Hulk Hogan is, without a doubt, the biggest name in the history of professional wrestling. His ability to sell out arenas around the world and give fans the thrill of their lives also puts him at the top of the list of great wrestling talents.
Born Terry Bollea, the Hulkster didn't get into professional wrestling until he was 16 years old. The superstars of the early 70s are what inspired Hogan to become a professional wrestler, and he has cited Dusty Rhodes and Superstar Billy Graham as inspirations.
Bollea began training with Hiro Matsuda and wrestled across promotions in the Southern United States. It was while he was wrestling for CWA in Memphas Tennessee that he came up with the "Hulk" gimmick. Bollea was invited to be a guest on a local talk show where he sat next to actor Lou Ferrigno whom was playing The Incredible Hulk on television at the time. The actor commented how Bollea was actually bigger than the real Hulk, and the nickname stuck.
Bollea had very few accomplishments worth noting while wrestling in the CWA, though he did have a short reign as NWA Southeast Heavyweight Championship. However, it was not long after he gained this title that Terry Funk introduced Bollea to Vincent J. McMahon. The elder McMahon was impressed with Bollea's size and charisma and offered him a contract to wrestle in the WWF and a new last name, "Hogan."
In his first run with the WWF, Hogan wrestled as a heel who utilized the services of manager "Classy" Fred Blassie, and he feuded with Andre the Giant. Hogan was a huge success in his first run with the WWF, but soon began wrestling overseas in Japan for NJPW and in the AWA. While wrestling for NJPW and AWA, Hogan perfected his Hulk Hogan persona, a blond, charismatic, All-American man.
Hogan came back to the WWF when Vincent K. McMahon promised him the chance to be a champion, an opportunity constantly denied to him by the AWA's Verne Gagne. Within weeks, Hogan debuted with the company, turned face, and defeated The Iron Sheik for the WWF Championship, and Hulkamania was born.
Hulkamania quickly swept the nation. The larger than life personality of Hulk Hogan was exactly the type of hero Americans wanted to see in a wrestler. He trained religiously, ate his vitamins, and said his prayers. Fans loved when he ripped his shirt off after his entrance just as much as they loved seeing him Hulk up. It was as if overnight wrestling went from a second-rate form of entertainment to the hottest thing on television, and it was all because of one man, Hulk Hogan.
Hogan has had his fair share of battles throughout his career in both the WWF and WCW, but has made them all worth watching. While in the WWF he was a Superman of sorts; unbeatable and always there to save the day for the WWF fans. He feuded with such bad guys as Andre the Giant, Ted DiBiase, Bobby Heenan, Randy Savage, and an Iraqi-Sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter. He held the WWF title 5 times during his initial run for a combined 2157 days, a figure second only to Bruno Sammartino. Hogan would later return to the WWE an become the Undisputed Champion for a short while, and one of the best matches of his career with The Rock at Wrestlemania X8.
Hogan's days in WCW will always be remembered as the era of the nWo and Hollywood Hulk Hogan. For the first time since his return to the WWF in 1983, Hulk Hogan turned heel, turning his back on the fans and selling out his beliefs for money and power. By doing this Hogan proved that he was not only a talented face, but a well rounded performer that could work both sides of the field.
Hogan will forever be remembered as one of the greatest wrestling talents in the history of the business. From his trademark red and yellow to the leg drop, every wrestling fan knows what Hulk Hogan was all about. He was the first wrestler to become a household name, and his fame and success will live on forever in the hearts of wrestling fans.
Did you know?
Hulk Hogans trainer, Hiro Matsuda, intentionally broke Hogans leg on the first day of training to ensure that the Hulkster was dedicated to the professional wrestling industry.
Hogan claims that he started his career at 67, but now stands at 64 due to various surgeries for injuries he endured.
Hogan is a bit of an animal fanatic and has owned many pets, including dogs, cats, chinchillas, iguanas, turtles, and even a rooster.
Its a well-known fact that Hogan had a guest role in Rocky III, but did you know he made $15,000 dollars for the appearance?
The Hulkster has been in two plane crashes in his life, and he claims that he was wearing the same pair of red underwear in each of them. He says that every time he takes a plane now he wears that pair of underwear.
