Ric Flair Clarifies ‘Street Drugs Killed Hulk Hogan’ Comments

The wrestling world sadly lost Hulk Hogan on July 24 at the age of 71. Hogan’s official cause of death was a heart attack.

Hogan had been battling health issues following a four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion operation.

Appearing on Doubl3 Coverage, Ric Flair claimed that street drugs played a part in Hogan’s death.

“I talked to him the day before he died. I shouldn’t say this, but what killed him was street drugs. When the doctor wouldn’t prescribe him anymore, he was in so much pain, and he had neck surgery and got infected. Back in the hospital, ten back surgeries, two knees, two hips. When the doctor wouldn’t prescribe him any more pain medicine, he just couldn’t do it in all due conscience. They went and got their drugs out on the street. His body just said, ‘You know what? Bingo. I can’t do it anymore.’

“It’s all going to come out in the media. In the next 30 days you’ll read about it anyway.”

Flair’s initial comments made headlines, and he took to social media to clarify what he meant.

“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!” he wrote on social media.

Hogan stated many times that doing the leg drop every night messed up his back and hips, which was a big reason why he underwent so many surgeries.

Fans can find Bruce Prichard’s comments on Hogan’s death and funeral here.

If you use any of the quotes above, please credit and link to the original source with a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.