Hulk Hogan sloughed off his WWE heel persona in real life this weekend — jumping to the rescue of a woman who got into a horrific car accident … and TMZ Sports has the pics.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us the legendary wrestler, his wife Sky Daily and a friend of theirs were cruising along a highway Sunday evening in Clearwater, FL when they witnessed a bad wreck play out right in front of them.

We’re told a car erratically swerved across the lanes to catch an exit it was about to miss — and in the process … clipped another car, which our sources say flipped over and tumbled.

Hulk and co., our sources explain, pulled over immediately — with HH and his pal, Jake, rushing over to render aid to the driver … a woman whom we’re told was rattled. Since they were first on the scene, we’re told Hulk and Jake actually helped get her out of the car.

Our sources say Jake popped the woman’s airbag with some tools that Hulk had on hand — and they both unbuckled her seatbelt and assisted her in safely leaving the vehicle. We’re told paramedics eventually arrived on the scene, and Hulk and his crew looked on.

In the end, our sources say the woman appeared to be okay … and HH was happy to help.

Pretty terrifying obviously — and while, thankfully, everyone seemed alright in the end … you gotta imagine the woman who was saved must’ve been surprised to see none other than Hulk himself being her personal hero. Again, he’s always played the villain in the ring.

Turns out, he’s the nicest guy and then some when called upon … well done, brother!