Latest news with #TheRoastofRicFlair
Newsweek
29-07-2025
- 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.
Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Legend Ric Flair Gives Major Cancer Battle Update
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has shared a fantastic and positive update on his recent health battle. In a new social media post on Tuesday, "The Nature Boy" announced that he is now cancer-free. The news was met with a wave of relief and celebration from the wrestling community. It comes after a month of concern and sometimes conflicting reports about his condition. "I'm Now Cancer Free!" In a post on his X account, Flair was direct and triumphant in his announcement. He thanked the medical team that has been treating him. Thank You Academic Alliance In Dermatology! I'm Now Cancer Free! WOOOOO! — Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) July 22, 2025 "Thank You Academic Alliance In Dermatology! I'm Now Cancer Free! WOOOOO!" Flair wrote. This announcement is the culmination of a health journey that has been playing out in the public eye for the past month. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A Confusing Road to Confirmation Concerns for Flair's health first arose in June when his son-in-law, wrestling promoter and podcaster Conrad Thompson, stated that Flair had a cancerous spot removed from his skin. Flair initially denied these reports, stating he did not have cancer "of any kind." 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, magazine later reported that Flair's denial was an attempt to keep his diagnosis private until he was ready to share the news. Flair eventually confirmed to the outlet that he was indeed battling skin cancer for the second time in three years and would be undergoing treatment and surgery. The situation led him to cancel a recent appearance at the ATL Comic Convention, which heightened concern among his fans. A Lifetime Of Defying The Odds This is the latest in a long line of serious health battles that Ric Flair has miraculously overcome. In 1975, a plane crash broke his back in three places, and doctors told him he would never wrestle again. He returned to the ring in just a few months. In 2017, he faced a near-death experience when he was placed in a medically induced coma due to complications from a bowel obstruction and was given a very low chance of survival. He defied the odds again. He even claimed his doctor informed him he had a heart attack during his 2022 retirement match, a fact he was unaware of at the time. This latest victory over cancer is another chapter in the resilient life of one of wrestling's toughest and most iconic figures. The 16-time world champion has once again proven his legendary fighting spirit. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Legend Ric Flair Set To Undergo Surgery
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has announced he is preparing for an upcoming surgery. In a social media post on Monday, he asked his followers for their prayers. The 16-time World Champion shared the news on his X account. He posted photos that referenced his previous health issues. Surgery Coming Up. Keep Me In Your Prayers. It's All Fragile. — Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) June 30, 2025 Ric Flair Announces Upcoming Surgery In his post, Flair was direct about his situation. "Surgery Coming Up. Keep Me In Your Prayers. It's All Fragile," he wrote. He included two photos with the message. One showed close-up marks on his forehead, while the other was a past photo of surgical staples on his stomach. The image of his forehead is a likely reference to his public battles with skin cancer. The photo of his stomach harkens back to a life-threatening health crisis he survived in 2017. 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, Tennessee.A History Of Health Issues For Ric Flair Flair has been open about his health struggles over the years. He has undergone previous procedures to remove cancerous spots from his skin. Flair himself has frequently expressed profound gratitude simply for being alive and healthy following the severity of his 2017 hospitalization. In August 2017, he was placed in a medically induced coma due to a bowel obstruction. He underwent emergency surgery that left him with the staples seen in the photo. His continued health management is stated to include ongoing treatments such as blood thinners. Yet, even with these significant health battles that might sideline others permanently. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Flair signed a multi-year agreement with All Elite Wrestling in November 2023, a deal that also established his Wooooo! Energy as AEW's exclusive energy drink. His subsequent on-screen appearances were primarily tied to supporting his friend and former rival, Sting, during his retirement tour, culminating at AEW Revolution in March 2024. Since Sting's final match, however, Flair has not been featured regularly on AEW programming. Flair's post was met with an immediate wave of support. Fans and fellow wrestlers shared their well-wishes for the legendary performer. Flair has been open with his recent skin cancer battle, and now he has to deal with this setback. Let's all hope that Flair can go over this latest setback and be Woooing for years to come. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Wrestling Legend Ric Flair Forced To Cancel Appearance Amid Cancer Battle
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has provided a new update regarding his ongoing battle with skin cancer. On Monday morning, "The Nature Boy" announced via social media that he has been forced to cancel a scheduled appearance for this week. He explained that he needs to prioritize his health and focus on his treatment. The cancellation comes after a week of conflicting reports regarding his condition. Flair Cancels Appearance To Prioritize Health On Monday, June 16, Flair took to his X account to apologize to fans for the cancellation. He noted that he was canceling a Tuesday appearance and admitted to putting off his health in the past. "To all my dear friends and fans — I am so sorry that I will not be able to see you Tuesday," Flair wrote. "I have health issues that I need to attend to, as I have procrastinated putting my health first in the past." More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation 'Melanoma Is Nothing To Play With' In his statement, the 16-time world champion revealed the specific type of skin cancer he is dealing with. He stressed the seriousness of the diagnosis. 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, Tennessee."Melanoma, I have found out, is nothing to play with. I promise to see you ASAP," Flair continued. He ended the post by thanking his fans for their support, adding, "Please continue to love Ric Flair Drip, as Ric Flair Drip loves you." A History Of Health Battles This marks Flair's second bout with skin cancer in the last three years. The legendary wrestler has a well-documented history of overcoming serious health scares. Most notably, he survived a near-fatal experience in 2017 when he suffered from organ failure and was placed in a medically induced coma. This latest statement provides a clear and direct update to fans after some initial public confusion. Flair is now focused on his treatment and recovery. He has promised his fans that he will see them again as soon as he is able. Flair has been through so much in his life and we certainly hope that Flair makes a speedy recovery during this tough time in his life. Hopefully, he will provide a positive update soon. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Legend Ric Flair Reveals He Has Skin Cancer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has revealed to PEOPLE magazine that he has been diagnosed with skin cancer. This marks the second time in three years the wrestling icon has faced the illness. "It's the second time in three years that I've been dealing with skin cancer," Flair stated. He confirmed, "I will be undergoing treatment next week." Flair had initially denied reports about his health on X this past Thursday to keep the diagnosis private. He was now ready to share the news, telling PEOPLE that he does, "Appreciate the concerns!" from his many fans. This is the latest in a series of significant health challenges for "The Nature Boy." Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Flair survived a near-fatal health crisis in August 2017. He was hospitalized for stomach pains, which quickly escalated to the early stages of kidney failure and near congestive heart failure, a result of past alcohol abuse. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation At the time, Flair's family was told he had only a 20% chance of surviving. He was placed in a medically induced coma, had part of his bowel removed, and had a pacemaker inserted. 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, later told PEOPLE that crisis was unlike any other he'd faced, including surviving a 1975 plane crash that broke his back. "I crashed in an airplane and broke my back, I've been hit by lightning," Flair said in 2017. "But this is totally different. Anything I've been through before is nothing like this." Flair's health struggles and past battles with alcohol addiction were a central focus of his 2022 Peacock documentary, "Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair." In the documentary, his former partner Wendy Barlow commented on how he coped with the immense physical and emotional pain. "I don't know how he survived. What he did was go back into Ric Flair, to be a character, so he didn't have to feel," Barlow said. Flair himself publicly thanked Barlow for her support through that period after they split in September 2024. "I'll Never Ever Be Able To Thank Her Enough For Standing By My Side Through My Terrible Health Crisis In 2017," Flair wrote at the time. "She Never Left My Side! And For That I Will Always Be Grateful!" More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
