Tony Schiavone Reveals He Was Floored by Hulk Hogan’s Sudden Death

Hulk Hogan’s death last week left the wrestling world reeling, and for longtime broadcaster Tony Schiavone, the shock was deeply personal.

The 71-year-old WWE Hall of Famer passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack, leaving behind decades of wrestling history and legions of stunned fans. On the latest episode of What Happened When, Schiavone opened up about the moment he learned the news — and how it hit him harder than expected.

“I first got the news from you, Conrad… I let some people in [AEW] know exactly what happened… It just absolutely floored me.”

Schiavone explained that while Hogan’s mobility issues weren’t a secret, no one truly expected the end to come so suddenly.

“I think anybody that knows him knew that he was really struggling to get around.”

The AEW commentator said Hogan’s death made him reflect on more than just the past — it made him look inward.

“You kind of think of your own mortality. You think about how fragile life is. It doesn’t seem like that long ago that I was calling some of his matches.”

Adding to the confusion around Hogan’s passing, the weeks leading up to it were filled with conflicting reports. Hogan’s longtime manager, Jimmy Hart, said they were at karaoke together just days before the heart attack. Hogan’s son Nick was there too, suggesting nothing was seriously wrong.

The only person publicly suggesting Hogan’s condition had turned dire was Bubba the Love Sponge — the former friend who fell out with Hogan over the sex tape scandal. That tape, secretly recorded by Bubba and featuring Hogan making a racist rant, led to a massive legal battle and severed the friendship permanently.

Now, with Hogan gone, Schiavone’s tribute adds a sobering layer to an already painful farewell.

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