Hulk Hogan’s Friend Eric Bischoff Recalls Last Conversation With WWE Superstar

Hulk Hogan’s death was announced on July 24. He died from a sudden cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, TMZ reports. He was 71.

Hogan’s passing came as a shock to many people, but those in his inner circle were aware that he had some health concerns before his death. His friend and business partner, Eric Bischoff, opened up about his last phone call with the WWE icon, which occurred just two weeks before his death.

Eric Bischoff Gives Update on Hulk Hogan’s Health

On an episode of Bischoff’s “83 Weeks” podcast, which was posted on YouTube on July 30, he recalled how he had spoken to Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, on the phone after he was discharged from the hospital following a surgery.

“When I found out that Hulk had gone home from the hospital, whatever it was — three weeks ago, I think — I called Hulk. [Hulk’s son] Nick told me that he could talk, and Nick asked me to call,” Bischoff said. “I got him on the phone and I could tell he was weak, he sounded tired, but he still had that ‘what are we going to do next’ kind of underlying current of energy in his voice.”

He continued, “I said, ‘Hulk, I’m coming down to see you.’ He goes, ‘Man, I really want to see you, but I’m kind of embarrassed for you to see me this way because I’ve been pretty sick.’ I said, ‘Hulk, when I look at you, I don’t see the same thing that you see when you look in the mirror, so (expletive) that, I’ll be down Monday.’”

After chatting with Hogan on the phone, Bischoff went to visit him at his home. In his podcast, he recalls how a nurse was present. He also reflected on his friend’s demeanor: Bischoff noted how Hogan appeared to be looking forward to the future.

Hulk Hogan Was Looking Forward to the Future

On the podcast, Bischoff recalled how Hogan was asking about their business venture, Real American Freestyle, and asked about a planned event for August. He also wanted to know about ticket sales.

“All he wanted to talk about was business, but in a fun, energetic way, even though he was struggling. Not struggling — it was just a little more effort than it should have been for him to talk at the time because his larynx and all that stuff got moved around during surgery,” Bischoff said. “It was work for him to have a conversation. But he was the same guy.”

Bischoff also commented on how Hogan wanted to “get back to work.”

Fans reacted to the YouTube post with messages of support for Bischoff. “Sorry for your loss Eric. You and Hulk left a lasting impact on the business,” a comment reads. “I’d like to send my condolences to Eric and this channel as well as everyone in the comments who knew and loved Hulk,” another person wrote. “He impact on, not only on professional wrestling, but on American pop culture as whole.”