The son-in-law of Ric Flair confirmed on Friday that the wrestling icon had been hospitalized in Atlanta, but disputed reports that it was a "grave or serious" emergency.

Conrad Thompson told Fightful.com's Sean Ross Sapp that the 70-year-old Flair underwent a planned procedure that the 16-time world heavyweight champion elected to have prior to next weekend's Starrcast event in Las Vegas.

Thompson says that Flair could have chosen to defer the procedure, but "wanted to feel good" for the four-day convention that will include a roast of Flair.

In the summer of 2017, Flair was admitted to hospital and needed emergency surgery to remove a part of his bowel, leading to a number of problems including kidney failure that kept Flair in the hospital for an extended period due to dialysis treatment.

Flair last appeared on WWE television on the March 31 edition of Monday Night RAW where he was to celebrate his 70^th birthday. The appearance was used to set up Triple H’s WrestleMania match with Dave Bautista by having the latter give Flair an off-screen beating.

Starrcast is scheduled in conjunction with All Elite Wrestling's "Double or Nothing" event on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.