Remembering Hulk Hogan: The Hulkster's Enduring Legacy

July 24, 2025 – The world of professional wrestling celebrates the legacy of Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, head‑scarf‑wearing icon who turned wrestling into a global business and cultural touchstone. Born Terry Bollea, Hogan helped WWE achieve worldwide recognition in the 1980s and became "one of pop culture's most recognizable figures." Hogan is survived by his wife Sky Daily, his children Brooke and Nick, and ex‑wives Linda and Jennifer.

The Rise of Hulkamania

Hogan's journey from Tampa club bouncer to national hero began with a rapid ascent in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). After winning the WWF championship in 1984, he headlined the very first WrestleMania in March 1985 at Madison Square Garden, teaming with actor Mr. T to defeat Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff in front of roughly one million viewers on closed‑circuit television. That event – billed as the Super Bowl of wrestling – catapulted the sport into the mainstream and birthed the phenomenon known as Hulkamania. With his red‑and‑yellow gear, horseshoe mustache and "24‑inch pythons," he urged kids to say their prayers and take their vitamins while ripping off his T‑shirt before matches.

At the height of Hulkamania, Hogan was the face of professional wrestling. He main‑evented seven of the first eight WrestleManias, co‑starred in movies like Rocky III and the TV series Thunder in Paradise, and recorded a 1,474‑day reign as WWF champion – the third‑longest in company history. His grudge match with Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987 drew a reported 80,000 fans to the Pontiac Silverdome and made wrestling water‑cooler conversation.

Reinventing a Legend

By the mid‑1990s fans tired of his squeaky‑clean hero persona, so Hogan reinvented himself. In 1996 he shocked viewers by turning villain in rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW), forming the New World Order (NWO) alongside Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. Dressed in black and white instead of his trademark red and yellow, "Hollywood Hogan" led the NWO to dominate ratings and captured the darker zeitgeist of the late 1990s. The faction's anti‑hero swagger helped WCW beat WWF in TV ratings for 83 straight weeks and reinvigorated Hogan's career.

The Hulkster returned to WWE in 2002 for a dream match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8, where fans cheered him despite his villainous past. Recognizing his contributions, WWE inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2005.

Beyond the Ring

Hogan's charisma transcended wrestling. He guest‑starred on talk shows, launched a cartoon, released a rock album, and appeared in films. His catchphrase – "Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?" – became part of pop culture. Later in life, Hogan endured personal and legal controversies but remained a pop‑culture figure; he even made a cameo at a Donald Trump rally in 2024. Though opinions differed on his off‑screen behavior, his influence on sports entertainment is undeniable.

A Living Legend

Throughout his career, tributes have poured in from peers and fans. WWE's statement praised him as a superstar who inspired millions, while legends like Ric Flair and Triple H called him a close friend and "the archetype of what it meant to be a 'Superstar'." Even former U.S. President Donald Trump – whom Hogan supported publicly – wrote that he had "the biggest heart" and was a MAGA all the way hero. The outpouring underscores how deeply the Hulkster connected with people across generations.

The Legacy Lives On

From the roaring crowds of WrestleMania to the ongoing influence on modern wrestling, Hulk Hogan's legacy spans eras. He was the towering hero of the 1980s, the shocking rebel of the 1990s, and a perennial symbol of the spectacle and showmanship that define professional wrestling. As fans continue to celebrate his contributions, they're reminded of the nights he made them believe in larger‑than‑life heroes and villains. In the words of WWE, he was "one of pop culture's most recognizable figures", and his influence continues to run wild. The Hulkster's impact on sports entertainment will never fade.