Terry Bollea, who is famously known as Hulk Hogan, was a professional wrestler who had gained notoriety for his antics in the ring, blond skullet, handlebar mustache, how he tore his hulkamania tank top, and unerring charisma.
Throughout his career, Hulk Hogan had wrestled for the Japanese circuit, WCW (World Championship Wrestling), WWF (World Wrestling Federation) and, of course, the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). Alongside his wrestling career, Hogan is a wish granter, entrepreneur, musician, and an actor.
Let’s explore a little more into the life of Hulk Hogan and enlighten you with some really magnificent facts.
- Hogan’s Arrest in New Jersey
Hulk Hogan had to spend some time behind bars because of the tag team known as the Wild Samoans. While Hogan was giving the duo a lift, they had been pulled over by a state trooper in New Jersey.
As Hogan reached for his documents in the glove box, a gun had tumbled out. As you may already know, unregistered guns in New Jersey can result in a year’s prison sentence. Due to this, Hogan quickly asked the tag team to explain to the trooper that Hogan wasn’t from around and that he didn’t know about the law.
The Wild Samoan’, who played savages in the ring and didn’t speak English, had somehow decided not to break character in front of the cop. We’re not sure what Hogan thought about this, although we’re sure he wasn’t too happy.
- Grudge Match with The Rock
Wrestle-mania X8 or ’18 saw the Hulk and the Rock duke it out in the ring. The Rock, who was still quite young as opposed to Hollywood Hogan, would naturally win. The match, however, was called Icon vs. Icon and was also found to be among the biggest wrestling match-ups of history. This match managed to break attendance records for the Sky Dome in Toronto.
Both these wrestlers were of the opinion that Hogan would be booed due to the Rock’s fan base during the grudge match. Contrarily, the crowd had in reality turned against the Rock. Even Hogan related after the match that all he had to do was give the Rock one big push, and it would seem that the whole place exploded.
Due to the crowd’s reaction going against their plans, both the fighters had to change the script on the fly to make it even more entertaining.
- Make-A-Wish
Did you know that Hulk Hogan is among the most requested celebrities by the Make-A-Wish Foundation? Hogan has estimated to have granted over 200 wishes for the children that have been diagnosed with critical illnesses!
There are only a few celebrities out there who would have granted as many wishes as Hulk Hogan. The only person to probably shatter this record would be John Cena – who stands at granting wishes for about 500 kids.
- Back Problems
In the very initial stages of his career in wrestling, Hogan had measured to an impressive 6’7”. Over the years, however, Hogan suffered so many surgeries and injuries that he had lost almost 3 inches in height.
- Sports Illustrated
Hogan has managed to become the first and only wrestler to have been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. This probably should give you an idea of how successful Hulk Hogan really was!
- Embracing the Dark Side
Hulk Hogan has always been featured as the good guy in wrestling but in 1996, this was to change. Hollywood Hogan had teamed up with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to form the NWO or the New World Order. This team was formed in order to beat Randy Savage at the famed Bash at the Beach.
This was first time the WWE audience got to see Hulk Hogan as the villain in many years. This turn towards the dark side came to a shock to all the wrestling fans all over the world and the NWO managed to become an instant hit.
- Hall of Fame
Hogan was able to bag as many as 6 heavyweight championships throughout his career in the wrestling federation. At the end of it all, he had been inducted into the Hall of Fame by his friend and co-star from Rocky 3 – Sylvester Stallone. In this very year, his fellow inductees included Iron Sheik and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.
- Hulkamania Begins
Back in 1983, the Iron Sheik had a finishing move called the “camel clutch,” which every wrestler dreaded and never survived. Hogan, however, managed to become the first person to break the camel clutch and followed it with his trademark winning move called the leg drop. All of this then lead to his first ever Championship Title in the WWF.
- The Slam Heard All Around the World
Wrestle mania 3 was an event that most people at the time could not forget. This is because of the matchup between Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan. Quite some time into the match, fans could see that both the wrestlers were quite exhausted but Hogan still managed to pick up the Giant and body slam him into the wrestling mats.
This moment was recorded in wrestling history as the ‘slam heard around the world’ and it was quickly followed up by Hogan’s signature leg drop and pin. Lo and behold – Andre the Giant had been defeated.
“I fear no man, no beast, or evil.” —Hulk Hogan
- Vince McMahon Sr. Named Him
Believe it or not, Vince McMahon Sr. himself came up with the name for this legend. When Hogan was hired by the wrestling pioneer, he had named him ‘Hogan’ because of his Irish roots. ‘Hulk’ had been added on later because of his sheer size and his interview with Lou Ferrigno – who had played the Incredible Hulk back then.
Ferrigno was known to stand at about 6’4” and still Hogan managed to tower way over him during the interview! Well, if you’re taller than the guy who played Hulk, you should automatically steal his nickname.