Jimmy Hart is still reeling from the unexpected death of his dear friend and wrestling icon, Hulk Hogan. The transformative and sometimes controversial figure in the world of professional wrestling passed away on Thursday at the age of 71 at his home in Clearwater, Florida. This tragic news has sent shockwaves through the wrestling community, especially among those who knew him well.
In the wake of Hogan's passing, Hart, who served as a longtime manager and close confidant, expressed his disbelief about the sudden loss. Just a month prior, Hart had publicly stated that the WWE Hall of Famer was in better health than many had reported. He reminisced about their last encounter, stating, “He was great,” in an interview with People magazine. “He had great food to eat that night. He was talking with the fans. He was just phenomenal.”
Hart recounted the moment he learned about Hogan's death, sharing how he had spoken to Hogan just the night before. “I called Hogan on Wednesday night, and then Thursday morning is when everything took place,” he revealed. “So just… just overnight it all happened, but it was so positive the day before.” This swift turn of events left Hart in a state of shock, as he had been optimistic about Hogan's health.
During his last phone call with Hogan, Hart did not get to speak to him directly. Instead, he spoke with Hogan's assistant, who conveyed a message that the former six-time WWE Champion was “doing great.” Hart recalled telling the assistant, “Well, tell him I love him,” feeling reassured by the positive news. “I thought, ‘This is great,’” he shared, illustrating his hopefulness at that moment.
Hart emphasized how quickly everything changed, stating, “It just hits so fast. It was like, ‘Oh my God.’ We thought he was doing so well.” He explained that he and others chose not to visit Hogan at his home or in the hospital to avoid risking any infections, believing that Hogan was on the mend.
Jimmy Hart's friendship with Hulk Hogan spans decades, dating back to their early days in Memphis and continuing through their time in WWE, WCW, and TNA. Hogan, a 12-time world champion—with six titles in WWE and six in WCW—was a two-time inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame, first as an individual in 2005 and again in 2020 as a member of the New World Order.
Hart, himself a WWE Hall of Famer since 2005, is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestling managers of all time. The loss of Hogan marks not only the end of an era but also a profound moment of grief for those who loved and admired him.