Professional wrestling icon Ric Flair was transported by ambulance to a hospital on Friday, October 23, after falling outside a restaurant in Tampa, Florida. The medical emergency occurred just hours after the 77-year-old WWE Hall of Famer publicly disclosed that he is battling an ongoing blood clot in his leg, a condition that forced him to cancel a scheduled cross-country convention appearance for the weekend.

Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene outside a Wagamama restaurant in Tampa on Friday morning after the 16-time world champion suffered facial injuries during the incident, according to TMZ. While the proximity of the two announcements has drawn widespread concern across the sports and entertainment world, initial reports have not established whether the fall was medically linked to his vascular condition.

Details of the Tampa Restaurant Incident

The hospitalization unfolded on Friday morning while Flair was spending time at a Wagamama location in Tampa, where he resides. Sources with direct knowledge of the situation told TMZ that Flair stood up from the bar area, left his phone and drink behind, and walked outside across the street before falling and striking his face.

Accounts of the exact mechanics of the fall vary slightly across initial reporting. While TMZ sources stated that Flair suddenly fell after crossing the street, coverage by the New York Post characterized the incident as an unexpected collapse outside the establishment. Neither report independently established whether Flair tripped or experienced a sudden medical episode that caused him to lose his footing.

The impact resulted in lacerations to Flair's head and eye area, causing substantial bleeding. Witnesses and sources indicated to TMZ that emergency responders gathered around the wrestling legend on the pavement before loading him into an ambulance for hospital transport. Sources also noted that Flair may have sustained a concussion during the fall, though medical personnel have not publicly confirmed a formal diagnosis or released an updated condition report following his arrival at the medical facility.

Blood Clot Diagnosis and Travel Restrictions

The emergency transport in Tampa came on the heels of a candid health update Flair shared on social media earlier on October 23. In that statement, Flair announced that he was forced to withdraw from his scheduled weekend appearance at Washington State Horror Con, an event running from October 23–25 at the Washington State Fair and Events Center in Puyallup, Washington, near Seattle.

Flair explained that his physicians imposed strict travel limitations due to an active blood clot in his leg. Because long-distance flights carry heightened risks for patients with vascular blockages, his medical team capped his travel window at a maximum of three to four hours, placing a cross-country flight from Florida to Washington State out of reach.

"Unfortunately, I am dealing with a blood clot in my leg, and my doctors have limited my travel to 3–4 hours," Flair wrote in his social media statement, as reported by Cageside Seats. "Seattle falls outside that range, and as disappointed as I am, I have to put my health and recovery first."

In his message, Flair issued apologies to his agent, Steve Solomon, the organizers at Washington State Horror Con, Big Event NY, and his fanbase in the Pacific Northwest. He also pointed to broader conversations in sports media this week regarding the severity of vascular conditions, specifically referencing Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and recent complications involving blood clots.

"Blood clots are extremely serious and can be life-threatening," Flair stated. "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."

To resolve the recurring condition, Flair noted that he is scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure to strip the affected vein. His doctors anticipate that completing the operation will clear him to resume longer travel schedules down the road, though reporting from Complex pointed out that it remains unclear how Friday's hospitalization and head injuries might affect the timing of that upcoming vein procedure.

Ongoing Health Battles and Career Status

Friday's cancellation marks at least the second major public event Flair has missed due to the same vascular issue. According to F4W/WON, the blood clot in his leg previously prevented him from flying to Las Vegas in August for the 60th annual Cauliflower Alley Club reunion. While restricted from cross-country flights, Flair had continued to fulfill local and regional appearances closer to his home base on the East Coast.

The 77-year-old performer has navigated several documented medical hurdles in recent years. In 2017, Flair survived a severe health crisis that saw him placed in a medically induced coma following multiple organ failure. Earlier this year, in May, he also told followers he was stepping back to focus on unspecified health issues following a public dispute regarding a trademark matter.

Despite his reduced travel capacity and rare television appearances, Flair remains officially under contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He originally joined the promotion in 2023 to participate in the retirement tour of longtime rival and friend Sting. In a recent interview with NewsNation cited by F4W/WON, Flair praised AEW President Tony Khan for keeping him on the company payroll out of respect for his legacy in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What injuries did Ric Flair sustain during his fall in Tampa?

Initial reports from TMZ state that Flair suffered cuts to his head and around his eye, accompanied by significant bleeding, after falling outside a Tampa restaurant. Sources raised the possibility that he also suffered a concussion, though hospital officials have not confirmed a formal diagnosis.

Did the blood clot in Ric Flair's leg cause him to fall?

As of Friday afternoon, there is no confirmed medical link between the blood clot in Flair's leg and his fall in Tampa. Outlets including Complex and TMZ noted that while the fall occurred just hours after his blood clot announcement, the exact cause of the fall and how it may impact his planned vein-stripping procedure remain unclear.

Why did Ric Flair cancel his appearance at Washington State Horror Con?

Flair canceled his October 23–25 appearance in Washington because his doctors restricted his travel time to a maximum of three to four hours due to the blood clot in his leg, preventing him from taking a cross-country flight from Florida to the Seattle area.