Tribute starts pouring in for Hulk Hogan

A Wrestling Legend’s Final Bell

Wrestling fans worldwide woke up to heartbreaking news that sent shockwaves through the sports entertainment industry. One of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling history, Hulk Hogan, has left us, sparking an unprecedented outpouring of love, memories, and tributes from every corner of the globe.

For over four decades, this larger-than-life personality captivated audiences with his incredible charisma and unforgettable presence. His impact transcended wrestling, making him a global cultural phenomenon that influenced entertainment, pop culture, and countless lives around the world.

WWE Honors Their Greatest Champion

The wrestling company wasted no time in paying proper respect to their legendary superstar. WWE’s official statement expressed deep sadness while acknowledging his monumental role in bringing professional

Their tribute highlighted how this wrestling icon helped WWE achieve global recognition and became one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures. The company extended heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the millions of fans whose lives he touched throughout his remarkable career.

A Memorable Friday Night Tribute

SmackDown became a powerful evening of remembrance as WWE presented its first show following the tragic news. The opening ceremony featured numerous WWE superstars and wrestling legends gathered at the entrance ramp, creating an incredibly moving scene that brought tears to many eyes.

As the crowd repeatedly chanted his name, WWE’s chief content officer delivered touching words about losing one of wrestling’s biggest and most globally recognized icons. “The truth is, he captivated millions of people and inspired them around the globe,” he said, followed by a respectful ten-bell salute that echoed throughout the arena.

Triple H’s Emotional Video Package

The evening’s most touching moment came through a beautifully crafted video tribute narrated by Triple H, showcasing career highlights and unforgettable moments. The presentation celebrated everything from early wrestling days to WrestleMania performances, capturing the essence of what made this superstar so special to wrestling fans worldwide.

“We would not be standing here right now, all of us together, if it was not for him,” Triple H explained during the emotional tribute. The video package reminded everyone of the incredible journey that transformed professional wrestling into the global entertainment phenomenon we know today.

Current Champions Show Their Respect

Cody Rhodes addressed the complicated legacy while acknowledging the undeniable impact on sports entertainment. He spoke honestly about the mixed feelings surrounding the passing, calling it a “complicated” situation while recognizing the “staggering and indisputable” accomplishments within WWE.

Rhodes concluded his segment by thanking the legend for being the very first “WWE Superstar,” showing how current wrestlers understand their debt to those who paved the way. His thoughtful words captured the wrestling community’s complex but respectful approach to honoring this controversial yet influential figure.

International Wrestling Tributes Continue

The emotional remembrance extended beyond American borders as WWE held additional ten-bell salutes at international events. At the WWE SuperShow in Mexico City, fans joined together in honoring the wrestling legend, proving his global impact transcended cultural and language barriers.

Wrestling promotions worldwide acknowledged his influence on their industry and entertainment culture. AEW stars like Ric Flair posted heartfelt video tributes, while international wrestling communities shared their own memories of how this American icon influenced their local wrestling scenes.

Hollywood Remembers a Friend

Sylvester Stallone led Hollywood tributes with a touching Instagram post about their collaboration on the classic film Rocky III. “I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was twenty-six years old,” Stallone wrote, adding that “he was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special.”

Brooke Shields also shared warm memories of their television work together, posting photos from their time on Suddenly Susan. “Rest easy, Hulk,” she wrote, “this moment and his entire guest episode on Suddenly Susan was a true highlight. Sending love to all of his loved ones today.”

The Rock’s Heartfelt Childhood Memory

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson delivered one of the most emotional celebrity tributes, sharing a deeply personal story from his childhood. He recalled being just twelve years old when the wrestling legend kept his promise to get a replacement headband made after Johnson had returned one he caught during a Madison Square Garden event.

“You kept your word, with a handshake and a ‘thanks kid’. And that meant the world to that little twelve year old boy,” Johnson wrote. He concluded his tribute by saying “thank you for the house, brother,” referring to how this legend “drew the house” by selling out arenas and stadiums across the country.

Music and Entertainment Industry Mourns

The hip-hop community unexpectedly joined the tributes, with Fat Joe being among the first to react. “He was my friend,” Joe wrote, calling the wrestling icon “a true American Icon” and promising to share stories about their friendship on his upcoming show.

Sexyy Red expressed shock with a simple but powerful social media post, while Westside Gunn and Metro Boomin also shared their thoughts. The diverse range of entertainment figures paying respects demonstrated how this wrestling superstar’s influence extended far beyond the squared circle into mainstream American culture.

Political World Pays Their Respects

President Donald Trump led political tributes with a lengthy Truth Social post praising his longtime friend. “We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster,'” Trump wrote, describing him as “strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart” and calling his Republican National Convention speech “one of the highlights of the entire week.”

Vice President JD Vance called him “a great American icon” and “one of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid”. House Speaker Mike Johnson also shared fond memories, writing about having memories “from my childhood in the eighties, to campaigning with him last year.”

Wrestling Legends Honor Their Peer

Ric Flair delivered one of the most heartfelt tributes from the wrestling world, expressing absolute shock at the news. “Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business,” Flair wrote, describing him as “An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father!”

The Undertaker honored his longtime colleague by stating “The wrestling world has lost a true legend”. Vince McMahon called him “the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME,” while numerous other wrestling personalities shared their own memories and condolences across social media platforms.

International Fans Share Their Grief

Bollywood actors joined the global mourning, with Varun Dhawan writing, “You inspired an entire generation, Hulkster. RIP”. Arjun Kapoor shared a touching message: “A part of my childhood just went with you Hulkster… Thank you for the memories.”

Ranveer Singh posted a childhood photo with a wrestling poster, captioning it “Hulkamania Forever”. These international tributes showcased how American wrestling entertainment had touched lives across continents, creating a truly global community of fans who grew up watching these legendary matches.

Sky Daily’s Heartbreaking Statement

The wrestling icon’s wife Sky Daily broke her silence with an incredibly emotional Instagram post that brought fans to tears. “I wasn’t ready for this…and my heart is in pieces,” she wrote, revealing that while he had been dealing with health issues, she truly believed they would overcome them together.

“To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart,” Daily continued. She emphasized how despite his growing physical discomfort, he always made efforts to connect with fans, sign autographs, and show up for those who supported him through everything.

Local Community Remembers Their Neighbor

Clearwater Beach residents mourned not just a wrestling legend, but a local community member who regularly interacted with fans. At his restaurant, Hogan’s Hangout, community members gathered to watch the WWE tribute and share their own memories of meeting the wrestling icon around town.

Local fans described him as always being gracious with his time, taking photos and chatting with people who approached him. Church members recalled seeing him at services and during karaoke nights, painting a picture of someone who remained connected to his local community despite his global fame.

Wrestling Fans Unite in Remembrance

Social media exploded with fan tributes ranging from childhood photos to wrestling memorabilia collections. Fans flooded his business social media pages with condolences, shared favorite match memories, and posted pictures from wrestling events they attended over the decades.

The Reddit wrestling community created extensive tribute threads where fans shared personal stories of meeting the legend. Many described how his positive messages about training hard and eating vitamins influenced their own lives, while others recalled the excitement of watching his matches with family members during wrestling’s golden era.

WWE legend Hulk Hogan has died at 71, with fans and fellow wrestlers paying tribute.

 A Legacy That Lives Forever

As tributes continue pouring in from around the world, one thing becomes crystal clear – this wrestling legend’s impact extends far beyond entertainment. He transformed professional wrestling from a niche attraction into mainstream entertainment, inspiring countless performers and touching millions of lives across generations.

While his personal life contained complexities and controversies, the overwhelming response to his passing demonstrates the profound connection he forged with fans worldwide. His catchphrases, signature moves, and larger-than-life personality will forever remain part of pop culture history, ensuring that Hulkamania truly will live forever in the hearts of those who grew up believing in heroes.

As one legend leaves the stage, Fans remember another, Paul Libin, the visionary behind Circle in the Square.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and with human editing.