Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan passed away on Thursday, as first reported by TMZ, which noted that he experienced a cardiac arrest. The WWE has since verified Hogan’s passing. He was 71 years old.
Hogan, whose actual name was Terry Bollea, was one of the brightest stars in wrestling, starting his career in the ring in the late 1970s before joining the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in 1983. He played a significant role in transforming the company into the industry’s leader and made professional wrestling a major form of entertainment during the ’80s. Ric wrote:
“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! 🙏🏻”
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
Ric Flair entered the WWF in 1991 after a notable career with various promotions in both the U.S. and Japan, becoming one of the company’s prominent figures and frequently going up against Hogan throughout the ’90s. Flair, who is five years older than Hogan, honored his longtime rival on X after learning of Hogan’s death.
As per the wrestling database Cagematch, Hogan and Flair competed against each other 32 times during their tenures with the WWF, WCW, WWE, and most recently TNA, with their first match occurring in 1991 and the last one in 2010.
