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Hulk Hogan death: Ric Flair gets emotional reacting to passing of wrestling legend, friend

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones07/24/25brianjones_93

Ric Flair got very emotional when he reacted to the passing of pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. While speaking to TMZ Sports, Flair broke down in tears when he talked about his friend.

“To have this happen is just horrible,” Ric Flair said. Before Hulk Hogan’s death, Flair spoke to Hogan’s former manager, Jimmy Hart, on Wednesday. Flair told TMZ Sports that Hart told him Hogan “was fine.”

In the interview, Flair shared multiple memories of Hogan. The 16-time world champion reflected on how Hogan was one of the first to visit him in the hospital following his near-death medical emergency a couple of years ago.

“How do you forget things like that?” Flair said. Along with speaking to TMZ Sports about Hogan, Flair went to social media to reflect on his time with the two-time WWE Hall of Famer.

Ric Flair sends emotional message to Hulk Hogan

“I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend [Hulk Hogan],” Flair wrote. 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!”

During their careers, Flair and Hogan have had their share of battles in the ring. And in some ways, the two have had similar careers when it comes to the impact they have had on pro wrestling.

Hogan helped pro wrestling become more mainstream in the 1980s. He was the top star in WWE during the 80s and early 1990s before making the jump to WCW. While in WWE, Hogan was a hero that everyone loved. But when he made the jump to WCW, he changed his character to Hollywood Hulk Hogan and became the top villain in the company. He was first inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and again in 2020 as a member of the wrestling faction, the New World Order.

Flair is known for his time in WCW, NWA and WWE. He spent the majority of his career as a villain, but fans loved his style and persona. Like Hogan, Flair is a two-time member of the WWE Hall of Fame. He was first inducted in 2008 and again in 2012 as a member of the wrestling action, The Four Horsemen.