English
Spanish
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Chinese (Simplified)
Hindi
Japanese
Since news broke of legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan’s death on Thursday, July 24, at age 71, wrestlers and celebrities have come forward to share their condolences and memories.
Hogan suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida and was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to the Clearwater Police Department. TMZ was first to report the news of his death, and the family has since confirmed it to Us Weekly.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” WWE said in a statement. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
Hogan joined WWE, then known as WWF, in 1979, and headlined eight of the first nine editions of WrestleMania. As professional wrestling’s popularity boomed throughout the 1980s, he became one of the faces of the sport until his retirement in 2012.
Keep scrolling for more reactions to his death:
Ric Flair
Known as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all-time, Flair took to X to share his memories with Hogan.
“I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan!” he wrote. “Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be.”
He added that Hogan visited him in the hospital when he had surgery to remove a bowel obstruction that presented life-threatening complications in 2017, and that Hogan lent him money when his son, Reid, was sick. Reid died of a drug overdose in 2013 at age 25.
“He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside,” wrote Flair, 76. “Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend! 🙏🏻”
Charlotte Flair
Ric’s daughter Charlotte, a professional wrestler herself, shared similar memories.
“When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan,” she wrote via X. “My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother.”
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson remembered his iconic WrestleMania 18 match with Hogan in 2002 in a moving Instagram tribute.
“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,” he wrote.
“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,” he continued.
Johnson concluded, “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…”
President Donald Trump
“We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster.’ Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” the president wrote via Truth Social.
Trump continued, “He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”
Vince McMahon
The former WWE chairman, under whom Hogan catapulted to fame in the 1980s, shared a statement via X remembering his longtime friend.
“The world lost a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world. He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon,” McMahon wrote.
“His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled – and made him the consummate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved,” he added.
McMahon concluded, “He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions, ‘Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.’ Today, we pray for him.”
Lee Greenwood
The country music singer shared his heartfelt condolences in a statement via X.
“Our hearts are with the Hogan family, the millions of fans, and friends across the world as we mourn this heartbreaking loss,” he wrote.
J.D. Vance
The current Vice President grew up idolizing Hogan and later became friends with him as Hogan became more involved in Republican politics.
“Hulk Hogan was a great American icon,” Vance, 40, wrote via X. “One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.”
Sgt. Slaughter
An actor and professional wrestler, Slaughter rose to fame at the same time as Hogan. He remembered his longtime rival in a post via X.
“Saddened To Hear About The Passing of Hulk Hogan,” he wrote. “I Guess God Needed An Incredible Angel😇R.I.P.🙏🏻My Friend❤️”
Triple H
Triple H credited Hogan with being one of the “larger than life characters” who made professional wrestling what it is today.
“He was the archetype of what it meant to be a ‘Superstar’ – a global sensation that inspired millions to work hard at whatever it was they wanted to accomplish and a look that made him recognizable to fans around the world,” he explained via X.
“There was no one like The Hulkster and there very well may never be another. My family sends their condolences to his family, friends, and fans,” Triple H added.
Sting
Former professional wrestler Sting posted a picture of him and Hogan shaking hands in the ring to X, writing, “HULK HOGAN – THE GREATEST OF ALL. Can’t thank you enough for all that you did for me and for wrestling fans all over the world. I loved you and I will miss you.”
“My friend, Terry Bollea, RIP,” he concluded.
Donald Trump Jr.
The son of President Donald Trump shared his condolences alongside a selfie with Hogan that he took at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
“R.I.P to a legend. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 HULK HOGAN,” he wrote, adding in a subsequent post, “Hulk Hogan was a real American icon and I’ll never forget his speech in support of my father at the Republican National Convention. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸.”
Bret Baier
The journalist and Fox News host wrote via X, “RIP to a true legend @HulkHogan.”
Vix Crow
Crow, also a veteran pro wrestler, shared a pair of photos with Hogan, writing via X, “R.I.P GOOD UNCLE.”
John Layfield
The former pro wrestler and football player remembered Hogan as fan-friendly and generous with his time, taking the opportunity to visit with the kids Layfield, 58, brought to the United States as part of his charitable work in his current home of Bermuda.
“One of the reasons I got into wrestling. Hulk was always so nice to me and was the one celebrity that wanted to see all the kids I brought over from Bermuda,” he wrote via X. “RIP legend. There will never be another. Hulkamania never dies.”
The Miz
Former MTV-turned-WWE star Mike “The Miz” Mizanin shared via X, “When I was a kid I ate my vitamins, said my prayers because Hulk Hogan told me to. He was someone I looked up to; a larger-than-life presence I copied constantly growing up. The voice, flexing, charisma, he made you want to be bold, loud, confident. RIP, Hulk Hogan.”
The Undertaker
“The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative,” wrote the WWE Hall of Famer via X. “Thank you, Hulk Hogan.”
Linda McMahon
The former WWE CEO-turned-politician remembered Hogan’s contributions to the boom of professional wrestling in the 1980s.
“I had the privilege of knowing and working with [Hulk] Hogan for over 40 years. Hulk was a dear friend and member of our WWE family. His legacy in and out of the ring will always be remembered. He was one of a kind!” the U.S. Secretary of Education wrote via X.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and all of his fans,” she added.
Kane
“Hulk Hogan was a true legend. I was fortunate to work with him a couple of times, including this memorable one,” the iconic WWE wrestler-turned-politician wrote via X, alongside a clip of him impersonating Hogan in a backstage segment on WWE’s SmackDown in 2002. “It was easy to do a Hulkster impersonation when, like millions of guys my age, I’d practiced it in the mirror a thousand times growing up,” he continued, sharing the hashtag #RIPHulkHogan.
Nick Aldis
Current SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis remembered Hogan’s contributions to pro wrestling, as well as his controversial legacy, via X.
“The industry lost a man today that redefined what success could look like in Pro Wrestling. This post is to acknowledge Hulk Hogan’s contributions to the industry, which are difficult to put into adequate words,” he wrote. “Terry Bollea made personal choices that earned him understandable criticism, but I’m not here to weigh in on that.
He continued, “As someone who has put food on the table from pro wrestling for twenty years, I believe it is necessary to take a moment to recognize the importance of Hulk Hogan and Hulkamania to our business. He pulled the wagon and brought a ton of people with him. Brought wrestling into the cable TV era, changed the game for the way performers could monetize their talent. Put simply, he showed us what was possible.”
“Also, he represents my childhood, and millions of others. That deserves recognition. RIP Hulk Hogan,” the British wrestler added.
Matt Cardona
“If it wasn’t for Hulk Hogan, I don’t know if I’d be a pro wrestler or even a pro wrestling fan. RIP Hulkster. Hulkamania will live FOREVER!!!” the former WWE star known as Zack Ryder shared via X.
Kurt Angle
The Olympic gold medalist shared via X, “R.I.P Hulkster, thank you for opening up doors for so many people in the business including myself. There would not be a Kurt Angle, without the American Made, Hulk Hogan. My heart and prayers go out to his family. We lost a real icon today.”
