‘You were shocked and … ‘: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson pens emotional tribute to Hulk Hogan – WATCH | More sports News
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on Friday mourned the loss of his childhood hero and close friend, Hulk Hogan. A day after Hogan’s passing, Johnson took to Instagram to honor the wrestling legend—real name Terry Bollea—with a heartfelt post and a clip from one of their most iconic moments in the ring. The video featured highlights from their unforgettable showdown at WrestleMania X8 in 2002, widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in wrestling history.Hogan passed away on July 24 after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest in Clearwater, Florida. He was 71.In a long, emotional caption, Johnson looked back on not just their historic match, but also the special connection he shared with Hogan growing up. He recalled attending Hogan’s match against Paul “Mr. Wonderful” Orndorff at Madison Square Garden in 1984. During that bout, Hogan tossed his headband into the crowd—right into the hands of a young Dwayne Johnson. After the match, Johnson tried to return it and shared a brief but meaningful exchange with his idol.“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,” Johnson wrote. “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,” Johnson added. “You kept your word, with a handshake and a ‘thanks kid.’ And that meant the world to that little 12 year old boy.”Fast forward to 2002, Johnson, now 29, found himself facing Hogan in the main event of WrestleMania X8 in Toronto.“I’m standing in the middle of the ring and facing you — one of my wrestling heroes in the main event of WRESTLEMANIA,” Johnson wrote. “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,” he added. “You may have ‘passed the torch’ to me that night, but you, my friend…. … you ‘drew the house.'”“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,” he wrote.
