Ric Flair Posts Loving Tribute to ‘Close Friend’ Hulk Hogan

Wrestler Ric Flair posted a heartfelt tribute to Hulk Hogan on July 24 after news of his passing broke.

“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 I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend! 🙏🏻,” he posted on Instagram.

TMZ Sports first reported that the wrestling legend has passed away at the age of 71 after “medics were dispatched to the 71-year-old WWE legend’s Clearwater, Florida.” The outlet added that operators responded to a call regarding a “cardiac arrest.”

“We’re told a slew of police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan’s home … and the icon was carried on a stretcher and into an ambulance,” TMZ continued.

Ric Flair Got Emotional In Interview With TMZ

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Along with his post on social media, Ric Flair also spoke with TMZ reacting to the news of Hogan’s death. According to the outlet, he broke down in tears as he spoke, detailing how he recently spoke to Hogan’s former manager, Jimmy Hart, on Wednesday, who told him the wrestler “was fine.”

“To have this happen is just horrible,” Flair said. “We had magic.”

WWE Releases an Official Statement

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“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” the statement read. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”

Hogan began his wrestling career in the Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) in the late 1970s, and then joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979. He won a a total of 12 world championships, including six WWF/WWE Championships and 6 WCW World Heavyweight Championships. Hogan also won the Royal Rumble twice, in 1990 and 1991.