A wrestling legend silenced forever? 😢 At 79, Vince McMahon finally speaks out on Hulk Hogan’s tragic death—heartfelt words, hidden regrets, and a legacy that changed everything. What did the WWE boss reveal? Dive into the emotional tribute
The world of professional wrestling was forever altered on July 24, 2025, when Hulk Hogan, the larger-than-life icon whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, passed away at the age of 71 from cardiac arrest in his Clearwater, Florida home. Hogan’s death sent shockwaves through the industry he helped build, leaving fans, peers, and former rivals grappling with the loss of a man who embodied the spectacle of WWE. For days, the wrestling community awaited a response from Vince McMahon, the 79-year-old former WWE CEO whose complicated history with Hogan spanned decades of triumphs, betrayals, and reconciliations. On July 30, 2025, McMahon broke his silence with a poignant statement that blended admiration, reflection, and subtle regret, offering a rare glimpse into their tumultuous relationship. This article explores the circumstances of Hogan’s death, McMahon’s long-awaited tribute, the shared legacy of these two titans, the reactions from the wrestling world, and the broader implications for an industry forever changed by their influence.
Hulk Hogan’s passing came as a devastating blow, especially given his recent resurgence in the public eye. Just weeks before his death, Hogan had been filming a Netflix documentary about his life, chronicling his rise from a struggling musician to the face of professional wrestling. His final days were marked by health struggles, including complications from hip surgeries and a history of heart issues exacerbated by years of intense physical demands. Florida’s Clearwater Police Department confirmed the cause as cardiac arrest, with medics responding to his home where he was pronounced dead. Hogan’s family, including his ex-wife Linda, children Nick and Brooke, and current wife Jennifer McDaniel, released a statement expressing their grief: “He was our hero, our Hulkster, and he will live forever in our hearts.”
The wrestling world erupted in tributes, from WWE superstars like John Cena and The Rock to rivals like Ric Flair, who called Hogan “the brother I never had.” Yet, all eyes were on Vince McMahon, the architect of WWE’s global empire and Hogan’s on-again, off-again ally. McMahon, who stepped down from WWE in 2022 amid scandals but remained a shadowy figure in the industry, had not spoken publicly about Hogan since their 2018 reconciliation after a decade-long rift stemming from Hogan’s racial slur controversy in 2015. The silence fueled speculation: Would McMahon address their storied past, including Hogan’s defection to WCW in 1994 that sparked the Monday Night Wars?
McMahon’s statement, released via his personal X account on July 30, 2025, was both concise and evocative: “The world lost a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and respected by millions of people around the world. His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled – and made him the consummate performer.” The message, accompanied by a vintage photo of the two shaking hands at WrestleMania III in 1987—where Hogan famously body-slammed André the Giant—struck a chord with fans. At 79, McMahon appeared reflective, acknowledging Hogan’s role in transforming WWE from a regional promotion into a global phenomenon. Insiders told Wrestling Observer Newsletter that McMahon’s words were carefully crafted, avoiding direct mention of their conflicts but emphasizing Hogan’s contributions, perhaps as a final olive branch.
The timing of McMahon’s tribute added another layer of drama. On the same day as Hogan’s death, July 24, 2025, McMahon was involved in a major car crash in Stamford, Connecticut, near WWE headquarters. Driving his black SUV, McMahon collided with a delivery truck, sustaining minor injuries but totaling his vehicle. Reports from TMZ and New York Post suggested McMahon was en route to a meeting when the accident occurred, and he was treated at a local hospital before being released. The coincidence fueled conspiracy theories on social media, with X users speculating if the stress of Hogan’s passing contributed, though police confirmed no foul play. McMahon’s statement, issued six days later, carried added weight, as if the crash had given him pause to reflect on mortality and old alliances.
Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan’s relationship was a rollercoaster that defined wrestling’s golden era. In the 1980s, McMahon handpicked Hogan as the face of his national expansion, turning him into a household name through Hulkamania—a phenomenon of red-and-yellow merchandise, vitamins, and prayers that propelled WWE to mainstream success. Their partnership peaked at WrestleMania events, where Hogan’s charisma drew record crowds. But cracks emerged in the 1990s; Hogan’s jump to WCW in 1994, orchestrated by Eric Bischoff, ignited the Monday Night Wars, nearly bankrupting WWE. McMahon later admitted in interviews that Hogan’s departure felt like a “knife in the back,” yet it spurred his creation of the Attitude Era.
The two reconciled multiple times, with Hogan returning to WWE in 2002 for a memorable run, including a match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8. Their bond frayed again in 2015 when Hogan’s racist remarks surfaced in a leaked sex tape, leading McMahon to fire him and erase him from WWE history. Hogan’s 2018 reinstatement, after public apologies, was controversial, but McMahon defended it, saying on The Pat McAfee Show in 2022, “Everyone deserves a second chance.” Eric Bischoff, on his 83 Weeks podcast, called McMahon’s tribute “grateful,” noting the complexity of their history: “Vince and Hulk had a love-hate thing, but deep down, they built an empire together.”
Reactions to McMahon’s statement poured in from across the wrestling spectrum. WWE issued its own tribute, with current CEO Triple H (Paul Levesque) posting, “Hulk Hogan changed the game forever—thank you, brother.” Legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart shared stories of Hogan’s generosity, while younger stars like Roman Reigns credited him for paving the way. Fans on X hailed McMahon’s words as “classy,” with hashtags like #ThankYouHulk and #HulkamaniaForever trending globally. However, critics pointed out the irony: McMahon’s own scandals, including 2022 sexual misconduct allegations that forced his resignation, mirrored Hogan’s fall from grace. Podcaster Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio, “Vince’s tribute feels like closure for both—two flawed giants who defined wrestling.”
The broader implications of Hogan’s death and McMahon’s response highlight wrestling’s evolution. Hogan’s Hulkamania era brought wrestling to the masses, but his personal controversies—racism, the Gawker lawsuit funded by Peter Thiel—tarnished his legacy. McMahon’s tribute sidestepped these, focusing on the performer, perhaps to preserve WWE’s brand. In 2025, with WWE under TKO Group Holdings and streaming on Netflix, the industry faces scrutiny over past toxicities, from steroid scandals to #MeToo reckonings. Hogan’s passing prompts reflection: How does wrestling honor its pioneers while addressing their flaws?
Social media’s role in amplifying tributes cannot be overstated. X threads dissected McMahon’s statement, with users sharing clips of Hogan-McMahon moments, from WrestleMania bodyslams to backstage anecdotes. TikTok edits set tributes to Black Sabbath songs (a nod to Ozzy Osbourne’s recent passing), blending nostalgia with grief. The viral nature echoes 2025’s trend of public mourning, seen in Ozzy’s procession or the Coldplay kiss-cam scandal, where personal losses become communal events.
For McMahon, at 79 and largely retired, the tribute may mark a farewell to his era. Rumors of his involvement in a Netflix docuseries suggest he’s crafting his narrative, much like Hogan’s unfinished project. Friends told People that McMahon, recovering from his crash, spent days reminiscing about Hogan, calling him “the one who made it all possible.” The statement’s emphasis on “grit and thirst for success” mirrors McMahon’s own ruthless drive, hinting at self-reflection.
Hogan’s legacy endures through his contributions: popularizing wrestling, starring in films like Rocky III, and inspiring generations. His death, like his life, was dramatic—cardiac arrest after a lifetime of excess. McMahon’s words honor that, reminding us that behind the personas were men who revolutionized entertainment.
In conclusion, Vince McMahon’s tribute to Hulk Hogan, issued at 79 amid personal turmoil, encapsulates a complex bond forged in the ring. From Hulkamania’s heights to controversy’s depths, their story defined wrestling. As fans chant “Hulk! Hulk! Hulk!” in memory, McMahon’s silence-breaking words offer closure, proving that even titans mourn their equals.
