Latest news with #HULKSTER
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Hulk Hogan tribute: WWE's grand SmackDown plan unveiled; Jimmy Hart, Sgt Slaughter in Cleveland
WWE is set to deliver a spectacular tribute to wrestling icon Hulk Hogan during Friday's SmackDown at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The 71-year-old passed away on Thursday. He was pronounced dead at a hospital less than 90 minutes after medics in Clearwater arrived at his home to answer a morning call about a cardiac arrest, police said. Hulk Hogan was declared dead at a hospital on Thursday after medics were called to his house(AP) 'There were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity,' Maj. Nate Burnside told reporters. Several wrestling icons, including The Rock and Ric Flair, posted tributes for Hogan. The WWE is, however, planning a massive tribute on Friday, TMZ Sports reported, citing sources. Read More: Hulk Hogan net worth: A look at WWE star's fortune after tragic death at 71 According to the report, WWE Hall of Famers Jimmy Hart and Sgt Slaughter are slated to attend SmackDown in Cleveland. 'Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase is also reportedly in the city. SmackDown starts at 5 PM PT. Tonight's event, originally slated to build toward SummerSlam, is likely to pivot to spotlight Hogan's era-defining moments, from his WWE Championship reigns to his role in globalizing wrestling. Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005 and reinstated there in 2018. Read More: Ric Flair breaks down after Hulk Hogan dies, Undertaker ends beef to pay tribute to the Hulkster; Vince McMahon too... 'He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon,' McMahon said of Hogan. Actor Dwayne Johnson, popularly known as The Rock, also paid tribute to Hogan. He shared a video alongside Hogan on his Instagram handle on Friday and penned a lengthy note along. "Rest in Peace, Terry Bollea aka The Immortal Hulk Hogan. To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero - myself included," the 53-year-old actor wrote in the caption. "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 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. And that meant the world to that little 12 year-old boy," he wrote. (With AP inputs)
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The Rock pens emotional tribute to Hulk Hogan: 'Thank you for the house'
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 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… 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.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dwayne Johnson hails 'childhood hero' Hulk Hogan
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has posted a touching tribute to his "childhood hero" Hulk Hogan, recalling meeting the late wrestling legend when he was just 12 before going on to face him in the Wrestlemania ring. Johnson revealed he caught Hogan's "Hulkster" headband in the crowd as a young fan at Madison Square Garden in 1984, followed by a meeting that "meant the world to that little 12-year-old boy". The pair then famously squared up in a bout billed as "Icon vs Icon" at Wrestlemania X8 in 2002. "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," wrote Johnson, now a major Hollywood star. Hogan, the biggest name in American professional wrestling throughout the 1980s and 90s, died on Thursday at the age of 71. Tributes have been paid by stars of the wrestling world as well as US President Donald Trump, who won Hogan's support during his election campaigns. 'Thanks kid' In his Instagram message, Johnson wrote: "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." Blood, sweat and tears: Look back at Hulk Hogan's highs and lows US wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71 Johnson, the son of wrestler Rocky Johnson, stepped into the WWF/WWE ring himself as The Rock in 1996, and rose to the top of the bill to face a 48-year-old Hogan at Wrestlemania 18. "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," Johnson's tribute continued. "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." The match ended with The Rock defeating Hogan - but the pair shaking hands and leaving the ring together. "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 #goat."
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Hulk Hogan: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson recalls childhood meeting with 'hero'
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has posted a touching tribute to his "childhood hero" Hulk Hogan, recalling meeting the late wrestling legend when he was just 12 before going on to face him in the Wrestlemania revealed he caught Hogan's "Hulkster" headband in the crowd as a young fan at Madison Square Garden in 1984, followed by a meeting that "meant the world to that little 12-year-old boy".The pair then famously squared up in a bout billed as "Icon vs Icon" at Wrestlemania X8 in 2002."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," wrote Johnson, now a major Hollywood star. Hogan, the biggest name in American professional wrestling throughout the 1980s and 90s, died on Thursday at the age of have been paid by stars of the wrestling world as well as US President Donald Trump, who won Hogan's support during his election campaigns. 'Thanks kid' In his Instagram message, Johnson wrote: "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." Johnson, the son of wrestler Rocky Johnson, stepped into the WWF/WWE ring himself as The Rock in 1996, and rose to the top of the bill to face a 48-year-old Hogan at Wrestlemania 18."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," Johnson's tribute continued."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."The match ended with The Rock defeating Hogan - but the pair shaking hands and leaving the ring together."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 #goat."
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Dwayne Johnson recalls childhood encounter with Hulk Hogan in moving farewell: ‘I've never felt anything like that…'
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson took to Instagram with a tribute today, July 25, that hit wrestling fans straight in the chest. In a post packed with throwback vibes and raw emotion, Johnson honored Hulk Hogan, the larger-than-life icon who passed away on Thursday at the age of 71. Alongside a video of their legendary WrestleMania 18 match playing on an old-school box TV, Johnson walked fans through a full-circle moment that began when he was just a kid with a front-row seat to history and ended with him sharing the ring with his childhood hero. From headband to headliner Before he was The Rock, 12-year-old Dwayne Johnson was just another kid in the crowd at Madison Square Garden. That night in 1984, he caught Hogan's 'HULKSTER' headband and gave it back to him backstage. Hogan was stunned, as it had been his last one: '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.' The wrestler-turned-actor revealed that Hogan had also promised his young self a thank-you gift in return. A month after the event, Hogan kept his promise: he handed young Johnson his own headband with a smile and a 'thanks, kid.' Seventeen years later, they were face-to-face in the ring at WrestleMania. 'Still a kid at the age of 29,' Johnson wrote, remembering the electricity when Hogan kicked out of his Rock Bottom finisher. 'I've never felt anything like that in my entire wrestling career.' A torch passed, but a legacy cemented The Rock made it clear: Hogan did not just pass the torch—he lit the whole arena. 'You drew the house,' Johnson wrote, nodding to Hogan's unmatched star power. 'You sold out every arena and stadium across the country.' '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…,' he closed, 'thank you for the house, brother... Thank you for the house.'
