Earlier this week, Ric Flair was hospitalized for a medical procedure, but some online spread rumors that the wrestling legend died.
» RELATED: Ric Flair hospitalized in Atlanta; expected to make 'full recovery'
One tweet from a fake WWE account, @WWEUmiverse, read, “@WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has passed away at age 70.”
The post was retweeted more than 5,000 times and had racked up more than 10,000 likes in just hours Thursday.
As the false information circulated online, many took to Twitter to express how angered they were by the rumors, including rapper Offset. In 2017, the Migos member, along with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin, released a song in 2017 titled "Ric Flair Drip," and the professional wrestler made a cameo in the music video.
Offset wrote, "RIC FLAIR IS NOT DEAD ... JIST TALKED TO MY MAN GOD IS WITH HIM HE HAS NOT PASSED AWAY."
“DONT WISH DEATH ON MY FRIEND,” he continued. “HE HAD A LONG LIFE AND HE DONE IT ALL SOME BAD BUT MAJORITY GOOD HE IS A LEGEND GOD BLESS YOU RIC GET WELL.”
Others were also upset.
On Thursday, Flair was admitted to an Atlanta-area hospital, with TMZ originally reporting Flair's condition as "very serious."
However, Conrad Thompson, Flair's son-in-law, said Flair's hospitalization "is not as grave or serious" as TMZ reported, according Sean Ross Sapp, managing editor of the pro wrestling and boxing site Fightful.
According to Sapp, Thompson said the procedure was planned before Flair's appearance at the wrestling convention Starrcast II in Las Vegas.
Flair's wife, Wendy Barlow, told TMZ she expected her husband to “fully recover” as of Thursday afternoon.
“Due to ongoing health complications, Ric was taken to the hospital and is expected to undergo a procedure tomorrow morning,” she told the media site.
On Friday afternoon, Harlow announced on Instagram that Flair’s operation had been postponed to Monday to address some complications.
» RELATED: Ric Flair's hospitalization 'not as grave or serious' as TMZ reported, son-in-law says
About the Author
