Hulk Hogan’s son has paid tribute to his late father following the professional wrestler’s death on Thursday at the age of 71.
Nick Hogan attended World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)’s Monday Night Raw for a 10-bell salute to open the show.
Newsweek reached out to Nick Hogan’s representative for comment on Tuesday via email outside regular working hours.
The Context
Hulk Hogan—whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea—rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s, bringing wrestling into the mainstream. The WWE Hall of Famer was also a television personality and starred on the popular reality series Hogan Knows Best alongside his ex-wife, Linda Hogan, and their two children: son Nick Hogan and daughter Brooke Hogan.
What To Know
WWE honored Hulk Hogan on Monday Night Raw at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Nick Hogan was in the center of the stage for the for the tribute with his wife, Tana Lea.
Following chants of “Hogan! Hogan!” from the audience, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque spoke out about Hulk Hogan’s legacy.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we lost one of the biggest and most globally recognized icons in the world,” he said. “A man I grew up watching, was fortunate enough to share the ring with, and like so many of us, were honored to call a friend. The truth is, he captivated millions of people and inspired them around the globe. We would not be standing here right now, all of us together, if it was not for him.”
The 10-bell salute was followed by a video, which featured Alex Warren’s hit “Ordinary” over a montage of clips and photos from Hulk Hogan’s childhood and career.
Hulk Hogan died on July 24 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. The Clearwater Police Department said emergency crews responded to a 911 call at the property, and he was transferred to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
What People Are Saying
Nick Hogan wrote on Instagram: “My dad was the most incredible person I’ve ever known and will always be my hero. He was the most kind, loving and amazing father anybody could ask for. I feel so blessed to have had the greatest dad in the world. He was not only the best dad but also my mentor and my best friend. He always has been my best friend and I love him and miss him more than I could ever explain. I thanked him for everything he has ever done for me and told him how much I loved him and hugged him every chance I got. I spent a lot of time with him the past few years after moving back to Florida to be closer to him and I am so grateful for those memories. They are the best moments in my life.
“I would do anything to have him back but I know now that he will always be watching over me. I will always remember the lessons and advice he gave me and carry on in a way that I know would make him proud. Thank you for being the best dad in the world and thank you for being my best friend. I love you so much Big Dog and I will miss you forever.”
Hulk Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily, wrote in a statement posted to Instagram: “I wasn’t ready for this… and my heart is in pieces.
“He had been dealing with some health issues, but I truly believed we would overcome them. I had so much faith in his strength. I thought we still had more time.
“This loss is sudden and impossible to process. To the world, he was a legend… but to me, he was my Terry. The man I loved. My partner. My heart.
“Hulk loved his fans so much and despite his growing physical discomfort, he did everything he could to show up, sign autographs, take photos, and connect with the people who supported him through it all. You meant everything to him.
“He was a believer in Christ, and I take comfort knowing his soul is at peace and he’s been welcomed home.
“Please keep his family and all of us who loved him in your prayers as we try to navigate this new reality.”
President Donald Trump paid tribute to Hulk Hogan, a vocal supporter of his, on Truth Social: “We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster.’ Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. 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!
WWE wrote in a statement on X: “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. 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.”
What Happens Next
Monday Night Raw airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix.
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