The pro wrestling world was stunned by the news of Hulk Hogan’s death at 71 due to cardiac arrest at his home in Florida. Since then, heartfelt tributes have flooded in, including one from The Rock, who shared a deeply personal reflection on his connection with Hogan. He used their legendary match at WrestleMania 18 to highlight what Hogan meant to him and wrestling fans alike.
In his Instagram tribute, The Rock featured an old CRT television showing a clip from their iconic WrestleMania 18 encounter, accompanied by stirring background music. He traced their connection back 17 years prior, recalling his first meeting with Hogan at age 12 when he caught Hogan’s headband from the crowd and later returned it to him after the show.
Eric Bischoff also spoke publicly for the first time after Hogan’s passing, expressing his thoughts on losing a close friend.
The following month, Hogan noticed The Rock in the crowd and gave him a replacement headband as a gesture of recognition. Their paths would eventually cross inside the ring in 2002 at WrestleMania 18 for what became a defining moment in wrestling history, symbolizing a passing of the torch between generations.
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 Rock wrote, focusing on the dramatic moment in the clip when Hogan kicked out of the Rock Bottom move.
You may have ‘passed the torch’ to me that night, but you, my friend, you ‘drew the house’.
—The Rock
Why the WrestleMania 18 Match Between Rock and Hogan Remains Legendary
More than two decades later, the WrestleMania 18 showcase between The Rock and Hulk Hogan remains unrivaled in terms of crowd energy and fan excitement. While critics often note that the in-ring technical quality of their match was not exceptional, the electric atmosphere created by two of wrestling’s biggest stars sharing the ring is what truly made it unforgettable.
The Rock pointed out that although many consider their bout the main event of the evening, it was actually not the final match on the card—something that has drawn criticism toward <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE’s booking choices. Following their match was a Women’s Championship contest, and the true main event between Triple H and Chris Jericho came last, by which time the crowd’s enthusiasm was noticeably diminished.
The Lasting Impact of the Tribute and What It Means for Wrestling Fans
The Rock’s tribute serves as a powerful reminder of Hulk Hogan’s influence on the wrestling world and his personal impact on those who shared the ring with him. By revisiting WrestleMania 18, The Rock not only honors Hogan’s legacy but also underlines the significance of their historic match that brought generations of fans together. As the wrestling community continues to mourn, this homage highlights Hogan’s lasting imprint on the sport’s culture and the treasured memories he created inside the ring.
