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Triple H Asked WWE Talent To Make Major Decision After Hulk Hogan’s Death

By Gaurav Singh • Published Apr 23, 2026 09:28 EDT
Hulk Hogan Triple H
Triple H and late Hulk Hogan (Image Source-WWE.com)

Triple H had asked the WWE talent to make a decision while giving Hulk Hogan a tribute after his passing last year.

Hulk Hogan has been one of the biggest names in the history of professional wrestling and sports entertainment. He was the face of the WWE during the 1980s and early 1990s. Hogan also went on to be the biggest star in WCW throughout the 1990s. In July last year, the wrestling world was saddened when the news broke that Hulkster had passed away at the age of 71.

Although Hogan was a polarizing figure due to his controversial statements, the majority of people within the wrestling community offered respect for the legend after his passing last year. Hulk Hogan was also given a tribute by the WWE for his huge contributions to the company, and a documentary on his life and career was also released recently on Netflix.

Triple H gave WWE talent a choice after Hulk Hogan’s passing

On the SmackDown episode after Hulk Hogan passed away, WWE gave him a 10-bell salute at the start of the show in Cleveland. In a clip from the ‘Hulk Hogan: Real American’ documentary, which is now streaming on Netflix, Triple H was seen talking to his team backstage about the influence of Hogan on the industry:

All right, guys, welcome to Cleveland. Just before we get started, as I’m sure everyone is aware, unfortunate passing of Hulk Hogan yesterday,” Levesque said. “Hard to say there’s been a more influential figure, especially on the performing side. No one is perfect in life, and they had ups and downs, but we’re going to continue to remember Hulk Hogan as what he meant to this industry,” Hunter said.

Before the 10-bell salute, Triple H gave his talent a choice that if anyone had an issue with Hogan’s controversial remarks from the past, he/she could opt not to be on stage:

His influence cannot be denied and it cannot be overstated. You could make an argument that we probably wouldn’t be sitting here today. This business might have gone the way of roller derby or some other sh*t that didn’t quite make it to the end. But here we are. So we’re going to start this show out tonight with a 10-bell salute with everybody on stage. I don’t think it needs to be said, but anybody that has an issue, does not want to be on that stage — no problem, no issue, no anything.”

A number of top talents and legends appeared on stage to give Hulk Hogan a tribute on SmackDown.

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