Hulk Hogan’s longtime friend Eric Bischoff could tell the wrestling legend had grown “weak” due to his recent neck surgery before he died.
“He sounded tired but he still had that, ‘What are we going to do next?’ underlying current of energy in his voice,” the wrestling promoter, 70, said on Tuesday’s episode of “83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff.”
Despite Hogan’s health struggles, Bischoff said he still “really” wanted to see his pal, and so he went down to Clearwater, Fla., to visit the former WWE pro while he recovered.
Bischoff noted Hogan was “kind of embarrassed” about being seen because he had been “pretty sick.”
However, the “Rocky III” star, who was born Terry Bollea, made sure their chat quickly turned to business, including Real American Freestyle, a professional freestyle wrestling promotion Hogan founded.
“All he wanted to talk about was business, but in a fun, energetic way, even though he was struggling,” Bischoff said.
“He was so anxious to get back to work,” the former World Championship Wrestling announcer added. “I just know since I’ve known him [that] he loves the hunt, he loves the thrill of the hunt.”
Bischoff said he could tell it would be “quite a while” before Hogan was back to his old self, but he told him he’d set up a few interviews to “give him something to look forward to.”
On July 24, paramedics were called to Hogan’s house after he went into a cardiac arrest. He died shortly after being transported to Morton Plant Hospital. He was 71.
“Unfortunately, we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, passed away this morning,” his reps confirmed to Page Six at the time.
“We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.”
Although Hogan was recovering from surgery, many in his inner circle did not think that the end was near for the wrestling superstar — as Bischoff pointed out.
The “Hogan Knows Best” alum’s wife, Sky Daily, reportedly told a social media user on July 12, “No, he’s definitely not in a coma! His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage. None of those rumors are true.”
She then explained that Hogan had been “recovering from a major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusin (ACDF), which is an intense surgery with a long and layered healing process.”
The fitness trainer concluded at the time, “He’s healing and we’re taking it one day at a time with love, strength, and patience.”
Hogan’s manager, Jimmy Hart, also addressed the speculation via X on June 22, writing in a since-deleted post, “Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal! Last night at karaoke with Nick [Hogan] was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!”
The Wrestlemania champ’s official cause of death has not yet been revealed.