Ric Flair has survived decades of grueling wrestling matches, a tragic plane crash, and numerous life-threatening medical emergencies. So, a recent slip that resulted in a serious eye injury is hardly enough to rattle the WWE Hall of Famer. Recently, Flair took to social media to offer a blunt and humorous response to those wondering how he is still going strong.
On October 23, the 77-year-old legend suffered a fall outside a restaurant in Florida, sustaining significant injuries to his face and eye. He was rushed to Tampa General Hospital, where he received treatment and was released the following day. The incident was particularly concerning given that Flair was already coping with a serious blood clot in his leg, which had previously prevented him from traveling by air.
Further medical updates revealed that Flair will require additional surgery to fully recover from his recent injuries, meaning he still has some hurdles to overcome before he can put this latest ordeal behind him.
Ric Flair points to his decades in professional wrestling and past medical battles
Addressing the wave of concern online, Flair took to X (formerly Twitter) to set the record straight. He shared a post reminding the public of the extreme physical toll his body has endured over his legendary career, listing his survival of thousands of matches, grueling tours, and a near-fatal aviation disaster.
He wrote:
The Question I Keep Getting Asked Is- How Am I Still Alive? After 5,000 Matches With 2,400 Of Them Being One Hour Draws And 5 90 Minute Bouts. Round Trip To Japan, 24 Hours, Only To Wrestle Three One Hour Draws. Airplane Crash, 31 Days In The ICU And 14 Days On Life Support. 35 Days In Rehab. And You Are Worried About Me Falling Down And Hitting My Eye? WTF.
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) October 30, 2026
Flair’s post also featured a graphic comparing his immense career workload to other wrestling icons like Brock Lesnar, Triple H, John Cena, and The Undertaker. The visual highlighted the staggering statistic of approximately 5,000 matches competed in by the two-time WWE Hall of Famer, underscoring the immense punishment his body has absorbed over the decades.
The reference to the 1975 plane crash served as the ultimate testament to his resilience. At the time of the crash, which claimed the lives of several fellow wrestlers, Flair suffered a broken back and was famously told by doctors that he might never wrestle again. Yet, he defied the odds, returned to the ring, and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest performers in sports entertainment history.
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