Hulk Hogan’s pal Jimmy Hart says WWE star was doing 'great' day before death but things changed overnight

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA: The world of professional wrestling is mourning the shocking and sudden death of Hulk Hogan on Thursday morning, July 24 at age 71.

Close friend and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart shared heartfelt memories and disbelief in an exclusive interview the following day, describing Hogan’s final hours as an unimaginable turn of events.

Jimmy Hart remembers Hulk Hogan’s final hours

“I called (Hulk) on Wednesday night, and then Thursday morning is when everything took place,” Hart told PEOPLE from Cleveland, where WWE was preparing to honor the wrestling legend at Friday Night SmackDown. “Just overnight it all happened. But it was so positive the day before.”

Hart, 81, said he last saw Hogan about a month ago, shortly before the wrestling legend underwent neck surgery due to lingering nerve issues. The two had been virtually inseparable over the years, watching wrestling together multiple times a week and enjoying Monday night karaoke with Hogan’s son Nick at their Clearwater, Florida hangout, Hogan’s Hangout.

Recounting their final in-person interaction, Hart said Hogan was in great spirits.

“He was great. He had great food that night. He was talking with the fans. He was just phenomenal.”

When Hart called him earlier this week, he spoke to Hogan’s assistant, who assured him the WWE legend was “doing great.” Hart responded with a cheerful message, “Well, tell him I love him.”

By the next morning, Hogan was found unresponsive at his home in Clearwater. Police responded to a cardiac arrest call, and the 12-time world champion was later pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital.

“It just hits so fast,” Hart said. “It was like, ‘Oh my God.’ We thought he was doing so well, you know?” He added that they had intentionally avoided visiting Hogan at home or in the hospital in recent weeks to avoid exposing him to potential illness, out of an abundance of caution.

“We didn't go to see him at the house and didn't go to see him at the hospital, because we wanted to make sure that he didn't get any infections or anything else, like if anybody had a cold or brought anything in. So, that's what we all did.”

Jimmy Hart opens up about decades-long friendship with Hulk Hogan

WWE legend Jimmy Hart reflected emotionally on his longtime friendship with Hulk Hogan on Friday, speaking to PEOPLE from the Rocket Arena ahead of WWE's special tribute to the 12-time world champion during Friday Night SmackDown.

“Anytime you lose anybody in this business, it's such a tight-knit group, it's like a fraternity,” Hart said. “And it affects all of us. And the show must go on and all that, but that's just the way it is.”

Hart recalled meeting Hogan for the first time in Memphis, Tennessee, during the early days of their wrestling careers. At the time, Hart was managing Jerry “The King” Lawler, and Hogan had been brought in to face Lawler in a match. “We’ve been friends ever since,” Hart said.

Not long after, Hart stepped into the role of Hogan’s manager, accompanying the wrestling icon on the road and serving as his spokesperson whenever “Hulkamania” electrified arenas worldwide under the WWF banner (now known as WWE).