Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is paying tribute to Hulk Hogan, a childhood hero of his who paved the way for The Rock to become a crossover superstar in wrestling and Hollywood.
Hogan passed away of cardiac arrest at 71 years old on Thursday following weeks of post-neck surgery health complications. In an Instagram tribute, The Rock shared how Hogan impacted his life dating back to when he was just a child growing up as the son of Rocky Johnson.
“To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero – myself included,” Rock wrote. “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. You were wrestling ‘Mr Wonderful’ Paul Orndorff that night in the main event. 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.”
Hogan and Rock would later share the ring together in 2002, when they faced off in one of the most famous matches in WWE history at WrestleMania 18. It was a special night for The Rock getting to defeat his childhood hero in a passing of the torch moment.
“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,” Rock wrote in his tribute. “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. 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.”
Hogan’s pop culture superstardom in 1980s helped make it possible for wrestlers like The Rock and John Cena to branch out into acting roles in their own eras. That will always be part of Hogan’s legacy as an on-screen performer.
“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,” Rock said. “Thank you, for the house. RIP Terry Bollea aka Hulk Hogan.”
