Hulk Hogan's former best friend calls out wife, friends for lying about his health: ‘Wish to God I wasn't right'
During Friday's installment of his Tampa-based radio show, Bubba the Love Sponge called out Hogan's wife, Sky Daily, and the late wrestler's friends, including WWE Hall of Famers Eric Bischoff and Jimmy Hart, claiming they lied to the public about Hogan's condition.
'I can't take away from what I've already said, and what I've already correctly predicted,' said Bubba, who went by Todd Clem before legally changing his name. 'But I am officially the guy that was the only one telling the truth about Hogan's physical condition.
4 Hulk Hogan's former best friend, Bubba The Love Sponge, said he's mad over being labeled 'the bad guy' for reporting 'the truth' about the WWE legend's physical condition before his death Thursday.
YouTube/Bubba The Love Sponge
'And that has caused some people to say, 'You know what, Bubba was right.' — No, I wish to God I wasn't right, because being right means we have a dead Hulk Hogan.'
'I don't know if my telling the truth would be such a big deal if the people like his wife [Daily], Brian Blair, Jimmy Hart, Eric Bischoff, Missy Beefcake and all the other keyboard tough guys were [calling me out].'
Since mid-June, Bubba reported that Hogan's condition was getting worse and said the wrestling icon had spent six weeks in the ICU and on his deathbed.
A rep for Hogan, as well as Bischoff and Daily, denied Bubba's report.
4 Hulk Hogan at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis, TN April 27, 2007.
George Napolitano / SplashNews.com
Just days before Hogan's death, Hart wrote in a since-deleted tweet that that 'Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal!' That post seemingly came in response to a report on Bubba the Love Sponge's show that Hart had been telling people Hogan as was not doing well and couldn't speak.
On July 11, Daily denied rumors that the WWE Hall of Famer was in a coma and had brain damage, stating that 'his heart is strong' and he was recovering from a recent neck surgery.
Daily said in a Facebook post on Friday mourning Hogan that 'he had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed we would overcome them. I had so much faith in his strength. I thought we still had more time.'
4 Hulk Hogan and Sky Daily.
Instagram/Sky Daily
Hogan 71, was taken by ambulance from his home in Clearwater, Fla., early Thursday, with a 911 call citing 'cardiac arrest,' according to TMZ, which reported Hogan was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Clearwater Police Maj. Nate Burnside said there were 'no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.'
Here is the latest on wrestler Hulk Hogan's death
Bubba added that he was just trying to give the public correct information on a very dire situation.
'I have a special connection to this guy that's not special anymore,' he said. 'But, for 15 years, this guys was one of my best friends. We saw each other everyday. There are things that I'll take to my grave that I know that him and I went through.'
4 New York Post cover for Friday, July 25, 2025. Front Page. R.I.P. Hulk. Wrestling superstar, pop-culture icon Hogan dead at 71.
csuarez
Bubba and Hogan had a public falling-out after a sex tape Hogan made with Bubba's then-wife Heather — which was secretly recorded by Bubba in 2007 — was leaked by Gawker in 2012.
Hogan sued Gawker for invasion of privacy and a Florida jury awarded him $140 million, ultimately leading to the website filing for bankruptcy.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
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Ric Flair Pays Emotional Tribute After WWE Rival Hulk Hogan's Death
Ric Flair Pays Emotional Tribute After WWE Rival Hulk Hogan's Death originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Wrestling icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea died Thursday at age 71 in Clearwater, Florida, TMZ has confirmed. Emergency responders were called to Hogan's home Thursday morning. Police vehicles and EMTs arrived shortly after a 911 call reporting a cardiac arrest, and Hogan was loaded onto a stretcher and whisked away by ambulance. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital, according to TMZ. Among the first to react to the news was WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, who posted on X, "I am absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of my close friend @HulkHogan! 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 my friend! 🙏🏻." Bollea Ushers in 'Hulkamania' Era of Wrestling Adopting the moniker Hulk Hogan and donning yellow-and-red gear, Bollea ushered in the "Hulkamania" era that propelled professional wrestling into mainstream pop culture. Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, and his record 1,474‑day WWF Championship reign remains the longest of the WrestleMania era. He was the first wrestler to win back‑to‑back Royal Rumble matches (1990 and 1991) and starred in Saturday Night's Main Event television specials that drew record Nielsen ratings (15.2) and 33 million viewers. Hulk Hogan Leaves WWF for Rival WCW In the mid‑1990s, Hogan jumped to rival promotion WCW, capturing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times and, as "Hollywood" Hogan, leading the New World Order (nWo) stable. The nWo storyline was instrumental in sparking the Monday Night Wars and remains a touchstone of '90s wrestling lore. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 (and again in 2020 as part of the nWo), Hogan's influence extended far beyond any single promotion. Reports of Hogan's Failing Health Earlier in 2025 In May, rumors circulated that Hogan was in critical condition (even in a coma) following a four‑level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) to address chronic spinal issues. His wife, Sky Daily, whom he married in September 2023, publicly denied the most dire speculation, stating that although his rehabilitation was slow, his heart remained strong and he was "on a steady path to recovery." As the face of an entire generation's introduction to sports‑entertainment, Hogan's death marks the end of an story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
