Hulk Hogan Remembered by Wrestling Community
Hulk Hogan, a major figure in the wrestling world, received heartfelt tributes from industry leaders following his passing.
In 2025, he participated in a documentary about his life, which ended up being his last interview, featuring a farewell from President Trump.
Directed by Brian Stokel, “Hulk Hogan: A Real American” premiered on Netflix on April 22, highlighting a rather surreal moment involving the then-President.
According to Stokel, “It was obvious [Hogan] wanted to involve Trump. At one point, I figured, ‘Yeah, we should get Trump.’ He just replied, ‘Okay, let me call him right now,’ and he did.”
Stokel reflected on an unusual experience, noting, “There were times I was just there talking to Trump on speakerphone. I remember thinking, ‘What’s going on? I’m sitting in a car with Hulk Hogan while he’s talking to the President. This is wild.'”
When Stokel visited the White House last May, he managed to film an interview with Trump, but only had a brief 20-minute window amid the day’s busyness.
“On the same day, he was also talking to President Putin. I joked about him suddenly needing to return to Russia,” Stokel said.
In the film, Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, expresses gratitude to Trump through a voicemail after a memorable moment at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he playfully revealed tank tops featuring both Trump and Vance.
Stokel observed, “You could see the pride in his face as he listened to Trump’s voicemail—it really showcased their close connection. It may not sit well with everyone, but it was there.”
Hogan was deeply committed to his fans, often spending long hours meeting them. Stokel recalled moments where Hogan would feel regret after a day of appearances—thinking about kids waiting for special interactions.
He shared a tender memory of a fan in a wheelchair whom Hogan comforted during a meet-and-greet, talking to him for about five minutes.
Stokel revealed that the filming process was extensive: “We spent five days at the same location, in the same costume, capturing over 25 hours of his story.”
Another startling revelation in the documentary came when Hogan discussed the pain management treatments he underwent to cope with years of wrestling injuries. “I’ve got two 80mg pills, two 300mg patches on my feet, and six 1,500mg candies a day,” he explained.
Stokel described Hogan’s pain tolerance as “abnormal, almost inhuman.”
Tragically, Hogan passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71 from a heart attack. Only cameras for the documentary were permitted at his funeral.
Vince McMahon, co-founder of WWE, concluded the service by inviting attendees to give Hogan a standing ovation, which led to chants of “Hogan, Hogan.”
Stokel reflected on the moment, saying, “It felt like a fitting end to his narrative—he always sought the admiration of his fans. This moment captured that beautifully.”
