In an emotional Instagram publish, Johnson paired a video of their iconic 2002 “WrestleMania” match with a prolonged, heartfelt caption, thanking Hogan for the immeasurable impression he had on his profession and the game {of professional} wrestling.

“Relaxation in Peace, Terry Bollea aka The Immortal Hulk Hogan,” Johnson started the caption of his publish, which featured a video of their legendary “Icon vs. Icon” faceoff at “WrestleMania 18.” He added, “To hundreds of thousands of little children, you have been a childhood hero – myself included.”‘

Johnson went on, recalling the time he caught Hogan’s “HULKSTER” headband, which he launched into the gang throughout an occasion at Madison Sq. Backyard in 1984, earlier than returning it to the wrestler later that day.

“You have been shocked and so completely satisfied after the match since you instructed me that was your final headband, and if it weren’t for me, you’d haven’t any approach of getting that precise one made once more,” Johnson added.

In line with Johnson, Hogan “promised” to present him certainly one of his personal as soon as he had extra made at a later date. “A month later in Madison Sq. Backyard, you probably did simply that. You saved your phrase, with a handshake and a ‘thanks, child,'” he wrote.

Nevertheless, Johnson had no concept that their temporary interplay can be just the start of his relationship with the wrestling champion.

“Simply 17 years later, and nonetheless a child on the age of 29 years previous, I am standing in the course of the ring and going through you – certainly one of my wrestling heroes in the principle occasion of ‘WRESTLEMANIA,'” Johnson wrote on-line, explaining that the match “was to resolve who would go down in historical past as The Biggest of All Time.”

Johnson recalled Hogan kicking out of his “Rock Backside finisher” and feeling the gang “go ELECTRIC.”

“I’ve by no means felt something like that in my whole wrestling profession,” he continued, including, “It takes two to tango, however that historic crowd response was all for you.”

Johnson argued that regardless of Hogan passing “the torch” to him after their “WrestleMania” match, the success of the WWE could possibly be credited to the wrestling icon.

“… you ‘drew the home’ which means you bought out each area and stadium throughout the nation in your prime as Hulk Hogan, in your approach of changing into the best of all time,” Johnson posted.

“From deep in my bones, and on behalf of this wild and loopy world {of professional} wrestling that we love, I say to you now, and without end,” he continued. “Thanks for the home, brother… Thanks for the home.”

He completed, “RIP Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan.”

Johnson’s message resonated with followers, as many flooded his remark part with emotional posts of their very own.

“Blink 182, Linkin Park, WWF, Hogan, the Rock, Stone Chilly, Kane, Undertaker,” somebody commented. “That is my childhood.”

Others wrote about Johnson and Hogan’s “Icon vs. Icon” match, calling it one of many “biggest” of all time.

One other consumer shared, “I keep in mind this match in addition to many others, prefer it was simply yesterday.”