2-time WWE Hall of Famer 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair was removed from a previously announced Tag Team main event today for All Japan Pro Wrestling, due to a "sudden illness". According to PWTORCH, emergency room doctors discovered "suspicion of deep vein thrombosis (in) the left foot" of the 16-time World Champion. There was concern that the blockage could spread to his brain and heart if he were to perform in the match. All Japan felt it was too much of risk, and refused to let Flair wrestle. Several officials backstage noted that Flair's left leg was badly swollen.
At the beginning of the show the sad news that Flair would not be wrestling was announced, and Flair himself apologized to the crowd of 4,800 at the Ota City Gynasium that he could not perform them, but added that his son Reid would replace him in the tag team main event.
Flair was originally booked to team with fellow legend Kenji Mutoh to take on Tatsumi Fujinami and Seiya Senada in his first AJPW match since 1987. Though he did not wrestle in the match, he did participate by laying some chops into Senada. Puroresuspirit.com reported the match ended with Senada defeating Reid Flair with his THIS IS IT finisher right after the 15 minute mark.
Some fans at the event were said to be upset to find out about Flair being pulled from the main event at the last minute, and were even more upset that a refund was not offered.
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