WTF Happened to Hulk Hogan?

Whenever you hear the phrases “skilled wrestler,” whose face involves thoughts? “Nicely, let me inform you one thing, brother…” there could also be no extra iconic determine on the earth {of professional} wrestling than Terrence Gene Bollea. However chances are you’ll know him as Hulk Hogan. 

So WTF occurred to Hulk Hogan? With a profession that spans over 45 years, quite a bit. Let’s begin in the beginning. However earlier than we do, let’s remember the fact that the supply of numerous what follows is Bollea, himself. The whole file of Terry Bollea’s life is My Life Outdoors the Ring, his 2009 autobiography, which is extra exhaustive than 2002’s Hollywood Hogan. In an trade stocked stuffed with duplicitous individuals, Hulk Hogan’s lengthy been thought of to have maybe probably the most strained relationship with the reality of any of them. However neither ought to we let the reality get in the way in which of a superb story. 

Terry Gene Bollea was born on August 11, 1953 in Augusta, Georgia to the common-or-garden residence of Pete and Ruth Bollea. The household quickly after moved to Port Tampa, Florida. A proficient musician and baseball participant (Bollea says he may have gone professional in both), he grew taken with wrestling at a younger age. He was particularly enamoured with Dusty Rhodes, who was coming into his personal as a fan favorite within the Florida area on the Ome, and “Celebrity” Billy Graham, who would drastically encourage the Hulkster’s look and persona when he grew to become a wrestler himself. 

When Bollea was in his early 20s, outstanding skilled wrestlers working within the space took discover of him on the bars the place he performed music gigs and particularly on the gymnasium the place he labored out, Hector’s Health club in Tampa Bay. Mike Graham, son of legendary Nationwide Wrestling Alliance or NWA president Eddie Graham, and brothers Gerald and Jack Briscoe satisfied Bollea to present skilled wrestling a strive in 1976. They linked him with completed coach Hiro Matsuda. As Bollea tells it, at their first coaching session, Matsuda dryly requested, “So that you wish to be a wrestler?” and promptly deliberately broke Bollea’s leg. This way of hazing was not unusual within the trade, right now and for a while after. Hogan was initially turned off by Matsuda’s method however returned and had his first skilled match in opposition to Brian Blair in Fort Myers, Florida, on August 10, 1977. 

Promoter Vincent McMahon, who gave Bollea his first shot within the World Wrestling Federation or WWF in late 1979, is normally credited with no less than the “Hogan” a part of the Hulk Hogan title, if not the whole factor. McMahon noticed Hogan as a champion for the Irish members of the viewers regardless of Bollea being of Italian and French heritage. As Bollea tells it, the Hulk portion of the title was impressed by an look on a Cell, Alabama morning present alongside The Unimaginable Hulk TV sequence actor Lou Ferrigno, throughout which the host and his pals backstage propped Bollea up as being even larger than the large bodybuilder and Hulk actor. I imply, certain, yeah, let’s go along with that. 

Hogan was given a title shot in opposition to WWF champion Bob Backlund instantly and rekindled a feud with larger-than-life Andre the Large that will later change into one of the crucial essential in skilled wrestling historical past and legitimize skilled wrestling as a nationwide spectacle. Hulk claims credit score for promoting out Shea Stadium with Andre on August 9, 1980, however the true draw on the Ome was Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko. 

Hogan’s work to that time caught the attention of Sylvester Stallone, who forged him as “Thunderlips the Final Male” in 1982’s Rocky III. This stays his greatest position in Hollywood, however maybe not his greatest Hollywood position. Extra on that in a bit. Wrestling promoters are typically management freaks. Vincent McMahon didn’t recognize Hogan taking the outstanding position exterior of the WWF, particularly when kayfabe, the presentation of wrestling reveals as actual occasions, was held in excessive regard. 

Hogan’s falling out with the elder McMahon led to him working primarily with the American Wrestling Alliance or AWA and New Japan Professional Wrestling or NJPW from 1980 to 1983. Keep in mind once I stated wrestling promoters are typically management freaks? The AWA’s Verne Gange supposedly wished a lower of Hogan’s worldwide bookings and even for him to marry into the Gange household earlier than coming to Hogan as champion. Hogan additionally says he wasn’t proud of the lower from merchandise he was going within the AWA. The dissolution of this relationship set the stage for HULKAMANIA, brother. 

Vincent Kennedy McMahon bought the WWF from his father in 1992, with aspirations of turning what had historically been a regional product right into a nationwide one. He noticed Hulk Hogan as the person to be the face of the corporate and lead it into the longer term. Hogan made his TV return to WWF on December 27, 1983. He rapidly grew to become the corporate’s prime babyface or fan favorite, defeating The Iron Sheik on January 23, 1984, for his first WWF Championship. Rumor has it that AWA’s jilted Verne Gange supplied the Iron Sheik $100,000 to interrupt Hulk Hogan’s leg legitimately, however that the Iron Sheik refused out of loyalty to Vince McMahon. 

Instantly after the match, commentator Gorilla Monsoon declared, “Hulkamania is right here!” Hogan’s followers got here to be referred to as “Hulkamaniacs”. You could be questioning, “How did Hogan and the WWF get away with utilizing the title Hulk with out Marvel getting their purple shorts in a twist?” They…didn’t. 

In 1985, Marvel contacted the WWF about their infringement on the Hulk trademark. The edges agreed to licensing phrases. Stories differ, however even a small quantity for every look and a small share of merchandise gross sales doubtless earned Marvel tens of millions between 1985 and 2005. It was in 2005 that Marvel and the WWE, who had since misplaced a lawsuit in opposition to the World Wildlife Fund over the WWF initials, had been concerned in a $35 million lawsuit over the Hulk trademark. Marvel misplaced the swimsuit, however in line with Hogan, was capable of keep away from paying the WWE by permitting possession of the Hulk Hogan title and all related emblems to Hogan for market worth, which was in some way solely $750,000. The Hulkster paid that gladly and rebuked provides from Vince McMahon to purchase it from him. 

The attain of Hulkamania can’t be overstated. The WWF drew reside audiences, tv rankings, and pay-per-view purchase charges larger than ever earlier than or since. Hogan’s reputation helped flip skilled wrestling from a distinct segment, regional product right into a nationwide popular culture staple. His merchandise was in mainstream retailers all around the nation. He was featured on the quilt of Sports activities Illustrated, TV Information, and Individuals, co-hosted Saturday Evening Dwell, and appeared on the Tonight Present. 

A serious a part of Vince McMahon’s push into nationwide prominence was the Wrestlemania pay-per-view, the corporate’s landmark annual occasion that started in 1984, an unprecedented spectacle within the wrestling enterprise. To advertise Wrestlemania I (1), Hogan appeared along with his buddy and tag associate Mr. T on Sizzling Properties, hosted by comic Richard Belzer, who is maybe finest remembered for his portrayal of DetecOve John Munch in Murder: Life on the Avenue and Regulation & Order: Particular Victims Unit. Belzer repeatedly insisted Hogan put him on a wrestling maintain. Hogan determined upon a entrance chin lock, which brought on Belzer to go out. Hogan, unaware Belzer had gone limp, dropped the unconscious host, who then flopped down, his head loudly smacking the ground. Belzer, who awakened in a pool of his personal blood, ended up needing 8 stitches. He would sue Hulk Hogan for $5 million, receiving $400,000 in an out-of-court settlement. Ever the comic, Belzer stated he used the cash for a down cost on a chateau in France, which he would title “Chez Hogan”. 

Hogan would headline 7 of the primary 8 Wrestlemanias. Wrestlemania III on March 29, 1987, held the file for reside attendance for a wrestling occasion in the US till 2016. Wrestlemania III, on the Pontiac Silverdome, was headlined by a renewed rivalry between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Large. Main as much as the occasion, a Saturday Evening’s Primary Occasion present that includes Hogan and Andre earned the best score of any present ever completed within the time slot. Quickly after, Wrestlemania III (3), a rematch between Hogan and Andre, drew in 33 million viewers, a file for knowledgeable wrestling present. 

Hogan starred within the film No Holds Barred in 1989 and would go on to star in Gremlins 2, Suburban Commando, Mr. Nanny, Thunder in Paradise, which in some way bought two sequels, Spy Onerous, The Secret Agent Membership, Santa with Muscle groups, Assault on Satan’s Island, 3 Ninjas: Excessive Midday at Mega Mountain, which is a unique film from Assault on Dying Mountain, The Final Weapon, Muppets from Area, Gnomeo and Juliet, and even episodes of Baywatch and Walker, Texas Ranger. And that’s sufficient about Hulk Hogan’s performing profession. He was actually…prolific as an actor, if nothing else. 

Vince McMahon was introduced below trial for unlawful distribution of steroids in 1994. Hulk Hogan, though he had moved on from WWF by then, was variety sufficient to supply testimony that, whereas he and different wrestlers did obtain their steroids at WWF headquarters, Vince McMahon himself by no means compelled him to take steroids or purchased any for him. Vince was discovered not responsible. In 2003, the WWE ignited a feud between McMahon and Hogan by presenting that Vince was mad at Hogan for testifying in opposition to him in 1994, which is the other of what truly occurred. However neither ought to we let the reality get in the way in which of a superb story. 

Hulk Hogan signed with WWF rival World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in June 1994. 

In the summertime of 1996, Hulk Hogan discovered his second wind. Hulk Hogan grew to become “Hollywood Hogan.” The nWo storyline legitimized a grittier, extra adult-focused method to storytelling in skilled wrestling that will replicate onto WWE. Each firms skilled a boon like they hadn’t because the peak of Hulkamania 10 years earlier. 

Hogan would find yourself suing WCW for breach of contract and defamation. This man loves his lawsuits, as you’ll come to see. 

Hogan would return to the WWF in February of 2002 in his Hollywood Hogan character to feud in opposition to The Rock, who you could have heard of. Hogan later wrestled below the skinny disguise of “Mr. America” for an time, which reignited the real-life feud between the WWE and Marvel for its similarities to Captain America. Hogan would stop WWE once more in 2003 because of frustrations over cash and inventive. 

Hulk Hogan returned to the WWE for his Corridor of Fame induction in 2005. This conveniently aligned with selling his actuality present “Hogan Is aware of Greatest,” which ran from 2005 to 2007. The present centred round Hulk’s relationship along with his daughter Brooke. 

Hogan would take break day from wrestling to cope with the fallout of extreme automobile accident his son Nick was concerned in on August 26, 2007. Nick’s buddy, John Graziano, suffered extreme mind harm from the accident, and Nick confronted felony and civil trials because of this. Nick was sentenced to eight months in county jail and 5 years of probation. The Hogan household would settle with the Graziano household for $1.5 million. 

Hogan additionally took this time to get therapy for his again points introduced on by many years of punishment as knowledgeable wrestler, particularly touchdown sq. on his again again and again for his signature Atomic Leg Drop. Hogan sought out a standard spinal fusion process earlier than being satisfied to endure a sequence of extra minor however ineffective procedures on the Laser Backbone Middle. He would finally get the fusion surgical procedure and return to work three months later. Hogan discovered a few years later, in 2011, that others had lobbied complaints in opposition to the Laser Backbone Institute, which granted him the arrogance to sue them for medical malpractice in 2013. I’m kidding. He would have sued them, anyway. This man loves lawsuits. Hogan would settle with Laser Backbone Middle for an estimated $10 million. 

Hulk Hogan joined TNA in October of 2009 and labored there till October 2013 as a decision-maker and a performer. Throughout this time, Hogan would work with many faces from his previous, together with Eric Bischoff, who ran WCW throughout its peak, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Ric Aptitude, Scott Corridor, Kevin Nash, Jeff Jarrett, and Sting. 

Hogan returned to the WWE in February 2014 as a number and hype man, earlier than his frequent collaborators, controversy and lawsuits, would necessitate a brief parting of the way. 

This specific controversy truly stemmed from a intercourse tape that was launched in 2012 and posted by web information outlet Gawker in October of that 12 months. The tape options Hogan having intercourse with Heather Clem, who was the spouse of Todd Clem, higher referred to as radio host Bubba the Love Sponge. Hogan would settle with the Clems for $5000 and sue Gawker for $100 million. 

Hogan’s adamance, particularly the quantity of the lawsuit, was met with skepticism on the time. It wasn’t till July 2015 that Hogan and his group’s vigilance was justified. RadarOnline and the Nationwide Enquirer leaked audio from one other intercourse tape with Hogan and Heather Clem the place Hogan goes on a tirade in opposition to his daughter’s then- boyfriend, referring to him because the n-word repeatedly. As if that wasn’t sufficient, Hogan additionally used homophobic slurs within the video. 

Hogan would instantly go on an apology tour, most famously on Good Morning America, however WWE understandably launched Hogan from his contract and eliminated point out of him from their web site. 

Hogan would win the lawsuit in opposition to Gawker, being awarded $115 million plus $25 million in corrective damages. This might successfully bankrupt Gawker. However time heals all wounds, particularly when there’s cash to be made, and WWE would regularly reintroduce Hogan to their programming by 2018. 

In February of 2019, a Hogan biopic directed by Todd Philips and starring Chris Hemsworth was introduced, although the pandemic and different elements would land it in improvement hell. Hogan was married for the third time to Sky Each day in September of 2023. In December of 2023, Hogan and his new spouse had been baptized at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida. Offers a brand new that means to “my brother in Christ”. 

Hulk Hogan is undeniably one of the crucial essential figures within the historical past {of professional} wrestling. Professional wrestling historian Dave Meltzer stated of Hogan, “You possibly can’t probably overrate his significance within the historical past of the enterprise…He offered extra tickets to wrestling reveals than any man who ever lived, and I don’t anticipate anybody to ever promote extra tickets than he did ever.” No matter title you name him, Terry Bollea, Hollywood, Hulkster, The Immortal Hulk Hogan’s story and affect are ceaselessly etched into the annals of popular culture.