Wooo! Ric Flair 'progressing' and joking with nurse after heart scare

Wrestling icon Ric Flair is making progress after a heart scare left him fighting for his life. The 16-time world champion went into hospital on 13 August for what appeared to be a routine operation.

But the 68-year-old's condition soon deteriorated prompting his agents to urge supporters to offer "prayers & positive energy 4 our Living Legend as he is dealing w/some tough medical issues" on Twitter.

Wrestling greats including Hulk Hogan, John Cena and Kurt Angle posted messages of support for the Nature Boy, who last wrestled in 2011 and is seen as one of the greatest characters to have ever graced the ring.

After a week in hospital, Flair is now communicating and making progress and in true "limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin' n' dealin' son of a gun"-style, Flair, cut a promo on one of the nurses at the hospital.

Agent Melinda Morris Zanoni‏ tweeted: "Happy 2 report @RicFlairNatrBoy is awake, communicating & progressing..but there are complications so needs rest for the 1st time in 40 yrs."

She added: "The man outlived a plane crash & being struck by lightening, he is a survivor." The comment referred to a 1975 plane crash that claimed the life of the pilot and paralysed fellow wrestler Johnny Valentine.

The incident is not the only tragedy to have hit Flair. In 2013 his son Reid died from an accidental overdose of heroin and his personal life has been filled with divorces and alleged financial issues.

Earlier this month he appeared in a WWE advert promoting the USPGA Championship golf tournament.

News of Flair's improvement was greeted by fans on Twitter including WWE legend, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: