Scandals, Trumpism and Rocky III: Hulk Hogan’s incredible life
The legendary WWE wrestler has died at the age of 71, leaving behind an incredible personal legacy.
Hulk Hogan, the legendary wrestling, has died at the age of 71.
He was one of the biggest stars in American professional wrestling industry, a cultural icon and a genuine A-list celebrity. The Georgia native was one of the main figures responsible for making wrestling a big commercial draw, allowing the WWE (then the WWF) to attract millions of fans all around the world.
In 1983, the ‘Hulkster’ made his debut in the WWF, the American wrestling company, after stints in the American Wrestling Association and New Japan Pro Wrestling. With the WWF, under the guidance of boss Vince McMahon, the American achieved levels of fame and popularity rarely seen before in the world of wrestling.
The media face of Hulk Hogan
Inside the ring, Hulk Hogan adopted the character of an all-American hero, someone who loved the United States and was a proud patriot. That persona allowed him to create a personal brand around his name and captivate audiences, who found in him a role model to follow, admire and respect.
He helped to usher in a boom period for professional wrestling in the 1980s, headlining eight of the first nine WrestleMania events. Hogan was also the first wrestler to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches, in both 1990 and 1991.
His success between the ropes made him a global celebrity and he leveraged that fame to purse a career in Hollywood. The Georgia native participated in various film productions as an actor, among which was his debut in Rocky III. He also starred in No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny. Hulk Hogan notably drew Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman to take part in a live event in the midst of the NBA Finals in 1998.
Despite his enormous popular, Hulk Hogan has also suffered some very high-profile controversies. In 2012, the American wrestler experienced one of the most notorious scandals in the American press after sleeping with the estranged wife of his best friend, ‘Bubba the Love Sponge’. A video recording of the incident was then released to the public by Gawker Media, who were then sued by Hogan.
In some quarters Hogan faced criticism for his support of Donald Trump in the 2024 Presidential Election campaign. “When [Trump’s] back in the White House, America’s gonna start winning again,” Hogan told a crown at Madisaon Square Garden last year.
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