Ric Flair & Hulk Hogan’s Special Friendship in PHOTOS

The wrestling world is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic legends. Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, died Thursday at the age of 71 from cardiac arrest, as first reported by TMZ. Hogan wasn’t just a wrestling superstar—he was a pop culture phenomenon who helped turn the sport into a global entertainment brand. Following the news, tributes began flooding social media, among them from fellow icon Ric Flair, who shared a heartfelt tribute reminding fans just how close the former rivals were.

Ric Flair Leads Tributes to His ‘Close Friend’ Hulk Hogan

Flair, who joined the WWF in 1991 after a long and decorated run with other promotions, often stood across the ring from Hogan during the ’90s. Though they were frequently pitted as opposites—Hogan with his all-American bravado and Flair with his lavish, villainous flair—their bond off-camera was real.

“I am absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of my close friend @hulkhogan,” 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.”

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Flair’s tribute went even deeper, revealing personal moments fans never knew about. “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!”

According to Cagematch, Hogan and Flair faced each other 32 times across WWF, WCW, WWE, and TNA—beginning in 1991 and stretching into 2010.

Hulk vs The Nature Boy: The WrestleMania Match That Never Happened

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Despite both men being titans of the industry, a Hogan vs. Flair match at “WrestleMania” never materialized. That fact remains one of wrestling’s biggest “what ifs.”

“Me and Flair had magic in the old WWF,” Hogan once shared, according to Sports Illustrated. “But there was more than one agenda there. Vince [McMahon] got what he needed, then spread us apart.”

Flair arrived in WWF in 1991, and the company teased a dream feud with Hogan for months. Flair cost Hogan the world title at “Survivor Series,” then won the vacant championship at “Royal Rumble” 1992. Fans expected the duo to headline “WrestleMania VIII,” but the matchup never came to be.

“I wanted to work with Ric,” Hogan recalled. “There’s no doubt he was one of the greatest ever… We never really had the chance to run wild together in WWF. That gave us a chance for it to happen in WCW. That was round two for us. People wanted to see it, and you’ve got to give the people what they want.”