“Brother, I Can’t Wait”: Eric Bischoff Reveals Emotional Final Moments With Hulk Hogan Just Days Before His Death
“He didn’t want me to see him like that… but he was still the same Hulk.”
Just days before wrestling icon Hulk Hogan passed away at age 71, his longtime friend and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff made one final visit that now serves as a heartfelt goodbye—and a reminder of Hogan’s undying passion for the business.
On his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff shared the moving story of their last conversation. The emotional visit was prompted by a call from Hogan’s son, Nick, who encouraged Bischoff to come down to Florida—even though Hogan himself was hesitant.
“He said, ‘I really want to see you, but I’m kind of embarrassed for you to see me this way,’” Bischoff recalled.
Hogan had been battling health issues and was reluctant to have old friends see him in a weakened state. But Bischoff pushed back with trademark toughness:
“I told him, ‘When I look at you, I don’t see what you see in the mirror—so f*** that, I’m coming Monday.’”
He Still Had That Fire
Despite looking frail, Hogan was mentally sharp and fully locked in on what he loved most—business and future plans. “He sounded tired,” Bischoff admitted, “but all he wanted to talk about was work.”
The two spent nearly an hour together, catching up on upcoming projects, especially Hogan’s involvement in “Real American Freestyle.” Even in his final days, Hogan’s ambition burned bright.
“It was work for him to have a conversation,” Bischoff said, “but he was still him. He still had that spark.”
The Last Words That Hit Hard
Trying to give his friend something to look forward to, Bischoff offered to line up some media appearances down the road. Hogan’s response?
“Brother, I can’t wait. I may not be ready for camera, but I’ll crush it on the phone. Let’s do it.”
Sadly, that day never came.
Hogan’s Final Hours
On the morning of July 24, emergency responders arrived at Hogan’s Clearwater Beach home. Dispatch audio confirms CPR was underway by 10:28 AM. He was rushed to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was officially declared dead.
Though Hogan didn’t get the chance to make that big comeback, Bischoff says his friend died the way he lived—full of fight and hope.
“He loved the hunt, the thrill of the hustle. Even when his body was failing, his spirit never quit.”
RIP Hulk Hogan. You weren’t just the face of wrestling—you were the heart of it.
