Reid Flair Passes Away

[Jack-Hammer]

It's been reported in the last little bit that Reid Flair, youngest son of Ric Flair, was found dead in his home. He was only 25 years old.

Like his father, Reid Flair was a pro wrestler. He'd been wrestling since December 2008 and very recently returned from working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was scheduled to appear with his father at some indy shows this weekend.

Flair has had problems with the law going back since before he became a wrestler. In June 2007, he was charged with assault & battery. In March 2009, he was arrested for driving under the influence. In April 2009, Flair was arrested after crashing his car because police found black tar heroin inside. He was also charged in this same arrest with possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while impaired and driving with a revoked license.

After reading that, the first thing that popped into my mind was a drug overdose. As of right now, the police suspect that no foul play was involved.

 

[i'm a cm punk girl]

I really don't want this to send Ric into a downward spiral that ends up tragically.

And I'm serious.

 

[LascoX]

Regardless of the cause of death, 25 is way to young to die. RIP Reid Flair and condolences to all his family and friends.

 

[FlairFan2003]

I remember how young he Reid was the first time he appeared on TV, during the opening scenes to Starrcade 93 where Flair's family sends him off before his Win Or Retire Match vs Vader. After the match, Reid clearly doesnt comprehend what is going on with regards to TV production, etc, as the family, alongside Sting & Ricky Steamboat, join Flair in the locker room for a celebration interview after he won his 10'th World Title. Flair has to keep steering the distracted Reid back into the camera view during the interviews.

I also remember a great skit WCW did during the end of Eric Bischoff's lawsuit, where Bischoff demanded to meet Flair in the ring but got Reid instead. Remember, after months of negotiation without a final deal, Bischoff tried to fire Flair for failing to show up at a Thunder Taping when Flair claimed he had requested (and been granted) the time off to accompany Reid to an amateur wrestling tournament. Reid took down Bischoff multiple times in this skit on Nitro, pretty funny, until Arn Anderson & The Horsemen stepped in to make sure Bischoff & The NWO didnt harm the boy.

I dont remember particulars but I do remember stories that Reid had been in trouble with the law a few years back related to drinking. Im reminded of Flair's autobiography. For the most part, Flair is pretty even handed with almost everyone he discusses, even finding ways to praise Eric Bischoff's creativity despite their differences, Hogan's work with Make A Wish Foundation, Vince Russo's trustworthiness, Dusty Rhodes charisma, creativity and wrestling ability, Brett Hart's wrestling skill, and these were people he had major disagreements with which he discusses. The only guy who Flair discusses in the book who he really railed on was Fritz Von Erich, specifically for ignoring what the "wrestling lifestyle" was doing to his kids, especially Kerry, who you get the impression Flair really liked. I only hope if Ric was aware Reid still had drug issues (if in fact that is what killed him, as of now we dont know) that he didn everything he could to help that young man because if he didnt, given his own experiences with such things, he'll never forgive himself.

No parent should have to bury his child. My heatfelt condelences go out to Flair, his surviving four children, and ex wife Beth (Reid's mom) during this time. I do fear as another poster pointed out that this might send Flair off the proverbial deep end. I still remember years ago when Dean Martin's son died in a plane crash, he withdrew from virtually everything and became a shell of his former self, dying a few years later, never able to cope with the loss. After everything Flair has given the wrestling world as a fan I pray the same fate does not await him.

As for Reid, whatever lead you to this place is over now. Hopefully you are at peace.

Lastly, I hope Arn Anderson, Triple H, & Shawn Michaels, probably Flair's best and most loyal friends within the industry, are there for him now. One of the worst things about being a parent in such a tragedy is that while you are expected to be everyone else's rock of strength within your family, who is there for you.

 

[Nikeo]

As much as an OD or is likely, it's quite unfair to make assumptions like that with no evidence. The lad might not have touched heroin in years and died from something such as SUNDS and all of this speculation affects his reputation.

In journalism, and I mean REAL journalism (I wouldn't class the vast majority of the wrestling "media" as journalists), people are very careful about what they report in a case like this. However likely something is, if it turns out not to be the case it could be said that the story has been distorted. To be honest, being found in a hotel and the police not suspecting foul play is enough for anyone with half a brain to come to the logical conlusion without blatant speculation.

I think people need to be a bit more respectful and await a toxicology report before they start talking about Reid's character and lifestyle because, honestly, nobody bar his friends and family know.

 

[One to Remember]

the above poster is right, we are too quick to assume or in the habit of assuming a young person's or a wrestler's premature demise is from a bad encounter with narcotics. It could had been anything from a blood clot to an OD.. Ric Flair has quite a few kids so he has gotta stay upward for their sake.

 

[Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D.]

Whatever the cause is, I would guess it is connected with drugs. I'm not judging here, I am just saying that the kid had a habit. He was busted for heroin a couple years back, so it's not a stretch to think that when he is found dead in a hotel room at 25 that it was drugs.

 

[HBsam31]

No matter how he died as others have said 25 is too young to die. I remember seeing him on tv back in the WCW days, and this is a really sad thing. I hope for the rest of the family's sake that Ric Flair can keep it together during this time. I hope this isn't something that sends him down the wrong path, and have something tragic happen to him to. My condolences to Ric and his family as this has to be a really really hard thing to deal with.

 

[One to Remember]

yea but everyone though Eddie OD'd after snortin a bad line or that Candido was doing something illicit, and so on and so on.. Out of respect for Reid and sympathy for Ric Flair we should try not to jump the gun here.. I know its tempting..

 

[ChrisHelms]

I've seen some of the younger Flair's work, and while I'm not a fan, I feel sorry for Ric. You should never have to bury your own children.

RIP Reid. May angels smile on you.

Prayers out to the Flair family in their time of need