'The Naitch is home!' Wrestling legend Ric Flair, 70, leaves Atlanta hospital in a wheelchair just ONE DAY after undergoing successful heart surgery
- Ric 'Nature Boy' Flair was pictured leaving hospital in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday
- The 70-year-old's release from the facility came just one day after he underwent successful heart surgery
- Flair was rushed to the emergency room early last week after reportedly suffering 'a very serious medical emergency'
- In his 2004 book, 'Ric Flair: To Be the Man,' the star admitted to suffering from alcoholic cardiomyopathy - a heart problem caused by prolonged alcohol abuse
Former wrestling legend Ric Flair is recovering at home in Georgia, two days after undergoing heart surgery.
The 70-year-old WWE champion was pictured leaving an Atlanta hospital in a wheelchair on Tuesday afternoon following the successful operation.
The star, known to fans as 'Nature Boy', appeared to be in high spirits as he was pushed along by a nurse while chatting with his wife, Wendy Barlow.
Clearly keeping his sense of humor, the entertainer opted to wear a red wrestling T-shirt emblazoned with an image of his own face.
He sported a compression band around his waist, and looked to have his left arm kept in a brace.
Ric Flair was pictured leaving an Atlanta hospital on Tuesday afternoon - one day after undergoing heart surgery
The 70-year-old was pushed along in a wheelchair, but he appeared to be in high spirits as he headed back to his home
Flair is one of the most beloved stars in WWE history, and is known to his fans as 'Nature Boy'
On Wednesday, Flair took to Twitter to share an update with fans and to thank medical staff
On Wednesday, Flair took to Twitter to share an update on his health, and to thank staff at the hospital for their care.
'The Naitch is home!!! Thank you to all the incredible staff and doctors at Gwinnett Medical Center once again! I am so thankful for all my family, friends, and fans for all the love,' he wrote.
'At this time in my life, I never take it for granted. I will be back up and WOOOOOing in no time!'
Flair was rushed to the emergency room early last week after reportedly suffering a 'very serious' medical emergency.
The star was spotted chatting with his wife Wendy Barlow, who strolled along by his side
Clearly keeping his sense of humor, the entertainer opted to wear a red wrestling t-shirt emblazoned with an image of his own face
Flair was rushed to the emergency room last week after suffering a 'serious medical emergency'
However, his son-in-law Conrad Thompson told Fightful.com that Flair underwent a planned procedure and his situation 'is not as grave or serious' as reports initially seemed.
'This was not a last-minute surprise surgery,' said Thompson, who is married to Flair's daughter Megan.
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Flair was reportedly scheduled to undergo heart surgery on Friday, but 'complications' arose, forcing doctors to postpone the surgery until Monday.
The star was scheduled to be roasted on May 25 during a four-day wrestling convention in Las Vegas, but TMZ reported that he pulled out of the event.
'He could choose to have it done now or after Vegas and decided to go ahead and have it done now because he thought he'd be feeling good and wanted to get this done beforehand,' said Thompson.
Thompson said he was not at liberty to discuss the situation in any more detail.
Flair married his fifth wife Wendy Barlow (right) last year, and she has been by his side during his medical emergency
It's not the first health issue from which Flair has suffered.
In 2017, he was in a coma for 11 days and reportedly near death after his intestine ruptured.
He eventually recovered after having an obstructed piece of bowel surgically removed.
In his book, 'Ric Flair: To Be the Man,' he admitted to suffering from alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which is a heart problem caused by prolonged alcohol abuse.
'I had one vice,' Flair told Sports Illustrated in 2017. 'I'm not going to point my finger at anybody else. My vice was drinking. I didn't have any pain issues, addiction problems, marijuana, cocaine, nothing like that. It's a fact that I kept myself up all night and always had a good time.'
The WWE champ - who began wrestling in the 1970s - married his longtime girlfriend Wendy Barlow last year. She is his fifth wife.
