Ric Flair clarifies comments about Hulk Hogan’s death and ‘street drugs’
Ric Flair wants everyone to know that he was only repeating what he’d been told when he made recent statements regarding the death of his friend Hulk Hogan.
During a recent interview with the Double Coverage podcast, Flair stated that Hogan’s death was due to “street drugs” he sought out after doctors stopped prescribing him medication for pain. Flair said, “I shouldn’t say this, but what killed him was street drugs.”
On Friday, Flair posted a statement to social media saying that he was only repeating what he heard from family members when he made the comments.
Flair wrote:
“There Seems To Be Some Controversy Over My Remarks That Street Drugs Killed Hulk Hogan. I Only Was Repeating What I Know To Be A Fact Through Family Members. After 11 Back Surgeries, Hip Replacements, Knee Replacements, Shoulder Replacement, And Two Neck Surgeries, I Am Sure The Pain Was Unbearable.”
“A Doctor As I Know Can Only Prescribe So Much Pain Medication Under Medical Guidelines. I’ve Been Told That All They Did Was To Help Him Not To Hurt Him. To Help Him Get Through The Night And The Pain. Eventually That Catches Up With You As We Know With Everybody.”
“He Was My Friend, A Man I Respected, And I’m Only Reporting What I’ve Been Told. Nothing More, Nothing Less. This Was Not An Attempt To Demean Hulk Hogan Or His Legacy. I Have Always Referred To Him As Being One Of The Two Biggest Stars In The Industry, Himself And Steve Austin. I Apologize If People Misunderstood My Statement. Hulkamania Forever!”
Following Hulk Hogan’s passing at the age of 71 on July 24, 2025, ABC News reported that he suffered an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and had a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, citing documents relating to Hogan’s cremation.
Flair’s statement is below:
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.