WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair was overcome with emotion Thursday as he reacted to the death of his longtime friend and wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, who died earlier in the day at the age of 71 after a reported cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
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"I am absolutely shocked," Flair told TMZ, holding back tears. "Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business. An incredible athlete, talent, friend and father. Our friendship has meant the world to me."
Flair said Hogan was one of the first to visit him in the hospital during a life-threatening health scare. "He prayed by my bedside," Flair said. "Hulk also lent me money when Reid was sick. Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you. Rest in peace, my friend."
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, helped turn professional wrestling into a global sensation in the 1980s with his heroic "Hulkamania" persona. He was one of the first wrestling stars to break into mainstream pop culture, headlining WrestleMania events, starring in movies and television, and becoming the face of the World Wrestling Federation — now WWE.
Ric Flair in tears as he speaks with TMZ about how he got the news about Hulk Hogans passing 💔
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) July 24, 2025
Reactions to Hogan's passing poured in across the wrestling world and beyond.
Kane, a fellow WWE star who once impersonated Hogan in a backstage segment with The Rock, said he grew up idolizing the larger-than-life performer. "It was easy to do a Hulkster impersonation when, like millions of guys my age, I'd practiced it in the mirror a thousand times growing up," he said in a post online. "Hulk Hogan was a true legend."
Dwayne The Rock Johnson says his goodbyes to Hulk Hogan.
“Thank you for the house brother, thank you, for the house” pic.twitter.com/JLTwvFciMD
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) July 25, 2025
Shawn Michaels, one of WWE's most celebrated performers, called Hogan "a larger-than-life presence" and added, "He didn't just work in this business... he transformed it."
Vince McMahon, the former WWE chairman who worked closely with Hogan to launch him into superstardom, called him "the greatest WWE Superstar of all time." In a statement, McMahon said Hogan was "a trailblazer" who transitioned from wrestling icon to worldwide phenomenon. "His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled — and made him the consummate performer," he said. "He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions: 'Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.' Today, we pray for him."
I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When… pic.twitter.com/rOWLakMjr4
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) July 24, 2025
Hogan's influence extended well beyond the ring. Former NFL star Rob Gronkowski, who appeared in WWE events himself, called Hogan a "childhood hero."
"RIP Hulkster," Gronkowski wrote. "An absolute legend, an entertainer, just one of the purest of all time. So glad I got to meet you last year. It was an honor. Let me tell you something, brother — you will always be remembered."
Sylvester Stallone posted his salute to Hulk Hogan pic.twitter.com/gl6rM1p9ll
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) July 24, 2025
Hogan's final WWE appearance came during the company's Netflix debut of Monday Night Raw on Jan. 6. At the time of his death, he remained signed as a brand ambassador.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, first in 2005 and again in 2020 as a member of the New World Order.
