood by each other in their tough times. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Ric Flair is aware of his own mortality While talking about 's sudden and untimely passing, Ric Flair also talked about his own health struggles that he has been through over the years. Just two days before the incident, Flair had announced that he was now cancer-free. But with what happened, he said that it made him aware of his own mortality. "We've all put ourselves in ridiculous positions in the business, but I mean, I'm 5 years older than Hulk, and I don't hurt at all. I've had some serious health issues, but I don't have an ache or pain in my body... Of course, it gives me anxiety that I could be next." Flair is 75 years old now, 4 years older than the Huckster was at the time of his passing. Add to that, Flair has already been through so much health-wise, so it's not a surprise that he would be thinking about this. Fans can only hope he stays in good health for a long time. Also Read:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ric Flair, Jiri Prochazka, Petr Yan, Lerone Murphy, Steven Nguyen and more
Ariel Helwani is BACK ... IN ... YOUR ... LIFE! Join "The Ariel Helwani Show" as Ariel and the Boys In The Back react to another busy weekend in combat at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT/6 p.m. UK time live on Uncrowned and YouTube. Monday's lineup can be seen below. 1 p.m. ET: Ariel and the gang react to anything and everything from the weekend in combat sports. 1:45 p.m. ET: Wrestling legend Ric Flair joins the program. 2:30 p.m. ET: Jiri Prochazka previews his UFC 320 showdown against Khalil Rountree Jr. 3 p.m. ET: Petr Yan stops by following his big win over Marcus McGhee. 3:30 p.m. ET: Lerone Murphy looks ahead to his short-notice return against Aaron Pico. 4 p.m. ET: Steven Nguyen calls in following his viral win over Mohammad Yahya. Catch all new episodes of "The Ariel Helwani Show" live every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET on Uncrowned and The Ariel Helwani Show's YouTube page. To listen to every episode, subscribe on Spotify or iTunes.
