Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson paid tribute to the “immortal” Hulk Hogan on social media following the wrestling legend’s death.
Johnson, who was born into a wrestling family, reminisced about first meeting Hogan over 40 years ago. “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,” Johnson wrote.
“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.”
Seventeen years later, with the Rock now an established star in the WWE, the two wrestlers faced off in the main event at WrestleMania X8 in 2002. “The match was to decide who would go down in history, as The Greatest of All Time,” Johnson wrote. “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 Rock ultimately defeated the then-“Hollywood Hulk Hogan” in a match that lasted nearly 20 minutes. “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,” Johnson wrote.
“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…”
Sylvester Stallone, who starred alongside Hogan in Rocky III early in the wrestler’s career (the role was Hogan’s film debut), also paid tribute on social media, “I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old. He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special. My heart breaks.”
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From Rolling Stone US
