The Rock Honors Hulk Hogan: Emotional Tribute to a Wrestling Legend

In a heartfelt tribute that has touched the hearts of wrestling fans worldwide, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson honored the late Hulk Hogan, who passed away at the age of 71. The wrestling legend, often dubbed 'the immortal,' was a towering figure in the industry, and Johnson’s emotional words remind us just how deep those iconic yellow and red colors run in the veins of this sport.

Sharing a personal memory, Johnson recounted a moment from 1984 in Madison Square Garden when, as a starry-eyed 12-year-old, he caught Hogan’s 'HULKSTER' headband tossed into the crowd. After returning it to Hogan post-match, the wrestling icon was overjoyed, revealing it was his last of its kind. True to his word, Hogan later gifted Johnson a new headband as a thank-you—a small gesture that left a lifelong impact on the young fan. That’s the kind of hero Hogan was—larger than life, yet personal and real.

Johnson also reflected on their epic clash at WrestleMania X8 in the Rogers Centre, a match etched in history as a battle to determine 'The Greatest of All Time.' The electric roar of the crowd when Hogan kicked out of Johnson’s signature Rock Bottom was, in Johnson’s words, unlike anything he’d ever experienced. It was Hogan’s moment, proof that he could still draw a house like no other. Johnson acknowledged Hogan’s unparalleled ability to sell out arenas in his prime, cementing his legacy as a true titan of the ring.

Closing his tribute, Johnson expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire wrestling world, saying, 'Thank you for the house, brother.' Meanwhile, WWE honored Hogan on 'SmackDown!' with a 10-bell salute, joined by current superstars and past rivals. The crowd’s chants of 'Hogan! Hogan!' echoed through the arena, a fitting farewell to a man who defined an era.

Hogan, born Terry Bollea, wasn’t just a wrestler; he was a cultural phenomenon, bridging the gap between sport and entertainment. His loss is felt deeply, but his legacy—those unforgettable matches, that iconic mustache, and the sheer power of 'Hulkamania'—will live on forever.