Brace yourselves, wrestling fans—Ric Flair, the iconic "Nature Boy," has just dropped a bombshell about facing skin cancer for the second time in three years.
At 76, this WWE Hall of Famer is gearing up for treatment next week after initially trying to keep the diagnosis under wraps, only to confirm it publicly after denying rumors on social media, Daily Mail reported.
Flair’s life reads like a script of grit and glory, with 16 world championships under his belt and a legacy as one of wrestling’s greatest. He’s been a household name since the 1980s, dominating rings in WCW and WWF—now WWE—with showstopping flair at events like WrestleMania VIII in 1992. Even into his 60s, he kept at it, making rare appearances alongside his daughter Charlotte, a current WWE star.
But behind the charisma, Flair’s been wrestling with more than just opponents. His health struggles over the past decade are a laundry list of near-death experiences, starting with a harrowing 2017 episode where a ruptured intestine landed him in a coma for 11 days. Doctors gave him a grim 20 percent chance of survival, yet he pulled through after surgery and a medically induced coma.
That same year, Flair faced early kidney failure and was on the brink of congestive heart failure, largely due to years of heavy drinking. He’s been candid about the toll of his lifestyle, admitting to a heart condition called alcoholic cardiomyopathy in his book.
“I had one vice,” Flair told Sports Illustrated in 2017, owning up to his past. Well, while we admire the honesty, it’s a stark reminder that even legends aren’t invincible.
The hits kept coming in 2019 when Flair was rushed to the ER for a severe medical scare, later undergoing successful heart surgery in Atlanta. Through it all, his then-wife, Wendy Barlow, stood by him, though the couple sadly parted ways in September 2024. Flair publicly thanked her for being his rock during those dark times.
Personal tragedy has also marked his journey, with the heartbreaking loss of his son Reid to a drug overdose in 2013. It’s a pain no parent should endure, and yet Flair has continued to show up for fans and family alike.
Now, facing skin cancer again, Flair’s resilience is being tested once more as he prepares for treatment. “It’s the second time in three years that I’ve been dealing with skin cancer,” he told People.
That quote hits hard, especially for a man who’s already dodged so many bullets. It’s not just about another health scare; it’s about a cultural icon refusing to stay down, even if some might question the wisdom of wrestling into his later years.
Flair’s story isn’t just about championships or flashy robes—it’s about the cost of living life at full throttle. From high school sports in Wisconsin to headlining WrestleMania, he’s been all-in since the 1970s, earning two Hall of Fame inductions, a feat no other WWE star can claim.
Yet, the progressive agenda often pushes narratives of invincibility without addressing the real human toll of such lifestyles. Flair’s candidness about his drinking and health isn’t just refreshing—it’s a counterpoint to a culture that sometimes glosses over personal responsibility. Without preaching, his life quietly nudges us to consider the long game.
Retiring in 2008 after a loss at WrestleMania 24, Flair couldn’t quite stay away, popping up at events like WrestleMania 35 in 2019. His passion for the sport and mentoring talents like Charlotte shows a heart still in the fight.
So, as Ric Flair steps into this latest battle with skin cancer, fans across the political spectrum can agree on one thing: we’re rooting for the Nature Boy. His story transcends the ring, reminding us that strength isn’t just physical—it’s in owning your past and facing the future head-on.
Here’s to hoping treatment goes smoothly next week and that Flair keeps defying the odds. After all, if anyone can strut through adversity, it’s the man who made “Wooo!” a battle cry. Let’s keep the cheers loud for a true American original.
