Ric Flair penned a heartfelt note for his friend and his former WCW colleague, Joe Gomez.
Gomez began wrestling for World Championship Wrestling in September 1990, but his first run lasted only one year. After a prolonged stint in the independent circuit, he returned to WCW in early 1996. During this time, he worked with The Nature Boy. He would leave the company three years later and ultimately retire in 2006.
Ric Flair stated that the 61-year-old veteran had suffered a stroke in September 2025, which left him paralysed. However, he had started moving about again after nearly three months. On X/Twitter, The Nature Boy penned a heartfelt note to the retired WCW star, whom the Hall of Famer called his “best friend.”
September 10th- He Suffered A Full Stroke, Couldn’t Move A Muscle. Thanks To The Grace Of God And Great Care; My Best Friend, Joe Gomez, Is Back Up And Running! 🙏🏻,” Flair wrote.
September 10th- He Suffered A Full Stroke, Couldn’t Move A Muscle. Thanks To The Grace Of God And Great Care; My Best Friend, Joe Gomez, Is Back Up And Running! 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Zt8hVMSRv3
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) December 2, 2025
Ric Flair Himself Recently Had A Rotator Cuff Injury, Which Forced Him To Leave An AEW Show Early
Pro wrestling legends Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat were advertised for an episode of AEW Dynamite last month.
However, only Steamboat was featured on the show. Turns out, The Nature Boy was dealing with a rotator cuff injury, which he revealed when addressing why he left despite having an obligation to be part of the show.
Flair was also upset that he let down his fans in Greensboro, North Carolina, as he assured them that he would never do that intentionally.
I Want To Apologize To Everyone For Having To Leave The @AEW Show Early Last Wednesday Due To My Rotator Cuff Injury. I Appreciate @TonyKhan Giving Me The Opportunity To Be On The Show. It Was Nice Catching Up With All The Great Talent And Ricky Steamboat. I Look Forward To Being Invited Again. After I Have My Shoulder Healed Up, I Will Be Back Up & Running. I Just Want You All To Know That I Would Never Disappoint You Intentionally,” Ric Flair wrote on X.
As per reports, he was supposed to be in the segment The Dragon was part of, where FTR would ambush the legends, only for Brodido to make the save.
Interestingly, Ric Flair’s fellow WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T, took a dig at All Elite Wrestling, calling Tony Khan’s promotion a retirement spot for wrestlers like The Nature Boy.