The wrestling world was left reeling after WWE legend Ric Flair made a heart-wrenching revelation about his late friend and fellow icon, Hulk Hogan. Months after Hogan’s tragic passing, Flair opened up about the dark and often overlooked struggles that plagued the Hulkster’s final years. But here’s where it gets controversial: Flair directly linked Hogan’s personal battles to the use of street drugs, a claim that has sparked intense debate among fans and insiders alike.
During an emotional interview on the Doubl3 Coverage podcast, Flair shed light on Hogan’s excruciating pain and medical woes, which included a staggering 11 back surgeries, multiple joint replacements, and a neck surgery that took a dire turn. Flair explained that Hogan’s doctors, bound by strict medical guidelines, could no longer prescribe the level of pain medication he needed. This, Flair argued, left Hogan in a desperate search for relief, ultimately leading him down a dangerous path. And this is the part most people miss: Flair insists Hogan’s turn to illicit substances was not a moral failing but a tragic response to unbearable, unrelenting pain.
Flair’s comments have reignited a crucial conversation about the physical and mental toll of professional wrestling. Athletes like Hogan endure unimaginable stress inside the ring, but the long-term consequences—chronic pain, addiction, and isolation—are often swept under the mat. Flair’s candid remarks force us to confront the darker side of a sport that thrives on larger-than-life personas and superhuman feats.
Here’s where it gets even more contentious: Flair doubled down on his claims in a recent post on X, stating, ‘There seems to be some controversy over my remarks that street drugs killed Hulk Hogan. I only repeated what I know to be a fact through family members.’ He emphasized that his intention was not to tarnish Hogan’s legacy but to shed light on the harsh realities many wrestlers face. ‘Hulkamania forever!’ he added, paying tribute to his friend while standing by his words.
But the question remains: Did Hogan’s reliance on street drugs truly contribute to his demise, or is this a simplistic interpretation of a far more complex issue? Flair’s comments have divided fans, with some praising his honesty and others accusing him of oversimplifying Hogan’s struggles. One thing is clear: this conversation is far from over. What do you think? Was Flair right to speak out, or did he cross a line? Let’s keep the discussion going in the comments—because when it comes to the legacy of Hulk Hogan, there’s no room for silence.