Eric Bischoff has shared an emotional response following the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, who died earlier today at the age of 41. A longtime friend and collaborator of Hogan, Bischoff worked closely with the wrestling icon across WCW, TNA, and most recently, Real American Freestyle. Appearing on The Story with Martha MacCallum on FOX News Channel, Bischoff opened up about the profound impact of Hogan’s passing and offered heartfelt reflections on the man behind the legendary persona.

Speaking from Las Vegas, where he was scheduled to film interviews for Real American Freestyle, Bischoff recalled the moment he learned the news.

“I’m in shock. It still hasn’t really set in. I learned this morning about Hulk’s passing ironically while watching FOX News,” Bischoff shared. “I’m in Las Vegas and scheduled to shoot some interviews here with some of our wrestlers from Real American Freestyle. And I got a text that let me know something was going on. And five minutes later, I was in my room and I’m watching FOX News and got the news. And I have literally been on the phone or responding to texts and e-mails ever since. It hasn’t truly sunk in yet.”

Bischoff went on to describe the difference between the iconic character known to millions and the man he personally knew.

“It’s one of the things that’s most important to me now, I guess, at this point, is, I feel like I knew Terry Bollea. Terry Bollea was different than Hulk Hogan. Terry Bollea, the man, was kind. He was generous to a fault. He was loyal. He just had a big heart. And until you got to know Terry Bollea, you were overwhelmed with the character Hulk Hogan. And that was his life. But he really was one of the kindest, most generous people that I have ever met.”

Bischoff also spoke about Hogan’s spiritual journey, revealing how significant faith had become to him in recent years.

“It was an important part of his life. Terry, like all of us throughout his life, has struggled with his faith and sometimes got closer to it than others, but it was always there. It was always present. It was always a part of who he was. But in the last seven years, six, seven, eight years, in particular, he really got so much closer to his faith. And he was so proud to go through that baptism and just embrace his faith to a level that he never really had prior. And it brought joy to him. And I’m grateful, very grateful for that.”

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