His rise to fame was meteoric, especially after adopting the character of Hulk Hogan and join the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in the early 80s. With his iconic yellow and red mesh, his handkerchief, his blond mustache and the phrase “Whatcha Gonna do, Brother, When Hulkamania Rons Wild On You?” (What are you going to do, brother, when Hulkamanía gets out of you?), Hogan was not just a fighter; It was a living cartoon of heroism and power.
His “Hulkamania” was not only a slogan, but a cultural movement that attracted millions of new fans. Children and adults like that, imitating his poses, his battle cry and the famous gesture of “receiving energy” from the crowd before unleashing the final “leg drop”.
Its epic battles, particularly against André the giant In Wrestlemania III, they are moments that were recorded in the collective memory, not only of wrestling fans, but of a whole generation. This fight, witnessed by a record crowd in the Pontiac Silverdome, is often cited as the climax of the era of “Hulkamania”, solidifying its status as the face of the WWF and, by extension, of world wrestling.
Beyond the quadrilateral: a pop cultural icon
The influence of Hulk Hogan, far transcended the limits of the ring. His image, synonymous with American strength and heroism, made him a global superstar.
He was a pioneer in the commercialization of wrestling, with his face and name adorning innumerable products, from toys to cereals. Its impact extended to music, appearing in musical videos and recording their own album, “Hulk Rules”that although it was not a critical success, he reinforced his cultural omnipresence.
But his foray into entertainment did not stop there. Hogan became a usual figure on television and cinema, capitalizing on his enormous popularity. Perhaps one of his most memorable appearances outside the ring was on the big screen, playing Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982), where he faced the very Sylvester Stallone in an exhibition fight that cemented its status as a star beyond the quadrilateral.
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He also starred in films such as No Holds Barred (1989), that although it was not a critical success, he consolidated his image of action hero for the young public. He had prominent papers in children’s films such as Mr. Nanny (1993) and Santa with Muscles (1996), which, although they were often belittled by critics, were loved by their youngest fans base.
His appearances in television series and cameos in various productions kept him relevant in the public eye much after his full -time career in wrestling began to decrease. Your reality show Hogan Knows Bestwhich was broadcast between 2005 and 2007, offered a look at his family life, revealing another facet of the giant, although not exempt from controversy.
The “Hollywood” Hogan: an unexpected and successful turn
In the mid -90s, Hogan surprised the world with a radical turn in his character. When joining the World Championship Wrestling (WCW), it became “Hollywood” Hoganthe leader of the infamous New World Order (Nwo). This change of “good boy” to “bad boy” was one of the most shocking and successful turns in the history of professional wrestling.
The NWO, with its rebel attitude and its dominance over the WCW, revitalized Hogan’s career and generated some of the most memorable television segments and of greater audience in the history of wrestling, leading to the “Monday Night Wars” to new heights of popularity.
Scandals and controversies in the life of Hulk Hogan
Despite its success and iconic status, the life of Hulk Hogan was not exempt from scandals and controversies. In the 90s, he was involved in the WWF steroid scandaltestifying at the trial against Vince McMahonwhich generated great public scrutiny.
Later, in the 2000s his divorce of Linda Hogan And the legal problems of his son Nick were widely publicized, momentarily eclipsessing his professional achievements. However, the most harmful scandal arrived in 2015, when he was fired from the WWE and erased his Hall of Fame after they went out to Lu Luz audio recordings and video of racist comments. Hogan apologized publicly for his words, expressing regret and assuming responsibility.
Although the incident tarnished its legacy, WWE finally reinstated it in its Hall of Fame in 2018, pointing out a path to redemption and recognition of its undeniable impact on the industry.
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In his last years, Hulk Hogan was also noticed by His open support to Donald Trump. His presence in the presidential campaign of the now President Trump in 2024, with appearances on rallies and the recreation of his famous gesture of breaking his shirt, connected it even more with a base of followers who saw in him the incarnation of certain US values.
Hulk Hogan’s legacy
The death of Hulk Hogan closes a chapter in the history of entertainment. Few athletes or public personalities have achieved the cultural significance he achieved, Hogan It was a personification of the American dream, with its lights and their shadows.
Its influence on wrestling is incalculable. He was the first fighter to star in Wrestlemaniathe flagship event of the WWE, and its image remains synonymous with the golden age of this sport-spectacle. His ability to connect with the audience, his indomitable charism and his ability to tell stories in the ring made him an indispensable figure.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
