The Rock Pays Tribute To Hulk Hogan, Remembers Iconic WrestleMania X8 Clash

The Rock has paid tribute to Hulk Hogan.

On July 24, it was announced that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan had passed away at his home in Clearwater, Florida.

While surrounded by controversy following his in-ring retirement, Hogan is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in wrestling history. He played a key role in the rise of the WWF alongside Vince McMahon in the 1980s, before teaming with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to create the nWO in WCW.

Hulk Hogan Passed The Torch To The Rock

Following the end of WCW, Hogan made several WWE comebacks and linked back up with Eric Bischoff for a controversial run in TNA, but there can be no doubt about the most famous night of this part of his career.

After returning to the company a month earlier at Now Way Out 2002, Hogan wrestled his first match for WWE in nine years against The Rock at WrestleMania X8. The match is remembered as one of the greatest in WrestleMania history, with a raucous crowd throwing themselves into the action.

Although The Rock won the match, Hogan won his way back into the affections of fans around the world, despite technically being a heel.

In a post on Instagram, The Rock paid tribute to Hogan while reminiscing about that famous night in Toronto.

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.

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.

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.

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…

Thank you, for the house.

RIP Terry Bollea aka Hulk Hogan 🕊️

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In the hours after the news of his passing broke, tributes to Hulk Hogan poured in with WWE legends, Hall of Famers, and even U.S. President Donald Trump sharing their memories.