Wrestling World Mourns “Hulkster”: Tributes Pour in for Legendary Hulk Hogan

From Ric Flair to Sylvester Stallone, Icons Remember the Larger-Than-Life Superstar Who Passed Away at 71

Gurugram, Haryana, India: The wrestling community and fans worldwide are reeling from the news of Hulk Hogan’s passing. The iconic superstar, who famously brought “Hulkamania” to the masses, died on Thursday at the age of 71, reportedly due to cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. As the news spread, an outpouring of heartfelt tributes flooded social media and news outlets, highlighting the immense impact Hogan had on countless lives and the entire entertainment industry.

One of the most touching messages came from wrestling legend Ric Flair, a longtime friend and on-screen rival of Hogan’s. Flair took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his deep grief, emphasizing their decades-long bond: “Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business,” Flair tweeted. “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 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. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!”

Beyond the squared circle, Hollywood also shared its sorrow. Actor Sylvester Stallone, who famously grappled with Hogan (as Thunderlips) in the iconic film Rocky III, posted a poignant message on Instagram: “I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old. He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special. My heart breaks….” Stallone added a sense of personal loss to his tribute, reminiscing about Hogan’s youthful energy and the indelible mark he left on the Rocky franchise.

Another close friend from the wrestling world, Brutus Beefcake (referring to Hogan by his real name, Terry Bollea), expressed his devastation, revealing a poignant wish: “Through the good times and the bad, I always loved my brother Terry!” wrote Beefcake. “I am devastated by the loss of my friend, I only wish we had time to mend our broken friendship before his passing. Until I see you Brother, in the big squared circle in the sky! I love you.”

Jake “The Snake” Roberts, another respected figure in wrestling, acknowledged Hogan’s unparalleled legacy: “It’s hard to put into words what Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea meant to professional wrestling and entertainment. He may be gone, but his memory and legacy will live forever.”

The WWE itself released a statement shortly after the news, acknowledging Hogan’s monumental contribution: “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.”

Even political figures weighed in, with President Donald Trump recalling his friendship with Hogan: “We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster.’ Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.” Trump highlighted Hogan’s “absolutely electric speech” at the Republican National Convention as a “highlight of the entire week.”

Vince McMahon, the legendary former head of WWE, who played a pivotal role in Hogan’s rise to global stardom, called him the “greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME.” He added, “He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon… He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions, ‘Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.’ Today, we pray for him.”

Triple H (Paul Levesque), WWE’s chief content officer, also honored Hogan’s profound influence: “WWE would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring… and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea. 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.”

The tributes continue to pour in from across the sports and entertainment spectrum, painting a picture of a man who, despite his controversies, left an undeniable and lasting mark on the hearts of millions of fans and shaped an entire generation of performers. His passing leaves a significant void in the world of entertainment.