It was announced that Hulk Hogan died today from cardiac arrest at the age of 67.
Born Terry Gene Bollea, he was discovered by Jack and Jerry Brisco when they saw Mr. Bollea playing with his band at a local Tampa club. Impressed by his size, they spoke to Terry about trying out as a professional wrestler. Terry agreed and began training.
Terry had his first match in 1977, after a little more than a year of training for the CWF (Championship Wrestling from Florida). Terry often appeared as a masked wrestler called The Super Destroyer. After about a year Terry decided to quit wrestling. He managed a club and opened a gym. In his spare time Mr. Bollea worked out with his buddy Ed Leslie (later known as Brutus the Barber Beefcake). It occurred to Terry that because both he and Ed were big and muscular, they might make a good wrestling team.
The two began wrestling as The Boulder Brothers. It was during this time that Terry was on a talk show with Lou “The Hulk” Ferrigno. Terry was bigger than Lou and so he was given the wrestling name Terry “The Hulk” Boulder. During this time Terry also wrestled under the name Sterling Golden.
In 1979, Vince McMahon, owner and promoter of the WWF, signed Terry to a contract. McMahon gave Terry the name Hulk Hogan. For his initial run with the WWF, Hogan was cast as a villain. When Hulk Hogan was offered a role in Rocky III, he accepted. Mr. McMahon was against the idea and cut Hulk Hogan from the WWF roster. Hulk Hogan’s role in Rocky III gave him more nation and world-wide recognition than professional wrestling.
After filming was completed, Hulk Hogan signed with the American Wrestling Association. He was initially given the role of a bad guy, but proved to be so popular with fans, Hogan soon became a babyface (good guy).
In 1983, Vince McMahon had plans to take his WWF promotion nation-wide. He had secured television time and just needed a superstar to be the face of the company. Mr. McMahon decided that Hulk Hogan was the wrestler he needed. McMahon offered Hogan a contract. In short order, Hogan was made champion.
“Hulkamania” ran wild. Fans loved him. Hulk Hogan was at the top of the card for eight of the first nine Wrestlemania pay-per-views. He was a five time WWF champion. He was the first wrestler to win back to back Royal Rumble matches. Hulk Hogan’s match with André the Giant on February 5, 1988, still holds the American television viewership record for professional wrestling. It scored a 15.2 Nielsen rating with 33 million viewers.
Hulk Hogan’s popularity gave him opportunities outside of wrestling. He starred in several movies, a couple of television series and made guest appearances on television shows as well.
Some of the television projects that feature Hulk Hogan include: CWA Wrestling (2 episodes – Terry “The Hulk” Boulder); WWF World Championship Wrestling (1 episode – Sterling Golden); Wrestling at the Chase; Spectrum Wrestling (3 episodes); The War to Settle the Score; Goldie and the Bears; Search for Tomorrow (2 episodes); Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling (2 episodes); The Love Boat; The A-Team; WWF Championship Wrestling (29 episodes); WWF All-Star Wrestling (10 episodes); Dolly; The All New Mickey Mouse Club; WWF Prime Time Wrestling (6 episodes); WWF Challenge (14 episodes); WWF on MSG Network (14 episodes); WWF Superstars (32 episodes); Thunder in Paradise (22 episodes); Baywatch; WCW Saturday Night (6 episodes); WCW Bash at the Beach; Assault on Death Mountain; Suddenly Susan (2 episodes); WCW Thunder (23 episodes); WCW Monday Nitro (176 episodes); Biography; Walker, Texas Ranger; American Dad; TNA Impact Wrestling (131 episodes); China, IL (19 episodes); WWE Next (2 episodes); Robot Chicken (4 episodes); The Goldbergs; WWE Smackdown! (35 episodes) and WWE Raw (47 episodes).
Some of Hulk Hogan’s feature film appearances include: Rocky III; No Holds Barred; Gremlins 2: The New Batch; Suburban Commando; Mr. Nanny; Spy Hard; Santa with Muscles; The Ultimate Weapon and Muppets from Space.
Hulk Hogan is arguably the All-Time most well-known and popular professional wrestler. He came at a time when professional wrestling broke away from regional territories and went nation-wide. Hogan’s charisma and ability to talk when given a microphone outweighed his wrestling ability, but it didn’t matter. Fans loved him. As he got older, Hogan was able to stay at the top of the card when he switched from babyface to heel. He had a long career and professional wrestling was better for it.
I saw Hulk Hogan wrestle at live events twice. The first was in Indianapolis. Hogan thrilled the fans in the sold out venue. The second time was in Daytona Beach, Florida. My wife and I took our two sons and nephew. The crowd was shocked when Hogan turned heel. The next day, I taught summer school. Everyone (kids and adults) were talking about Hogan’s reversal. No one could believe it. Which is just what Hogan wanted.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Hulk Hogan’s family, friends and fans.