Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson paid a heartfelt tribute to Hulk Hogan, who passed away yesterday at the age of 71.
Rock called Hogan his childhood hero and recounted a story from 1984 when he gave Hogan back his headband after a match at Madison Square Garden.
“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,” The Rock wrote. “You promised me that you would get more made and give me a Hulkster headband of my own as a thank you gift.”
Rock said that a month later, also at MSG, Hogan kept his promise with a handshake and a “thanks kid.”
He said that 17 years later when he was 29 years old, he was standing in front of Hogan at WrestleMania to decide who would go down 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,” Rock continued.
“You may have ‘passed the torch’ to me that night, but you, my friend… you drew the house,” Rock said.
“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.”
