WWE SmackDown Underwent Major Changes Following Hulk Hogan’s Death

The July 25 episode of WWE SmackDown took a sharp emotional turn following the sudden passing of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan.

The two-time WWE Hall of Famer died at 71 years old, and WWE made sure the show reflected the gravity of that loss. But now we’re learning that SmackDown almost didn’t come together the way it did.

According to Fightful Select, WWE scrambled behind the scenes to overhaul Friday’s show just hours after Hogan’s death was confirmed. A source told the outlet, “Obviously there were some major changes to Smackdown this week after Hogan’s passing. The majority of the show was shifted, the travel department had to arrange to bring in a ton of talent, and they had to produce and edit a lot of content for Friday. Not everyone that wanted to be there was able to make it.”

SmackDown kicked off with the entire roster—along with several legends—gathered on the stage as Triple H addressed the live audience. He shared that “without Hulk Hogan, none of us would be standing here.” A 10-bell salute followed, along with a powerful video tribute to the Immortal One, set to his iconic “Real American” theme music. Triple H also lent his voice to the mini-documentary that opened the show.

The tribute package was longer than usual, capturing key moments from Hogan’s towering legacy in the industry—from Hulkamania’s birth to his unforgettable WrestleMania clashes.

Despite WWE’s reputation for high-level production, pulling this tribute off in such a short time was nothing short of massive. The sudden nature of Hogan’s passing forced WWE to act quickly—and even with all hands on deck, some talent who wanted to appear just couldn’t get there in time.

WWE proved once again that when it comes to honoring their legends, they can flip the switch fast and still deliver something truly emotional and memorable.

What did you think of WWE’s tribute to Hulk Hogan on SmackDown? Do you feel they captured his legacy properly? Sound off in the comments and share your memories.

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