A public disagreement has erupted between wrestling legend Ric Flair and the family of the late Hulk Hogan, casting a shadow over the final days of the iconic wrestler. The dispute began when Flair suggested Hogan had turned to "street drugs" before his death, a claim vehemently denied by Hogan's widow, Sky Daily.
The Controversial Claim That Started It All
The controversy ignited after Ric Flair appeared on the DOUBL3 COVERAGE podcast. During his interview, Flair shared that he had spoken to Hulk Hogan the day before the wrestler's passing. He claimed that Hogan's doctor had ceased providing prescription pain medication for his chronic injuries, which allegedly led Hogan to seek alternative methods for relief. It was in this context that Flair implied the use of non-prescribed "street drugs."
Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, died at the age of 71 on July 24. His official cause of death was recorded as a heart attack.
Widow's Firm Rejection and Family's Account
Sky Daily, Hogan's widow, responded swiftly and definitively to TMZ Sports, completely rejecting Flair's narrative. "That didn't happen at all," she stated. She directly challenged Flair's assertion that he spoke with Hogan in his final 24 hours.
According to Sky, Hogan was under continuous medical supervision at Morton Plant Hospital in Florida in the days leading to his death and was never in a situation where he had to manage his care alone. She clarified that any adjustments to his medication were solely related to protecting his lungs following a neck procedure, not a cessation of pain management.
Her account was supported by two additional family sources, who stated that Flair had simply received "inaccurate information." The family emphasized they hold no anger toward Flair, acknowledging the long-standing friendship between the two wrestling icons dating back to 1979. However, they felt compelled to correct the record to preserve an accurate picture of Hogan's final days.
Flair's Backtrack and Call for Legacy Focus
Following the widespread circulation of Sky Daily's rebuttal, Ric Flair took to social media platform X to walk back his comments. He posted a message aimed at defusing the situation.
"Okay Sky! I Got Bad Information According To You. I Should Have Never Mentioned It," Flair wrote. He reiterated his decades-long connection with Hogan and urged everyone to "Move Past This And Concentrate On His Legacy." He concluded with, "Let's PRESERVE HIS LEGACY Rather Than Dwell On Any Negative Energy. I Repeat- Hulkamania Forever!"
While Flair framed the incident as a misunderstanding, the initial claim has fueled significant discussion and debate among the global wrestling community. The episode has inadvertently drawn new attention to the medical care Hogan received before his passing.
In a related note, Sky Daily had indicated in August that she was "planning" a potential medical malpractice lawsuit, though the current status of any such legal action remains unclear.
