Wrestling legend Ric Flair spoke shortly after Hulk Hogan’s cardiac arrest death and struggled to keep himself together as he poured out the emotions of losing the fellow former WWE superstar.
“People always wanted to paint us as enemies, but we were actually very, very close friends,” Flair told TMZ on Thursday shortly after Hogan’s death.
Flair and Hogan’s paths frequently crossed in their wrestling careers — as the most iconic stars of their era — both in then-WWF and WCW.While Flair’s iconic rival was Ricky Steamboat, he and Hogan headlining adversaries — though they still teamed up from time to time.
‘INSPIRED MILLIONS’: Tributes for wrestling icon Hulk Hogan as details emerge over shock death
“We had magic,” Flair said. “It wasn’t like me and Steamboat, but we just had a chemistry that was, I felt like, equal to me and Steamboat but in a different way … Unbelievable relationship.”
Flair shared numerous memories, including a time Hogan lent Flair money and wouldn’t allow him to pay it back.
Flair detailed a time when Hogan was one of Flair’s first visitors in the hospital after his near-death medical emergency a couple years ago.
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“How do you forget things like that?” Flair said.Flair’s daughter, Charlotte, also recounted this on X: “When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan.”
Flair also shared his remembrance for his friend on X.
“I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend,” Flair posted to X on Thursday. “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!”Hogan was 71 years old.
Hulk Hogan passes away aged 71 | 03:19
HOGAN’S HORRIFIC FINAL WEEKS WERE RIDDLED WITH HEALTH BOUTS: REPORT
Hogan had faced a slew of health issues and suffered from a “weak heart” in the lead-up to his death at age 71, according to a report.
“He was suffering from shortness of breath, got tired easily, had lost a lot of weight and was on oxygen as his life ebbed away at his mansion in Clearwater, Florida,” an insider alleged to the Daily Mail.
Still, the source said that the handlebar-mustachioed marvel’s final weeks also featured happy moments, too.
“He had a lot of scores to settle. Didn’t want to leave anything unsaid,” the insider said, adding that Hogan spent time trying to mend bridges with estranged loved ones — including his estranged daughter Brooke.
The outlet reported that Hogan had hoped that the two would reconcile as the pair last spoke two weeks before his wedding to Sky Daily in 2023.
The wrestler’s death has sparked mass speculation over his health, with some people claiming Hogan was even paralyzed in a coma — a claim some insiders have rejected.
“Allegedly Hogan is in the hospital and I’ve heard people say that he might not make it,” Hogan’s former pal, Todd Clem, said last month on his widely listened to Florida radio program, “The Bubba the Love Sponge Show.”
Clem – who asked Hogan to be the best man in his wedding before the wrestler slept with his wife – said his information came from a “pretty damn reliable” source.
The Hulkster’s reps denied the health claims, with Daily explaining that he’d only undergone neck surgery in May and was quickly recovering.
On May 1, he appeared in a sit-down interview on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” where he showed off a dramatic throwback two-tone beard, coupled with his trademark snow white handlebar mustache.
Later that month, Hogan was seen meeting up with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) at Clearwater Beach.
“Great to see the Hulkster and throw back a cold @RealAmerBeer in Clearwater Beach @HogansHangout,” DeSantis wrote on X alongside a photo of the pair holding up cans of Hogan’s Real American Beer.
And just two days before his death, Hogan’s longtime manager and friend, Jimmy Hart, provided a positive update that refuted other claims.
“Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal! Last night at karaoke with Nick was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!” Hart posted Tuesday on X in response to an ominous report on “Bubba The Love Sponge show.”
This originally appeared in NY Post and was republished with consent.