UPDATE: Wrestling Observer reported at around 4:30PM Eastern that Flair is “now out of surgery but the situation is still extremely serious”.
TMZ has updated their original story to note the family is with Ric, and are awaiting a meeting with doctors following the procedure.
Our original post from 3PM Eastern follows:
TMZ has confirmed with WWE reports which were going around earlier, starting with Fightful.com, that Ric Flair has been placed in a medically-induced coma. What’s more, the company representative informed TMZ the 68 year old was headed to surgery for an unspecified procedure.
There are no other details at this time, but no one is refuting Pro Wrestling Sheet’s initial report from Saturday that the issue is heart-related. Fightful’s Jimmy Van has gone on to say his sources tell him doctors are also dealing with “some sort of bacterial infection as well as alcohol related issues” in treating Flair.
As mentioned in an earlier post, the Nature Boy has been open about his alcoholic cardiomyopathy diagnosis for years.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer has discussed the events of the past several days, and Ric’s daughter Charlotte’s awareness of them, in a message board interaction on The 4FW Board (via With Spandex):
“Charlotte was well aware of everything while in China, that much I know. She was one of the few.
Must have been a turn for the worst. I was pretty concerned when I heard nothing all day, was just too long since I heard from anyone.”
PWInsider says Charlotte flew to Atlanta this morning to be with her father.
Obviously, none of this sounds very good, but we still don’t have very many specifics. Join us in continuing to send positive thoughts to Naitch and all his family and loved ones in a stressful time, and we’ll update as soon as more information becomes available.