In a moment that had wrestling fans around the world gasping, Nick Hogan, the son of legendary wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, struggled to hold back tears during an emotional WWE tribute to his late father at SummerSlam. The dramatic scene, played out on one of WWE’s biggest stages, instantly went viral and sparked speculation: is this more than just grief on display? Is the Hogan legacy about to shift forever?

 The Tribute That Stunned the Crowd

On Saturday, August 2, WWE paused the action at SummerSlam to honor Hulk Hogan, who passed away on July 24 at age 71, following a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida .

The arena darkened. A powerful video montage began—highlighting Hogan’s iconic moments, his undefeated SummerSlam streak, and decades spent defining sports entertainment. As narrator Michael Cole reflected on Hogan’s legacy, he described him as “larger than life … the greatest performer in our history” .

When Hogan’s anthem “Real American” blasted over the speakers, the crowd erupted. Amid the roar, Nick stood front and center with his wife, Tana Lea, visibly fighting back tears. He placed a hand on his heart, made a prayer gesture, and slowly clapped in honor—every gesture dripping with raw emotion .

 A Son’s Public Breakdown

This wasn’t Nick Hogan’s first tearful appearance since his father’s passing. He had already appeared on Monday Night RAW (July 28) where another tribute segment unfolded, and he visibly wiped tears while standing among the WWE roster .

But SummerSlam was different. Broadcast live from a sold-out stadium, it captured the raw grief of a son saying goodbye in front of millions.

“As the video ended, he clapped, made a prayer motion, and placed his hand on his chest… visibly moved as fans cheered,” reported one eyewitness . Social media posts of the moment surfaced quickly, with #HulkHoganTribute trending globally.

 Family Fallout & Legacy Under Pressure

Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, endured health challenges before his death, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and atrial fibrillation—conditions previously unknown to the public until after his passing .

In an Instagram tribute on July 26, Nick baptized his father as “the best dad in the world” and expressed profound grief over their time together. He spoke of hugs, life lessons, and privilege in having those final years side-by-side in Florida, calling Hogan not just a mentor but his closest friend .

Meanwhile, Hogan’s daughter Brooke Hogan, estranged for years, declined WWE’s invitations and later explained the personal reasons behind her absence—and clarified she was never invited .

 Reviews Flood In: WWE Pays Lasting Homage

WWE continued its tribute cycle across multiple shows—SmackDown, Raw, and SummerSlam. Each moment paid homage to Hogan’s legacy with video packages, personal anecdotes, and reverent atmospheres.

Even Vince McMahon, long retired and embroiled in controversy, made a rare public nod to Hogan in footage included in the tribute, a move fans largely embraced given Hogan’s foundational role in WWE history .

Wrestling legends including Ric Flair, John Cena, and Triple H shared emotional comments. Flair, visibly affected, lamented the fragility of life and declared: “I could be next” .

 Why This Moment Is Exploding Online

1. Wrestling’s Frozen Audience

SummerSlam viewers witnessed one of the most visceral father-son moments ever broadcast in wrestling. Social media lit up with clips of Nick’s face contorted by grief under the stadium lights.

2. The Hogan Mythos Revisited

Once one of wrestling’s most controversial figures, the emotional tribute and Nick’s heartbreak may shift perceptions—humanizing the larger-than-life “Hulkamania” persona .

3. Narrative Power Shift

With Hulk gone, all eyes turn to how Nick and Brooke carry—or reshape—the Hogan brand. Nick’s public vulnerability and Brooke’s privacy positioning may signal diverging future paths for the siblings.

 What Happens Now?

 State Honor & Legacy Preservation

Florida declared August 1 as “Hulk Hogan Day”—a tribute to Hogan’s status as a proud Floridian and cultural icon. Nick acknowledged the honor, sharing on Instagram how proud his father would have been .

 Looking Ahead: Nick’s Future

Nick, who works in music and drifting and only recently married Tana Lea in January 2025, might face a new crossroads. Will he lean deeper into wrestling’s legacy, carve his own path, or step away from the spotlight entirely?

 Brooke’s Reaction & Rift

Brooke’s decision to remain private—citing estrangement and past trauma—was met with public backlash. She fired back via social media, clarifying WWE didn’t extend her an invite and defending her decision to protect her mental health .

 The Final Bell: What This Tribute Means

From a clickbait lens, SummerSlam’s tribute was no mere wrestling homage—it was a viral, emotional reckoning:

A giant of wrestling lore laid to rest with grandeur.
His son, center stage, emotionally exposed in a real-time moment of heartbreak.
WWE navigating legacy, controversy, and unity with a blend of honoring tradition and surprising fan loyalty.
The Hogan brand at a crossroads: grieving, evolving, and perhaps reinventing.

As fans continue to replay those moments online, questions emerge: Will Nick step into his father’s boots? Will Brooke return to her father’s legacy—or chart her own path? And could this tribute become the defining moment that heals or fractures one of wrestling’s most storied families?

Nick Hogan’s tears were more than sadness—they were a signal. The passing of Hulk Hogan didn’t just close a chapter on one of WWE’s greatest careers—it ignited a new storyline full of grief, media scrutiny, and potential reinvention.