We have all been there. You are scrolling through your phone, you see a face that triggers a memory, and you hit "post" before your brain fully catches up with your thumbs. Usually, for us, it is a typo or a bad take on a movie. For Hulk Hogan, it was accidentally telling the entire world that Bam Margera had died.
It happened on a Monday—Memorial Day 2018, to be exact. The wrestling legend took to Twitter (now X) to share a sentimental photo of himself standing next to the Jackass star. The caption was pure Hogan: "Damn Bam I wish you were still with us, I sure would love to hang out again my brother love u miss u HH."
Within seconds, the internet went into a full-blown meltdown. People were frantically Googling "Did Bam Margera die?" Fans were refreshing news sites, waiting for a confirmation that never came. Because, honestly, Bam was fine. He was actually hanging out at a pool with his family at the time.
Why the Hulk Hogan Bam Margera Tweet Went Viral
The reason this specific blunder blew up wasn't just because it was a death hoax. It was the sheer confusion of it all. Hulk Hogan has millions of followers. When he says someone is gone, people tend to believe it for a split second.
The tweet stayed up just long enough to cause a panic. Then came the realization. Hogan hadn't just made a typo; he had confused Bam Margera with his late co-star, Ryan Dunn. Dunn, who was Bam's best friend and a staple of the Jackass crew, had tragically passed away in a car accident years earlier in 2011.
💡 You might also like: Elisabeth Harnois: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Relationship Status
Hogan eventually figured it out. He deleted the original tribute and followed up with a classic "whoops" post: "Got Ryan and Bam mixed up sorry Bam!!! HH."
The Internet Never Forgets
You can’t just "un-kill" a celebrity on the internet without becoming a meme. Even though the tweets were deleted almost immediately, screenshots live forever. For years, the Hulk Hogan Bam Margera tweet has been a staple of "Hall of Fame" Twitter mistakes.
People started making jokes that maybe Hulk Hogan knew something we didn't. Others pointed out the irony that Bam had spent years doing stunts that could have actually killed him, only to be "taken out" by a misplaced tweet from the Hulkster.
- The Mix-up: Hogan confused Bam Margera with Ryan Dunn.
- The Timing: It happened on Memorial Day 2018.
- The Outcome: A temporary internet panic followed by years of memes.
The Connection Between Hulk and the Jackass Crew
It might seem weird that Hulk Hogan was even posting about Bam in the first place. But if you grew up in the mid-2000s, it makes total sense. Both were titans of reality TV and MTV-adjacent culture. Hogan had Hogan Knows Best, and Bam had Viva La Bam. They moved in the same circles of "famous for being loud and chaotic."
📖 Related: Don Toliver and Kali Uchis: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The two had actually spent time together at various events over the years. That is why Hogan had the photo ready to go. He genuinely liked the guy; he just apparently hadn't checked in on him in about seven years.
A Full Circle Moment in 2024
The story actually got a bit of a heartwarming update recently. After years of the tweet being a joke at their expense, Hulk Hogan and Bam Margera finally met up in person again in early 2024.
Bam posted a video of the encounter, and it was exactly what you'd expect. Hogan, looking like he hadn't aged a day since the tweet, was seen hugging Bam and laughing about the whole thing. It was a "finishing the story" moment for wrestling fans and Jackass fans alike. Seeing them together proved that there was no bad blood. Bam, who has had a very public struggle with addiction and health issues over the last decade, looked happy to be "back from the dead" in the eyes of the Hulkster.
Why These Celebrity Mistakes Still Matter
In an era where every celebrity post is vetted by a PR team of twenty people, there is something weirdly refreshing about Hulk Hogan just tweeting whatever pops into his head. It's authentic, even if it's spectacularly wrong.
👉 See also: Darius Rucker with Wife: What Really Happened and Who He’s With Now
It reminds us that these icons are just people who get confused by technology and memories. Hogan’s "HH" sign-off has become a bit of a legend itself—a stamp of a man who is doing his best but sometimes trips over the finish line.
If you are looking for a lesson here, it's probably to double-check your facts before you eulogize a living person. But also, maybe don't take social media too seriously. One minute you're dead on Twitter; the next, you're grabbing a beer with the man who accidentally buried you.
What to Keep in Mind
If you ever see a celebrity death report starting from a single social media post, take a beat. Check a reputable news source. Most of the time, it's just a "Hulk Hogan" moment.
If you want to keep up with the real status of your favorite stars, follow their official Instagram or verified news outlets. Don't let a "Damn Bam" tweet ruin your afternoon.
Actionable Insight: The next time you see a shocking celebrity headline on social media, use a tool like Google News to verify it before sharing. Most viral death hoaxes are debunked within fifteen minutes, saving you from the embarrassment of sharing a "Hogan-level" mistake.