Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson broke his silence and paid a deeply heartfelt tribute to wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who passed away on Thursday. Multiple reports have stated that Hogan, a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, died on July 24 in Florida due to cardiac arrest.
The Rock, who shared one of wrestling’s most iconic rivalries with Hogan, took to social media to reflect on their time together in the ring and the immense respect he had for the larger-than-life superstar.
Johnson recounted a 1984 moment that shaped his life forever: “In 1984, I gave you your ‘HULKSTER’ headband back, in the locker room in Madison Square Garden I was the lucky kid who caught it when you threw it in the crowd."
Rivalry between The Rock and Hulk Hogan
The Rock, who shared one of wrestling’s most iconic rivalries with Hogan, took to social media to reflect on their time together in the ring and the immense respect he had for the larger-than-life superstar.
He wrote,“You may have “passed the torch” to me that night, but you, my friend you “drew the house” meaning you sold out every arena and stadium across the country in your prime as Hulk Hogan, on your way of becoming the greatest of all time."
"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"
Hogan and The Rock iconic match
Their rivalry came to a head in the unforgettable "Icon vs Icon" match at WrestleMania 18 in Toronto’s Skydome. The bout was hailed as one of the greatest in wrestling history, with the crowd’s electric energy flipping Hogan back into a fan-favourite overnight. The chemistry between Hogan and The Rock was undeniable, and their mutual respect endured long after the final bell.
Following that match, the two briefly joined forces against the nWo, and their final one-on-one encounter came at No Way Out 2003, where The Rock sealed their feud with a victory.
Hogan’s final WWE appearance came during the Raw Netflix debut, where The Rock also made an appearance in the show’s opening segment. With The Rock's tribute, one legend salutes another, reminding the world that icons never truly leave
