Reid Flair | Heroin, Clonazepam, & Alprazolam Overdose Death

Reid Flair died from a drug overdose in 2013 at the age of 25. He was best known for his appearances with his father in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as well as his participation in All Japan Pro Wrestling.

How Reid Flair Died

Flair survived two drug overdoses in 2011. On March 29th, 2013, only weeks after wrestling in Japan, Flair was found dead by family members in bed at a Residence Inn in the SouthPark neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina. His father made the call to 911.

An investigation revealed that the 25 year old’s cause of death was drug overdose resulting from heroin in combination with the prescription benzodiazepine drugs clonazepam and alprazolam.

About Reid Flair

Richard Reid Fliehr was born on February 26, 1988. His father, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, was a professional wrestler, as would be his older half-brother David Flair and his older sister Ashley “Charlotte” Flair.

Fliehr, who like the other members of his family would go by the assumed surname Flair, attended Providence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Blair Academy in New Jersey.

He became an accomplished amateur wrestler, achieving numerous awards and winning the AAU National Wrestling Tournament in 1998.

That same year, at just age 10, Ric Flair’s son would defeat Eric Bischoff in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He would return two years later to tag team with his father against David Flair and Vince Russo, though they lost the match.

Professional Wrestling Career

In 2008, Flair would appear during a WWE Hall of Fame event. The next day he made his first appearance on WrestleMania, representing his father along with his family. 

During this time, he received training from famed American professional wrestler, promoter, and trainer Harley Race.

Flair’s debut would come in December 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He performed under the name “Reid Flair” in a team match with his elder brother David. 

With Hulk Hogan as a special guest referee, the Flairs would take down The Nasty Boys for the victory, setting the stage for numerous independent promotions yet to come.

Eventually, Flair would join All Japan Pro Wrestling, debuting in 2013 when he replaced his father in a losing tag team match. On March 15, Flair wrestled his first singles match in All Japan, submitting Yasufumi Nakanoue.

Legacy After Death

Numerous family members and wrestling professionals remembered Flair in the years that followed, with one notably contentious occasion in 2015. 

Reid’s sister and WWE Divas Champion Charlotte Flair, in the promotional runup for the Survivor Series, announced that she was competing to honor her brother Reid. Her opponent, Paige, mocked her, stating, “Your little baby brother, he didn’t have much fight in him, did he?”

The exchange was voted by Wrestling Observer Newsletter readers as the “Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic of 2015.”

Charlotte, a leading voice in women’s wrestling, credited Reid’s involvement and her desire to honor him as driving forces behind her hugely successful career. 

Ric Flair likewise told reporters shortly after Reid’s death, “He should have been on top of the world, but he was fighting a battle he couldn’t win. I hope people remember his laugh, his spirit, and his love of life.”

Reid Flair’s History Of Substance Abuse

The signs of addiction were present long before the death of Reid Flair. 

In 2007, the pro wrestler was arrested for assault and battery. He was arrested twice again in 2009 for impaired driving, possession of black tar heroin, driving with a revoked license, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Attempts by Flair to sign a contract with WWE fell through, which Ric Flair would later reveal was due to his son failing two drug tests. 

The world wrestling hall of famer would also confess that he was sometimes too friendly with Reid and didn’t step in when his son so badly needed real help.

Recovery Is Possible

Reid Flair never got the help he needed for the issues that ultimately killed him at such a young age. But if you or your loved ones are facing substance abuse and addiction today, recovery is possible with evidence-based treatment and ongoing support.

To learn more, please contact Ark Behavioral Health today.