Brutus Beefcake Reflects on Hulk Hogan’s Passing

WWE Hall of Famer Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, whose real name is Ed Leslie, expressed sadness over not being able to see his longtime friend Hulk Hogan before his death at 71. Beefcake shared his feelings during a conversation with TMZ Sports, where he recalled their strong bond.

He mentioned that he had heard deteriorating news about Hogan’s health and was contemplating visiting him in Clearwater, Florida. “I was just about to head to his house a few days ago,” Beefcake reflected, explaining that his wife encouraged him to go. He felt a surge of emotion and thought, “Oh my God, if I had gone and he wasn’t there, that would have haunted me.”

When asked what he would say to Hogan if he had the chance to speak with him again, Beefcake responded, “I love you, brother. We truly were friends until the end.” He emphasized how much Hogan’s friendship meant to him, stressing that it played a crucial role in his entry into professional wrestling.

Beefcake reminisced about how Hogan supported him during tough times, including a severe parasailing accident he suffered in 1990. Despite challenges, Hogan was there for him, traveling from California to Florida to offer support. “I didn’t expect to survive that accident. When I woke up from a coma, he told me, ‘Don’t even think about it, Brutus, you’re going to live,’ and I did,” Beefcake recalled.

The two wrestlers had a significant career together, once known as the Boulder Brothers before Beefcake adopted his iconic ring name. They also faced off in the main event of WCW Starrcade in 1994. Beefcake was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019.

Hogan passed away in the hospital after suffering a heart event at home.