Wrestling World Reacts To Death Of WWE Hall Of Famer Hulk Hogan

By Nick Miller  and Ross W Berman IV
Hulk Hogan wearing a pink bandana with sunglasses on his head Steven A Henry/Getty Images

Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, one of the most important and controversial people in the history of professional wrestling, reportedly died today at the age of 71, and figures from around the industry have begun sharing their thoughts on social media.

Minutes after the news broke, Hogan's friend and former in-ring rival Ric Flair posted a statement to X, stating that he was "absolutely shocked" to hear about Hogan's death. Flair said Hogan had been by his side since they started in the industry, complimenting his athleticism and the value of his friendship.

"He was always there for me even when I didn't ask for him to be," Flair wrote. "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!"

Flair's daughter, WWE star Charlotte Flair, also shared her condolences for Hogan's family. Charlotte confirmed that Hogan was there during Flair's health scare in 2017, and she stated that her heart breaks for Hogan's children, Nick and Brooke.

Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Chief Content Officer of WWE, shared a statement to his X account commending Hogan for his impact on wrestling.

Ed Leslie (AKA Brutus Beefcake), a former close friend of Hogan who became estranged with him over the years, shared several photos of the two together in the 1980s and 1990s.

"Through the good times and the bad, I always loved my brother Terry!" said Leslie. " 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."

Current and former WWE stars pay tribute to Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan wearing his iconic red bandana and pointing in the air Paul Kane/Getty Images

"The wrestling world has lost a true legend," wrote The Undertaker. "His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative. Thank you, Hulk Hogan."

Posting a clip of himself imitating Hogan as they appear onscreen together, Kane (AKA Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, Glenn Jacobs) shared his admiration for Hogan and admitted to practicing the impersonation of the wrestler growing up. "Hulk Hogan was a true legend," Jacobs said. "I was fortunate to work with him a couple of times, including this memorable one."

The Miz (AKA Mike Mizanin) emphasized the effect that Hogan's words had on him as a child, stating that he ate his vitamins and said his prayers because of the late WWE star. "The voice, flexing, charisma, he made you want to be bold, loud, confident," Miz said. "RIP, Hulk Hogan."

Former WWE star Matt Hardy wrote that he enjoyed his experiences working with Hogan in the past, and called him the first mainstream star of pro wrestling. Others, such as Kurt Angle and Matt Cardona, cited Hogan as a foundational figure in their decision to become a pro wrestler.

Meanwhile, as he usually does on social media, John Cena reacted by posting an image to his Instagram. Today, it featured Hogan facing off against Andre the Giant in one of wrestling's most iconic moments.

Members of the wrestling industry pay their respects to Hulk Hogan

Close-up of Hogan in a blue bandana Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

For much of his career, Sting was closely associated with Hogan; the two were rivals in WCW and later became allies in TNA. Writing on X, Sting called Hogan "the greatest of all," thanking him for everything he did, calling him a friend, and saying he would miss him.

Tony Schiavone, who worked with Hogan during their WCW days, acknowledged that people might have their own opinions on Hogan as a person, but said it was impossible to deny that he had a massive impact on the industry. Still, Schiavone did note that he considered Hogan a coworker but not a friend. Some of Hogan's TNA associates also reacted to the news, including AEW star Christopher Daniels, who shared a screenshot of himself and Frankie Kazarian staring down Hogan and Sting.

"WWE Raw" General Manager Adam Pearce also shared a lengthy thread discussing some of his feelings on the late wrestler. He first recalled seeing Hogan while watching the AWA, before the heights of Hulk-A-Mania, and becoming an instant fan. Pearce then recalled meeting Hogan during a tryout in TNA, with the wrestling legend sitting down next to Pearce to talk while they watched the rest of the show.

"Over time people do many things, become loved and hated, rinse-and-repeat for those things, and if we're all being honest, the emotions are warranted," Pearce wrote. "It is impossible to overstate the impact that Hulk Hogan had on our industry and the countless people that got into it because of him. ... Godspeed, Hulk Hogan. Thank you for all of the good. Thank you for your candor in a moment where I doubted myself. All love to his family, friends, and those lives he touched along the way. Rest well, sir."

The McMahons React

Vince and Linda McMahon attend Vince's Walk of Fame ceremony Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Two people who had a long history with Hogan, were former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and his wife, current Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. McMahon has not been one to make public statements after allegations of sex trafficking and other offenses from former employee Janel Grant forced him into retirement in 2024, but the reclusive McMahon took to social media to refer to Hogan as "a treasure" and a "trailblazer," who went from being a pro-wrestler to "a global phenomenon." McMahon closed his statement with Hogan's trademark saying, "Eat your vitamins and say your prayers." 

While Hogan was hired by McMahon's father, Vincent J. McMahon, it was Vincent K. McMahon who saw the potential of Hulkamania, first building the inaugural WrestleMania PPV around him, and then making him world champion for years. While McMahon might've had the creative vision to take Hogan to the top of the world, it was Linda McMahon's business sense that kept WWE running through fat and lean years.

Secretary McMahon also took to social media to mourn the loss of her friend of 40 years. "His legacy in and out of the ring will always be remembered. He was one of a kind," she wrote. McMahon has made her WWE ties clear throughout her tenure as Education Secretary, even going back to her confirmation hearings, which were attended by WWE Chief Content Officer, and McMahon's son-in-law, Paul Levesque.

While McMahon is dealing with his own legal battles in the Janel Grant case, he and Linda are also the subject of a lawsuit regarding WWE's handling of the ring boy sexual assault scandal. The McMahons filed to dismiss the case, but a judge allowed it to go on, upholding Maryland's Child Victims Act. The case mainly focuses on WWE's alleged refusal to take substantive steps to prevent former ring announcer Mel Phillips from molesting ring boys. The lawsuit seemingly had no effect on McMahon's confirmation to President Donald J. Trump's cabinet, where she remains.

MJF Gonna MJF

MJF attends Happy Gilmore 2 premiere Jamie Mccarthy/Getty Images

Plenty more people from the wrestling world have also shared their grief over Hogan's death. Brian Gewirtz, former WWE writer and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's primary creative partner, shared a clip from Rock's famous WrestleMania X-8 battle against Hogan.

"Loudest I've ever heard a crowd in my life," Gewirtz wrote. "Iconic talent. #RIPHulkHogan."

Andrade El Idolo also got a respectful "RIP" in on social media, while former AEW TNT Champion Wardlow shared a pic of his younger self in an oversized Hulk Hogan t-shirt. Wardlow might not be a regular presence on AEW as of late, but his status as an AEW star made him one of the few to bring up Hogan.

AEW President Tony Khan famously banned Hulk Hogan and Linda Hogan from events in the early stages of the company, mainly for Linda's conservative views and Hulk's documented history of using racist remarks. 6 years later, the company has held fast to that promise, as Hogan has not even made a tangential appearance in the company.

Wardlow wasn't the only AEW star to bring up Hogan's passing, however, as former AEW World Champion MJF used his trademark cynicism to promote his upcoming film, as well as his many AEW feuds, although it might be more what the former ROH World Tag Team Champion didn't say, than what he did.

"Happy Gilmore 2 is out tomorrow," MJF wrote, about the upcoming Happy-Madison production, which is set to premiere on Netflix. "Mark Briscoe is a joke. Hangman Adam page is a phony. Mistico is a big fish in a small pond. Bobby is out of pocket. Everyone's just jealous of me tbh."

The 2025 Men's Casino Gauntlet Winner then replied, chiding fans who assumed he'd be using the day to take cheap shots, like he's done with Mark Briscoe and his dead brother, Jay.

"Oh you were expecting a hulk hogan tweet?!!?" MJF wrote. "You guys are so unoriginal. You people love Nothing but cheap heat."

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