NXT Honors Hulk Hogan with 10-Bell Salute

  WWE NXT opened its weekly show with a solemn tribute to wrestling legend Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea, who passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest. The event, held at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, began with a traditional 10-bell salute, a time-honored wrestling ritual reserved for honoring departed icons. Led by Shawn Michaels, the head of NXT’s creative direction, and Matt Bloom, the head coach at the Performance Center, the NXT roster and Performance Center talent gathered in and around the ring to pay their respects to one of professional wrestling’s most influential figures. This marked the third 10-bell salute for Hogan that week, following similar tributes on WWE SmackDown and Raw, underscoring his monumental impact on the industry.

NXT Honors Hulk Hogan with 10-Bell Salute

Hulk Hogan, a WWE Hall of Famer inducted in 2005 and again in 2020 as part of the nWo, was a cornerstone of professional wrestling’s global rise in the 1980s and 1990s. His larger-than-life persona, characterized by his iconic red and yellow attire, “Hulkamania” catchphrase, and unmatched charisma, transformed WWE into a pop culture phenomenon. Hogan’s career highlights include six WWE Championship reigns, six WCW World Heavyweight Championship reigns, and starring roles at multiple WrestleManias, including the historic WrestleMania III match against Andre the Giant in 1987. Beyond the ring, Hogan’s appearances in films like Rocky III and his crossover appeal made him a household name, cementing his status as a global icon.

NXT Honors Hulk Hogan with 10-Bell Salute

The NXT tribute featured a video package, narrated by Paul “Triple H” Levesque, which aired after the salute, identical to those shown on Raw and SmackDown. The video chronicled Hogan’s journey from his debut in 1979 to his enduring influence across decades, emphasizing his connection with fans and his role in shaping modern wrestling. The arena fell silent as the bell tolled ten times, a poignant moment reflecting the reverence for Hogan’s contributions. Fans in attendance chanted his name, and social media posts echoed their sentiment, with one user stating, “Thank you, Hulk, w/o you this show wouldn’t even be happening,” capturing the gratitude many felt for his legacy.

NXT Honors Hulk Hogan with 10-Bell Salute

However, the tribute was not without controversy. Jamar Hampton, a wrestler from the Performance Center who has appeared on WWE’s LFG and Evolve programs, posted and quickly deleted a message on Instagram questioning the decision to honor Hogan. Hampton referenced a 2015 audio recording where Hogan used racist language, which had led to his temporary exile from WWE. The post, which included a link to the audio, read, “Is this really who we should be celebrating? Do ya research.” This sparked debate online, with some fans and wrestlers questioning the celebration of Hogan’s legacy given his controversial past, while others argued for separating his in-ring contributions from his personal failings.

You may also like...

1::John Cena Vows to Take WWE Title Home with Him: A Legend’s Final Quest?

2::UNSEEN FOOTAGE: Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins' Brawl Continues After SmackDown**

The wrestling community’s response highlighted the complex legacy of Hulk Hogan. While his role in elevating WWE to mainstream prominence is undeniable, his personal controversies, particularly the 2015 incident, continue to fuel discussion. WWE’s decision to honor Hogan with multiple tributes reflects their view of him as a foundational figure, yet Hampton’s critique underscores ongoing sensitivities. As wrestling moves forward, Hogan’s influence remains a topic of both admiration and scrutiny, with NXT’s tribute serving as a microcosm of this duality.