Ric Flair Breaks Silence On Hulk Hogan's Death: 'Absolutely Shocked'

Ric Flair is mourning the loss of a longtime friend and fellow wrestling legend.

Shortly after news broke that Hulk Hogan had died at the age of 71 following a reported cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home, Flair took to social media to share a deeply personal and emotional tribute to the man he called one of his closest friends.

“I am absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of my close friend @HulkHogan!” Flair wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business. An incredible athlete, talent, friend, and father!”

Flair’s message offered fans a rare and heartfelt look into the depth of their decades-long bond, one built not just inside the ring, but through some of life’s most difficult chapters.

“Our friendship has meant the world to me,” Flair continued. “He was always there for me, even when I didn’t ask for him to be.”

The wrestling legend went on to reveal that Hogan was among the first people to visit him during a life-threatening hospitalization several years ago. “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,” Flair shared.

Ending his tribute with powerful emotion, Flair wrote, “Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you! Rest in peace, my friend!”

Charlotte Flair also shared a tribute. "When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan," she said. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother."

Hulk Hogan’s ex-wife, Linda Hogan, actually shared a poignant memory just days before his passing.

On July 19, she posted a nostalgic photo from 1996, capturing a moment at the NATPE Convention in Las Vegas. “The good old days!” she captioned the throwback, showing the couple during their high-profile years together. Linda and Hulk were married from 1983 until 2009 and shared two children, Brooke and Nick.

Their son, Nick Hogan, honored his father with a heartfelt Father’s Day post just last month. “Had a great Father’s Day with the goat! Happy Father’s Day to all the awesome dads!” he wrote, alongside a vintage photo of the two together.

While WWE stars flooded social media with heartfelt tributes, public figures beyond the wrestling world also reflected on Hogan’s far-reaching legacy.

Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk called Hogan a “uniquely American creation,” writing on X, “Fearlessly original. Flawed but unbowed… He never stopped fighting for his country. An American icon. He will be missed.”

Donald Trump Jr. also shared a simple but powerful tribute: “R.I.P to a legend. HULK HOGAN.”

Among the many tributes pouring in following Hulk Hogan’s death, TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva shared a touching message reflecting on the late wrestling legend’s profound impact on the sport and pop culture at large.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan,” Silva wrote. “Hogan's name was synonymous with professional wrestling, transcending the industry to become an American pop culture fixture. My condolences go out to his fans, friends and family. Rest in peace.”

Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling, known for his larger-than-life persona, signature catchphrases, and decades-long impact on sports entertainment.

As fans continue to process the news of his passing, Flair’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the deep friendships formed behind the spotlight, and the legacy Hogan leaves behind, not just as a wrestler, but as a loyal friend.