Triple H: You Can Argue That We Wouldn’t Be Here Without Hulk Hogan

Footage from the new “Real American” documentary on Netflix revealed how WWE handled their ten-bell salute.

Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) had passed away on July 24, 2025 with the cause of death being revealed as an acute myocardial infarction. The wrestling world mourned and had mixed reactions about his legacy and controversial comments made throughout his career which was talked about in his last interview in his new documentary.

In the new footage that was released on Netflix, it shows behind the scenes with Triple H (Paul Levesque) speaking with producers and WWE talent hours before Friday Night SmackDown was set to go on air about the plans to pay tribute to Hulk Hogan after the news had broken that he had passed away the day prior.

“Unfortunate passing of Hulk Hogan, yesterday. Hard to say that there is a more influential figure, especially on the performing side. No one is perfect in life, and they have ups and downs, but we’re going to continue to remember Hulk Hogan as what he meant to this industry. His influence cannot be denied and cannot be overstated. You can make an argument that we probably wouldn’t be sitting here today. This business might have gone the way of roller derby or some other shit that didn’t quite make it to the end, but here we are. We’re going to start this show off tonight with a ten-bell salute with everybody on stage. I don’t think it needs to be said, but anybody that has an issue and does not want to be on stage, no problem, no issue, no anything.”

Recently, the WWE unveiled a bronze statue of Hogan at WWE World during WrestleMania 42 week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

h/t to Fightful for the transcription.