The legendary pro wrestling star, Hulk Hogan, aka ‘Hulkstar,’ passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest at 71, leaving his global fans devastated. The wrestling legend was one of the greatest icons of all time and was allegedly doing relatively well, as per his family and friends, which makes his death more shocking. Hulk’s long-time friend and WWE Hall of Famer, Jimmy Hart, now recalls the last time he called the wrestling legend the night before his death.
Jimmy Hart recalls his final call with Hulk Hogan
Speaking to PEOPLE, Hart, 81, emotionally opened up about his final call to Hulk Hogan’s house, just hours before his unexpected demise. While he could not directly speak to the wrestling legend, his assistant assured him that the 71-year-old was ‘doing great.’ He shared:
“I called [Hogan] on Wednesday night, and then Thursday morning is when everything took place. So just… just overnight it all happened, but it was so positive the day before…”
Hulk Hogan passed away on the morning of July 24, 2025, at his home in Clearwater, Florida, after suffering cardiac arrest. He was later pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital. Reflecting on the sudden loss, Jimmy Hart shared that although they were aware of Hogan’s health issues, they chose not to visit him in person out of concern for potentially exposing him to infections.
Hart recalls the shock of knowing about Hogan’s passing
Sadly, despite their precautions, Hogan could not be saved. The WWE star shared how devastated the industry’s fraternity was after receiving the news of his unexpected passing. As WWE gears up for a special tribute on Friday Night SmackDown in Cleveland, Hart said the locker room is still processing the loss. He shared:
“It just hits so fast. It was like, ‘Oh my God.’ We thought he was doing so well, you know… Anytime you lose anybody in this business, it’s such a tight, tight-knit group, it’s like a fraternity, you know? And it affects all of us. And the show must go on and all that, but that’s just the way it is.”
Hart remembers his last meeting with Hulk
Hart also remembered his last meeting with Hogan, which happened just a month before his death, before the WWE superstar went in for neck surgery. The two, along with Hogan’s son, Nick, used to frequent Hogan’s Hangout, their go-to bar in Clearwater, and sing karaoke and watch wrestling together three nights a week.
Hart and Hogan’s friendship dates back decades. The WWE star met the wrestling icon in Memphis while managing Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler, and they have been friends since. The duo first made their mark in the WWF (now WWE) and recently reunited for WWE’s Netflix debut in early 2025.
Hulk Hogan had been fighting health issues in his final years
While the world knew Hulk Hogan for his larger-than-life persona, the wrestling icon was silently enduring the toll of a punishing career. At 71, he had undergone several surgeries, including hip, shoulder, and double knee replacements, after decades in the ring had left his body battered. In his final weeks, Hogan experienced numbness in his fingers, prompting a neck surgery for relief. Sadly, it turned out to be his final battle.
Hogan reportedly battled a ‘weak heart,’ shortness of breath, and significant weight loss. He was also reportedly on oxygen and felt tired easily. According to the Daily Mail, Hogan had been trying to ‘settle scores’ and mend broken relationships, including with his estranged daughter, Brooke, before passing.
Despite facing controversies in recent years, Hulk Hogan remains one of the greatest wrestling icons of all time.
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