Ric Flair reflects on Hulk Hogan's death and career: 'It gives me anxiety that I could be next'

Yahoo

4 days ago

The passing of Hulk Hogan this past week shook the pro-wrestling world to its core — and Hogan's longtime friend Ric Flair, in particular.
The Hall of Fame duo were arguably wrestling's two biggest superstars throughout the 1980s. Rumors swirled in recent weeks regarding Hogan's declining health, yet from what Flair knew, Hogan was doing fine, which made the icon's death all the more shocking to him.
Having had more time to process the news, Flair reacted to Hogan's passing Monday on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show."
"I had just talked to [Hogan's longtime friend] Jimmy Hart the day before [Hogan passed], and I didn't actually speak with Hulk, but everything was fine," Flair said. "I knew that he had health issues, but I thought they were being embellished by that radio disc jockey Bubba [the Love Sponge].
"[Hogan] seemed to be fine, but I think he just got tired. Eleven back operations, hip replacements, now a neck surgery. How much can your body take?
"We've all put ourselves in ridiculous positions in the business. But, I mean, here I am, I'm five years older than Hulk and I don't hurt at all. I've had some serious health issues, but I don't have an ache or pain in my body. It bothers me, and, of course, it gives me anxiety that I could be next."
Flair, 76, as alluded to, has had his own health scares in recent years. Just this year he overcame a battle with skin cancer, but now the two-time WWE Hall of Famer appears to be in good condition.
At the height of Flair and Hogan's powers, there was no one as prolific in the business, making their every collision into a veritable dream match. Despite the arrogance oozed by Flair's kayfabe character, the living legend said he never had a problem being a notch behind Hogan at the boom of their popularity.
"I have no problem giving that up," said Flair, who dubbed Hogan "the biggest star in the business."
"There's a discussion that I would have with anybody. The two biggest stars [in pro-wrestling history], Hulk came first, and [Stone Cold] Steve [Austin] came second," he said.
It's been well-documented over the years how aware Hogan was of his position within the industry and how he sometimes used it to his advantage, especially in WCW, where Hogan held creative control with his career within the company. However, Flair said he was never directly affected by Hogan's stardom and was never bothered by how Hogan handled his business in and around the locker room.
"Back then, it's really hard to explain to fans — it was really tough to stay on top because everybody would stab you in the back, go to the promoter. Everybody," Flair said. "I'm proud of him. He fought for what he wanted. It's like, Roddy Piper was my best friend, but Piper would not put Hulk over. They hated each other, but they didn't hate each other personally. Everybody wanted that [top] spot.
"My problem was promoters not paying me, but if I'm working with Hulk Hogan, I'm in the main event. That's all you can ask for as a wrestler. He's not controlling my paycheck. He's just a great guy that didn't trust anybody, and I took pride in [him trusting me]. He didn't trust Vader, he didn't trust Rick Rude. He just wanted to work with me when he first came [to WCW]. I'm the one that went and got him. I took [WCW Executive Producer] Eric [Bischoff] down to Disney to see him. [Hogan] was filming 'Thunder In Paradise.' They left me in the car, went in the trailer, and Hulk came out with a $25 million deal. I was stuck with my $500,000 deal, but I didn't care. I was in the main event."
In 1992, Flair vs. Hogan was primed to be showcased on the biggest stage imaginable: WrestleMania 8.
To set up the fantasy pairing, Flair won that year's Royal Rumble. Instead of facing Hogan, though, Flair unsuccessfully defended his WWF Championship against Macho Man Randy Savage, while Hogan defeated Sid Justice in the night's main event.
Flair still can't say why he didn't wrestle Hogan at "The Showcase of the Immortals," but ultimately he boils it down to Hogan doing what was best for his own career.
"I don't think Hulk wanted to leave [WWF] on a losing note," Flair said, "which I totally understand, because who am I after what he's done for the company?"
After parting ways with WWF in 1993, Hogan famously joined WCW, where he turned heel and formed the NWO with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.
As a master heel for the majority of his career, even technically when he was working as a babyface, Flair still finds the art of Hogan's iconic turn at Bash at the Beach 1996 to be flawless.
When compared to modern-day moments, such as John Cena's shocking heel turn this year, Flair explained why Hogan's arguably most captivating on-screen moment can never be replicated.
"Some guys just can't be a heel," Flair said. "John, as great as he is, he's just not a bad guy because he's such a good guy. Hulk could be a prick, but it's from all those years of battling for his spot. Everybody wanted Hulk's spot. But hey, man, it's a testament to who he is that he was able to go through it."