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Nick Hogan got emotional while honoring his father at the place that helped made Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea a pro wrestling and pop culture icon.
Hogan’s 35-year-old son was front and center at WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, where the company gave the Hulkster a 10-bell salute to open the show, followed by a video tribute to open the show on Netflix – like they did on SmackDown last week.
Hulk Hogan died last week at the age of 71 after being taken to the hospital following a medical incident at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
Nick Hogan, surrounded by the WWE locker room on the Raw stage, was joined in Detroit by his wife Tana Lea, his father’s partners in the “Real American Beer” venture and good friend and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff. It was his first public appearance since his dad’s death.
Nick Hogan could be seen fighting back his emotions as the conclusion of the video tribute brought chants of “Hogan! Hogan!” from the crowd.
Nick Hogan posted an emotional tribute to his father on Sunday, calling him “best friend” and “hero.”
“Hearing so many kind words and stories about my dad’s life, interactions and experiences with everyone has been incredible and comforting,” Nick Hogan wrote on Instagram. “My dad was the most incredible person I’ve ever known and will always be my hero.”
“I spent a lot of time with him the past few years after moving back to Florida to be closer to him and I am so grateful for those memories,” Nick Hogan wrote in his Instagram post. “They are the best moments in my life. I would do anything to have him back but I know now that he will always be watching over me. I will always remember the lessons and advice he gave me and carry on in a way that I know would make him proud.
Hulk Hogan was the “Babe Ruth” of wrestling, leading the then-WWF, along with former owner Vince McMahon, into national prominence in the 1980s. In the mid-90’s his heel turn and the formation of the nWo faction in WCW was a catalyst for the legendary “Monday Night Wars” that brought pro wrestling to it greatest level of awareness in pop culture.
Hulk Hogan’s daughter Brooke, has been estranged from her dad in recent years.
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