Nick Hogan Shared a Touching Message to His Dad, Hulk Hogan, Just Weeks Before His Death

A heartfelt Father's Day tribute has captured renewed attention following the sudden passing of the wrestling icon.

On June 15, 2025, Nick Hogan and his father, Hulk Hogan, each posted a nostalgic photo on social media in honor of Father's Day, which now serves as a cherished memory following Hulk's death on July 24.

The Instagram image, seemingly taken in a school classroom when Nick was much younger, shows the wrestling icon and his son wearing matching outfits. Hulk donned a yellow bandana while Nick had a red one, but both sported yellow shirts and red pants.

The most notable aspect is that the duo can be seen doing a power flex, with their fists clenched and their faces set in playful snarls.

In his caption, Nick wrote, "Had a great Father's Day with the goat! Happy Father's Day to all the awesome dads! 💪💪."

That day, Hulk's account, along with the social media for his wrestling shop, also uploaded the photo, and the caption congratulated all dads on their special day while promoting a T-shirt sale.

After Hulk's death on Thursday, several people took to the comments section of the post with their condolences and well-wishes.

And although Nick himself has yet to comment on the loss, his wife, Tana Lea, posted several images of their wedding earlier this year to her Instagram stories, highlighting the wrestling icon.

The wedding party appears to be posing for the photographer in both images. One shows Hulk standing slightly off to the side behind his son with his arms raised and mouth open in joy.

Another captures the WWE legend with one hand on Nick's shoulder as he smiles brightly. Father and son look blissful on that significant occasion, reflecting the strong bond they shared. That connection was confirmed by a source who spoke to Us Weekly.

"Hulk and his son, Nick, were very close," the insider revealed. "Nick got married recently and lives down in Florida near his dad. They got on great — it was a solid father-son relationship."

While Tana honored Hulk Hogan with some great memories featuring Nick, others have spoken out after the legend's passing. As previously reported, Ric Flair was overcome with emotion while speaking to TMZ as he reflected on the loss of the fellow wrestling icon, who died of cardiac arrest in Florida.

"I just talked to Jimmy Hart yesterday," Ric said, referring to Hulk's longtime manager, and revealed that he told him he "was fine." Though they spent years facing off in the ring, Ric said the public perception of their rivalry didn't reflect the reality of their bond.

"We were actually very, very close friends," he said. "We kept up with each other on a regular basis." As he sobbed, he added, "To have this happen is just horrible." Ric recalled the chemistry they shared during their careers. "We had magic," he said.

Beyond their wrestling careers, Ric described a friendship that extended well beyond the spotlight. "We've done signings together," adding that they also did Hard Rock appearances. "I've been out to his bar for karaoke," he said.

Ric also shared personal memories that spoke to Hulk's character. He recalled a time when Hulk lent him money and refused to let him repay it. And when Ric faced a near-death health scare a few years ago, Hulk was one of the first people to visit him in the hospital. "How do you forget things like that?" Ric said, still visibly shaken by the loss.

As Ric's emotional tribute to Hulk spread online, fans responded with an outpouring of support and shared grief. Many were struck by the rawness of Ric's reaction and the depth of the friendship between the two wrestling legends.

"Ric is hurting for real and it’s really sad to see. That's brotherly love," one fan wrote, reacting to footage of Ric breaking down during the interview. Another added, "Ric Flair just shows how much friendship behind the scenes and beyond the wrestling industry really matters."

Some emphasized the enduring bond between the two icons despite past controversies. "True Friends. Over the recent years they have tried to rip Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair down so much. These people are above that and will always be immortal," one comment read.

Others pointed to the powerful connection forged through decades in the ring. "You can feel Ric’s pain even though they were rivals in the fight! Two great professionals and genuine who made the world wrestling great [sic]."

As tributes continue to pour in, Ric's public grief has served as a reminder of the strong ties formed beyond the spotlight of professional wrestling.