Eric Bischoff has announced that he will be unable to attend tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Cleveland, Ohio, which will feature a special tribute to his close friend, the late, great Hulk Hogan. In a post on social media, the former WCW President explained that he could not get to the city in time for the show but would be there in spirit.
The news of his absence is significant, as Bischoff and Hogan shared one of the most transformative and successful partnerships in the history of professional wrestling. Many fans had anticipated that Bischoff would be a part of the on-air tribute to his longtime friend and colleague.
I appreciate the invitation and wish I could be in Clevland in time. But I will be there in spirit. And so will Hulk: WWE remembers Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan https://t.co/4ugNdxYzwz
— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) July 25, 2025
“I Will Be There In Spirit”
Bischoff reposted the official “WWE Remembers Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan” graphic and shared his own message, expressing his regret for not being able to be there in person while sending his support.
“I appreciate the invitation and wish I could be in Cleveland in time,” Bischoff wrote. “But I will be there in spirit. And so will Hulk.”
A Decades-Long Friendship
The professional and personal relationship between Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan changed the wrestling world forever. In 1996, as the President of WCW, Bischoff orchestrated Hogan’s shocking heel turn and the formation of the New World Order (nWo), a storyline that ignited the “Monday Night Wars” and led to the most successful period in the industry’s history.
Beyond their on-screen work, the two were very close personal friends for decades. In the final months of Hogan’s life, they were working together again on the new “Real American Freestyle Wrestling” promotion, a project that was deeply personal to both men.
Tonight’s SmackDown Lineup
The tribute to Hulk Hogan is part of a loaded and emotional lineup for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown. The other announced matches and segments include:
- “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes will address his upcoming Street Fight against John Cena at SummerSlam.
- The Wyatt Sicks will make their first defense of the WWE Tag Team Championship against Andrade and Rey Fenix.
- Alexa Bliss will face one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Roxanne Perez.
- All four participants in the SummerSlam celebrity tag team match—Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, and Jelly Roll—will be in attendance in Logan Paul’s hometown of Cleveland.
