One of the biggest legends to ever grace the squared circle, Hulk Hogan passed away on July 24, 2025, with a heart attack being the official cause of death, amidst other health complications.
Speaking on Something To Wrestle, Bruce Prichard recalled learning of Hogan’s passing.
Prichard explained that the updates he received regarding Hogan’s health in the days prior were mixed. He had been relying on Eric Bischoff for information, and as recently as the night before Hogan died, the feedback had been overwhelmingly positive.
Prichard Said Bischoff told him Hogan was “totally optimistic” and in “great spirits,” adding that he was “out of the woods, that he turned the corner and was doing good.” Bischoff encouraged Prichard to text Hogan since he “can’t really talk.” Prichard sent the message, offering prayers, well-wishes, and ending with “love you.”
The following morning, everything changed. Prichard said Bischoff called him as he was heading into the office: “Eric called me on the way into the office and said, I just got word that they’re taking Terry by ambulance to the emergency room, had cardiac arrest.”
While the two were still on the phone, Bischoff received a text confirming Hogan had passed away.
Prichard described the moment as surreal: “Best way to describe it, and because he was there, man, you know it’s like, one day you’re there, one day you’re not.”
He recalled informing WWE staff, which made the moment painfully real for him. “Once I said it out loud, you know, on a group people and everything, that was the first time, you know, that it hit me. And then I cried.”
Prichard said his team quickly began planning a tribute broadcast: “You gotta figure out what is, what’s the show’s gonna look like… gotta recognize and we’ve, we’ve gotta do something that’s worthy of him.”
He also expressed his deep sympathy for Hogan’s loved ones: “I felt so sorry for Nick, his son, and man, my heart goes out to his kids, and my heart goes out to his family.”
He also discussed Hogan’s funeral, calling it a “beautiful service,” and spoke at length about Vince McMahon’s tribute. Prichard noted that McMahon had been in a car accident the same morning Hogan died, yet still delivered a heartfelt memorial. McMahon asked attendees to give Hogan one final ovation, cupping his hands to his ears in Hogan’s iconic pose. Prichard praised the speech, saying, “I thought it was classy and the best tribute of the day… short, sweet to the point, and said it all in so few words”.
As he reflected on Hogan’s larger legacy, Prichard stated that Hogan’s place in wrestling history is unquestionable. “Hulkamania will live forever,” he said, adding that Hogan always wanted to be remembered as a hero who lifted people up. He also highlighted Hogan’s commitment to Make-A-Wish, explaining how seriously Hogan took each visit because he understood the weight of what he represented to children. “Hulk was the master at that,” Prichard said.
