At Hulk Hogan’s Emotional Farewell in Clearwater, Two Unexpected Voices Silenced the Crowd — Ed Sheeran and Celine Dion. Ed, Fighting Back Tears, Said, “He Made You Believe In Standing Tall When the World Knocked You Down.” Celine, Fragile Yet Radiant, Recalled His Warmth: “He Hugged Me Like I Was Family.” Then Came a Duet No One Saw Coming — Their Unreleased Tribute Song “Still Standing Tall.” as Celine’s Voice Soared and Ed’s Guitar Echoed Through the Church, Even Hogan’s Daughter Wept. WWE Legend RIC Flair Whispered, “This Wasn’t a Song. It Was a Goodbye Worthy of a Giant.” Hulk Hogan May Be Gone, but Through Their Music, His Spirit Rose for One Last Fight — and Won.
“Still Standing Tall”: Ed Sheeran and Celine Dion Lead a Powerful Musical Farewell for Hulk Hogan
An Unforgettable Tribute to the Giant Who Made the World Believe in Strength and Kindness
On a sun-drenched morning in Clearwater, Florida, the soft hum of church bells echoed through the palm-lined streets as mourners gathered to bid farewell to one of the most iconic figures in pop culture history — Hulk Hogan.
Born Terry Bollea in 1953, the wrestling titan passed away in 2025 at the age of 71. But on this day, inside the modest church where he once prayed as a young boy, fans, friends, and family came not to mourn a celebrity — but to celebrate a man who made millions believe in the power of standing tall.
The pews were filled with familiar faces — WWE legends like Ric Flair, The Undertaker, John Cena, and Stone Cold Steve Austin, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Hogan’s closest family. But it was the presence of Ed Sheeran and Celine Dion — unexpected but deeply meaningful — that stunned those in attendance.
Both had quietly flown in under the radar, choosing humility over headlines. When Ed stood at the front of the church, eyes misty and voice trembling, the silence was electric.
“I grew up watching him,” Ed began softly. “He wasn’t just strong in the ring. He made you believe in standing tall when the world tried to knock you down. I never thought I’d sing at his funeral… but there’s nowhere else I’d want to be today.”
Celine Dion, visibly frail yet radiant in spirit, followed.
“When I met Hulk at a charity gala in 2012,” she said, pausing to breathe through the emotion, “he hugged me like I was family. That’s who he was. He made everyone feel strong… even when he was the one suffering.”
Then came a moment no one could have anticipated — a world premiere of a song written in secret by Ed and Celine, a private tribute now offered as a final gift.
As Ed strummed the first chords on an acoustic guitar, Celine closed her eyes and took a steadying breath. The church held its collective breath.
🎵
“The ring is empty / The lights have dimmed / But echoes of your battle cry / Still live within…
You raised us up with arms of gold / You made the scared ones brave and bold…”
🎵
The song, titled “Still Standing Tall,” unfolded as a tender, emotionally raw duet — a portrait of courage, loyalty, and unshakeable love. Celine’s soaring soprano reached into every corner of the sanctuary, while Ed’s grounded harmonies wrapped around her voice like a protective embrace.
The lyrics struck like thunder — not loud, but deep. Honest. Familiar. A reflection of the Hulkster’s soul.
As the final verse faded into silence, there was no applause. No noise. Just the sound of quiet sobs, bowed heads, and the sacred hush that only comes when hearts break together.
Brooke Hogan, holding her mother Linda’s hand, wept openly. Ric Flair, seated beside John Cena, wiped a tear with trembling hands.
“That wasn’t a performance,” Flair later said. “That was a goodbye worthy of a man who made us all feel invincible.”
Outside, a towering floral wreath bore the words “You Made Us Brave”, while mourners left handwritten notes at a makeshift memorial by the church steps. Messages like “My first hero”, “Still my champion”, and “Thanks for showing us how to fight — and forgive” were taped beside childhood wrestling posters, championship belt replicas, and worn yellow bandanas.
After the ceremony, Ed shared on social media:
“We don’t always get to thank our heroes while they’re alive. I’m grateful I could sing for one of mine on the way out.”
Celine echoed his sentiment in a rare post from her team:
“He fought. He lifted. He loved. Rest easy, Hulk. You’re still standing tall — in all of us.”
Though Hogan’s wrestling days are over, his final send-off proved that his impact stretched far beyond the ring.
This was not the Hulkamaniac farewell the world expected. It was better. It was personal. It was human.
And as two of the world’s most powerful voices sang one final anthem for a man who defined toughness with tenderness, the world was reminded of what real strength looks like.
Because Hulk Hogan may have taken his final bow —
but through music, memory, and the hearts he lifted…
he’s still standing tall.
