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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has shared a heartfelt message honouring Hulk Hogan, the wrestling icon he grew up idolizing, after news of his passing at age 71.
 
The Rock, who faced Hogan in one of WWE's iconic matches took to Instagram to share their memories of nearly two decades. He went from being a young fan in the stands to standing face-to-face with Hogan in the main event on wrestling's biggest stage.
 
"Rest in Peace, Terry Bollea aka The Immortal Hulk Hogan," Johnson wrote. "To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero – myself included."
 
He recalled being just 12 years old at Madison Square Garden in 1984 when Hogan wrestled Paul Orndorff. That night, Hogan threw his signature "HULKSTER" headband into the crowd and young Dwayne caught it. "In 1984, I gave you your 'HULKSTER' headband back, in the locker room in Madison Square Garden. I was the lucky kid who caught it when you threw it in the crowd," he said.
 
Hogan told him it was his last headband and thanked him for returning it. "You were shocked and so happy after the match because you told me that was your very last headband and if it weren't for me, you'd have no way of getting that exact one made again," Johnson wrote. Hogan promised to give him another one and he did. "A month later in Madison Square Garden, you did just that. You kept your word, with a handshake and a 'thanks kid'. And that meant the world to that little 12-year-old boy."
17 years later, Johnson, now one of WWE's biggest stars faced Hogan at WrestleMania 18 in 2002. "Still a kid at the age of 29 years old. I'm standing in the middle of the ring and facing you — one of my wrestling heroes in the main event of WRESTLEMANIA," he said.
 
The match was electric. "When you kick out of my Rock Bottom finisher — just listen and FEEL that crowd go ELECTRIC... all for you," Johnson said. "I've never felt anything like that in my entire wrestling career."
 
Though Hogan lost the match, Johnson said he was the one who brought the crowd. "You may have 'passed the torch' to me that night, but you, my friend... you 'drew the house,' meaning you sold out every arena and stadium across the country in your prime."
 
He ended with one final message: "From deep in my bones and on behalf of this wild and crazy world of professional wrestling that we love, I say to you now, and forever...thank you for the house, brother. Thank you, for the house. RIP Terry Bollea aka Hulk Hogan."