The Rock cooked up a heartfelt tribute to Hulk Hogan.
Thousands and thousands of Hulkamaniacs mourned the lack of the wrestling legend on Thursday, and Dwayne Johnson was considered one of them.
The WWE star turned actor made a social media put up to honor Hogan, who died on the age of 71.
“Relaxation in Peace, Terry Bollea aka The Immortal Hulk Hogan,” Johnson wrote in his put up, which included a video of his match towards Hogan at WrestleMania 18 in 2002. “To thousands and thousands of little children you have been a childhood hero – myself included.”
Hogan paved the best way for Johnson in additional methods than one – first by serving to wrestling attain its pinnacle after which by making a path for wrestlers to make their manner from the ring to the massive display screen.
Lengthy earlier than turning heel as Hollywood Hogan, Hogan went Hollywood by starring in motion pictures. He was the lead in “No Holds Barred” in 1989, “Suburban Commando” in 1991 and “Mr. Nanny” in 1993 – and he, in fact, made a “Rocky III” cameo in 1982 previous to the rise of Hulkamania.
Johnson, after changing into one of many largest stars in wrestling in the course of the WWE’s Angle Period that started within the Nineteen Nineties, grew to become considered one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors.
Hogan and Johnson squared off within the ring at WrestleMania 18, which was Hogan’s first match on the occasion since 1993. The Rock defeated Hollywood Hogan in what is taken into account some of the iconic matches in WWE historical past.
“While you kick out of my Rock Backside finisher – simply hear and FEEL that crowd go ELECTRIC…
all for you,” Johnson wrote in his put up. “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 could have “handed the torch” to me that evening, however you, my pal….
“… you “drew the home” which means you offered out each enviornment and stadium throughout the nation in your prime as Hulk Hogan, in your manner of changing into the best of all time.”
Hogan praised The Rock throughout a 2023 interview with Sports activities Illustrated amid Johnson’s return to WWE.
“The Rock, he’s considered one of a sort,” Hogan stated. “He’s on one other degree. That was noticeable immediately. However one half stood out to me – and I believed it was very clear. Rock nonetheless has wrestling in his blood.”
Hogan recalled rehearsing for his or her WrestleMania match whereas Johnson’s father – Rocky Johnson, a former wrestler – appeared on.
“I’d identified Rocky Johnson for a very long time, even earlier than I began to wrestle,” Hogan instructed Sports activities Illustrated. “He was somebody I appeared as much as. And that day, I can nonetheless keep in mind standing within the ring speaking with Dwayne, and all we may hear was Rocky Johnson yelling, ‘Dwayne, hearken to Hogan!’”
‘Hulkamania lives on’
Stone Chilly Steve Austin, who had a Hulkamania-level affect on the WWE’s Angle Period, additionally honored Hogan on Thursday with a social media put up.
“Hulk Hogan was born to be a Skilled Wrestler,” Austin wrote. “Bigger than life. Charisma for days. He was in a stratosphere all on his personal. His contributions are immense. His affect will likely be without end. Hulkamania lives on.”
Hogan, Austin and The Rock shared the ring in 2014 on the opening of WrestleMania 30, uniting three of the largest stars in wrestling historical past.
“Hulk Hogan kicked a whole lot of a– for a very long time,” Austin stated whereas within the ring with Hogan. “We’ve been very protecting of our legacies. Sitting subsequent to you, watching all of the dues you paid, what you probably did for the enterprise, I obtained nothing however respect for you. I’m right here to say I admire the residing hell out of what you’ve executed for this enterprise.”
The Rock then joined them.
“After I look throughout this ring, I don’t see simply two of the largest legends of all time. No, no, no, no,” The Rock stated. “After I look throughout this ring, I don’t see simply two of the largest icons of all time. No, no, no, no. After I look throughout this ring, I see my good buddy Stone Chilly Steve Austin, and I see my childhood hero the immortal Hulk Hogan. And with no shadow of a doubt, and I imply this from the center, I look throughout this ring and I see, with out query, the 2 largest names within the historical past of the WWE.”
The three then exchanged their iconic catch phrases, shared an in-ring toast and chugged some beers in what could be their last time collectively within the ring.
“From deep in my bones, and on behalf of this wild and loopy world {of professional} wrestling that we love,” Johnson wrote in closing on his put up, “I say to you now, and without end…
“Thanks for the home, brother…”
