Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson pays tribute to Hulk Hogan

The death of Hulk Hogan has sent shockwaves sent the news broke on Thursday. Hogan, one of the most famous professional wrestlers of all time, was an inspiration to so many out there. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was certainly one of them.

As plenty have over the last 48 hours, Johnson posted a tribute to Hogan on social media. Johnson talked about the personal relationship with Hogan, dating back to when the former was a youngster. Eventually, they went head-to-head and shared great moments at a professional level.

“To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero – myself included,” Johnson said via X. “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 had a whole lot more in his tribute, ending the message with #GOAT. An old-school video of one of their wrestling bouts was attached too, adding a nice piece of nostalgia for plenty of people out there. You can check out the full thing here.

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

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) July 25, 2025

More on the death of Hulk Hogan

Legendary professional wrestler Hulk Hogan — whose real name is Terry Bollea — has died, according to TMZ. He was 71 years old.

TMZ reports medics were dispatched to the Clearwater, Fla., home of the former WCW and WWE superstar early Thursday morning. It was described by emergency operators as a “cardiac arrest.”

A “slew of police cars and EMTs” were reportedly parked outside Bollea’s home as the wrestling icon was carried out on a stretcher and into an ambulance. Police told TMZ that officers responded to the call at 9:51 am ET and Bollea was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue personnel before being transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report