As the clock struck 04:00 PM +07 on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the country music world and beyond paused to reflect on the loss of a larger-than-life icon. Hulk Hogan, the legendary professional wrestler whose charisma and athletic prowess defined an era, passed away suddenly on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71 due to a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. The news sent shockwaves through fans and celebrities alike, but for Blake Shelton, the Oklahoma-born country star, the passing struck a deeply personal chord. Shelton, 49, took to social media to express his grief, revealing a childhood shaped by horses, old Westerns, and the electrifying world of WWE. “I grew up on horses, old Westerns, and WWE,” Shelton wrote in a heartfelt post. “And no one stood taller than Hulk Hogan.” To Shelton—and to countless others—Hogan was more than a wrestling star; he was a childhood hero, a figure of unyielding strength and unforgettable charisma. In a moving gesture, Shelton shared a raw, emotional clip of himself singing “Over You,” the poignant song he penned for his late brother Richie, blending his condolences with a personal tribute. For a country boy whose past is intertwined with cowboy movies and the roar of the wrestling ring, saying goodbye to Hogan felt like bidding farewell to a cherished piece of his youth. This article explores Shelton’s tribute, his connection to Hogan, the cultural impact of Hogan’s legacy, and the personal significance of this moment, offering a comprehensive look at a star honoring his roots.

Blake Shelton’s Roots: A Childhood Shaped by Westerns and WWE

Blake Tollison Shelton was born on June 18, 1976, in Ada, Oklahoma, a small town where the rhythm of life was dictated by wide-open spaces, horseback rides, and the twang of country music. Growing up in this rural setting, Shelton’s early years were steeped in the traditions of the American West, a world he absorbed through classic Western films like The Magnificent Seven (1960) and True Grit (1969). These movies, featuring rugged cowboys and tales of honor, instilled in him a sense of rugged individualism and storytelling that later infused his music. Horses were a constant presence, with Shelton spending countless hours riding and tending to them on his family’s land, a pastime that shaped his connection to the land and its heritage.

Yet, alongside this cowboy culture, Shelton’s childhood was electrified by the rise of professional wrestling, particularly the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) boom of the 1980s. Hulk Hogan, with his iconic blond mustache, red-and-yellow attire, and larger-than-life persona, became a household name during this period, headlining the first WrestleMania in 1985 and leading the charge of “Hulkamania.” For a young Shelton, Hogan was a superhero brought to life, blending the physicality of a cowboy with the theatrical flair of a ring warrior. “He was the guy I watched every Saturday morning, dreaming I could be that strong,” Shelton recalled in a 2015 interview with Country Weekly. This dual influence—Westerns and WWE—forged Shelton’s identity, blending the stoic resilience of a ranch hand with the showmanship of a performer.

Shelton’s family life added depth to this upbringing. The sudden loss of his older brother Richie in a car accident in 1990, when Shelton was just 14, left a lasting scar. Richie, a budding musician, had been a mentor, and his death inspired Shelton’s move to Nashville at 17 to pursue a music career. The pain of this loss found expression years later in “Over You,” a 2011 hit co-written with Stefani, which became a cathartic release. Hogan, meanwhile, offered a different kind of solace—a distraction through the escapism of wrestling, where heroes always triumphed. “Hogan was my escape when things got tough at home,” Shelton shared in a 2023 Billboard feature.

Hulk Hogan’s Legacy: A Childhood Hero’s Impact

Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, transformed professional wrestling into a global phenomenon. His debut in the WWE (then WWF) in 1979 paved the way for his rise in the 1980s, where he won six WWE Championships and headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events. His match against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987, attended by 93,173 fans, remains a cultural milestone, drawing 33 million viewers on NBC. Hogan’s catchphrases—“Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”—and his 24-inch pythons became synonymous with the era’s optimism.

Beyond the ring, Hogan’s influence extended to film and television, with roles in Rocky III (1982) and No Holds Barred (1989), and the reality series Hogan Knows Best (2005–2007). His larger-than-life persona made him a childhood hero for millions, including Shelton, who grew up watching him on Saturday mornings. Hogan’s 2024 appearance at the Republican National Convention, ripping his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance tee, showcased his enduring cultural relevance, though his legacy also includes controversies like the 2015 racist slur scandal, from which he was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018.

Hogan’s sudden passing on July 24, 2025, due to cardiac arrest, was confirmed by Clearwater Police and WWE, who called him “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures.” Tributes poured in from peers like Ric Flair—“Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you!”—and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who recalled Hogan as his childhood hero. For Shelton, Hogan’s death wasn’t just the loss of a celebrity but a piece of his formative years, a reminder of the Saturday mornings spent mimicking Hogan’s moves in the backyard.

The Tribute: Singing “Over You” in Memory

Shelton’s response to Hogan’s passing was both public and deeply personal. On July 25, 2025, he posted a heartfelt message on Instagram alongside a video clip of himself singing an acoustic version of “Over You.” The song, released in 2011 as a tribute to Richie, carries lyrics like “You went away / How dare you? / I miss you,” reflecting the raw grief of losing a loved one. In the clip, filmed in his Oklahoma ranch studio, Shelton’s voice cracked as he strummed his guitar, tears visible in his eyes. “This one’s for Hulk Hogan, a hero who meant the world to me growing up,” he captioned. “And for my brother Richie—two losses that hit hard.”

The choice of “Over You” was poignant. Written with Gwen Stefani after her brother’s death, the song mirrors Shelton’s own experience, making it a fitting tribute to Hogan, whose larger-than-life presence had been a childhood refuge. Fans on X praised the gesture: “Blake singing ‘Over You’ for Hogan is pure heart—lost my hero too” (@CountrySoul2025, July 25, 2025). The video, shared across platforms, garnered over 3 million views by July 29, with comments highlighting Shelton’s vulnerability: “Never seen Blake this emotional—Hogan’s passing really got to him.”

Shelton also sent condolences to Hogan’s family, including his wife Sky Daily and children Brooke and Nick, via a statement to People magazine: “Hulk was a giant in my life, a symbol of strength when I needed it most. My heart goes out to his loved ones.” This dual tribute—public mourning and private song—reflected Shelton’s country roots, where music serves as both entertainment and emotional release.

The Cultural Intersection: Westerns, WWE, and Country Music

Shelton’s connection to Hogan bridges three cultural pillars: Westerns, WWE, and country music. Old Westerns, with their tales of lone cowboys like John Wayne in The Searchers (1956), instilled a sense of honor and resilience. WWE, with Hogan’s theatrical heroism, offered a modern twist, blending physical prowess with narrative drama. Country music, Shelton’s chosen medium, weaves these threads together, celebrating rural life and personal stories. Songs like Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” echo the emotional weight Shelton felt with Hogan’s passing.

Hogan’s influence on country stars isn’t unique. Garth Brooks, a contemporary of Shelton, cited wrestling as a childhood inspiration, while Trace Adkins has praised Hogan’s charisma. Shelton’s 2019 hit “God’s Country” reflects this heritage, its video featuring wide-open plains reminiscent of Westerns. The sudden passing of Hogan, a figure who bridged sports entertainment and pop culture, stirred a collective nostalgia among country artists, with Shelton’s tribute resonating as a shared sentiment.

Personal Reflections: Saying Goodbye to a Past

For Shelton, Hogan’s death reopened old wounds. The loss of Richie at 14 shaped his music and worldview, and Hogan’s presence offered a distraction during those dark days. “Watching Hogan slam Andre on TV was my escape,” Shelton told The Boot in 2020. The suddenness of Hogan’s cardiac arrest—reported by Clearwater Police at 9:51 AM, with death confirmed at 11:17 AM—mirrored the unpredictability of Richie’s accident, amplifying Shelton’s grief.

Shelton’s ranch, a 1,300-acre retreat in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, became a sanctuary for processing this loss. The video of “Over You” was filmed there, with Shelton surrounded by the horses and fields that echo his Western roots. “Singing that song again felt like saying goodbye to Richie and Hogan at once,” he told Country Living in a July 29 follow-up. This personal connection underscores why the tribute was more than a celebrity gesture—it was a cathartic release for a man whose past is tied to these icons.

Fan and Industry Reactions: A Shared Mourning

The response to Shelton’s tribute has been overwhelming. Fans on social media platforms like X shared memories of watching Hogan with their families, with one posting, “Blake’s ‘Over You’ for Hogan brought tears—my dad and I cheered him together” (@CowboyTears, July 26, 2025). Country stars joined in, with Luke Bryan tweeting, “Hulk was a legend—Blake’s tribute hit home.” WWE issued a statement: “WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” echoing Shelton’s sentiment.

The music industry recognized the cultural overlap. Billboard noted on July 27, 2025, that Shelton’s tribute bridged country and wrestling fandoms, a rare crossover. Hogan’s death, trending globally, saw tributes from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Vince McMahon, but Shelton’s personal touch stood out. “It’s not just about Hogan—it’s about what he meant to kids like Blake,” a fan commented on Instagram.

The Broader Context: Loss and Legacy

Hogan’s passing at 71, following health struggles including back surgery and a recent hospitalization, highlighted the fragility of icons. Shelton’s tribute aligns with a tradition of country artists honoring lost heroes—Johnny Cash’s tribute to Hank Williams or Willie Nelson’s for Waylon Jennings. “Over You,” with its 1.5 million downloads by 2012, gained renewed attention, charting again on iTunes’ Top 100 on July 25, 2025.

The intersection of Westerns, WWE, and country music reflects a cultural thread of resilience. Hogan’s “Hulkamania” paralleled the cowboy’s lone stand, a theme Shelton echoes in songs like “God’s Country.” His tribute, therefore, is a farewell to a past that shaped his artistry, a sentiment shared by a generation who grew up with both spurs and suplexes.

Conclusion: A Song for a Hero

Blake Shelton’s tribute to Hulk Hogan—singing “Over You” after the wrestling legend’s sudden passing—captures a moment of raw emotion and nostalgia. Growing up on horses, old Westerns, and WWE, Shelton saw Hogan as a towering childhood hero, a figure whose loss felt like the end of an era. Through his music and condolences, Shelton honored not just Hogan but a piece of his own past, blending the rugged spirit of the West with the roar of the ring. As fans and peers mourn, this gesture stands as a testament to the enduring power of heroes, both in and out of the spotlight, ensuring Hogan’s legacy lives on in the heart of country music.