Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has posted a touching tribute to his “childhood hero” Hulk Hogan, recalling meeting the late wrestling legend when he was just 12 before going on to face him in the Wrestlemania ring.
Johnson revealed he caught Hogan’s “Hulkster” headband in the crowd as a young fan at Madison Square Garden in 1984, followed by a meeting that “meant the world to that little 12-year-old boy”.
The pair then famously squared up in a bout billed as “Icon vs Icon” at Wrestlemania X8 in 2002.
“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,” wrote Johnson, now a major Hollywood star.
Hogan, the biggest name in American professional wrestling throughout the 1980s and 90s, died on Thursday at the age of 71.
Tributes have been paid by stars of the wrestling world as well as US President Donald Trump, who won Hogan’s support during his election campaigns.
‘Thanks kid’
In his Instagram message, Johnson wrote: “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 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.”
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Johnson, the son of wrestler Rocky Johnson, stepped into the WWF/WWE ring himself as The Rock in 1996, and rose to the top of the bill to face a 48-year-old Hogan at Wrestlemania 18.
“Still a kid at the age of 29 years old – I’m standing in the middle of the ring and facing you – one of my wrestling heroes in the main event of WRESTLEMANIA,” Johnson’s tribute continued.
“The match was to decide who would go down in history, as The Greatest of All Time.
“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.”
The match ended with The Rock defeating Hogan – but the pair shaking hands and leaving the ring together.
“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.
“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… Thank you, for the house.
“RIP Terry Bollea aka Hulk Hogan #goat.”