Ric Flair's distraught words to Daily Mail after death of his former WWE buddy Hulk Hogan
Reached by phone by the Daily Mail, Flair, 76, sounded utterly shocked, saying only: 'Ahh, I can't really talk right now.'
He remained on the line as he was heard saying to someone in the room that 'we need to call them.'
The legendary sportsman seemed to be reeling from the news that Hogan had died of cardiac arrest at his Florida home aged 71.
Moments later, Flair took to X to pay tribute to Hogan, who he had a fabled rivalry with in the 1990s that is credited for driving the rapid growth of the WWE.
'I am absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of my close friend Hulk Hogan,' Flair wrote on X.
'Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business. An incredible athlete, talent, friend and father!
'Our friendship has meant the world to me. He was always there for me even when I didn't ask for him to be. He was one of the first to visit me when I was in the hospital with a 2% chance of living, and he prayed by my bedside.
'Hulk also lent me money when Reid was sick. Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you! Rest in peace me friend.'
It comes as the icon, real name Terry Bollea, passed away early Thursday morning after medics were dispatched to his Clearwater, Florida home, per TMZ.
Operators stated the call was in relation to a 'cardiac arrest.'
Police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan's home, with the reality star carried onto an stretcher and into an ambulance.
The shock death comes just weeks after his wife Sky denied rumors he was on his deathbed in a coma - and claimed his heart was 'strong' after he underwent a routine neck surgery.
Hogan is survived by his third wife Sky, who he wed in 2023, children Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34, who he shared with first wife Linda Claridge, and two grandchildren.
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