In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the professional wrestling community, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has claimed that fellow wrestling icon Hulk Hogan died from street drugs after doctors refused to prescribe further pain medication.
The Shocking Revelation
The 76-year-old Flair made the explosive statement during a recent appearance on the DOUBL3 COVERAGE podcast, where he disclosed that he had spoken to Hogan just days before his death. "I talked to him the day before he died. I shouldn't say this, but what killed him was street drugs," Flair revealed, according to NoDQ.com.
Flair elaborated that Hogan had been suffering from immense pain following numerous medical procedures, including ten back surgeries, two knee replacements, and two hip surgeries. When medical professionals would no longer prescribe pain medication due to concerns about addiction, Flair suggested Hogan turned to alternative sources.
Legacy of Pain from Wrestling Career
The Nature Boy specifically pointed to Hogan's famous finishing move, the running leg drop, as the primary cause of his extensive back problems. "You know what caused the back surgeries? Dropping the leg. Dropping the leg jabbed his bones. That's what did it," Flair explained during the podcast interview.
Flair described a tragic sequence of events where Hogan underwent neck surgery that subsequently became infected, sending him back to the hospital. The cumulative effect of multiple surgeries and chronic pain ultimately led to the desperate measure of seeking drugs outside medical supervision.
Official Cause of Death vs. Flair's Claims
According to official records from the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center, Hulk Hogan (born Terry Bollea) died on July 24, 2025, from an acute myocardial infarction - commonly known as a heart attack. The medical examination also revealed Hogan had a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition characterized by irregular heart rhythm.
In a previously undisclosed health struggle, records indicated Hogan also battled leukemia CLL, a type of cancer affecting white blood cells. This condition had not been publicly known before the release of official documents following his death.
While Flair's claims about street drugs contributing to Hogan's death remain unverified by medical authorities, those familiar with both wrestling legends note that Flair has historically been remarkably honest in his assessments, even when others in the industry might embellish facts.
The wrestling world continues to mourn the loss of one of its most iconic figures while grappling with these new allegations about the circumstances surrounding his final days.
