“‘RIP, Brother’ — Jesse Watters’ Heartbreaking Hulk Hogan Tribute, and the Off-Camera Detail Fans Can’t Stop Asking About” After WWE icon Hulk Hogan died on July 24 from a heart attack in Florida, Jesse Watters posted a stark two-word farewell and honored him again that night on air. But it’s the unseen moment surrounding Watters’ tribute that has viewers buzzing: what did Hogan tell him the last time they spoke? Inside the post, the segment—and the silence.
America is in mourning following the sudden death of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, and Fox News host Jesse Watters has delivered one of the most emotional tributes yet — calling the WWE icon not only a cultural hero but a personal “brother.”
The Day Hulkamania Went Silent
On July 24, Hulk Hogan — born Terry Gene Bollea — passed away at his Clearwater, Florida home after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 71.
Paramedics rushed to the scene, but despite immediate efforts, the larger-than-life wrestling superstar could not be revived. By evening, news of his passing had spread across social media, sparking tributes from wrestlers, actors, athletes, and fans who grew up in the era of red-and-yellow bandanas and the rallying cry: “Whatcha gonna do, brother?”
“RIP Brother” — A Photo Worth a Thousand Words
Jesse Watters, host of Jesse Watters Primetime on Fox News, took to Instagram on July 25 to post a single, powerful image: a throwback shot of him interviewing Hogan at a Republican event.
In the photo, Hogan is mid-action — his massive hands tearing open a suit jacket in that signature Hulkamania flourish, mouth wide in a theatrical roar. Watters, seated next to him, is caught grinning, seemingly as entertained as the crowd watching.
The caption was just two words, but they hit hard: “RIP BROTHER.”
Within minutes, the post had thousands of comments, most from fans echoing the sentiment with their own “Rest in peace, brother” messages — the phrase immortalized by Hogan throughout his career.
On-Air Tribute: “He Was America’s Superhero”
Later that night, Watters opened his Fox News program with a full segment dedicated to Hogan’s life, legacy, and personal impact.
“Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler,” Watters began, his tone steady but reverent. “He was a household name. You said ‘Hulk,’ people knew. You said ‘Hogan,’ same thing.”
Behind him, a montage rolled — Hogan slamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, flexing in front of roaring crowds, standing alongside American flags.
“He was the embodiment of the ultimate good guy,” Watters continued. “Not just because he could pick up 500-pound giants, but because he made you believe that good would always defeat evil.”
Wrestling for America
Watters spoke about Hogan’s cultural impact during the Cold War era, when the WWE (then WWF) often staged matches as patriotic theater. Soviet and Middle Eastern villains were pitted against Hogan’s all-American hero persona, and the symbolism wasn’t lost on audiences.
“Hulk came in and kicked them out of his ring,” Watters said. “He wasn’t just wrestling bad guys — he was wrestling for America.”
Those moments, Watters argued, went beyond entertainment: “Hogan was part of the culture that reminded us we were strong, that we could win — in the ring and in the real world.”
Beyond the Ring: A Pop Culture Icon
Watters’ tribute also celebrated Hogan’s crossover success. Clips from Rocky III showed Hogan in his role as “Thunderlips” opposite Sylvester Stallone. Footage from his 1990s TV series Thunder in Paradise and reality show Hogan Knows Best flashed on screen.
“Hogan didn’t just deliver in the ring,” Watters said. “He was a menace behind the mic, a master promoter, and a pop culture icon. There was only one Hulk Hogan.”
Watters also acknowledged Hogan’s political side, playing a clip from the 2024 Republican National Convention where Hogan appeared alongside Donald Trump — in what would turn out to be one of his final public appearances.
“Hulkamania joined forces with Trumpamania,” Watters said with a grin. “That was the last time he ever walked the stage at Madison Square Garden — the place he once ruled.”
A Personal Connection: “He Was a Friend of Primetime”
For Watters, Hogan was more than a celebrity interview. “He wasn’t just a friend of the President,” Watters told viewers. “He was a friend of Primetime.”
Watters described him as “warm, funny, and fiercely loyal” off-camera. “Hulk Hogan’s life represents a time when men were men, and America wasn’t scared of anything. If Hogan could body slam a 500-pound giant, anything was possible — for you, for me, for this country.”
“His Heart Was Even Bigger Than His Muscles”
The most moving moment came near the end of Watters’ tribute.
“Nothing was bigger than Hulk’s heart,” Watters said, his voice softening. “For all the surgeries, all the injuries, all the pain — he kept going. And he kept smiling. That’s real strength.”
He closed with a final send-off: “Rest in peace, brother. The ring may be quiet tonight, but Hulkamania will live forever.”
The Final Days
Hogan’s passing comes after years of health struggles. He had undergone multiple surgeries, including a recent spinal fusion. Rumors about his health had been swirling online in early July, with some claiming he was in a coma. His wife, Sky Hogan, firmly denied those rumors just weeks ago, telling TMZ that while he was recovering from surgeries, his heart was “strong.”
In the end, the cardiac arrest that claimed his life was sudden. Emergency responders arrived within minutes of the 911 call, but Hogan could not be revived.
An Enduring Legacy
For wrestling fans, Hulk Hogan wasn’t just an athlete. He was the wrestler who brought professional wrestling into the mainstream, inspiring millions of kids to “say your prayers and take your vitamins.”
For Jesse Watters, he was a reminder of a bolder, more unapologetic America — a time when the heroes were loud, the villains were obvious, and the good guys always won in the end.
“Hulk Hogan made you believe you could be bigger than you were,” Watters told viewers. “And in believing, maybe you actually became it.”
Fans React Worldwide
Within hours of Watters’ on-air tribute, clips flooded social media. Fans across generations shared personal memories of Hogan — from watching his matches with their parents in the ’80s to introducing him to their own kids through vintage WWE footage on streaming services.
The hashtag #RIPBrother trended globally on X (formerly Twitter), alongside #HulkamaniaForever.
One fan summed it up: “When Hogan hit the ring, the world felt safe for 15 minutes. That was his magic.”
The Final Bell
The WWE announced it will hold a special tribute during its next live broadcast, featuring a ten-bell salute — a tradition reserved for wrestling greats.
As for Jesse Watters, his final words on the matter lingered long after the broadcast ended: “Hulk, you taught me what strength really means. You will be missed — but never forgotten.”
Bottom line: Hulk Hogan may be gone, but the world he helped shape — one of oversized heroes, simple morals, and boundless showmanship — lives on in the millions who watched him, cheered for him, and believed, if only for a moment, that they could be Hulk too.
