‘I can’t believe it, we just spoke yesterday’ – Close Friend Jimmy Hart Breaks Down After Receiving the Devastating News of the Sudden Passing of WWE Legend Hulk Hogan

The world of professional wrestling was rocked on July 24, 2025, when news broke of the sudden death of Terry Gene Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, at the age of 71. The WWE Hall of Famer, a pop culture icon who transformed wrestling into a global phenomenon, suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Among those most devastated by the loss was Hogan’s longtime friend and former manager, Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart, who broke down in an emotional interview with People, saying, “I can’t believe it, we just spoke yesterday.” Hart’s raw grief, shared with millions, underscored the profound impact Hogan had on those closest to him and the wrestling world at large.

Hogan’s death came as a shock, particularly after Hart had reassured fans just two days earlier that the wrestling legend was “doing great.” In a social media post on July 22, Hart wrote, “Hulk is doing phenomenal! Last night at karaoke with Nick was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!” The post was a response to rumors, fueled by radio host Bubba the Love Sponge, that Hogan was gravely ill following neck surgery. Hart, who had spoken to Hogan’s assistant on July 23 and was told the wrestler was recovering well, was blindsided by the news of his passing the next morning. “It just hits so fast,” Hart told People, his voice trembling as he recalled their decades-long friendship.

Hogan, a 12-time world champion, was the face of wrestling’s 1980s boom, headlining seven of the first eight WrestleManias and drawing millions with his larger-than-life persona. His “24-inch pythons” and red-and-yellow theatrics made him a household name, starring in films like Rocky III and reality TV shows like Hogan Knows Best. Hart, who managed Hogan during his early career in Memphis and later in WWE, described him as a “big softy” behind the tough-guy image, a man who loved fans and lived for wrestling despite enduring 25 surgeries, including hip, knee, and shoulder replacements. “He was like Elvis Presley,” Hart said, recalling how fans mobbed Hogan wherever they went.

Their friendship began over 40 years ago in Memphis, where Hogan faced Jerry “The King” Lawler in a match managed by Hart. The two bonded over wrestling, music, and life on the road, often singing karaoke together at Hogan’s Hangout bar in Clearwater. Hart shared stories of their last meeting a month before Hogan’s death, where the wrestler was in high spirits, chatting with fans and enjoying great food. “He was just phenomenal,” Hart recalled, still grappling with the suddenness of his loss. The night before Hogan’s death, Hart left a message with his assistant: “Tell him I love him.” The next morning, the news of Hogan’s cardiac arrest shattered Hart’s world.

The wrestling community mourned deeply. At WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown in Cleveland on July 25, a 10-bell salute honored Hogan, with Hart visibly emotional alongside stars like Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. Triple H, WWE’s chief content officer, called Hogan “one of the biggest icons in the world,” while Vince McMahon declared him “the greatest WWE Superstar of all time.” Fans and wrestlers alike shared tributes on X, with Ric Flair noting Hogan’s personal support during tough times, saying, “Our friendship meant the world to me.” President Donald Trump, a longtime friend, praised Hogan’s “MAGA” spirit and electrifying 2024 RNC speech, writing on Truth Social, “He gave an absolutely electric speech… Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”

Hogan’s final months were marked by health struggles and controversy. He had launched Real American Freestyle, a traditional wrestling venture, set to debut in August 2025. Despite rumors of declining health, Hogan downplayed concerns on Logan Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast, joking about his 25 surgeries. Yet, his 2015 dismissal from WWE over a leaked racist rant and a 2016 $140 million lawsuit against Gawker for publishing a sex tape had tainted his legacy for some. Younger fans booed him at his final WWE appearance in January 2025, though old-school “Hulkamaniacs” remained loyal, crediting him with making wrestling a billion-dollar industry.

For Hart, the loss was personal, not just professional. “It’s like a fraternity,” he told People, describing wrestling’s tight-knit community. Sitting in a Tampa parking lot, staring at a pizza place, Hart hoped Hogan would “walk out and bring me a pizza right now.” His grief echoed across X, where posts like @BXB_Boy2’s shared his emotional tribute, garnering widespread sympathy. Jerry Lawler, another longtime friend, called Hogan “the most important person in wrestling,” reflecting on their Memphis days. The suddenness of Hogan’s death, with no foul play suspected, left Hart and others reeling, unable to reconcile the vibrant man they knew with his abrupt absence.

The incident highlighted wrestling’s physical toll. Hogan’s body, battered by decades in the ring, had endured multiple replacements and a recent neck surgery that Hart believed was going well. The Clearwater Police confirmed first responders spent 30 minutes trying to revive Hogan before he was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital. For Hart, the loss was a stark reminder of life’s fragility, especially after years of watching Hogan defy odds. As tributes poured in—from Sylvester Stallone calling him a “magician” to fans mourning on X—the wrestling world paused to honor a legend. Hart’s words, “I can’t believe it, we just spoke yesterday,” captured the raw shock of losing Hulk Hogan, a titan whose legacy will endure, even as his absence leaves an unfillable void.