Hulk Hogan Mourns Death of 'Great Friend' Rocky Johnson
By TheBlast Staff on January 17, 2020 at 5:58 AM EST
Gettyimages | ullstein bild
The death of Dwayne Johnson's father - wrestling legend Rocky Johnson - was announced this week. He was 75 years old.
His death has was met with an outpouring of love from all over, including fellow wrestling legend Hulk Hogan.
"So sorry for the loss of Rocky Johnson," Hogan said via Twitter. "A great man, a great friend and I will always remember he was one of only a few that was kind and helpful when I first broke in. RIP Rocky. I love you my brother."
Hogan, whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea, began his professional wrestling career in the late 1970s. He didn't start gaining traction until he signed with what was then called the World Wrestling Federation in 1983. The company, now WWE, was Hogan's home for 11 years. He then left in 1994 to work for their major rival, Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
His Thursday afternoon Twitter post also received a good amount of thoughtful comments. Here are some of the highlights:
Gettyimages | John Lamparski
"Hulkster, @TheRock
told a story in an interview that when he was a kid his Dad took him to see one of your matches and he caught your headband when you tossed it. He said it was one of the greatest days of his life, being with his Dad at the match, and seeing you in action. ❤️" - via @hotcatcyn
"He is a man who is held in high regard by everyone who's spoken about him
A rare person indeed
RIP ?" - via @therealdojj
"Very sad news of his passing today, RIP Rocky, my love to all his family" - via @weeks37
"So sad! I was all set up to meet him for the first time in March. Condolences to the entire family. ???" - via @PJ_Keegan247
"We lost a legend, and a great man who raised a wonderful son." - via @zasportsshow
...And then there was that guy who actually asked for a birthday shoutout from the Hulkster. REALLY?
Wrestling veteran Mick Foley followed Hogan's lead by posting his own heartfelt response to Rocky's death via Twitter.
"I am so sorry to hear of the passing of the great Rocky Johnson. Always a gentleman, I always enjoyed talking with him. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the fans who loved him. A very sad day for wrestling." Foley's tweet was accompanied by a candid picture of Rocky in the ring, presumably in the mid-1980s.
Hogan's feed quickly returned to normal as he continued talking with and retweeting his "Maniacs." It just goes to show the Hulkamania is alive and well.
