Hulk Hogan: The Immortal Icon of Wrestling

If there’s one name that echoes through every era of wrestling, it’s Hulk Hogan. The guy who proved that a yellow bandana and a mustache could absolutely become symbols of power.

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Born Terry Eugene Bollea on August 11, 1953, Hulk Hogan began his career in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in the early 80s under the guidance of Vince McMahon Sr. But it wasn’t until he joined Vince McMahon Jr.’s WWF in 1983 that Hogan’s career truly took off. One of Vince Jr.'s most significant decisions was to build the national expansion of the WWF around Hulk Hogan, the ideal wrestler to embody his vision of global entertainment.

In 1984, everything changed for Hogan when he won his first WWF (now WWE) World Championship title against The Iron Sheik. From there, Hulkamania was unleashed!

If you thought it was just a fan craze, think again. It was a true tidal wave of muscles, bandanas, and epic slogans. And the fans? In total frenzy. Suddenly, everyone wanted to be like Hogan.

The secret of Hulkamania? Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler, he was a living superhero. He embodied everything a wrestling fan could dream of being: strong, loyal, and always ready to smash some jaws for the greater good. His catchphrase “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” has transcended the ages, so much so that even your grandma could drop it in a game of Scrabble.

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WrestleMania is like the Super Bowl of wrestling, and guess who was the undisputed MVP in the 80s? Hulk Hogan, of course. From the very first edition in 1985, Hogan made his mark by teaming up with Mr. T (yes, the one from The A-Team) to take on “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. This match attracted a wide audience, far beyond traditional wrestling fans, and marked the beginning of the sports-entertainment era.

But the real peak? WrestleMania III in 1987, where Hogan faced off against André the Giant. A crowd of 93,000 (yes, that many) watched Hogan lift a 230-kilo man. It was at that moment that we all knew: Hulkamania was immortal.

Thanks to Hogan, WrestleMania became the biggest annual event in wrestling, and year after year, Hogan remained the main attraction. His rivalries, particularly with "Macho Man" Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, and Sgt. Slaughter, captivated the audience and solidified his place as the biggest WWE star of the 80s.

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With Hulk Hogan at the helm, WWE transformed into a global phenomenon. Hogan became an international icon, a man capable of making an entire arena scream before even landing a punch. He was everywhere: on TV shows, in movies (remember Thunderlips in *Rocky III*), and even in cartoons (yes, Hulk Hogan as a cartoon character, it exists!).

His popularity far exceeded the borders of the United States, turning WWE into a global phenomenon. It’s simple: even those who’ve never seen a wrestling match know who Hulk Hogan is. He helped Vince McMahon transform his small regional federation into a true empire, all while staying humble (well, almost).

But Hulk Hogan wasn’t just the classic superhero. In 1996, shock on the ring: Hulk Hogan, the forever good guy, betrayed his values and joined the rebellious faction, the New World Order

(NWO) in WCW (World Championship Wrestling). Under the name Hollywood Hogan, he turns bad, dons black sunglasses, and changes his wardrobe (because, let's face it, black instantly makes you look more like a bad boy).

The crowd is shocked, but... fascinated. Hogan's "heel turn" (switching to the dark side of wrestling) is a stroke of genius. Suddenly, Hogan becomes the wrestler everyone loved to hate, and yet, it only makes him more famous. It’s like if Superman decided to join the villains but still remained the coolest guy on the planet.

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Despite some controversies and low points (nobody’s perfect, not even Hogan), his legacy in the world of wrestling is undeniable. He returned to WWE in 2002 to face The Rock at WrestleMania X8, and the crowd supported him like never before. That’s when we understood: Hulkamania will never die. Hogan was no longer just a man; he had become a legend.

Hulk Hogan is not just a wrestling icon; he is THE wrestler. He redefined what it means to be a WWE superstar, leaving an indelible mark on the history of sports entertainment. Whether as a muscular hero or a charismatic villain, Hogan proved he knew how to reinvent himself without ever losing his status as a legend.

So, "Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you, brother ?"