RVD: Ric Flair Deserves to Make His Own Choices After Recent Health Scares

Rob Van Dam defended Ric Flair’s personal decisions in the wake of the wrestling legend’s recent health incidents, saying the 77-year-old should be allowed to live on his own terms.

Van Dam made the remarks on his podcast One of a Kind with RVD while speaking with Katie Forbes, according to WrestleZone. His comments followed reports that Flair suffered a bloody fall outside a Florida establishment on October 23 and spent the night at Tampa General Hospital. WrestleZone also reported Flair had previously revealed he was dealing with a serious blood clot in his leg, and that he returned to the same establishment on October 24 after being discharged. Flair was later seen wearing an eye patch.

RVD said he believes Flair understands the risks of his behavior and framed the situation as a personal choice: that living in a way that brings enjoyment can be more important to someone of Flair’s age than attempting to extend life at the cost of pleasure. Van Dam compared the dilemma to themes from the film The Wrestler and acknowledged those choices can be painful for loved ones, including Flair’s daughter Charlotte.

Van Dam added he would view matters differently if someone had young children depending on them, and said repeatedly confronting an older friend about addiction can have limits. He cited his late friend Sabu when discussing how persistent interventions can strain relationships, and said that after a point a person may choose to remain a friend while trying to watch over someone rather than push them away.

WrestleZone carried the original report of Van Dam’s comments and the timeline of Flair’s fall, hospital stay and subsequent appearance. Van Dam’s remarks reflect a personal perspective on how to balance concern for health with respect for an individual’s choices.