AEW Finally Breaks Silence with Emotional Tribute to Hulk Hogan Following His Death at 71

Amidst Hulk Hogan's tragic death, AEW has finally come forward to acknowledge the Hulkster's contributions to professional wrestling.

AEW Finally Breaks Silence with Emotional Tribute to Hulk Hogan Following His Death at 71

Hulk Hogan and Tony Schiavone (via Getty)

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Wrestling fans across the globe are mourning the loss of one of the industry’s most iconic figures in the form of Hulk Hogan. The WWE Hall of Famer passed away at the age of 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. According to his family, the Hulkster was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing. WWE quickly honored the man often dubbed the “Babe Ruth of professional wrestling” with an emotional tribute. 

The company issued a heartfelt statement confirming the news, while legends like Vince McMahon, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Sting paid their respects. This week’s SmackDown was dedicated to Hogan, featuring a 10-bell salute and an emotional promo by Cody Rhodes in honor of the wrestling icon.

The tribute didn’t stop there. WWE’s social media and production teams highlighted iconic moments from Hogan’s legendary career, even releasing a seven-minute video chronicling his journey from rising star to global superstar. It’s clear that without Hogan, the wrestling boom of the 1980s might never have reached the heights it did. However, fans were quick to notice the silence from WWE’s main competitor, AEW. 

Neither the promotion nor its president, Tony Khan, made any immediate public tribute, sparking backlash from fans who criticized the company for failing to acknowledge one of the sport’s true pioneers. In response to the growing criticism, AEW finally paid homage during the July 26th episode of Collision, where longtime commentator Tony Schiavone recognized Hogan’s contributions to the wrestling world on the company’s behalf.

Schiavone acknowledged Hogan’s massive role in bringing wrestling into the mainstream during the 1980s. He noted that the former 12-time World Champion was the man who put WCW on the map and helped them reach a stage where they could compete with WWE. 

Hulk Hogan was the man who brought professional wrestling into the mainstream in the 80s and the 90s. Right here on this network, right here on TNT. Almost 30 years ago, Hulk Hogan lit the fire that began the Monday Night Wars, and he also put WCW on the cable TV map right here on TNT.

Tony Schiavone via AEW Collision

Schiavone also offered a heartfelt reminder that, despite their larger-than-life personas, wrestlers are still human beings, with family and friends who love and care for them deeply. He closed his tribute by sending condolences on behalf of All Elite Wrestling to Hogan’s family, including his two children, Brooke and Nick, and his wife, Sky. 

If you have never lost a member of your family, you have no idea the pain that they are going through right now. And believe you me, it is intense. From all of us here at All Elite Wrestling, RIP, Brother.

Tony Schiavone via AEW Collision

It was certainly a fitting tribute from Schiavone, as Hulk Hogan was responsible for taking WCW to the next level when he shockingly turned heel at Bash at the Beach 1996. This led to the weekly episodic rating clash with WWE known as the Monday Night Wars, which were dominated by Ted Turner’s juggernaut until the advent of the Attitude Era and WCW’s demise in 2001. 

It is safe to say that Hogan would be on many people’s Mount Rushmore of Wrestling. But what did the Hulkster had to say about that? 

Hulk Hogan named his Mount Rushmore of Wrestling two years ahead of his demise

During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet from October 2023, Hulk Hogan was asked to name his personal Wrestling Mount Rushmore, and the Hulkster didn’t hesitate to answer. Interestingly, that podcast episode was recently uploaded once again by Vliet and is making the rounds on social media after Hogan’s passing. 

Hulk Hogan, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin
Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin (via WWE)

There’s no doubt about it, Andre [the Giant] has to be there. You know, because up there, it would have to be Ric Flair. I tell Ric Flair, ‘You’re the greatest wrestler that ever lived,’ and I’ve had other people tell me other things, but as far as I’m concerned with him loving this business and being a complete sellout, he gave up everything – family, friends, his own health, everything to be in his business.

Hulk Hogan via Chris Van Vliet’s podcast

Hogan acknowledged the difficulty of narrowing it down and included two cornerstones of the Attitude era, but ultimately gave a solid four-man lineup.

You know, and so I’m all over the place with it, but for me, the quick fix would be Andre, Flair, Rock, and Austin. That’s a quick fix for me. Yeah, those four guys deserve it.

Hulk Hogan via Chris Van Vliet’s podcast

For longtime WWE fans, few rivalries define the golden era of wrestling quite like the unforgettable feud between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. Their epic showdown at WrestleMania III, headlined by Hogan’s jaw-dropping bodyslam of the 520-pound juggernaut, was more than just a match. It was a cultural milestone.

It propelled WWE from a regional promotion into a national powerhouse, with the storyline of the “unstoppable force meeting the immovable object” leaving a lasting impression on fans across generations. Including Ric Flair feels fitting because when Hogan was the face of WWE’s entertainment-first boom in the ’80s, Flair represented wrestling’s heritage, grit, and tradition through his time in WCW.

The two were polar opposites: Hogan, a larger-than-life superhero; Flair, the relentless, technical “Nature Boy.” Though their paths crossed often in WCW, their one-on-one match on Monday Night Raw is still considered by many fans as a defining moment in their long-standing rivalry. The Rock’s inclusion speaks to Hogan’s second act.

Their WrestleMania X-8 clash is remembered as one of the most electric moments in WWE history, with a crowd that turned on The Rock mid-match to cheer their childhood hero. It was a generational crossover that few matches have matched since. As for Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hogan has long acknowledged his significance.

While Hogan brought WWE to the mainstream in the ’80s, Austin took the torch in the ’90s and ignited the Attitude Era. With his rebellious, beer-swilling persona, Austin was the perfect counterpoint to Hogan’s all-American image. Their in-ring moment with The Rock at WrestleMania XXX symbolized a passing of the torch and a celebration of three eras that defined WWE.

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