Hulk Hogan was supposed to appear in Cleveland next month to launch the new “Real American Freestyle Wrestling” promotion with Eric Bischoff and Kurt Angle.

Instead, WWE superstars paid tribute to the Hulkster on Smackdown in Cleveland after his death this week at age 71.

Triple H, the current WWE boss, said everyone wouldn’t be here without Hogan, who had inspired millions.

Later in the show, Cody Rhodes talked about Hogan’s “staggering and indisputable” contributions to professional wrestling.

Rhodes turned his attention to WWE champion John Cena and their street fight at SummerSlam next week.

Rhodes said he wanted to wrestle “the real John Cena,” not the one who tried to bow out of the match last week.

JELLY ROLL CAN WRESTLE?

Cleveland native Logan Paul talked about his upcoming match at SummerSlam, and Jelly Roll came out to trade insults with him.

Their respective partners, Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton, hit the ring for a brawl. Jelly Roll hit an impressive Black Hole Slam on Paul.

Roxanne Perez defeated Alexa Bliss in the opening match by grabbing the ropes for leverage.

Perez & Raquel Rodriguez will defend the WWE women’s tag team belts at SummerSlam against Bliss & Charlotte Flair.

Jade Cargill defeated Chelsea Green with the Jaded slam. Cargill is targeting WWE women’s champion Tiffany Stratton at SummerSlam.

WELCOME HOME, MIZ

The Miz is another Cleveland native, and Rocket Arena has a big “Welcome home, Miz” mural in the backstage area.

He made the unfortunate Miz-take of slapping Jacob Fatu in the face, so Fatu defeated him in the ring with a Samoan Drop.

US champion Solo Sikoa and his My Family Tree group attacked Fatu after the match. Solo will defend the US title against Fatu in a steel cage match at SummerSlam.

TAG TEAM INSANITY

The Wyatt Sicks defended the WWE tag team title against Andrade & Rey Fenix. Nikki Cross saved the Wyatts’ titles by yanking the referee out of the ring before Joe Gacy could be pinned.

The Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and #DIY invaded the ring for a giant brawl.

Smackdown General Manager announced that all six teams would compete in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match at SummerSlam.