American actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson has honored the memory of legendary WWE icon and Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, who died on 24 July, 2025, at the age of 71 following a cardiac arrest.
Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, inspired countless fans worldwide with his charisma and in-ring prowess.
He launched his wrestling career in 1977 and rose to international fame after joining the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now known as WWE) in 1983.
He was first inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of his remarkable solo career. Over the years, he captured six WWE championships and headlined numerous WrestleMania events, becoming the defining figure of professional wrestling in the 1980s.
Expressing their deep loss on X (formerly Twitter), WWE paid tribute to Hogan’s legacy, describing him as one of the most iconic figures in pop culture history.
Dwayne Johnson’s tribute to Hulk Hogan
Dwayne Johnson, who is known for his stage name ‘The Rock’, took to Instagram to reflect on cherished memories with the legendary Hulk Hogan, whom he admired as a childhood hero. In his post, Johnson shared heartfelt stories about their journey together, honoring Hogan’s lasting impact on his life and career.
“Rest in Peace, Terry Bollea aka The Immortal Hulk Hogan
To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero – myself included.
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,” Johnson wrote.
Dwayne Johnson a.k.a ‘The Rock’ VS Hulk Hogan
Although Johnson was a huge fan of Hulk Hogan growing up, he never imagined that one day he would face him in WWE Wrestlemania. At just 29 years old, Johnson found himself standing across from the very icon he once idolized. Reflecting on that moment, this is how Johnson narrated the story:
“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 wrote.
Final goodbye
Closing off his story, Johnson said his last goodbyes to the iconic legend, thanking him for everything.
“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…
Thank you for the house, brother…
Thank you, for the house.
RIP Terry Bollea aka Hulk Hogan,” Johnson wrote.
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