The sudden demise of WWE star Hulk Hogan has left celebs, fans and the wrestling world in shock. Condolences are pouring in from all across the world for the WWE Hall of Famer. Hogan passed away on Thursday (July 24) following a cardiac arrest in his residence in Clearwater, Florida. He was 71. Former wrestler Dwayne Johnson paid a heartfelt tribute to his "childhood hero" with a lengthy note on Instagram alongside a video with Hogan.
Dwayne Johnson remembers Hulk Hogan
He started his tribute by writing, "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 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," wrote the 53-year-old actor.
Dwayne recalls a match with Hogan
The Fast and Furious star also wrote about a match with Hogan in 2002 at WrestleMania X8, where Johnson was the winner.
"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," The Rock added.
He concluded his post: "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."
