The Rock pens emotional tribute to Hulk Hogan: 'Thank you for the house'

USA Today

5 days ago

A pro wrestling great paid tribute to a pro wrestling icon on Friday.
Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan – real name Terry Bollea – died on Thursday, July 24, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. In the 1980s, Hogan became one of wrestling's biggest superstars, helping propel the American wrestling scene to greater heights.
Dwayne Johnson, known in professional wrestling as The Rock, has a history with Hogan that goes beyond the squared circle. Johnson spent time in wrestling locker rooms during his childhood as his father Rocky Johnson traveled the country with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE).
MORE: Hulk Hogan remembered by Ric Flair, Vince McMahon
On Friday, July 25, Johnson posted a lengthy tribute to Hogan on X, thanking him for the path he set as a professional wrestler when he was a young boy:
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… pic.twitter.com/6kl67EZ8g1
He wrote:
"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."
MENDOZA: Hogan won't be remembered for changing wrestling
While the Rock and Hogan didn't actually main event WrestleMania 18 – that was an honor reserved for Triple H and Chris Jericho in a championship fight – their match is widely considered the biggest on that card and one of the biggest WrestleMania bouts in the event's history.
Johnson, now a Hollywood star while sitting on the board of TKO (WWE's parent company) has made sporadic appearances for WWE in recent years.
Hogan was 71.