The late Hulk Hogan’s son, Nick Hogan, was choked up as WWE paid tribute to the “larger than life” wrestler at SummerSlam 2025.
Nick, 35, and his wife, Tana Lea, were shown in the crowd at the WWE’s flagship summer event at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Saturday, August 2. Nick was near tears as WWE played The Hulkster’s classic theme song “Real American” at the conclusion of a video package highlighting the 12-time World Heavyweight Champion’s legacy.
“Hulk Hogan was larger than life, sports entertainment personified [and] the greatest performer in our history,” WWE announcer Michael Cole told viewers.
Cole pointed out that Hulk was “undefeated” at SummerSlam throughout his career and contributed “so many great moments, too many to talk about” for WWE fans.
“[This was] a man who carried professional wrestling on his back for three decades,” Cole, 56, added. “Rest in peace, brother.”
As the camera panned to a bereft Nick and Tana at ringside, Cole mentioned that the couple were attending WWE SummerSlam to “celebrate [Hulk’s] life and legacy.”
Hulk died at age 71 on July 24, with Us Weekly confirming that the wrestling icon’s cause of death was acute myocardial infarction, most commonly known as a heart attack. Us also learned that Hulk (real name Terry Gene Bollea) privately battled leukemia prior to his death.
WWE initially responded to news of Hulk’s death with a statement: “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
The company later honored Hulk at several of its TV events, with Nick previously attending Monday Night Raw on Monday, July 28, for a 10-bell salute to his late father. Nick referred to The Hulkster as “the most incredible person” in a poignant memorial message via Instagram on Saturday, July 26.
“[Hulk] will always be my hero. He was the most kind, loving and amazing father anybody could ask for,” Nick wrote to fans. “I feel so blessed to have had the greatest dad in the world. He was not only the best dad but also my mentor and my best friend. He always has been my best friend and I love him and miss him more than I could ever explain.”
Nick’s sister, Brooke Hogan, was noticeably absent from WWE’s various memorial events and subsequently spoke out to explain why she did not attend.
“For those of you giving me crap for not attending my dad’s tributes, @WWE did not extend an invite,” Brooke. 37, wrote via her Instagram Story on Wednesday, July 30.
Brooke and her father had a notoriously complicated relationship, and while she acknowledged Hulk’s death via Instagram, Us learned that she excluded herself from his will in 2023.
“I believe my wife upheld her Dad’s best interests even after his death, mustering up all the courage and kindness she could despite still being very hurt,” Brooke’s husband, former NHL player Steve Oleksy, told Us exclusively. “That money does not represent accomplishments in the ring — the majority of it came at the expense of my wife’s dignity. It was built on hurtful comments about her and her past relationship, which caused pain not only to her, but to many other families.”
Brooke and Nick’s mother, Linda Hogan, penned her own emotional eulogy for her late exhusband despite their famously contentious divorce. (Linda and Hulk were married between 1983 and 2009. Hulk was with Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021, before tying the knot with Sky Daily in 2023.)
Acknowledging the painful divorce, Linda, 65, wrote: “Nick would tell me things and vice versa. Just news about life. I still felt .. although broken .. we still were a family. It’s so hard to know he’s just gone. I tried to stay strong for Nick … but I’m melting down now. It’s very sad.”
She concluded, “I love you Hulkster. You were my man. The only man for me. RIP.”
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