Vince McMahon has released a personal statement on the passing of Terry Bollea, known to the world as Hulk Hogan, calling him “the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME.” The statement from the former WWE Chairman pays tribute to the man who was instrumental in building his company into a global entertainment empire.
The tribute comes after news broke on Thursday that Hogan had passed away at the age of 71. McMahon’s personal statement follows the official corporate one released by WWE and speaks to the deep and complex history the two men shared for over 40 years.
Vince McMahon’s Full Statement
“The world lost a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world. He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.
His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled – and made him the consummate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved.
He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions, ‘Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.’ Today, we pray for him.”
A Transformative Partnership
The professional relationship between Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan is one of the most significant in the history of professional wrestling. In the early 1980s, McMahon chose Hogan to be the face of his planned national expansion of the then-WWF. The partnership was an unprecedented success, as “Hulkamania” became a cultural phenomenon that propelled the company to the forefront of mainstream entertainment.
Together, McMahon and Hogan created WrestleMania, with Hogan headlining seven of the first eight events. Their collaboration defined an entire era of wrestling, known as the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection,” and made household names of both men. After a falling out in the early 1990s, Hogan would go on to lead a revolution in rival promotion WCW as the villainous leader of the nWo, directly competing with McMahon in the “Monday Night Wars.” Hogan eventually returned to WWE in 2002, creating more iconic moments and cementing his legacy with the company he helped build.
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 24, 2025
