Pro wrestling legend Ric Flair was taken to a Florida hospital after falling outside a Tampa bar on Friday, October 23, 2026. Flair, 77, was exiting the establishment when he fell, sustaining facial injuries and a possible concussion.

TMZ reported that Flair suffered a head wound and a bleeding eye, necessitating an ambulance transfer. In an Instagram post, Flair addressed the incident, stating, "Unfortunately, I am dealing with a blood clot in my leg, and 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." Flair, born Richard Morgan Fliehr, announced the health update while apologizing for canceling his appearance at the Washington State Horror Con. The former wrestler added that he will undergo a procedure to remove the affected vein, which will eventually allow him to resume international travel.

"Blood clots are extremely serious and can be life-threatening," Flair noted. "We have seen this recently with Jalen Hurts and the complications involving blood clots in his lungs.

It is a reminder that this is not something to take lightly, and I must follow medical advice." Flair debuted in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2023 and participated in Sting's final professional match at AEW Revolution, where Sting and Darby Allin faced the Young Bucks.

Throughout his career, he has been an eight-time World Championship Wrestling (WCW) world heavyweight champion, a nine-time National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) world heavyweight champion, and a two-time WWE champion. Flair was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008 as a singles wrestler and in 2012 as a member of the Four Horsemen.

His career remains one of the most decorated in the history of professional wrestling, spanning several decades and multiple major promotions. The wrestling community has expressed widespread concern following the news of his hospitalization.

Fans and fellow athletes have taken to social media to wish the "Nature Boy" a speedy recovery as he prepares for his upcoming medical procedure. Medical experts emphasize that blood clots, particularly in the legs, require immediate attention to prevent them from traveling to the lungs or brain.

Flair's decision to prioritize his health over professional commitments has been widely praised by his peers. As of Saturday morning, representatives for Flair confirmed that he is in stable condition and is resting comfortably.

Further updates regarding his recovery timeline are expected to be released by his management team in the coming days. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll that a lifetime of professional wrestling takes on the body, even years after retirement from full-time competition.