WWE legend Ric Flair, 68, undergoes successful surgery
He is one of the most beloved and successful wrestlers of all time, who fans are praying for after he was suddenly hospitalised this week.
And reps for WWE legend Ric Flair confirmed he had undergone surgery which had been a success on Monday, but that there is 'still a long road ahead' to recovery for the star.
Melinda Morris Zanoni of Legacy Talent and Entertainment, who represents the 68-year-old tweeted: 'Ric had surgery today (not [heart emoji] related)am happy 2report it was a success.Still a long road ahead so plz keep [prayer emoji] 4Ric. Charlotte Megan David&Wendy'
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Surgery: Reps for WWE legend Ric Flair confirmed he had undergone surgery which had been a success on Monday, but that there is 'still a long road ahead' to recovery for the star
The former wrestler had his children and fiancee by his side.
A rep for WWE confirmed Ric is out of surgery and resting, with his family waiting to meet with doctors, reports TMZ Sports
WWE Hall of Famer Ric, known to millions as The Nature Boy, was checked into intensive care near his Atlanta home over the weekend by his family according to Pro Wrestling Sheet.
Before the op, a representative for the ex-WWE star - who quit the ring in 2011 - told TMZ Sports he was in a medically-induced coma and awaiting surgery after being admitted to hospital early on Saturday morning.
Mail Online has contacted reps for Ric for comment.
Reports that there might be something wrong with Ric were initially dismissed by members of his team on Saturday, but that all changed late Sunday night.
The 16-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion is now in a medically induced coma according to reports from people citing sources close to the situation.
Legend: Melinda Morris Zanoni of Legacy Talent and Entertainment, who represents the 68-year-old tweeted: 'Ric had surgery today (not [heart emoji] related)am happy 2report it was a success.Still a long road ahead so plz keep [prayer emoji] 4Ric. Charlotte Megan David&Wendy'
Update: Ric's rep confirmed he had not undergone heart surgery as previously claimed
Nature Boy: A rep for WWE confirmed Ric is out of surgery and resting, with his family waiting to meet with doctors, reports TMZ Sports (above with Hulk Hogan)
Concern: Melinda revealed he was battling serious health issues in hospital
'Are u a Fan/Friend of Ric Flair?If so, we need prayers & positive energy 4 our Living Legend as he is dealing w/some tough medical issues,' wrote Melinda Morris Zanoni on Twitter late Sunday night.
Zanoni, who is the CEO of Legacy Talent and reps Flair, did not provide any specific details however about the wrestler's condition.
It was also Zanoni who initially assured fans that Flair was going to be fine on Saturday after he was first admitted to the hospital.
'Yes,Ric in hosp 4routine monitoring.No reason2panic.Yes,many thx2his fiancé&hospstaff.No excuses Ric wld want u2go out 2nite NaturBoy style!' she wrote at the time.
Big personality: Before the op, a representative for the ex-WWE star - who quit the ring in 2011 - told TMZ Sports he was in a medically-induced coma and awaiting surgery after being admitted to hospital early on Saturday morning (pictured in May 2017)
Social media posts and photos seems to suggest that he was doing fine and working steadily over the past few weeks, with Zanoni posting a photo of herself and Flair at an event to Twitter on August 4.
Flair also posted a birthday message to his friend and fellow wrestler Terry Gene Bollea on Friday, just one day before he checked into the hospital.
'Happy Birthday To My Brother HH!' wrote Flair.
He then reposted a photo of himself with HH and Zanoni on Facebook late Friday, writing: 'WOOOOO!'
Mail Online has contacted Rick's representative for comment.
Traumatic: The news comes four months after Ric asked for prayers for his fiancee Wendy Barlow who was in a serious car crash (pictured in May 2017)
Fighter: The athlete was admitted to hospital a few days ago and at the time his representative insisted he had gone in for 'routine monitoring' and reassured fans there was 'no need to panic'
Famous family: His fiancee Wendy Barlow and family, including 31-year-old daughter and wrestler Charlotte Flair (above) are understood to be by his side
The star - who quit the ring in 2011 - previously revealed he had been called a 'medical miracle' because doctors found no health problems during a routine medical four years after he retired.
He said on his podcast in 2015: 'I don't have any health issues. Everybody else has hips and knees. I had to go to Pittsburgh for a physical because they wanted me to do some in-ring stuff.
'I go there to see the heart specialist. They tested me for four hours.
Unbeatable: Ric is largely considered to be the greatest professional wrestler of all time, boasting 16 WWE world championship titles
Rivalry: Ric taking on Hulk Hogan during his Hulkamania tour in Australia in 2009
'The doctors said 'there's something wrong with you, has to be,' and I said 'yeah, it's called an hour Broadway every night brother.' The guy looked at me and said that I was a medical miracle.'
His fiancee Wendy Barlow and family, including 31-year-old daughter and wrestler Charlotte Flair are understood to be by his side.
In April Ric tweeted alarming news about his fiancée, writing: 'Please pray for my fiancée who was just in a serious car wreck,' he wrote. 'She is at the hospital.'
Couple: In April Ric tweeted alarming news about his fiancée, writing: 'Please pray for my fiancée who was just in a serious car wreck,' he wrote. 'She is at the hospital.'Barlow (L) and Flair (R) are seen here on the set of Celebrity Wife Swap in February 2013
Barlow also hails from the world of professional wrestling.
She was Flair's valet, under the guise of Fifi the Maid for the WCW, which stood for World Championship Wrestling.
Barlow and Flair dated for three years before he proposed to her last July.
'Please pray for my fiancée who was just in a serious car wreck,' Flair wrote; 'She is at the hospital'
Barlow and Flair dated for three years before he proposed to her last July; Barlow (L) and Flair (R) are seen here on the set of Celebrity Wife Swap in February 2013
Ric is largely considered to be the greatest professional wrestler of all time, boasting 16 WWE world championship titles. He is also the only WWE Superstar to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame twice.
WWE formerly stood for World Wrestling Entertainment before it was shortened to simply stand for the three letters in 2011 under Vince McMahon.
Ric has previously been married four times.