The Rock's Heartfelt Tribute for Hulk Hogan Is Making Fans Emotional
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shared a heartfelt tribute to Hulk Hogan following the wrestling legend's death on July 24 at age 71.
"Rest in Peace, Terry Bollea aka The Immortal Hulk Hogan," Johnson started his Instagram caption. "To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero - myself included."
Johnson then shared a personal story from his childhood, recalling a moment that would shape his lifelong admiration for Hogan.
"In 1984, I gave you your 'HULKSTER' headband back, in the locker room in Madison Square Garden - I was the lucky kid caught it when you threw it in the crowd. You were wrestling 'Mr Wonderful', Paul Orndorff that night in the main event," he wrote. "You were shocked and so happy after the match because you told me that was your very last headband and if it weren't for me, you'd have no way of getting that exact one made again. You promised me that you would get more made and give me a Hulkster headband of my own as a thank you gift.
"A month later in Madison Square Garden, you did just that. You kept your word, with a handshake and a 'thanks kid'. And that meant the world to that little 12 year old boy."Years later, Johnson would face his childhood hero in one of the most iconic matches in wrestling history: WrestleMania 18's "Icon vs. Icon" showdown.
The matchup also marked Hogan's return to WrestleMania after nearly a decade.
"Just 17 years later, and still a kid at the age of 29 years old — I'm standing in the middle of the ring and facing you - one of my wrestling heroes in the main event of WRESTLEMANIA. The match was to decide who would go down in history, as The Greatest of All Time. When you kick out of my Rock Bottom finisher - just listen and FEEL that crowd go ELECTRIC…all for you. I've never felt anything like that in my entire wrestling career. It takes two to tango, but that historic crowd reaction was all for you," Johnson shared.
Johnson acknowledged that while he may have won the match, it was Hogan who "drew the house," meaning his name being the reason arenas and stadiums sold out across the country.
"From deep in my bones, and on behalf of this wild and crazy world of professional wrestling that we love, I say to you now, and forever…," Johnson concluded. "Thank you, for the house."The Rock's Heartfelt Tribute for Hulk Hogan Is Making Fans Emotional first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jul 25, 2025
This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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