Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has paid a heartfelt tribute to his ‘childhood hero’ Hulk Hogan after his dying.
The WWE star-turned-actor took an prolonged dive down reminiscence lane and recalled their legendary conflict at WrestleMania 18 in 2002, the place he beat Hogan within the ‘Icon vs. Icon’ important attraction.
Hogan died aged 71 on Thursday after struggling a cardiac arrest at his house in Clearwater, Florida.
The Rock and Hulkster seem to have had a pleasant relationship down the years and his father even fought Hogan.
Johnson, 53, posted a video of his conflict with Hogan on Instagram and wrote: ‘Relaxation in Peace, Terry Bollea aka The Immortal Hulk Hogan. To thousands and thousands of little children you have been a childhood hero – myself included.
‘In 1984, I gave you your ‘HULKSTER’ headband again, within the locker room in Madison Sq. Backyard – I used to be the fortunate child [who] caught it whenever you threw it within the crowd. You have been wrestling ‘Mr Fantastic”,’ Paul Orndorff that evening in the principle occasion.
Dwayne Johnson has paid an emotional tribute to WWE legend and his previous rival Hulk Hogan
The Rock confronted off in opposition to Hogan at WrestleMania 18 in 2002, beating him in an iconic conflict
Wrestling legend Hogan handed away aged 71 on Thursday after struggling a cardiac arrest
‘You have been shocked and so pleased after the match since you instructed me that was your final headband and if it weren’t for me, you’d don’t have any method of getting that precise one made once more. You promised me that you’d get extra made and provides me a Hulkster headband of my very own as a thanks reward.
‘A month later in Madison Sq. Backyard, you probably did simply that. You stored your phrase, with a handshake and a ‘thanks child’. And that meant the world to that little 12 12 months previous boy.
‘Simply 17 years later, and nonetheless a child on the age of 29 years previous — I’m standing in the midst of the ring and dealing with you – one among my wrestling heroes in the principle occasion of WRESTLEMANIA.
‘The match was to resolve who would go down in historical past, as The Best of All Time.
‘Whenever you kick out of my Rock Backside finisher – simply pay attention and FEEL that crowd go ELECTRIC… all for you. I’ve by no means felt something like that in my whole wrestling profession. It takes two to tango, however that historic crowd response was all for you.
‘You will have “handed the torch” to me that evening, however you, my buddy… you “’drew the home,’ which means you bought out each area and stadium throughout the nation in your prime as Hulk Hogan, in your method of turning into the Best of All Time.
‘From deep in my bones, and on behalf of this wild and loopy world {of professional} wrestling that we love, I say to you now, and ceaselessly…
‘Thanks for the home, brother. Thanks, for the home. RIP Terry Bollea aka Hulk Hogan.’
Donald Trump Jr. posted this picture of Hogan in tribute to the late wrestler
Hogan pictured alongside Donald Trump in Atlantic Metropolis in 1987. Hogan would change into one among Trump’s greatest supporters all through his three runs for President of the US.
He appeared pleased and wholesome as he posed up with Governor Ron Desantis in Could 2025
Inside minutes of the information of his dying trickling via, followers and sports activities stars paid tribute to the person who transcended wrestling to change into a Nineteen Eighties popular culture icon.
Donald Trump Jr posted to X, ‘R.I.P to a legend’ and added a selfie of himself with the wrestling star.
Fellow wrestling icon Ric Aptitude wrote, ‘I Am Completely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Shut Buddy @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Facet Since We Began In The Wrestling Enterprise. An Unbelievable Athlete, Expertise, Buddy, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me.
‘He Was At all times There For Me Even After I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Go to Me After I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Probability Of Residing, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Additionally Lent Me Cash When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Examine To You! Relaxation In Peace My Buddy!’
The official X account from the WWE stated, ‘WWE is saddened to study WWE Corridor of Famer Hulk Hogan has handed away. One of popular culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE obtain world recognition within the Nineteen Eighties. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s household, buddies, and followers.’
Former WWE president Vince McMahon posted a prolonged assertion: ‘The world misplaced a treasure immediately. Hulk Hogan was the best WWE Famous person of ALL TIME, somebody who was beloved and admired world wide.
‘He was a trailblazer, the primary performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a worldwide phenomenon. His grit and unbridled thirst for fulfillment have been unparalleled – and made him the consumate performer. He gave all the pieces he needed to the viewers whom he appreciated, revered and beloved.
‘He leaves us with one among his favourite expressions, “Prepare, take your nutritional vitamins and say your prayers.” Immediately, we pray for him.’
Hogan kickstarted ‘Hulkamania’ after defeating the Iron Sheik for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1984
His public persona transcended the ring, making him a family title. He appeared in quite a few motion pictures, together with the third Rocky movie in 1982
Kevin Nash, the final surviving member of the notorious ‘NWO’, posted, ‘I misplaced one other brother. Icon would not even contact it. Relaxation in energy my buddy. NWO 4 life….and past’.
Aptitude’s daughter, former WWE ladies’s world champion Charlotte Aptitude additionally posted a tribute: ‘After I practically misplaced my dad 8 years in the past, one of many few individuals who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My coronary heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Relaxation in peace, brother.’
One other wrestler who shared the ring with Hogan, Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, posted, ‘It is onerous to place into phrases what Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea meant to skilled wrestling and leisure. He could also be gone, however his reminiscence and legacy will stay ceaselessly. RIP Hulkster’.
ESPN’s Pat McAfee posted quite a few pictures from a go to Hogan made on his present and stated, ‘Relaxation Straightforward, brother’.
