Ric Flair's hospitalization 'not as grave or serious' as initially reported, son-in-law says

ATLANTA — WWE legend Ric Flair is in a hospital, but not for a "very serious" medical emergency, which TMZ Sports reported.

The tabloid site reported Thursday Flair was taken to an emergency room in the Atlanta area, but Flair's son-in-law, Conrad Thompson, says it's not true.

According to Sean Ross Sapp, managing editor of the pro wrestling, MMA and boxing site Fightful, Thompson said Flair's hospitalization "is not as grave or serious" as TMZ reported.

According to Sapp, Thompson said the procedure was planned before Flair's appearance at wrestling convention Starrcast II in Las Vegas.

Flair has had previous medical issues. In 2017, he was hospitalized with severe abdominal pain and put into a medically-induced coma as he awaited surgery for "multiple organ problems," his then-fiance and now-wife Wendy Barlow said.

Flair's family members were told that the wrestler said he had a 20 percent odds of survival. Flair later told People that alcohol was to blame for his medical issues and that he would never drink again.

In a statement to TMZ, Flair's wife, Wendy Barlow, said:

"Due to ongoing health complications, Ric was taken to the hospital and is expected to undergo a procedure tomorrow morning, after which he expects to fully recover."

Known for his flamboyant outfits and "Nature Boy" nickname, Flair made his professional debut in 1972 and was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2008.

Cox Media Group