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{{Short description|American professional wrestler (born 1953)}} | |||
{{Infobox Wrestler | |||
{{pp-move}} | |||
|name=Hulk Hogan | |||
{{pp-blp|small=yes}} | |||
|names=The Super Destroyer<br>Sterling Golden<ref name=james/><br>Terry Boulder<ref name=james/><br>Incredible Hulk Hogan<br>Terry "Hulk" Hogan<br>'''Hulk Hogan'''<br>Hulk Machine<br>Immortal Hulk Hogan<br>Hollywood Hulk Hogan<br>Hollywood Hogan<ref name=james/><br>Mr. America | |||
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}} | |||
|image=Hulk Hogan2.jpg | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} | |||
|height=<!-- ANYONE changing this from 6ft7 without providing a RELIABLE source WILL be blocked from editing -->{{height|foot=6|inch=7}}<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="WWEBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/hulkhogan/bio|title=Hulk Hogan's Bio|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12}}</ref> | |||
{{Infobox person | |||
|weight=<!-- ANYONE changing this from 302 without providing a RELIABLE source WILL be blocked from editing -->{{convert|302|lb|kg=st|abbr=on}}<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
| name = Hulk Hogan | |||
|birth_date=<!-- ANYONE changing this from August 11, 1953 without providing a RELIABLE source WILL be blocked from editing -->{{birth date and age|1953|8|11}}<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
| image = Hulk Hogan (cropped).jpg | |||
|birth_place=]<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
| caption = Hogan in 2014 | |||
|billed=]<ref name="WWEBio" /><br>] (as Mr. America)<ref>{{cite video | year=2003 | title=] | medium=DVD | publisher=WWE Home Video}}</ref> <br> ] (as Hollywood Hogan) | |||
| birth_name = Terry Gene Bollea | |||
|resides=]<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|8|11|mf=yes}} | |||
|trainer=]<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
| birth_place = ], U.S. | |||
|debut=August 10, 1977<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
| occupation = {{flatlist| | |||
|website= | |||
* Professional wrestler (retired) | |||
* television personality | |||
* actor | |||
}} | }} | ||
| years_active = 1976 (musician)<br/>1977–2012 (wrestler)<br/> 1982–present (actor) | |||
| spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|]<br/>|1983|2009|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Jennifer McDaniel<br/>|2010|2021|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Sky Daily<br/>|2023}}}} | |||
| children = ]<br/>] | |||
| relatives = ] (nephew) | |||
| website = {{URL|hulkhogan.com}} | |||
| signature = | |||
| module = {{Infobox professional wrestler|child=yes | |||
| names = '''Hollywood Hogan'''<ref name=james/><br/>Hollywood Hulk Hogan<ref name=OWW/><br/>Hulk Boulder<ref>{{cite web |last=Gardner |first=Eriq |date=May 28, 2018 |title=Hulk Hogan trying to bodyslam "Hulk" cereal ad |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hulkhogan/hulk-hogan-trying-to-bodyslam-hulk-cereal-ad-idUSTRE64R12A20100528 |access-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715165940/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hulkhogan/hulk-hogan-trying-to-bodyslam-hulk-cereal-ad-idUSTRE64R12A20100528 |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>'''Hulk Hogan'''<ref name=WWEBio/><br/>Hulk Machine<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Mike |date=January 1, 2021 |title=Why WSX Died A Quick Death On MTV, High Energy, Punk In 2021 And More |work=www.pwinsider.com |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=142668 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101122821/https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=142668 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=OWW/><br/>Mr. America<ref name=OWW/><br/>Sterling Golden<ref>Wrestling Classics, January 1992 issue, p. 16.</ref><br/>Terry Boulder<ref name=OWW/><br/>The Super Destroyer<ref name=OWW/> | |||
| height = 6 ft 7 in<ref name=WWEBio/> | |||
| weight = 302 lb<ref name=WWEBio/> | |||
| billed = ]<br/>(as Hollywood Hogan)<br/>]<ref name=WWEBio/><br/>(as Hulk Hogan)<br/>]<br/>(as Mr. America)<ref>{{cite video |medium=DVD |date=2003 |title=] |publisher=WWE Home Video}}</ref> | |||
| trainer = ]<ref name=OWW/> | |||
| debut = August 9, 1977 | |||
| retired = January 27, 2012 | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
'''Terry Gene Bollea'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Amended Complaint |website=documentcloud.org |url=https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2111332/hogans-amended-complaint.pdf |access-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111050310/https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2111332/hogans-amended-complaint.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bollea v. Gawker Media, LLC, Case No. 8:12-cv-02348-T-27TBM | Casetext Search + Citator |url=https://casetext.com/case/bollea-v-gawker-media |access-date=January 8, 2023 |archive-date=January 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108225844/https://casetext.com/case/bollea-v-gawker-media |url-status=live }}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|b|ə|ˈ|l|eɪ||ə}}; born August 11, 1953), better known by his ] '''Hulk Hogan''', is an American retired ]. He is widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide, the most popular wrestler of the 1980s and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 2, 2012 |title=Top 50 Wrestlers of All Time – Page 5 |website=IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/02/top-50-wrestlers-of-all-time?page=5 |access-date=April 10, 2014 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105210007/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/02/top-50-wrestlers-of-all-time?page=5 |url-status=live |quote=Hogan is the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the '80s.}}</ref> | |||
Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977, but gained worldwide recognition after signing with the ] (WWF, now ]) in December 1983. There, his persona as a ] all-American helped usher in the ], where he headlined eight of the first nine editions of the WWF's flagship annual event ] (a record which was broken by ]).<ref>], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]</ref> Hogan also was a regular headliner of ] and its spin-off ] in which he headlined 31 editions of both shows combined. During his initial run, he was a ] ], with his 1,474-day reign being the longest of the WrestleMania era ever. He is the first wrestler to win consecutive ] matches, winning in ] and ]. His match with ] on ] on February 5, 1988, still holds American television viewership records for wrestling with a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers.<ref name="SK_Feb2021">{{cite news |last=Boman |first=Ryan K. |date=February 5, 2021 |title=Looking back on Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant: The biggest televised match in the history of pro wrestling |work=Spotskeeda |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/looking-back-hogan-vs-andre-biggest-televised-match-history-pro-wrestling |access-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603063736/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/looking-back-hogan-vs-andre-biggest-televised-match-history-pro-wrestling |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
'''Terry Gene Bollea'''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.aolcdn.com/tmz_documents/1207_hogan_3_wm.pdf|title=Hulk Hogan Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-12-10|publisher=]|format=PDF}}</ref> (born August 11, 1953) better known by his ] '''Hulk Hogan''', is an American ], and semi-retired ]. He starred in the ] reality show '']'' and is the co-host of '']'' on ]. | |||
In 1993, Hogan departed the WWF to pursue a career in film and television. He was lured back to the ring when he signed with rival promotion ] (WCW) in 1994. He won the ] ], and holds the record for the ]. In 1996, he underwent a career renaissance upon ] the ] persona of "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, leading the popular ] (nWo) ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Combs |first=Jason |date=September 20, 2007 |title=The Original Triple H |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_22898.shtml |access-date=September 27, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001171459/http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_22898.shtml |archive-date=October 1, 2016}}</ref> As a result, he became a major figure during the "]", another ]. He headlined WCW's annual flagship event ] three times (], ] and ]) in which Starrcade 1997 was the most profitable WCW ] in the company's history.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hoops |first=Brian |date=January 7, 2008 |title=Nostalgia: Starrcade '97 |publisher=PWTorch |url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_24141.shtml |access-date=August 10, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234924/http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_24141.shtml |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> | |||
Bollea had mainstream popularity in the mid 1980s through the early 1990s as the all-American, working-class hero character Hulk Hogan in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF—now ]) and was notable in the mid-to-late 1990s as "Hollywood" Hogan, a villainous ] leader, in ] (WCW). Following WCW's fold, he made a brief return to the WWE in the early 2000s, revising his heroic character by combining elements of his two most famous personas. | |||
Hogan returned to the WWF in 2002 following its acquisition of WCW the prior year, winning the Undisputed WWF Championship for his record equaling (for the time) sixth reign before departing in 2003. He was inducted into the ] in ], and inducted a second time in ] as a member of the nWo.<ref name=auto>{{cite web |date=December 9, 2019 |title=WWE to honor nWo with Hall of Fame induction |website=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/28256144/wwe-honor-nwo-hall-fame-induction |access-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209170405/https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/28256144/wwe-honor-nwo-hall-fame-induction |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Bollea was later inducted into the ] in 2005 and is officially a twelve-time ]: a ] ]<ref name="wwetitle"/> and a ] ]<ref name="wcwtitle"/> as well as a former ] ] with ].<ref name="titlehistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/hulkhogan/titlehistory|title=Hulk Hogan's Title History|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13}}</ref><ref name="worldtagteam"/> He is also the winner of the ] in ] and ].<ref name="titlehistory"/><ref name="rumble"/> | |||
Hogan also performed for the ] (AWA), where he headlined the inaugural AWA closed circuit supercard, ] in 1983, ] (NJPW) – where he was the inaugural winner of the original ] – and ] (TNA).<ref name="PWI Blog1">{{cite magazine |title=The New PWI |magazine=Pro Wrestling Illustrated |url=http://prowrestlingillustrated.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-pwi-blog.html |access-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304204315/http://prowrestlingillustrated.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-pwi-blog.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=wrestlingnewsworld1>{{cite news |last=Oglesby |first=Brooks |date=June 29, 2015 |title=PWI Will No Longer Recognize TNA World Heavyweight Championship |website=WWE Wrestling News World |publisher=wrestlingnewsworld.com |url=http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/pwi-will-no-longer-recognize-tna-world-heavyweight-championship/ |access-date=July 27, 2016 |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703023805/http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/pwi-will-no-longer-recognize-tna-world-heavyweight-championship/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WCW SUPERSTARS: Hulk Hogan |publisher=WCW.com |url=http://www.wcw.com/2000/superstars/hogan/ |access-date=February 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817233102/http://www.wcw.com/2000/superstars/hogan/ |archive-date=August 17, 2000}}</ref> | |||
==Childhood== | |||
The son of Ruth, a homemaker and dance teacher, and Peter Bollea, a construction foreman, he was raised in ]. As a boy, he was a pitcher in ]. He began watching professional events at 16 years old. While in high school, he revered ], and he regularly attended cards at the Tampa Sportatorium. It was at one of those wrestling cards where he first turned his attention towards ] and looked to him for inspiration.<ref>] speech</ref> Hogan was also a skilled musician, spending ten years playing ] in several ]-based ] bands.<ref name=james>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_bio/ai_2419200552|title=Hulk Hogan|publisher=St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture|author=Patrick Jones|accessdate=2007-10-25|year=2002}}</ref> Many of the wrestlers who competed in the Florida territory at that time visited the bars where Hogan was performing. He then attended the ], of which he later dropped out; he spent most of his time at a local gym, where he met pro wrestler ], the son of legendary wrestler and ] president ]. Hogan's physical stature also caught the attention of ] and his brother ]. Together, they convinced Hogan to try wrestling. Having been a wrestling fan since childhood, Hogan agreed, and in 1976, Mike Graham introduced Hogan to ], who was among the sport's top trainers. According to Hogan, during their first training session, Matsuda sarcastically asked him, "So you want to be a wrestler?" and purposely broke Hogan's leg.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hollywood Hulk Hogan|author=Hulk Hogan|publisher=Simon and Schuster|pages=25|year=2002|isbn=0743475569}}</ref> | |||
During and after wrestling, Hogan had an extensive acting career, beginning with his 1982 role in '']''. He has starred in several films (including '']'', '']'' and '']'') and three television shows ('']'', '']'', and '']''), as well as in ] commercials and the video game, '']''. He was the frontman for The Wrestling Boot Band, whose sole record, ''Hulk Rules'', reached {{abbr|No.|Number}} 12 on the ''Billboard'' ] chart in 1995. | |||
==Wrestling career== | |||
===Early career=== | |||
Within a year, Matsuda had prepared him for his professional debut, in which Eddie Graham booked him against ] in ] on August 10, 1977.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldschool-wrestling.com/geeklog/article.php/20061017223545426|title=Old School Wrestling — Florida results 1977 (August 10)}}</ref> A short time later, Bollea donned a mask and assumed the persona of "The Super Destroyer," a hooded character first played by ] and subsequently used by several other wrestlers. A few months later, he joined Louie Tillet's ] territory, where he tag teamed with Ed Leslie (later known as ]) as Terry and Ed Boulder. These early matches as a tag team with the surname Boulder being used by both men prompted a rumor among wrestling fans unaware of the inner workings of the sport that Hogan and Beefcake were brothers, as few people actually knew their real names outside of immediate friends, family, and of course the various promoters the two worked for. During this time, he appeared on a talk show, where he sat beside ], star of the television series '']''. The host commented how Terry, who stood 6 ft 7 in and weighed 295 pounds with 24 inch biceps, actually dwarfed "the Hulk." As a result, Bollea began performing as Terry "The Hulk" Boulder and sometimes wrestled as Sterling Golden.<ref name=james/> | |||
== Early life == | |||
In May 1979, Bollea had an early shot at the ], whose holder was at the time generally recognized as the industry's best. In June 1979, Bollea won his first wrestling championship, the ], recognized in ] and ] when he defeated ]. | |||
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}Hogan was born in ], on August 11, 1953,<ref name=OWW>{{cite web |title=Hulk Hogan's profile |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hulk-hogan.html |access-date=December 10, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221054338/http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hulk-hogan.html |archive-date=February 21, 2009}}</ref> the son of construction foreman Pietro "Peter" Bollea (December 6, 1913 – December 18, 2001) and homemaker and dance teacher Ruth V. (''née'' Moody; 1922 – January 1, 2011). Bollea is of ], ], ], and ] descent;<ref>{{Citation |title=Hulk Hogan {{!}} This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #455 | date=July 25, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V9MFTUEEfM |access-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823122359/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V9MFTUEEfM |url-status=live }}</ref> his paternal grandfather also named Pietro was born in 1886 in ], ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Serena |first1=Alberto |title=Hulk Hogan, salde radici piemontesi per la star mondiale del wrestling|trans-title=Hulk Hogan, the strong Piedmontese roots of the global star of wrestling |url=https://lasentinella.gelocal.it/cultura-e-spettacoli/2022/12/20/news/hulk_hogan_salde_radici_piemontesi_per_la_star_mondiale_del_wrestling-12422897/ |access-date=November 13, 2024 |work=La Sentinella |date=December 20, 2022 |language=Italian}}</ref> Bollea had an older brother named Allan (1947–1986) who died at the age of 38 from a drug overdose.<ref>{{cite web |last=Paul |first=Christopher |date=July 28, 2023 |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-rare-occasion-sees-hulk-hogan-reflect-on-the-dark-tormenting-past-of-his-brothers-family/ |title="Rare Occasion Sees Hulk Hogan Reflect on the Dark Tormenting Past of His Brother's Family" |website=Essentially Sports |access-date=March 14, 2024}}</ref> When he was one and a half years old, his family moved to ].<ref name=HHP11>{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2 |page=11}}</ref> As a boy, he was a ] in ]. Hogan attended ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Kennedy Wynne |first=Sharon |title=Hulk Hogan begs for forgiveness, blames South Tampa 'culture' for racist rant (w/video) |website=] |url=https://www.tampabay.com/features/celebrities/hulk-hogan-begs-forgiveness-blames-south-tampa-culture-for-racist-rant/2243523/?outputType=amp |access-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404121219/https://www.tampabay.com/features/celebrities/hulk-hogan-begs-forgiveness-blames-south-tampa-culture-for-racist-rant/2243523/?outputType=amp |url-status=live }}</ref> He began watching professional wrestling at 16 years old. While in high school, he revered ],<ref name=lk45/> and he regularly attended cards at the ]. It was at one of those wrestling cards where he first noticed ] and began looking to him for inspiration;<ref name=lk45>{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2 |page=45}}</ref> since he first saw Graham on TV,<ref name=lk45/> Hogan wanted to match his "inhuman" look.<ref name=lk45/> | |||
Hogan was also a musician, spending a decade playing ] in several Florida-based rock bands.<ref name=james>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Patrick |year=2002 |title=Hulk Hogan |publisher=St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_bio/ai_2419200552 |access-date=October 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111070903/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_bio/ai_2419200552 |archive-date=November 11, 2007}}</ref> He went on to study at ] and the ]. After music gigs began to get in the way of his time in college, he dropped out of the University of South Florida.<ref name=lk457u>{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2 |page=41}}</ref> Eventually, Hogan and two local musicians formed a band called Ruckus in 1976.<ref name=lk4544>{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2 |page=44}}</ref> The band soon became popular in the Tampa Bay region.<ref name=lk4544/> During his spare time, Hogan worked out at Hector's Gym in the Tampa Bay area, where he began lifting.<ref name=lk457u5>{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2 |page=42}}</ref> Many of the wrestlers who were competing in the Florida region visited the bars where Ruckus was performing.<ref name=lk45/> Among those attending his performances were ] and ],<ref name=lk45/> two brothers who wrestled together as a tag team in the Florida region. | |||
===World Wrestling Federation (1979-1980)=== | |||
Later that year, former NWA World Champion ] introduced Bollea to ] (WWF) chief ], who was impressed with his charisma and physical stature. McMahon gave Bollea the last name Hogan, as he was obsessed with using Irish names.<ref>Fifteen Greatest Superstars of the '80s DVD</ref> At this time, Hogan wrestled ] for the WWF Championship,<ref>{{cite web|title=WWF Show Results 1980|work=Angelfire|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/80.htm|accessdate=2007-02-27|year=1980}}</ref> and he started his first big feud with ], which culminated in a ] with André at ].<ref>{{cite web|title=WWF Show Results 1980|work=Angelfire|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/80.htm|accessdate=2008-02-27|year=1980|date=August 9}}</ref> | |||
Impressed by Hogan's physical stature, the Brisco brothers asked ]{{emdash}}the man who trained wrestlers working for ] (CWF){{emdash}}to make him a potential trainee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gerald Brisco's profile |publisher=] |url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/geraldbrisco |access-date=June 4, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20160125170339/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/geraldbrisco |archive-date=January 25, 2016}}</ref> In 1976, the two brothers asked Hogan to try wrestling. Hogan eventually agreed.<ref name=lk455147>{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2 |page=47}}</ref> At first, ], the son of CWF promoter ], refused to put Hogan in the ring; according to Hogan, he met Graham while in high school and the two did not get along. After Hogan quit Ruckus and started telling people in town that he was going to be a wrestler,<ref name=lk4551>{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2 |page=51}}</ref> Graham finally agreed to accept the Brisco Brothers' request. During the first session in training, Matsuda broke Hogan's leg. After 10 weeks of rehab, Hogan returned to train with Matsuda and blocked him when he tried to break his leg again.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2 |pages=24–25}}</ref> | |||
===American Wrestling Association (1981–1983)=== | |||
After filming his scene for '']'', against McMahon's wishes, Hogan made his debut in the ] (AWA), owned by ]. Hogan started his AWA run as a ], taking on "Luscious" ] as his manager, but AWA audiences loved the muscular and more charismatic Hogan, and soon the AWA's bookers were compelled to ] Hogan ]. Using "]" as his theme music, Hogan soon became the promotion's top babyface, and throughout 1983, he engaged in a big feud against AWA World Champion ] and his manager ]. Gagne, however, continued to tease the AWA audience by booking numerous ] meant to keep the championship with Bockwinkel, who was a veteran of the territory and had assumed the mantle of the organization's centerpiece following Gagne's retirement from active competition. Because Hogan was not an "old school" technical wrestler, Gagne would not let him be champion. On several occasions, Hogan defeated Bockwinkel to win the title, only to have the decision later reversed.<ref></ref> This practice increasingly drew the ire of the fans, so much so that on one occasion, according to Hogan's autobiography and other books, one crowd nearly rioted until Hogan himself calmed the audience down.{{Fact|date=August 2008}} Hogan himself also began to grow frustrated with Verne Gagne's unwillingness to give Hogan a larger share of his merchandise sales. Eventually, Gagne was finally ready to book Hogan to win the AWA title; however, according to Hogan, Gagne wanted a piece of the large money Hogan was making from his frequent trips to Japan, more control over the bookings that Hogan took overseas. Hogan refused flatly, saying he didn't need the AWA title at that point. Also according to Hogan in his autobiography, Verne wanted Hogan to be brought into the family by marriage before handing the AWA title over to him. Hogan, unwilling to give up his life as a bachelor just for the world title of the AWA, continued to turn down the belt. Shortly after these attempts to woo Hogan into giving Gagne more of a share of his profits and booking in Japan and attempts to bring him into the Gagne family, Hogan was lured back to the Northeast by ], who had just recently purchased the WWF from his ailing father. | |||
== Professional wrestling career == | |||
Over twenty years later, just prior to Hulk Hogan's ] induction in 2005, the revived AWA, under the authority of owner Dale Gagne (real last name: Gagner), relented and acknowledged the legitimacy of Hogan's two title wins over Nick Bockwinkel, making him a two-time AWA champion.<ref> - ''AWA World Champion: HOLLYWOOD HULK HOGAN!! By Sean Bush''</ref> This resolution, however, has been regarded as apocryphal to most as the resurrected AWA is generally regarded as an entirely different body than the Verne Gagne-owned AWA of old. As recently as the release of the DVD '']'', interviews between Hogan and the Gagnes show that there is still animosity between both parties, indicating the unlikelihood Hogan's AWA title reign would have been retroactively instated under the original ownership. The WWE also sought legal action against Dale Gagne, due to alleged trademark infringement, which calls Gagne's claims to ownership of the AWA into doubt, and as such may render the resolution moot, as the WWE only recognizes twelve American world titles being attributed to Hulk Hogan, and the AWA World Title is not among that number. | |||
=== Early years (1977–1979) === | |||
In mid-1977, after training for more than a year with Matsuda, the Brisco brothers dropped by Matsuda's gym to see Hogan. During this visit, Jack Brisco handed Hogan a pair of wrestling boots and informed him that he was scheduled to wrestle his first match the following week.<ref name=lk455156h>{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2 |page=56}}</ref> In his professional wrestling debut, Eddie Graham ] him against ] in ], on August 10, 1977, in CWF.<ref>{{cite web |title=Old School Wrestling – Florida results 1977 (August 10) |url=http://www.oldschool-wrestling.com/geeklog/article.php/20061017223545426 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029002801/http://www.oldschool-wrestling.com/geeklog/article.php/20061017223545426 |archive-date=October 29, 2006}}</ref><ref name=7uiomnx>{{cite book |title=My Life Outside the Ring |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |publisher=St. Martin's Press |page=57 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2}}</ref> A short time later, Hogan donned a mask and assumed the persona of "The Super Destroyer", a hooded character first played by ] and subsequently used by other wrestlers. | |||
Hogan eventually could no longer work with ], whom he felt was an overbearing trainer, and left CWF. After declining an offer to wrestle for the Kansas City circuit, Hogan took a hiatus from wrestling and managed The Anchor club, a private club in ], for a man named Whitey Bridges. Eventually, Whitey and Hogan became close friends, and opened a gym together; the gym became known as Whitey and Terry's Olympic gym.<ref name=765yuiomnfx>{{cite book |title=My Life Outside the Ring |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |publisher=St. Martin's Press |pages=61–62 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2}}</ref> | |||
===New Japan Pro Wrestling (1980–1983)=== | |||
A great deal of Hogan's early success was achieved in ]. Japanese wrestling fans were in awe of the gargantuan blond American and nicknamed him "Ichiban" (which translates to "Number One"). Hogan first appeared in Japan on May 13, 1980, while he was still with the WWF. He toured the country from time to time over the next few years, facing a wide variety of opponents ranging from ] to ]. When competing in Japan, Hogan used a vastly different repertoire of wrestling moves, relying on more technical, traditional wrestling holds and maneuvers as opposed to the power-based, brawling style U.S. fans became accustomed to seeing from him. Another difference is that Hogan used a running forearm lariat (called the "Axe Bomber") as his finisher in Japan, as opposed to the running leg drop that has been his traditional finisher in America. On June 2, 1983, Hogan became the first International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) tournament winner, defeating Japanese wrestling icon ] by knockout in the finals of a 10-man tournament featuring top talent from throughout the world.<ref name="iwgp1983"/> Hogan and Inoki also worked as partners in Japan, winning the prestigious MSG Tag League tournament two years in a row: in 1982 and 1983. Hogan's popularity in Japan was so great, he even recorded an album there—a forerunner to the World Wrestling Federation's "]" of the mid 1980s. | |||
Soon after, Hogan's friend Ed Leslie (later known as ]) came to Cocoa Beach to help Hogan and Bridges manage both the Anchor Club and the Whitey and Terry's Olympic Gym. In his spare time, he and Leslie worked out in the gym together,<ref name=765yuiomnfx/> and eventually Beefcake developed a muscular physique. Hogan was impressed by Beefcake's physical stature and became convinced that the two of them should wrestle together as ] partners. Depressed and yearning to return to wrestling, Hogan called Superstar Billy Graham in 1978 with hopes that Graham could find him a job wrestling outside of Florida; Graham agreed and Hogan soon joined Louie Tillet's ] territory. Hogan also convinced Leslie, who had yet to become a wrestler, to come with him and promised to teach him everything he knew about the sport.<ref name=765yu8omnfx>{{cite book |title=My Life Outside the Ring |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |publisher=St. Martin's Press |page=67 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2}}</ref> | |||
===World Wrestling Federation (1983–1993)=== | |||
====Birth of Hulkamania==== | |||
After purchasing the World Wrestling Federation from his father in 1982, Vincent K. McMahon had plans to expand the territory into a nationwide promotion, and he handpicked Hulk Hogan to be the company's showpiece attraction due to his charisma and name recognition. Hogan made his return to the WWF at a television taping in ] on December 27, 1983 defeating Bill Dixon.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWF Show Results 1983|work=Angelfire|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/83.htm|accessdate=2008-02-27|year=1983|date=December 27}}</ref> Initially, Hogan was a heel, allied with veteran wrestler-turned-manager ]; however, this was short-lived. | |||
In Alabama, Hogan and Leslie wrestled as Terry and Ed Boulder, known as The Boulder Brothers. These early matches prompted a rumor among wrestling fans (who were not aware of the inner workings of the wrestling business) that the two really were brothers,<ref name=76hbw8omnfx>{{cite book |title=My Life Outside the Ring |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |publisher=St. Martin's Press |page=73 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2}}</ref> as few people actually knew their real names outside of immediate friends, family, and the various promoters the two worked for. After wrestling a show for ] (CWA) in Memphis, Jerry Jarrett, the ] for the CWA, approached Hogan and Leslie and offered them a job in his ] for $800 a week; this was far more than the $175 a week they would make working for Tillet.<ref name=7oubw8omnfx/> Hogan and Leslie accepted this offer and left Tillet's territory.<ref name=7oubw8omnfx>{{cite book |title=My Life Outside the Ring |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |publisher=St. Martin's Press |page=75 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2}}</ref> | |||
On January 7, 1984 edition of '']'', Hogan saved ] from a three-way assault.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWF Show Results 1984|work=Angelfire|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/84.htm|accessdate=2008-02-27|year=1984|date=January 7}}</ref> Hogan's turn was explained simply by Backlund: "He's changed his ways. He's a great man. He's told me he's not gonna have Blassie around". The storyline shortcut was necessary because less than three weeks later on January 23, Hogan won his first ], pinning The ] (who had Blassie in his ]) in ].<ref name=james/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454120|title=Hulk Hogan's first WWE Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12}}</ref> The storyline accompanying the victory was that Hogan was a "last minute" replacement for the Sheik's original opponent Bob Backlund,<ref name="WWEBio" /> and became the champion by way of being the first man to escape the camel clutch (the Iron Sheik's signature move).<ref name="MSG - Hogan vs Sheik">{{cite web|title=WWF Show Results 1984|work=Angelfire|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/84.htm|accessdate=2008-02-27|year=1984|date=January 23}}</ref> | |||
During his time in Memphis, Hogan appeared on a local talk show, where he sat beside ], star of the television series '']''.<ref>{{cite book |title=My Life Outside the Ring |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |publisher=St. Martin's Press |page=76 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2}}</ref> The host commented on how Hogan, who stood 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) and weighed 295 pounds with 24-inch biceps, actually dwarfed "The Hulk". Watching the show backstage, Mary Jarrett noticed that Hogan was actually bigger than Ferrigno, who was well known at the time for having large muscles. As a result, Hogan began performing as Terry "The Hulk" Boulder<ref name=79nmbx>{{cite book |title=My Life Outside the Ring |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |publisher=St. Martin's Press |page=77 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2}}</ref> and sometimes wrestled as Sterling Golden.<ref name=james/> | |||
Immediately after the title win, commentator ] officially proclaimed "Hulkamania is here!" Hogan frequently referred to his fans as "Hulkamaniacs" in his interviews and introduced his three "demandments": ], saying ]s, and eating ]s. Eventually, a fourth demandment (]) was added following his feud with ] in the 1990s. Hogan's ring gear developed a characteristic yellow-and-red color scheme; his ring entrances involved him ]istically ripping his shirt off his body, ], and listening for audience cheers in an exaggerated manner. The majority of Hogan's matches during this time involved him wrestling heels who had been ] as ], using a format which became near-routine: Hogan would deliver steady offense, but eventually lose momentum, seemingly nearing defeat. He would then experience a sudden ], fighting back while "feeding" off the energy of the audience, becoming impervious to attack—a process described as "hulking up". His signature maneuvers, the ] and ], would follow and ensure him a victory. | |||
On December 1, 1979, Hogan won his first ], the ], recognized in ] and ], when he defeated ] in ]. He ] it in January 1980 to ]. He briefly wrestled in the ] (GCW) territory from September through December 1979 as Sterling Golden. | |||
Over the next year, Hulk Hogan became the face of pro wrestling as McMahon pushed the WWF into a ] enterprise with the ] on ], drawing record houses, ] buyrates, and television ratings in the process. The centerpiece attraction for the ] on March 31, 1985, Hogan teamed with ] friend ] to defeat his archrival "Rowdy" ] and ].<ref name=james/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm1/results/|title=WrestleMania I official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1985|date=March 31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title="Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff & "Rowdy" Roddy Piper w/ Cowboy Bob Orton vs. Hulk Hogan & Mr. T w/ "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka|work=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm1/mainevent1/|accessdate=2008-02-27|year=1985|date=March 31}}</ref> On the ] of '']'', Hogan successfully defended the WWF title against ] in a match which Hogan won by disqualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/may111985|title=Saturday Night's Main Event I results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|date=May 11, 1985}}</ref> | |||
=== World Wrestling Federation (1979–1981) === | |||
In the process, Hogan was portrayed as a real-life ] while reaching out to young fans. The consummate role model, he was named the most requested celebrity of the 1980s for the ] children's charity. As a result, Hogan transformed the business into a sports entertainment spectacle that appealed to prime-time audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Never before had the industry seen anything like Hulkamania, as Hulk Hogan ]s and T-shirts began turning up in malls across the nation. Moreover, Hogan was featured on the covers of '']'', '']'', and '']'' magazines, while also appearing on '']'' and having his own ] ] titled '']''. Hogan went on to headline eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, and he also co-hosted '']'' on March 30, 1985 during this lucrative run. Hogan also owned another money-making machine in the early 1990s; AT&T reported that his ] information line was the single biggest 900 number in the industry from 1991 to 1993. Hogan operated the 900 number through his stint in WWF and then recreated it when he joined ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reference.com/search?q=900%20number|title=Hulk Hogan Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-12-10|publisher=]}}</ref><!--is Divorce papers the right title for this--> | |||
] in 1980]] | |||
In the fall of 1979, former NWA World Heavyweight Champion ] introduced Bollea to the ] (WWF) owner/promoter ], who was impressed with his charisma and physical stature. McMahon, who wanted to use an Irish name, gave him the last name Hogan, and also wanted him to dye his hair red. Bollea claims his hair was already beginning to fall out by that time, and he refused to dye it, simply replying, "I'll be a blond Irish".<ref>''The Greatest Superstars of the 1980s'' DVD.</ref> Bollea wrestled his first match in the WWF under the ring name "Hulk Hogan" by defeating Harry Valdez<ref>{{Citation |title=Hulk Hogan's WWF debut, 1979 |url=https://www.bitchute.com/video/HCLtJEOgTq2f/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426201656/https://www.bitchute.com/video/HCLtJEOgTq2f/ |url-status=live }}</ref> on the November 17 episode of '']''. He made his first appearance at ] on December 17, 1979, defeating ] after a ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ted DiBiase vs. Hulk Hogan: December 17, 1979 |url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/ted-dibiase-vs-hulk-hogan-december-17-1979 |website=WWE.com |access-date=July 28, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410173447/https://www.wwe.com/videos/ted-dibiase-vs-hulk-hogan-december-17-1979 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the match, Hogan thanked DiBiase for putting him over and told him that he "owed him one", a favor he repaid during DiBiase's second run with the company in the late 1980s and early 1990s as "The Million Dollar Man".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o5LMndqP_o |title=Ted DiBiase shoots on Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin |last=Wrestling Shoots |date=October 1, 2016 |via=YouTube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402042519/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o5LMndqP_o |archive-date=April 2, 2018}}</ref> McMahon gave Hogan former ] ] as chaperone and guide.<ref name=albano>{{cite book |title=Often Imitated, Never Duplicated: Captain Lou Albano |last=Albano |first=Lou |pages=104 |publisher=GEAN Publishing |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-615-18998-7}}</ref> At this time, Hogan wrestled ] for the ],<ref>{{cite web |title=WWF Show Results 1980 |work=The History of WWE |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/80.htm |year=1980 |access-date=May 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423131734/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/80.htm |archive-date=April 23, 2015}}</ref> and he started his first big feud with ], which culminated in a ] with André at ] in August 1980.<ref>{{cite web |title=WWF Show Results 1980 |work=The History of WWE |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/80.htm |access-date=May 18, 2015 |date=August 9, 1980 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423131734/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/80.htm |archive-date=April 23, 2015}}</ref> During his initial run as a ] in the WWF, Hogan was paired with ], himself a villainous wrestler-turned-]. | |||
=== |
=== New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1980–1985) === | ||
] during the Superdome Showdown professional wrestling event on August 2, 1980, in New Orleans]] | |||
{{see also|WrestleMania III|The Mega Powers}} | |||
In 1980, Hogan began appearing in ] (NJPW) where Japanese wrestling fans nicknamed him {{Nihongo|"Ichiban"|一番|4="Number One"}}. Hogan first appeared on May 13, 1980, while he was still with the WWF. He occasionally toured the country over the next few years, facing a wide variety of opponents ranging from ] to ]. When competing in ], Hogan used a vastly different repertoire of wrestling moves, relying on more technical, traditional wrestling holds and maneuvers as opposed to the power-based, brawling style American fans became accustomed to seeing from him. In addition, Hogan used the ''Axe Bomber'', a ], as his finisher in Japan instead of the ] that has been his standard finisher in America. Hogan still made appearances for the WWF, even unsuccessfully challenging ] for the ] on March 26, 1981.<ref name=page39>{{cite book |title=Pedro Morales: 70 años del pionero Latinoamericano |last=Trujillo |first=Alexander |publisher=El Diario Culebrense |language=es |chapter=Reportaje Especial |date=October 24, 2012 |page=39}}</ref> On June 2, 1983, Hogan became the first ] (IWGP) tournament winner and the first holder of an ], defeating ] by knockout in the finals of a ten-man tournament.<ref name=iwgp1983/><ref name="IWGP Champ">{{cite web |title=INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/newjapan/iwgp.html |access-date=February 9, 2019 |publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com |archive-date=August 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820021819/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/newjapan/iwgp.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Since then, this championship was defended annually against the winner of the IWGP League of the year until it was replaced by current ], that is defended regularly.<ref name="IWGP Champ"/> | |||
On the October 5, 1985 ] of ''Saturday Night's Main Event'', he successfully defended the title against ] in a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/oct051985|title=Saturday Night's Main Event II results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|date=October 5, 1985}}</ref> He met long-time rival Roddy Piper in a WWF title match at the historic ] ] (PPV) event. Hogan retained the title by disqualification after Bob Orton interfered and hit Hogan with his cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/85.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1985|publisher=Angelfire|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1985|date=November 7}}</ref> Hogan had many challengers in the way as the new year began. Throughout 1986, Hogan made successful title defenses against challengers such as ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/jan041986|title=Saturday Night's Main Event IV results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1986|date=January 4}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/march011986|title=Saturday Night's Main Event V results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|date=March 1, 1986}}</ref> ] (in a ] at ]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/results/|title=WrestleMania 2 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|date=April 2, 1986}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/mainevent/|title=King Kong Bundy vs. Hulk Hogan - WWE Championship Steel Cage Match|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1986|date=April 2}}</ref> Paul Orndorff,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/oct041986|title=Saturday Night's Main Event VII results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1986|date=October 4}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov291986|title=Saturday Night's Main Event VIII results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|date=November 29, 1986}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
In the fall of 1986, Hogan occasionally wrestled in tag matches with ] as Hulk Machine under a mask copied from ] ] "]."<ref name="OWW"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/machines.html|title=The Machines Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/86.htm|title=WWF Show Results 1986| accessdate=2007-07-01|author=Graham Cawthon|date=September 16, 1986}}</ref> At ] in 1987, Hogan was ] to defend the title against ], who had been the sport's premier star and was ] as undefeated for the previous two decades. A new storyline was introduced in early 1987; Hogan was presented a trophy for being the WWF Champion for three consecutive years.<ref name="bigone">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/ruggedroadstomania/roadstomania1|title=The Big One|last=McAvennie|first=Mike|date=March 30, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-19|publisher=WWE}}</ref> André the Giant, a good friend came out to congratulate him.<ref name=80s38>{{cite book|title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s|last=Shields|first=Brian|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2006|isbn=1416532579|pages=p.38}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, André was presented a slightly smaller trophy for being "undefeated in the WWF for 15 years."<ref name="bigone"/> Hogan came out to congratulate André, who walked out in the midst of Hogan's speech. Then, on an edition of '']'', Hogan was confronted by ], who announced that André was his new protégé, and Andre challenged Hogan to a title match at WrestleMania III.<ref name=80s38/><ref name=top25>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_4/ai_94123536|title=The main events: ladies and gentlemen, may we present the 25 most memorable matches in the last 25 years|last=Eck|first=Kevin|publisher=Wrestling Digest|accessdate=2007-10-14|month=December | year=2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania3.html|title=Steamboat - Savage rule WrestleMania 3|last=Powell|first=John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-10-14}}</ref><ref name=80s26>{{cite book|title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s|first=Brian|last=Shields|publisher= Simon and Schuster|pages=p.26|year=2006|isbn=1416532579}}</ref> At WrestleMania III, Hogan successfully defended the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against André the Giant. During the match, Hogan bodyslammed the 520-pound ] and won the match after executing a scoop slam and a leg drop.<ref name=top25/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm3/results/|title=WrestleMania III official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1987|date=March 29}}</ref><ref name=ecw>{{cite book|title=The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling|last=Loverro|first=Thom|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2006|isbn=1416510583}}</ref> | |||
Hogan and Inoki also worked as partners in Japan, winning the MSG (Madison Square Garden) Tag League tournament two years in a row: in 1982 and 1983. In 1984, Hogan returned to NJPW to wrestle Inoki to defend the early version of the IWGP title after that Inoki won in the finals of the IWGP League, becoming the new no. 1 contender to the championship.<ref name="IWGP Champ"/> Hogan lost the match and ] by ], thanks to interference from ]. Hogan also defended his WWF World Heavyweight Championship against ] and Fujinami, among others, until ending his tour in Nagoya on June 13 losing to Inoki via count-out in a championship match for the early version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Hogan was the only challenger in the history of that title that didn't win the tournament to become the no. 1 contender to the championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database |website=www.wrestlingdata.com |url=https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=39&bild=0&details=7&liga=121&jahr=1985 |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518212400/https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=39&bild=0&details=7&liga=121&jahr=1985 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IWGP Champ"/> | |||
=== American Wrestling Association (1981–1983) === | |||
Hogan remained WWF Champion for ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/thist/world.html|title=WWE World Heavyweight Championship History|work=Complete WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12}}</ref> He became the third longest reigning WWF Champion in the process, only after ] and Bob Backlund. In front of 33 million viewers, however, Hogan finally lost the belt to André on the February 5 ] of '']'' after a convoluted scam involving "The Million Dollar Man" ] and "evil" twin referee ] (in place of the match's appointed arbiter, his twin brother ]).<ref name="Main Event - Hogan vs Andre"/> After André delivered a ] on Hogan, Hebner ].<ref name="WWEBio" /><ref name="Main Event - Hogan vs Andre">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/880205.html|title=The Main Event results - February 5, 1988|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-12}}</ref> After the match, André handed the title over to DiBiase to complete their storyline business deal.<ref name="Main Event - Hogan vs Andre"/> As a result, the WWF Championship was vacated for the first time in its 25-year history.<ref name="Main Event - Hogan vs Andre"/> At ], Hogan participated in a tournament for the vacant WWF title to regain it and faced André in the tournament quarter-finals but their match resulted in a double disqualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/results/|title=WrestleMania IV official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1988|date=March 27}}</ref> Later that night in the main event, Hogan interfered and helped his on/off friend ] in beating Ted DiBiase to win the vacant WWF title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/mainevent/|title=Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs. "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase - WWE Championship Tournament Finals|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1988|date=March 27}}</ref> The relationship between the two would lead to the main event of the following ]. | |||
] during a professional wrestling match in 1982]] | |||
After accepting an offer to work on the film '']'' (a decision Vincent J. McMahon disapproved of and subsequently chose to release Hogan from the promotion for), Hogan made his debut in the ] (AWA), owned by ], in August 1981. Hogan started his AWA run as a villain, with "Luscious" ] as his manager. This did not last long, however, as the AWA fans fell in love with Hogan's presence and Hogan became the top ] of the AWA, battling the ] and ].{{citation needed|date=April 2018}} | |||
Together, Hogan, Savage, and ] ] formed a partnership known as ].<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="megapowers">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/mega-powers.html|title=Mega Powers Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-12}}</ref> After Savage became WWF Champion at WrestleMania IV, they feuded with ] (Ted DiBiase and André the Giant), and defeated them at the main event of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1988/results/|title=SummerSlam 1988 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1988|date=August 29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1988/mainevent1/|title=Hulk Hogan & "Macho Man" Randy Savage w/ Elizabeth vs. "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase & André the Giant w/ Virgil and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-12|year=1988|date=August 29}}</ref> The Mega Powers, however, soon imploded from within in 1989, due to Savage's burgeoning jealousy of Hogan and his paranoid suspicions that Hogan and Elizabeth were "more than friends." This all started at ], when Hogan accidentally eliminated Savage from the ].<ref name="acceleratorbio">{{cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/hogan.html|title=Hulk Hogan's Bio|work=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster|accessdate=2008-04-13}}</ref> They began a feud with ],<ref name="megapowers"/> and defeated them on the February 3, 1989 ] of ''The Main Event'', but with controversy. During the match, Savage collided with Miss Elizabeth when he was thrown through the ropes to the floor. Hogan took her backstage to receive medical attention, thus abandoning Savage.<ref name="mainevent2"/> He quickly returned to the ring but Savage slapped and turned on Hogan by leaving the ring.<ref name="mainevent2"/> Hogan later won the match by himself.<ref name="mainevent2">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/890203.html|title=The Main Event results - February 3, 1989|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-13}}</ref> After the match, Savage attacked Hogan backstage and the Mega Powers exploded,<ref name="megapowers"/> which started a ] between the two.<ref name="megapowers"/><ref name="OWW"/> Their feud culminated in Hogan beating Savage for his second WWF Championship at ].<ref name="WWEBio" /><ref name="OWW"/><ref name="megapowers"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm5/results/|title=WrestleMania V official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=April 2, 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm5/mainevent/|title=Hulk Hogan vs. Randy "Macho Man" Savage - WWE Championship|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=April 2, 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454126|title=Hulk Hogan's second WWE Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13}}</ref> | |||
Hogan's ] as a fan favorite came at the end of July 1981, when during a television taping that aired in August, ], after suffering a pinfall loss to ], began beating down Rheingans and easily fighting off anyone who tried to run in for the save. Hogan ran in, got the upper hand and ran Blackwell from the ring. Hogan was eventually victorious in his ] with Blackwell and by the end of 1981, gained his first title matches against Bockwinkel. | |||
====Four more reigns (1989–1993)==== | |||
{{main|The Mega-Maniacs}} | |||
Hogan's second run lasted a year, during which time he starred in the movie '']''. The film was the inspiration of a feud with Hogan's co-star ], who appeared at wrestling events as his movie character, Zeus. Zeus was a ] who was "jealous" over Hogan's higher billing and wanted revenge. Hogan, however, was easily able to defeat Zeus in a series of matches across the country during late 1989, beginning with a tag team match at ], in which Hogan and ] topped Zeus and Savage.<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="hulkbrutus">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hulkbrutus.html|title=Mega-Maniacs Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1989/results/|title=SummerSlam 1989 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=August 28, 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1989/mainevent/|title=Hulk Hogan & Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake w/ Elizabeth vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage & Zeus w/ Sensational Sherri|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=August 28, 1989}}</ref> Hogan and Beefcake defeated Zeus and Savage in a rematch at the ] to end the feud.<ref name="hulkbrutus"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1980s.html#nhb|title=No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=December 27, 1989}}</ref> | |||
In March 1982, Hogan defeated Bockwinkel and his manager ] in a non-title ] in the ] in ]. Hogan went on to repeatedly challenge Bockwinkel for the ], with the matches generally ending in disqualifications (a decision wherein the Championship does not change hands). In April 1982, Hogan defeated Bockwinkel and was declared the new AWA World Heavyweight Champion, only for the decision to be overturned by AWA President Stanley Blackburn due to the use of a foreign object during the match.<ref name="Kreikenbohm1982">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1263&page=4&year=1982 |title=Nick Bockwinkel - matches - 1982 |access-date=July 14, 2021 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch |archive-date=July 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714184327/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1263&page=4&year=1982 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hunter2013">{{cite book|first=Matt|last=Hunter|title=Hulk Hogan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o8ZbAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA1971|year=2013|publisher=]|isbn=978-1-4381-4647-8|pages=1,971|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221135708/https://books.google.com/books?id=o8ZbAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA1971|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Smallman2018">{{cite book|first=Jim|last=Smallman|title=I'm Sorry, I Love You: A History of Professional Wrestling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MA5ZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT104|date=2018|publisher=]|isbn=978-1-4722-5421-4|pages=104|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221135707/https://books.google.com/books?id=MA5ZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT104|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Also during his second run, Hogan won the ].<ref name="WWEBio" /><ref name="rumble"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881151/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1990 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=January 21, 1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881151/mainevent/|title=Hulk Hogan (spot No. 25) wins the Royal Rumble Match|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=January 21, 1990}}</ref> He ] the title to ] ] in a title vs. title match at ].<ref name="WWEBio" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm6/results/|title=WrestleMania VI official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=April 1, 1990}}</ref><ref name="WrestleMania 6 - Warrior vs Hogan">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm6/mainevent/|title=Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan - Intercontinental and WWE Championship Match|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=April 1, 1990}}</ref> It was the first time in over seven years that Hogan suffered a defeat with a ].<ref name="OWW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hulk-hogan.html|title=Hulk Hogan's Profile|accessdate=2007-12-10|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> This title match was unique because the two wrestlers were both faces, and Hogan graciously handed Warrior the belt and hugged him at the conclusion of the match.<ref name="WrestleMania 6 - Warrior vs Hogan"/> | |||
Hogan left the AWA in November 1983. | |||
Hogan soon became embroiled in a heated feud with the 468-pound ], who gained infamy by crushing Hogan's ribs in a sneak attack on '']'' in May 1990. On television, announcers explained that Hogan's injuries and his WrestleMania VI loss to The Ultimate Warrior both took such a huge toll on his fighting spirit that he wanted to retire. Viewers were asked to write letters to Hogan and send postcards asking for his return (they got a postcard-sized picture in return, autographed by Hogan, as a "thank-you"). Hogan returned by ] and for several months, dominated Earthquake in a series of matches across the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1990/results/|title=SummerSlam 1990 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=August 27, 1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1990/mainevent/|title=Hulk Hogan w/ Big Bossman vs. Earthquake w/ Jimmy Hart and Dino Bravo|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=August 27, 1990}}</ref> His defeat of this overwhelmingly large foe caused Hogan to add a fourth demandment: believing in yourself. He would also be known as "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan. | |||
=== Return to WWF (1983–1993) === | |||
Hogan became the first wrestler to win two Royal Rumble matches in a row,<ref name="1991Rumble"/> as he won the ].<ref name="rumble"/><ref name="WWEBio" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988116/results/|title=Royal Rumble 1991 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=January 19, 1991}}</ref><ref name="1991Rumble">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988116/mainevent/|title=Hulk Hogan (spot No. 24) wins the Royal Rumble Match|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=January 19, 1991}}</ref> At ], Hogan stood up for the USA against ]i-sympathizer ], defeating him for his third WWF Championship.<ref name="WWEBio" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm7/results/|title=WrestleMania VII official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=March 24, 1991}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm7/mainevent/|title=Hollywood Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter - WWE Championship|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=March 24, 1991}}</ref> Hogan started a feud with ] in the fall of 1991 and lost the WWF title to Undertaker at ] due to interference from ].<ref name="WWEBio" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1991/results|title=Survivor Series 1991 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=November 27, 1991}}</ref><ref name="Survivor Series - Taker vs Hogan">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1991/mainevent/|title=Undertaker def. Hulk Hogan to become new WWE Champion|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=November 27, 1991}}</ref> Just six days later, Hogan regained the title in a match held on a special pay-per-view named ], beginning his fourth WWF Championship reign<ref name="WWEBio" /><ref name="hogan4"/> but due to the controversy surrounding the end of both matches, the title was again declared vacant.<ref name="hogan4">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454136|title=Hulk Hogan's fourth WWE Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13}}</ref> | |||
], December 1983]] | |||
==== Rise of Hulkamania (1983–1984) ==== | |||
The WWF Championship was decided at ] in the Royal Rumble match. Hogan was eliminated by storyline friend ] and failed to regain the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152//mainevent/|title=Ric Flair (spot No. 3) wins the Royal Rumble Match to become new WWE Champion|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=January 19, 1992}}</ref> The two patched things up and teamed up together on the February 8, 1992 ] of ''Saturday Night's Main Event'' against the new WWF Champion Ric Flair and The Undertaker. Sid turned heel by abandoning Hogan but Flair slapped the ], which gave Hogan and Sid a disqualification victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/feb081992|title=Saturday Night's Main Event XXX results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=February 8, 1992}}</ref> This began a feud between Hogan and Sid. In the ensuing months, Hulk Hogan announced he was contemplating retirement from wrestling and would "bow out" after his match against Sid at ]. Hogan eventually won the match via disqualification due to interference by Sid's manager ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/results/|title=WrestleMania VIII official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=April 5, 1992}}</ref><ref name="WrestleMania - Hogan vs Sid">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/mainevent/|title=Sycho Sid vs. Hulk Hogan|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-13|date=April 5, 1992}}</ref> Hogan was then attacked by ] (who was scripted to cause the disqualification, but arrived too late) and was saved by the returning Ultimate Warrior.<ref name="WrestleMania - Hogan vs Sid"/> | |||
After purchasing the company from his father in 1982, ] had plans to expand the territory into a nationwide promotion, and he handpicked Hogan to be the company's showpiece attraction due to his charisma and name recognition. Hogan made his return at a television taping in ], on December 27, 1983, defeating Bill Dixon.<ref>{{cite web |title=WWF Show Results 1983 |work=The History of WWE |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/83.htm |access-date=February 27, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519180847/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/83.htm |archive-date=May 19, 2009}}</ref> | |||
On the January 7, 1984, episode of ''Championship Wrestling'', Hogan confirmed his fan favorite status (for any WWF fans unaware of his late 1981 babyface turn) by saving Bob Backlund from a three-way assault by the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=WWF Show Results 1984 |work=The History of WWE |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/84.htm |access-date=May 18, 2015 |date=January 7, 1984 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723032831/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/84.htm |archive-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref> Hogan's ] was explained simply by Backlund: "He's changed his ways. He's a great man. He's told me he's not gonna have Blassie around". The storyline shortcut was necessary because less than three weeks later on January 23, Hogan won his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship, ] ] (who had Blassie in his ]) in ].<ref name=james/><ref>{{cite web |title=Hulk Hogan's first WWE Championship reign |publisher=] |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454120 |access-date=April 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050624000129/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454120 |archive-date=June 24, 2005}}</ref> The storyline accompanying the victory was that Hogan was a "last minute" replacement for the Sheik's original opponent Bob Backlund,<ref name=WWEBio>{{cite web |title=Hulk Hogan bio |publisher=] |url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/hulkhogan |access-date=December 12, 2018 |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918154033/https://www.wwe.com/superstars/hulkhogan |url-status=live }}</ref> and became the champion by way of being the first man to escape the camel clutch (the Iron Sheik's finishing move).<ref>{{cite web |date=January 23, 1984 |title=WWF Show Results 1984 |work=The History of WWE |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/84.htm |access-date=February 27, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723032831/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/84.htm |archive-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref> | |||
Hogan returned to the WWF in January 1993, helping out his friend Brutus Beefcake in his feud with ] (] and ]) and officially renamed themselves ].<ref name="hulkbrutus"/> At ], Hogan and Beefcake took on Money Inc. for the ] but ended up losing the match by disqualification.<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="hulkbrutus"/><ref name="wm9">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm9/results/|title=WrestleMania IX official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=April 4, 1993}}</ref> Later that night, Hogan won his fifth WWF Championship by ] ] only moments after Yokozuna's defeat of ].<ref name="wm9"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm9/mainevent/|title=Yokozuna vs. Bret "Hit Man" Hart - WWE Championship|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=April 4, 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454131|title=Hulk Hogan's fifth WWE Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref> At the first annual ] pay-per-view on June 13, 1993, Hogan defended the championship against the former champion, Yokozuna, in his first title defense since defeating Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> During the course of the match, Yokozuna kicked out of Hogan's signature ].<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> The hard-fought bout came to its close when a "Japanese photographer" (actually a disguised Harvey Wippleman) got on the apron and distracted Hogan, before shooting some sort of fireball out of the camera and into Hogan's face.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> This was followed by Yokozuna hitting a leg drop on Hogan for the pin.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/kingring.html|title=King of the Ring 1993 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=June 13, 1993}}</ref> After his victory, Yokozuna proceeded to give Hogan a ] amidst the crying children and cursing adults.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> As Yokozuna celebrated, Hogan was helped back to the locker room by ringside officials as he clutched his face.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> Hulkamania had seemingly taken its final breath.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> This would be Hogan's last WWF pay-per-view appearance until 2002, as both he and ] were preparing to leave the promotion. Hogan would continue his feud on the house show circuit with Yokozuna until August 1993. After that, Hogan would sit out the rest of his contract which expired later that year. | |||
Immediately after the title win, commentator ] proclaimed: "Hulkamania is here!". Hogan frequently referred to his fans as "Hulkamaniacs" in his interviews and introduced his three "demandments": ], saying ]s, and eating ]s. Eventually, a fourth demandment (]) was added during his feud with ] in 1990. Hogan's ring gear developed a characteristic yellow-and-red color scheme; his ring entrances involved him ]istically ripping his shirt off his body, ], and listening for audience cheers in an exaggerated manner. The majority of Hogan's matches during this time involved him wrestling heels who had been booked as ], using a format which became near-routine: He delivered steady offense, but eventually lose momentum, seemingly nearing defeat. After being hit with his opponent's finishing move, he got a sudden ], fighting back while "feeding" off the energy of the audience, becoming impervious to attack{{snd}} a process described as "Hulking up". His signature maneuvers{{snd}} pointing at the opponent (later accompanied by a loud "you!" from the audience), shaking his finger to scold him, three punches, an Irish whip, the ] and ] – followed, ensuring victory. That finishing sequence occasionally changed depending on the storyline and opponent; for instance, with "giant" wrestlers, the sequence might involve a ]. | |||
In 1994, a ]s scandal threatened the WWF, and Hogan testified in court that he had used steroids over a period of 12 years "to get big" and had also introduced WWF Chairman Vince McMahon to steroids during the filming of ''No Holds Barred''. Both men also had ] doctor George Zahorian send steroids to WWF's corporate office via ]. Hogan, however, never accused McMahon of distributing steroids himself, but Hogan also testified that steroid use was rampant in the WWF. His testimony may have kept McMahon out of prison, but it hurt both Hogan and the WWF's public image. | |||
In 1984, similarities between Hogan's character and that of ] led to a ] deal between Titan Sports, ] and himself wherein Marvel obtained the trademarks "Hulk Hogan", "Hulkster" and "Hulkamania" for 20 years, and Titan agreed to no longer refer to him as "incredible" nor simply "Hulk" or ever dress him in purple or green. Marvel also subsequently received .9% of reportable gross merchandise revenue associated with Hogan, $100 for each of his matches and 10% of Titan's portion of his other earnings under this name (or 10% of the earnings, if Titan held no interest).<ref>{{cite web |title=1985 Marvel/Hulk Hogan/Titan Sports Contract - Wwe - Entertainment |website=Scribd |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/304714653/1985-marvel-hulk-hogan-titan-sports-contract |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402042519/https://www.scribd.com/doc/304714653/1985-marvel-hulk-hogan-titan-sports-contract |archive-date=April 2, 2018}}</ref><ref name=Mule>{{cite web |date=April 4, 2014 |title=When Hulk Hogan and Marvel Collided |work=Red-Headed Mule |url=http://redheadedmule.com/comics/hulk-hogan-marvel/10579/ |access-date=August 8, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727065916/http://redheadedmule.com/comics/hulk-hogan-marvel/10579/ |archive-date=July 27, 2015}}</ref> This extended to WCW, whose parent company ] merged with ] in 1996 and became sister companies with Marvel rival ]. (As Hogan was well underway with the nWo storyline under the "Hollywood Hogan" ring name at the time, this avoided Time Warner the awkward situation of paying Marvel the rights to the name while owning its chief rival.) In a story in 1988's ''] #45'', a wrestler resembling Hogan was tossed through an arena roof by The Incredible Hulk, because he "picked the wrong name."<ref>{{cite web |date=June 26, 2014 |title=Someone Bought This: Hulk Hogan Vs. The Incredible Hulk in an epic battle of The Hulks! |website=www.wrestlecrap.com |url=https://www.wrestlecrap.com/sbt/someone-bought-this-hulk-hogan-vs-the-incredible-hulk-in-an-epic-battle-of-the-hulks/ |access-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211033434/https://www.wrestlecrap.com/someone-bought-this/hulk-hogan-vs-the-incredible-hulk-comic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===World Championship Wrestling (1994–2000)=== | |||
====Early run (1994–1996)==== | |||
After Hogan left the WWF in the summer of 1993, he decided to take a few months off from wrestling to concentrate on movies, television, and his family. In June 1994, Hogan signed with ]'s ] (WCW) and began appearing on television the next month. Hogan won the ] in his debut match, defeating ] in a 'dream' match at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411021|title=Hulk Hogan's first WCW Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref> After overcoming the likes of Flair,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#94|title=Halloween Havoc 1994 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=October 23, 1994}}</ref> ] (former partner Brutus Beefcake),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#94|title=Starrcade 1994: Triple Threat results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=December 27, 1994}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#94|title=SuperBrawl V results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=February 19, 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#95|title=Uncensored 1995 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=March 19, 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#95|title=Bash at the Beach 1995 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=July 16, 1995|}}</ref> and the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#95|title=Fall Brawl 1995: WarGames results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=September 17, 1995}}</ref> for the next eighteen months, Hogan ] the belt to ] at ] via DQ.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#95|title=Halloween Havoc 1995 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=October 29, 1995}}</ref> Following the controversial loss (which was due to a "contract clause"), the WCW title became vacant. | |||
==== International renown (1985–1988) ==== | |||
In early 1996, Hogan feuded with The Giant<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VI|title=SuperBrawl VI results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=February 11, 1996}}</ref> and with the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#96|title=Uncensored 1996 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=March 24, 1996}}</ref> After coming out victorious from his feuds, Hogan began to only appear occasionally on WCW programming. It was also around this time, WCW fans began to grow tired of seeing Hogan's "red-and-yellow good guy" persona they had seen for ten years in the WWF.<ref name="OWW"/> This led to one of the most talked about moments in wrestling history in the summer of 1996.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> During a six man tag team match at ], Hulk Hogan interfered on behalf of ] (] and ]), attacking babyface ]. This action caused Hogan to ] ] for the first time in over ten years.<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/><ref name="beach96">{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/wcw96.htm|title=WCW Show Results 1996|publisher=Angelfire|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=July 7, 1996}}</ref> After the match, Hogan delivered a now-infamous ], accosting the fans and WCW for underappreciating his talent and drawing power. This culminated with Hogan's announcement of the formation of a "New World Order of Wrestling"<ref name="beach96"/> This statement gave the trio it's iconic name: The new World order (nWo). | |||
{{see also|André the Giant–Hulk Hogan rivalry}} | |||
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Over the next year, Hogan became the face of professional wrestling as McMahon pushed the WWF into a ] enterprise with ] on ], drawing record houses, ] buyrates, and television ratings in the process. The centerpiece attraction for the ] on March 31, 1985, Hogan teamed with ] friend, TV and movie star ] to defeat his archrival ] and ] when ], who had been in the corner of Piper and Orndorff, accidentally caused his team's defeat by knocking out Orndorff after he jumped from the top turnbuckle and hit him in the back of the head with his arm cast in a shot meant for Hogan.<ref name=james/><ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania I Main Event |publisher=] |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/1/mainevent1 |access-date=October 25, 2016 |date=March 31, 1985 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110628014908/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/1/mainevent1 |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref> On '']'', Hogan successfully defended the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Orton in a match that Hogan won by ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/may111985 |title=Saturday Night's Main Event I results |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=May 11, 1985 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329070003/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/may111985 |archive-date=March 29, 2008}}</ref> | |||
Hogan was named the most requested celebrity of the 1980s for the ] children's charity. He was featured on the covers of '']'' (the first and {{as of|2013|lc=y}}, only professional wrestler to do so), '']'', and '']'' magazines, while also appearing on '']'' and having his own ] ] titled '']''. Hogan, as the premier WWF icon, ] seven of the first eight ] events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://i.wwe9.com/inside/listthis/dreammatches |title=List This! Greatest Match-ups That Haven't Happened |publisher=] |access-date=April 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130091440/http://i.wwe9.com/inside/listthis/dreammatches |archive-date=January 30, 2017}}</ref> He also co-hosted '']'' on March 30, 1985, during this lucrative run. ] reported that the ] information line he ran while with the WWF was the single biggest 900 number from 1991 to 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/27600-fri-update-mcmahons-to-make-good-on-1-million-owed-from-70s-huge-weekend-schedule-ufc-notes-cena-update-orton-doing-stunts-jones-vs-dana-tons-more |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923220741/http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/27600-fri-update-mcmahons-to-make-good-on-1-million-owed-from-70s-huge-weekend-schedule-ufc-notes-cena-update-orton-doing-stunts-jones-vs-dana-tons-more |archive-date=September 23, 2012 |title=FRI UPDATE: McMahons to make good on $1 million owed from 70s, huge weekend schedule, UFC notes, Cena update, Orton doing stunts, Jones vs. Dana, tons more |work=Figure Four Wrestling |last=Alvarez |first=Bryan |date=September 21, 2012 |access-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref> Hogan continued to run a 900 number after joining ] (WCW).<ref>{{cite magazine |page=69 |magazine=Billboard |date=June 3, 1995 |title=Select's Hulk Hogan Sings Between Bouts |first=Jim |last=Bessman |volume=107 |number=22 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> | |||
====New World Order (1996–1998)==== | |||
{{main|New World Order (professional wrestling)|l1=New World Order (nWo)}} | |||
This would come to fruition, as the ], known officially as the New World Order (nWo), would gain prominence in the coming weeks and months.<ref name=james/><ref name="beach96"/><ref name="nwooriginal">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/n/nwo-original.html|title=new World order (nWo) Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref><ref name="WWEBio" /> Hogan grew a beard alongside his famous mustache and dyed it black, traded his red and yellow garb in for black clothing, renamed himself Hollywood Hogan, and returned to WCW programming eight days after his heel turn.<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/> | |||
On '']'', he successfully defended the title against ] in a ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/oct051985 |title=Saturday Night's Main Event II results |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=October 5, 1985 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221200020/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/oct051985 |archive-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref> He met long-time rival Roddy Piper in a WWF title match at the ] ] (PPV) event. Hogan retained the title by disqualification after Bob Orton interfered and hit Hogan with his cast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/85.htm |title=WWF Show Results 1985 |publisher=The History of WWE |access-date=May 18, 2015 |date=November 7, 1985 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018032135/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/85.htm |archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> Hogan had many challengers in the way as the new year began. Throughout 1986, Hogan made successful title defenses against challengers such as ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/jan041986 |title=Saturday Night's Main Event IV results |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=January 4, 1986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331193445/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/jan041986 |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/march011986 |title=Saturday Night's Main Event V results |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=March 1, 1986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327022838/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/march011986 |archive-date=March 27, 2008}}</ref> ] (in a ] at ]),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/mainevent/ |title=King Kong Bundy vs. Hulk Hogan – WWE Championship Steel Cage Match |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=April 2, 1986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604215447/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm2/mainevent/ |archive-date=June 4, 2011}}</ref> Paul Orndorff,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/oct041986 |title=Saturday Night's Main Event VII results |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=October 4, 1986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024230456/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/oct041986 |archive-date=October 24, 2008}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov291986 |title=Saturday Night's Main Event VIII results |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=November 29, 1986 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618100943/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov291986 |archive-date=June 18, 2008}}</ref> | |||
Hogan won his second WCW World Heavyweight Championship at ], defeating The Giant for the title.<ref name="nwooriginal"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#96|title=Hog Wild results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=August 10, 1996}}</ref><ref name="hoganwcw2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411038|title=Hulk Hogan's second WCW Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref> He spray painted a black "nWo" across the title belt, scribbled across the nameplate, and referred to the title as the "nWo title" during this and any other time he held the title while in the nWo.<ref name="hoganwcw2"/> Hogan then started a feud with ] after Luger and The Giant defeated Hogan and ] in a tag team match at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#95|title=Halloween Havoc 1995 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=October 29, 1995}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
On the August 4, 1997 edition of '']'', Hogan lost the WCW title to Luger by submission via Luger's Torture Rack submission finisher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/19970804.htm|title=WCW Monday Night Nitro - Monday 08/04/97|publisher=DDT Digest|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=August 4, 1997}}</ref> Five days later, at ], Hogan defeated Luger to regain the WCW title and begin his third WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#97|title=Road Wild 1997 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=August 9, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541108|title=Hulk Hogan's third WCW Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref> Hogan then lost the belt to ] in a hugely-hyped, eighteen-months-in-the-making match at ]. In the match, WCW's newly-contracted ] accused referee ] of fast-counting a victory for Hogan and had the match restarted—with himself as referee.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> Sting later won by submission.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/starrcad.html#97|title=Starrcade 1997 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=December 28, 1997}}</ref> After a rematch the following night, where Sting controversially retained the title, the WCW Championship became vacant.<ref name="OWW"/> Sting then went on to win the vacant title against Hogan at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VIII|title=SuperBrawl VIII results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=February 22, 1998}}</ref> | |||
In the fall of 1986, Hogan occasionally wrestled in tag team matches with ] as Hulk Machine under a mask copied from NJPW's ] "]".<ref name=OWW/><ref>{{cite web |title=The Machines Profile |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/machines.html |access-date=April 12, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621210036/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/machines.html |archive-date=June 21, 2007}}</ref> At ] in 1987, Hogan was booked to defend the title against André the Giant, who had been the sport's premier star and was ] as undefeated for the previous fifteen years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andre the Giant |work=WWE |url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/andrethegiant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501202657/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/andrethegiant/bio/ |archive-date=May 1, 2009}}</ref> A new storyline was introduced in early 1987; Hogan was presented a trophy for being the WWF World Heavyweight Champion for three consecutive years.<ref name=bigone>{{cite web |title=The Big One |last=McAvennie |first=Mike |date=March 30, 2007 |publisher=] |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/ruggedroadstomania/roadstomania1 |access-date=October 19, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015050323/http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/ruggedroadstomania/roadstomania1 |archive-date=October 15, 2007}}</ref> André the Giant, who was Hogan's good friend, came out to congratulate him.<ref name=80s38>{{cite book |last=Shields |first=Brian |year=2006 |title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4165-3257-6 |page=38 |url=https://archive.org/details/mainevent00bria/page/38}}</ref> Shortly afterward, André was presented a slightly smaller trophy for being "undefeated in the WWF for 15 years".<ref name=bigone/> Hogan came out to congratulate André, who walked out in the midst of Hogan's speech. Then, on an edition of '']'', Hogan was confronted by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who announced that André was his new protégé, and Andre challenged Hogan to a title match at WrestleMania III,<ref name=80s38/><ref name=top25>{{cite news |last=Eck |first=Kevin |date=December 2002 |title=The main events: ladies and gentlemen, may we present the 25 most memorable matches in the last 25 years |publisher=Wrestling Digest |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_4/ai_94123536 |access-date=October 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015121440/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_4/ai_94123536 |archive-date=October 15, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Powell |first=John |title=Steamboat – Savage rule WrestleMania 3 |publisher=SLAM! Wrestling |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania3.html |access-date=October 14, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429201526/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania3.html |archive-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name=80s26>{{cite book |last=Shields |first=Brian |year=2006 |title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4165-3257-6 |page=26 |url=https://archive.org/details/mainevent00bria/page/26}}</ref> where Hogan successfully defended the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against André the Giant. During the match, Hogan hit a body slam on the 520-pound André (which was dubbed "the bodyslam heard around the world") and won the match after a leg drop.<ref name=top25/><ref name=ecw>{{cite book |last=Loverro |first=Thom |year=2006 |title=The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4165-1058-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom}}</ref> | |||
==== The Mega Powers (1988–1989) ==== | |||
Hogan then developed a rivalry with former friend (and recent nWo recruit) Randy Savage, who had just cost Hogan the title match at SuperBrawl by hitting him with a spray can.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> The ] culminated in a steel cage match at ], which ended in a no contest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#98|title=Uncensored 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=March 15, 1998}}</ref> Savage took the World Championship from Sting at ], while Hogan teamed with Kevin Nash to take on ] and The Giant in the first-ever ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#98|title=Spring Stampede 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-14|date=April 19, 1998}}</ref> Marking the breakup of the original nWo, Hogan betrayed Nash by hitting him with the bat and then challenged Savage the following night for his championship.<ref name="nwooriginal"/> In the ] for Savage's newly won title, Nash entered the ring and ]ed Hogan as retribution for the attack the previous night, and Bret Hart turned heel by jumping in to attack Savage and preserve the victory for Hogan, who regained his fourth WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1998043m.htm|title=WCW Monday Nitro, Monday, 04/20/98|publisher=DDT Digest|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=April 20, 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411024|title=Hulk Hogan's fourth WCW Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16}}</ref> Hogan defended the title until July of that year, when WCW ] him in a match against newcomer and then ] ], who had yet to lose a match in the company. After a final bit of interference by ] was thwarted by ] at ringside, Goldberg was able to perform a ] and a ] on a distracted Hogan, pinning him to gain his first and only WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1998072m.htm|title=WCW Monday Nitro - Monday, 07/06/98|publisher=DDT Digest|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=July 6, 1998}}</ref> | |||
{{main|Mega Powers}} | |||
], who managed Hogan as part of ] storyline with her husband ]]] | |||
Hulk Hogan vs Big Boss Man on March 7, 1989, at the El Paso Civic Center for a video-taping of a WWF "Superstars of Wrestling" event. | |||
Hogan remained WWF World Heavyweight Champion for ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/thist/world.html |title=WWE World Heavyweight Championship History |work=Complete WWE |access-date=April 12, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405171034/http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/thist/world.html |archive-date=April 5, 2008}}</ref> In front of 33 million viewers, Hogan finally lost the title to André on '']'' after a convoluted scam involving "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and ] (who assumed the place of his twin brother ], the match's appointed ]).<ref name="Main Event – Hogan vs Andre"/> After André delivered a ] on Hogan, Hebner counted the pin while Hogan's left shoulder was clearly off the mat.<ref name=WWEBio/> After the match, André handed the title over to DiBiase to complete their business deal.<ref name="Main Event – Hogan vs Andre">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/880205.html |title=The Main Event results – February 5, 1988 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=April 12, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601041115/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/880205.html |archive-date=June 1, 2008}}</ref> As a result, the WWF World Heavyweight Championship was ] for the first time in its 25-year history because then ] ] decreed the championship could not be sold from one wrestler to another.<ref name="Main Event – Hogan vs Andre"/> At ], Hogan participated in a tournament for the vacant WWF World Heavyweight Championship to regain it; he and André were given a bye into quarter-finals, but their match resulted in a double disqualification.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/results/ |title=WrestleMania IV official results |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=March 27, 1988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525165317/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/results/ |archive-date=May 25, 2011}}</ref> Later that night in the main event, Hogan came to ringside to stop André interfering which helped ] defeat Ted DiBiase to win the title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/mainevent/ |title=Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs. "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase – WWE Championship Tournament Finals |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=March 27, 1988 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329175934/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm4/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 29, 2008}}</ref> | |||
Together, Hogan, Savage, and manager ] formed a partnership known as ].<ref name=megapowers>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/megapowers.html |title=Mega Powers Profile |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=June 4, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610035502/http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/megapowers.html |archive-date=June 10, 2012}}</ref> After Savage became WWF World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania IV, they feuded with ] (André the Giant and Ted DiBiase) and defeated them at the main event of ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1988/mainevent1/ |title=Hulk Hogan & "Macho Man" Randy Savage w/ Elizabeth vs. "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase & André the Giant w/ Virgil and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan |publisher=] |access-date=April 12, 2008 |date=August 29, 1988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724013841/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1988/mainevent1/ |archive-date=July 24, 2008}}</ref> They then went on to feud with ] ]: ] and ]. | |||
Hogan spent the rest of 1998 wrestling ] matches. His second tag team match with ] pitted them against ] and Karl Malone at ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#98|title=Bash at the BEach 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=July 12, 1998}}</ref> and at ], he and ] lost to Page and ] thanks to interference from ], who leveled Bischoff with a Diamond Cutter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#98|title=Road Wild 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=August 8, 1998}}</ref> Hogan also had a highly hyped rematch with ] at ], where his nephew ] aided his victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#98|title=Halloween Havoc 1998 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=October 25, 1998}}</ref> On the ] episode of '']'', Hogan officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling, as well as his candidacy for ].<ref name=president>{{cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/nov27_hogan.html|title=Hollywood Hogan retires|author=John Powell|publisher=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2007-10-24|date=November 27, 1998}}</ref> Campaign footage aired on ''Nitro'' of Hogan and Bischoff holding a press conference, making it appear ]. In the long run, however, both announcements were false and merely done as a ] attempting to draw some of the hype of ]'s ] gubernatorial win back to him.<ref name=president/> | |||
]]] | |||
After some time off from WCW, a still "retired" Hogan returned on the January 4, 1999 edition of ''Nitro'' to challenge Kevin Nash for the WCW title. He controversially regained his fifth WCW World Heavyweight Championship in what was later dubbed ].<ref name="OWW"/><ref name="acceleratorbio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1999011m.htm|title=WCW Monday Nitro - Monday, 01/04/99|publisher=DDT Digest|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=January 4, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411037|title=Hulk Hogan's fifth WCW Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16}}</ref> This reformed the divided nWo branches—nWo Hollywood and nWo Wolfpac—which began feuding with Bill Goldberg and ]. | |||
In mid-1988, Hogan wrestled at ]s in ] with his "War Bonnet", a red and yellow ] with a fist-shaped crest. This was notably used to give ] his first WWF loss at a Madison Square Garden house show before it was discarded altogether.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://droptoehold.com/post/4287696459/wwf-fist |title=The Rarely Seen Hulk Hogan Fist Helmet – Boston, MA 9/10/88 |publisher=Drop Toehold |date=April 2, 2011 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523050901/http://droptoehold.com/post/4287696459/wwf-fist |archive-date=May 23, 2013}}</ref> The War Bonnet gimmick was revisited in the WWE's online comedy series ''Are You Serious?'' in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwmania.com/john-cena-debuting-attire-tonight-hulk-hogans-fist-helmet-ays-mick-foley |title=John Cena Debuting New Attire Tonight, Hulk Hogan's Fist Helmet On "AYS?", Mick Foley |publisher=PWMania |date=November 18, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402062436/http://www.pwmania.com/john-cena-debuting-attire-tonight-hulk-hogans-fist-helmet-ays-mick-foley |archive-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> | |||
The Mega Powers began to implode due to Savage's burgeoning jealousy of Hogan and his paranoid suspicions that Hogan and Elizabeth were more than friends. At the ] in 1989, Hogan eliminated Savage from the ] while eliminating Bad News Brown, which caused tension, only to be eliminated by ] himself.<ref name=acceleratorbio>{{cite web |url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/hogan.html |title=Hulk Hogan's Bio |work=Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster |access-date=April 13, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515055440/http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/hogan.html |archive-date=May 15, 2008}}</ref> In early 1989, the duo broke up while wrestling The Twin Towers on '']'', when Savage accidentally collided with Miss Elizabeth during the match, and Hogan took her backstage to receive medical attention, temporarily abandoning Savage. After ensuring Elizabeth was all right, Hogan returned to the ring and begged Savage to tag him in. Savage, in a fury, grabbed Hogan's outstretched hand with one hand, and slapped him across the face with the other before leaving the ring. Hogan eventually won the match by himself.<ref name=mainevent2>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/890203.html |title=The Main Event results – February 3, 1989 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=April 13, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502205307/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/snme/890203.html |archive-date=May 2, 2008}}</ref> After the match, Savage attacked Hogan backstage, which started a ] between the two.<ref name=megapowers/> Their feud culminated in Hogan beating Savage for his second WWF World Heavyweight Championship at ].<ref name=WWEBio/><ref name=megapowers/> | |||
====Conflicts with Russo (1999–2000)==== | |||
He then lost the title to ] at ] in a ] ]. A heavily bleeding Flair won via pinfall thanks to biased referee ].<ref name="OWW"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#99|title=Uncensored 1999 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=March 14, 1999}}</ref> During that match, however, Hogan began to show some signs that a face turn was imminent, showing off some old tactics like his "Hulking up" no-sell.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> On the July 12 edition of ''Nitro'', Hogan made his grand return as a full-fledged face and accepted a challenge from Savage, who had gained the world title at ] the night before. Thanks to interference from Nash, who had lost the title to Savage, Hogan defeated Savage to win his sixth and final WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1999072m.htm|title=WCW Monday Nitro - Monday, 07/12/99|publisher=DDT Digest|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=July 12, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110315|title=Hulk Hogan's sixth WCW Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16}}</ref> | |||
==== Final WWF Championship reigns (1989–1993) ==== | |||
On August 9, 1999, he started the night dressed in the typical black and white, but after a backstage scene with his ], Hogan came out dressed in the traditional red and yellow for his main-event 6-man tag team match. Injuries and frustrations were mounting up however, and he was absent from television from October 1999 to February 2000. In his book ''Hollywood Hulk Hogan'', Bollea said that he was asked to take time off by newly hired head of creative ] ] and was not told when he would be brought back at the time. Despite some reservations, he agreed to do so. On October 24 at ], Hogan was to face Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship (which he had lost to Sting at ] the previous month, when Sting beat Hogan by cheating and had turned heel in the process).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#99|title=Fall Brawl 1999 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=September 12, 1999}}</ref> Hogan, however, came to the ring in street clothes, laid down for the pin, and left the ring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#99|title=Halloween Havoc 1999 results|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=October 24, 1999}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
Soon after his return in February 2000, at ], Hogan was involved in a controversial, ] incident with Vince Russo. Hogan was scheduled to wrestle ] for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20000716/ai_n13870868|title=No more Hulkamania? No way|author=Blackjack Brown|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|accessdate=2007-10-22|date=July 16, 2000}}{{Dead link|date=September 2008}}</ref> Before the match, there was a dispute between Hogan and Russo. Unbeknownst to Hogan, Russo told Jarrett to lie down in the middle of the ring and asked Hogan to pin him straight away. A visibly confused Hogan complied with a foot on Jarrett's chest after getting on the microphone and telling Russo, "''Is this your idea, Russo...? That's why this company is in the damn shape it's in, because of bullshit like this!''" Russo responded by coming out and saying that "''From day one, that I've been in WCW, I've done nothing... nothing... but deal with the bullshit of the politics behind that curtain''." Since Hogan refused to ] to Jarrett, a new WCW World Heavyweight Championship was created, setting the stage for a title match between ] and Jeff Jarrett later that night.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> Whether or not the whole incident was a ] or a ] is still a hot debate. As a result, Hogan filed a ] lawsuit against Russo soon after,<ref name=lawsuit>{{cite book|title=Eric Bischoff: Controversy Creates Cash|author=Eric Bischoff|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2006|isbn= 141652729X|pages=p.344-346}}</ref> which was eventually dismissed in 2002. Russo claims the whole thing was a work, and Hogan claims that Russo made it a shoot.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_2/ai_67872110|title=Hogan Speaks on Work-shoot|publisher=Wrestling Digest| accessdate=2007-10-25|month=December | year=2000}}</ref> Eric Bischoff contends that Hogan winning and leaving with the title was a work, claiming that he and Hogan celebrated after the event over the success of the ], but that Russo coming out to fire Hogan was an unplanned shoot which led to the lawsuit filed by Hogan.<ref name=lawsuit/><ref name="OWW"/> | |||
Hogan's second run in 1989 lasted a year, during which he defended the title in two matches against Savage in April that he lost both times by count-out, before defeating ] in a steel cage match on the '']'', which was aired on May 27. In May on ''WWF on NESN'', Hogan retained the title by losing once again by count-out against Savage. This was also the last time the WWF World Heavyweight Championship was referred to as such during a televised title defense, as Hogan's next successful title defense against ] on '']'' saw the title being renamed and referred simply as the WWF Championship. Also during Hogan's second reign as champion, he starred in the movie '']'', which was the inspiration of a feud with Hogan's co-star ], who appeared at wrestling events as his movie character, Zeus (an "unstoppable monster" who was jealous over Hogan's higher billing and wanted revenge). Hogan easily beat Zeus in a series of matches across the country during late 1989, beginning with a ] at ], in which Hogan and Brutus Beefcake topped Zeus and Savage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1989/mainevent/ |title=Hulk Hogan & Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake w/ Elizabeth vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage & Zeus w/ Sensational Sherri |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810051117/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1989/mainevent/ |archive-date=August 10, 2008 |access-date=May 15, 2015}}</ref> Hogan and Zeus met at the ], where the "Hulkamaniacs" faced the "Million Dollar Team"; in the early part of the match, Hogan put Zeus ] by hitting him with everything to no effect. Zeus then manhandled Hogan and shoved referee Dave Hebner down twice, with the second shove prompting Hebner to disqualify Zeus from the match. Hogan and Beefcake then defeated Zeus and Savage in a rematch at the ] pay-per-view to end the feud. Hogan also had defeated Savage to retain the WWF Championship in their official WrestleMania rematch on October 10, at United Kingdom show ] at ].<ref name=Hulkbrutus>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/Hulkbrutus.html |title=Mega-Maniacs Profile |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=April 13, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423073622/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/hulkbrutus.html |archive-date=April 23, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1980s.html#nhb |title=No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie results |publisher=Wrestling and Tournaments |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=December 27, 1989 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412162122/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1980s.html#nhb |archive-date=April 12, 2008}}</ref> During his second reign as the WWF Champion, Hogan won the ],<ref name=rumble/> before losing to ] ] in a title versus title match at ] on April 1, 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm6/mainevent/ |title=Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan – Intercontinental and WWE Championship Match |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=April 1, 1990 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327023335/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm6/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 27, 2008}}</ref> | |||
===X Wrestling Federation (2000–2001)=== | |||
From July 2000 to November 2001, Hogan was out of the public eye. He had been dealing with self-doubt and ] following the ] incident, wondering if what Russo had said about him was true.{{Fact|date=August 2008}} In the months following the eventual demise of WCW in March 2001, Hogan underwent surgery on his knees in order for him to wrestle again. As a test, Hogan worked a match in ] for the ] promotion run by his longtime handler ]. Hogan defeated ] in this match and felt healthy enough to accept an offer to return to the WWF in February 2002.<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
Hogan soon became embroiled in a heated feud with the 468-pound Earthquake, who had crushed Hogan's ribs in a sneak attack on '']'' in May 1990. On television, announcers explained that both Hogan's injuries and his WrestleMania VI loss to Warrior took such a huge toll on his fighting spirit that he wanted to retire. Viewers were asked to write letters to Hogan and send postcards asking for his return (they got a postcard-sized picture in return, autographed by Hogan, as a "thank you"). Hogan returned by ], and he dominated Earthquake for several months in a series of matches across the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1990/mainevent/ |title=Hulk Hogan w/ Big Bossman vs. Earthquake w/ Jimmy Hart and Dino Bravo |publisher=WWE |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=August 27, 1990 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729035606/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1990/mainevent/ |archive-date=July 29, 2008}}</ref> His defeat of this overwhelmingly large foe prompted Hogan to add a fourth demandment—believing in yourself—and he also became known as "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan. Hogan became the first wrestler to win two Royal Rumble matches in a row,<ref name=1991Rumble/> as he won the ].<ref name=WWEBio/><ref name=rumble/><ref name=1991Rumble>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988116/mainevent/ |title=Hulk Hogan (spot No. 24) wins the Royal Rumble Match |publisher=WWE |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=January 19, 1991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331104118/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/1988116/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> At ], Hogan stood up for the United States against ], defeating him for his third WWF Championship, and then defeating him again in the rematch at United Kingdom-only pay-per-view ] at London Arena.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm7/mainevent/ |title=Hollywood Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter – WWE Championship |publisher=] |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=March 24, 1991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331194137/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm7/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> In the fall of 1991, Hogan was challenged by ], the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion who recently arrived in the WWF. The challenge went unmet, as Hogan lost the WWF Championship to ] at ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1991/mainevent/ |title=Undertaker def. Hulk Hogan to become new WWE Champion |publisher=wwe.com |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=November 27, 1991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331203608/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1991/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> ] immediately granted Hogan a rematch at ] six days later, which Hogan won.<ref name=hogan>{{cite web |url=http://www.yourbarbecue.com/george_foreman_grill.html |title=George Forman Grill Article |publisher=YourBarbecue.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612112005/http://www.yourbarbecue.com/george_foreman_grill.html |archive-date=June 12, 2009}}</ref> Flair had interfered in both matches and due to the resulting controversy, the championship was again declared vacant.<ref name=hogan4>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454136 |title=Hulk Hogan's fourth WWE Championship reign |publisher=] |access-date=April 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050723003120/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454136 |archive-date=July 23, 2005}}</ref> It was decided that the winner of the ] match would also be declared the new WWF Champion. Hogan entered in the #26 spot, but failed to regain the championship as he was eliminated by friend ]. In turn, Hogan | |||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2002–2003)=== | |||
helped cause Sid's elimination, leaving Flair (who had entered the match as the 3rd entrant) as the winner and new WWF Champion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152//mainevent/ |title=Ric Flair (spot No. 3) wins the Royal Rumble Match to become new WWE Champion |publisher=] |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=January 19, 1992 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329172612/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881152/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 29, 2008}}</ref> Hogan and Sid patched things up and teamed together on '']'' against Flair and Undertaker, but during the match Sid abandoned Hogan,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/feb081992 |title=Saturday Night's Main Event XXX results |publisher=] |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=February 8, 1992 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618100922/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/feb081992 |archive-date=June 18, 2008}}</ref> starting their feud. At ], Hogan defeated Sid via disqualification due to interference by Sid's manager ].<ref name="WrestleMania – Hogan vs Sid">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/mainevent/ |title=Sycho Sid vs. Hulk Hogan |publisher=] |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=April 5, 1992 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329101820/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm8/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 29, 2008}}</ref> Hogan was then attacked by ] and was saved by the returning Ultimate Warrior.<ref name="WrestleMania – Hogan vs Sid"/> | |||
====Undisputed Champion (2002)==== | |||
] in 2002.]] | |||
At ] in 2002, Hogan returned to the company that had made him a ] icon.<ref name="WWEBio" /> Returning as leader of the original nWo with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, the three got into a confrontation with ]<ref name="nowayout02"/> and cost ] a chance at becoming the ] against ] in the main event.<ref name="nowayout02">{{cite web|url=http://www.gerweck.net/nowayout02.htm|title=No Way Out 2002 review|publisher=Gerweck.net|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=February 17, 2002}}</ref> The nWo feuded with both Austin and The Rock, and Hogan accepted The Rock's challenge to a match at ]. At the event, Hogan asked Hall and Nash not to interfere, wanting to defeat The Rock by himself. Despite the fact that Hogan was supposed to be the heel in the match, the crowd favored Hogan throughout it; this effectively turned him ]. The Rock ] won the contest<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm18/results/|title=WrestleMania X8 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=March 17, 2002}}</ref> but befriended Hogan at the end of the bout and helped him fight off Hall and Nash, who were upset by Hogan's conciliatory attitude.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gerweck.net/wrestlemania18.htm|title=WrestleMania 18 review|publisher=Gerweck.net|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=March 17, 2002}}</ref> After the match, Hogan was a definite face again, siding with The Rock, though he continued wearing black and white tights for a few weeks after WrestleMania X8 until he resumed wearing his signature red and yellow tights. During this period, the "Hulk Rules" logo of the '80s was redone with the text "Hulk ''Still'' Rules." Hulk wore the original "Hulk Rules" attire 12 years earlier, when he headlined ] at the same arena, in the SkyDome. For a time, he was still known as "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, notably keeping the Hollywood Hogan style blond mustache with black beard while wearing Hulkamania-like red and yellow tights. At ], he defeated ] for his sixth and final WWF "Undisputed" Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2002/results/|title=Backlash 2002 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=April 21, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2002/mainevent/|title=Hulk Hogan defeats Triple H to become new WWE Undisputed Champion|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=April 21, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/30445414114|title=Hulk Hogan's sixth WWE Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16}}</ref> He lost the belt to ] at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2002/results/|title=Judgment Day 2002 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=May 19, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2002/mainevent/|title=Undertaker vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=May 19, 2002}}</ref> | |||
At this time, news sources began to allege that Dr. George Zahorian III, a doctor for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, had been selling steroids illegally to wrestlers in general and Hogan in particular. Hogan appeared on an episode of '']'' to deny the allegations. Due to intense public scrutiny, Hogan took a leave of absence from the company.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20112274,00.html |title=Incredible Hulk? |magazine=People |access-date=August 9, 2009 |date=March 23, 1992 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602023309/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20112274,00.html |archive-date=June 2, 2009}}</ref> Hogan returned to the WWF in February 1993, helping out his friend Brutus Beefcake in his feud with ] (] and "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase), and officially renaming themselves ], taking on Money Inc.'s former manager ] (a long-time friend of Hogan's outside of wrestling) as their manager in what was the first time WWF audiences had seen Hart as a fan favorite.<ref name=Hulkbrutus/> At ], Hogan and Beefcake took on Money Inc. for the ], a match the Mega-Maniacs lost via disqualification. Hogan went into the match injured (he had a cut above his left eyebrow, and the left eye itself was fully black). The WWF used Hogan's injury in a storyline that had DiBiase allegedly paying a group of thugs in a failed attempt to take Hogan out before WrestleMania.<ref name=Hulkbrutus/><ref name=wm9>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm9/results/ |title=WrestleMania IX official results |publisher=] |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=April 4, 1993 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331194144/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm9/results/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> Later that night, Hogan won his fifth WWF Championship by pinning ] in an impromptu match only moments after Yokozuna had defeated ] for the championship.<ref name=wm9/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454131 |title=Hulk Hogan's fifth WWE Championship reign |work=WWE |publisher=] |access-date=April 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217092753/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454131 |archive-date=December 17, 2008}}</ref> Hogan reportedly used his influence to have the finish of WrestleMania changed the weekend of the event so he would be champion during an upcoming international and de facto farewell tour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2021 |title=Hulk Hogan manipulated Vince McMahon to steal Bret Hart and Yokozuna's WM9 moment |url=https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/858731/hulk-hogan-vince-mcmahon-bet-hart-yokozun-wwe-wrestlemania/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530003625/https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/858731/hulk-hogan-vince-mcmahon-bet-hart-yokozun-wwe-wrestlemania/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On the July 4, 2002 edition of '']'', Hogan teamed with ] to defeat ] and capture the ] for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413211222|title=Hollywood Hogan and Edge's first World Tag Team Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16}}</ref> They celebrated by waving the American flag as the overjoyed audience sang along to Hogan's theme song "Real American." They later ] the titles to ] (] and ]), at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2002/results/|title=Vengeance 2002 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=July 21, 2002}}</ref> After an ] with ], which saw Lesnar hand Hogan a defeat in August 2002, Hogan went on hiatus. He returned in early 2003 to battle The Rock (who had turned heel) once again at ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2003/results/|title=No Way Out 2003 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=February 23, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2003/mainevent/|title=The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=February 23, 2003}}</ref> and defeated ] at ] in a match billed as "20 years in the making."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm19/results/|title=WrestleMania XIX official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=March 30, 2003}}</ref> He then had another run as Hulk Hogan, shaving off the black Hollywood beard and dropping "Hollywood" from his name. | |||
At the first annual ] pay-per-view on June 13, Hogan defended the WWF Championship in a rematch against Yokozuna. This was Hogan's first and only title defense since defeating Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX. Yokozuna ] of Hogan's signature leg drop and scored the ] win after Hogan was blinded by a fireball shot by a "Japanese photographer" (actually a disguised Harvey Wippleman). The victorious Yokozuna proceeded to give Hogan a '']''.<ref name=acceleratorbio/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/kingring.html |title=King of the Ring 1993 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=June 13, 1993 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222220156/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/kingring.html |archive-date=February 22, 2008}}</ref> This was Hogan's last WWF pay-per-view appearance until 2002, as both he and Jimmy Hart were preparing to leave the promotion. Hogan continued his feud on the international house show circuit with Yokozuna until August 1993. After that, Hogan sat out the rest of his contract which expired later that year. | |||
====Mr. America (2003)==== | |||
Later, he had a run as the masked Mr. America. The persona was supposed to be Hulk Hogan in ], wearing a mask. He used Hulk Hogan's "Real American" theme music and used all of Hogan's signature gestures, moves, and phrases. He was the subject of a storyline that took place after Hollywood Hulk Hogan was forced by Vince McMahon to sit out the rest of his contract.<ref name="OWW"/> After Hogan won at ], McMahon, in storyline, was frustrated with him and wanted Hulkamania to die.<ref name="OWW"/> A WWE pre-debut ] took place with mysterious Mr. America promos airing for weeks during ''SmackDown!''.<ref name="OWW"/> There was also on-screen discussion on ''SmackDown!'' between then General Manager ] and other players concerning her hiring Mr. America "sight unseen."<ref name="OWW"/> On May 1, Mr. America debuted on ''SmackDown!'' on a '']'' segment. McMahon appeared and claimed that Mr. America was Hulk Hogan in disguise; Mr. America shot back by saying, "I am not Hulk Hogan, brother!" (lampooning Hogan's use of "brother" in his promos).<ref name="OWW"/> The ] continued through the month of May, with a singles match between Mr. America and Hogan's old rival Roddy Piper at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2003/results/|title=Judgment Day 2003 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=May 18, 2003}}</ref> McMahon tried desperately to prove that Mr. America was indeed Hulk Hogan but failed at all attempts. Mr. America even passed a ] test.<ref name="acceleratorbio"/> | |||
=== Return to NJPW (1993–1994) === | |||
Mr. America's last WWE appearance was on the June 26 edition of ''SmackDown!'' when ] and ] (] and ]) defeated the team of Brock Lesnar, ], and Mr. America in a six-man tag team match when Show pinned Mr. America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030626.html|title=SmackDown! results - June 26, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=June 26, 2003}}</ref> After the show went off the air, Mr. America unmasked to show the fans that he was indeed Hulk Hogan, putting his finger to his lips telling the fans to keep quiet about his secret. The next week, Hogan quit WWE due to frustration with the creative team.<ref name=mramerica>{{cite web|url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030706/ai_n12510640|title=No Hulk means no chance of 20th anniversary rematch|author=Blackjack Brown|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|date=July 6, 2003|accessdate=2007-10-23}}{{Dead link|date=September 2008}}</ref> On the July 3 edition of ''SmackDown!'', Vince McMahon showed the footage of Mr. America unmasking as Hogan and "fired" him, although Hogan had already quit in real life.<ref name=mramerica/> The Mr. America gimmick came under fire briefly from Marvel Comics, who anointed it a rip-off of ], citing costume similarity; the single star on the mask was also a trademark on Captain America's chest piece. This was also adding fuel to the fire over the rights to use the Hulk Hogan name because of Marvel's ownership of the ] character. Because of these problems, WWE was forced to edit out all references to the "Hulk Hogan" name, including pictures which featured Hogan wearing memorabilia that said "Hulk" (a majority of them) and started to refer to Hogan under the "Hollywood Hogan" name he used in WCW. It was later revealed that Hogan was unhappy with the payoffs for his matches after his comeback under the Mr. America gimmick.<ref name=mramerica/> Vince decided to terminate Hogan's contract, and Hogan left WWE in 2003.<ref name=mramerica/> | |||
On May 3, 1993, Hogan returned to NJPW as WWF Champion and defeated IWGP Heavyweight Champion ] in a dream match at ]. Hogan wrestled against Muta again, this time under his real name (Keiji Mutoh), on September 26, 1993. Hogan also wrestled ] with Muta and ] as his tag team partners. His last match in Japan was on January 4, 1994, at ], when he defeated Tatsumi Fujinami.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/tokyodome.html#94 |title=Battlefield |date=January 4, 1994 |access-date=July 19, 2019 |publisher=ProWrestlingHistory.com |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607141321/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/tokyodome.html#94 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== |
=== World Championship Wrestling (1994–2000) === | ||
A few months afterwards, Hulk Hogan worked a match for ], beating ] at the ''Ultimate Crush II'' event, an event that featured both pro wrestling and ] matches. | |||
==== World Heavyweight Champion (1994–1996) ==== | |||
According to various reports, Hulk Hogan was approached by ] in 2003 regarding appearing at a planned event titled ], a three hour pay per view event in October meant to be the annual alternative. Hogan willingly took a guitar shot from Jarrett during a press conference in Japan to hype the storyline, but withdrew from negotiations citing knee problems that would require surgery and prevent him from participating. "I was getting ready to go to TNA, was hoping of working with Jarrett and those guys, and giving McMahon a run for his money one more time," said Hulk Hogan on the Main Event radio show in December 2006. The footage of Jarrett breaking a guitar over Hogan's head was thereafter frequently used by TNA. | |||
] in 1994]] | |||
Starting in March 1994, Hogan began making appearances on WCW television, as interviewer ]—who was now a WCW employee—visited him on the set of '']'' episodes. Hype then built over whether Hogan should remain with ''Thunder in Paradise'' or join WCW and have an opportunity to wrestle ]. On the May 28, 1994, episode of '']'', Hogan tore up his ''Thunder in Paradise'' contract and stated he was now willing to quit the show and return to wrestling, and Okerlund issued a telephone survey asking if people wanted to see Hogan in WCW.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2XJMh5qt7Q&t=2367s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/K2XJMh5qt7Q |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |title=Hulk Hogan, Sting, Ric Flair, Sherri & Bockwinkel skit comp (04 30 to 07 16 1994 WCW Saturday Night) |first=Al |last=Balog |publisher=YouTube |access-date=December 28, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On June 11, 1994, Hogan officially signed with ]'s ] (WCW) in a ceremony that was held at ].<ref>{{Citation |title=A parade is held for Hulk Hogan as he signs his WCW contract: WCW Pro, June 11, 1994 |url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/a-parade-is-held-for-hulk-hogan-as-he-signs-his-wcw-contract-wcw-pro-june-11-1994 |access-date=September 27, 2018 |archive-date=June 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627034300/https://www.wwe.com/videos/a-parade-is-held-for-hulk-hogan-as-he-signs-his-wcw-contract-wcw-pro-june-11-1994}}</ref> The next month, with ] as his manager, Hogan won the ] in his debut match, defeating Ric Flair in a "dream match" at ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411021 |title=Hulk Hogan's first WCW Championship reign |publisher=] |access-date=April 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319112603/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411021 |archive-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref> Hogan continued his feud with Flair (who defeated him by count-out on the '']'', thus Hogan retained the title), which culminated in a steel cage match (with Flair's career on the line and Mr. T as the ]) that Hogan won. | |||
After Hogan headlined WCW's premier annual event ] (]) in December 1994 by defeating ] for the title, his next feud was against ], who challenged him for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at ], where Hogan won by disqualification after the returning Flair's interference. Hogan then defeated Vader (who was managed part-time by Flair) in a non-title ] at ]. Because of the controversial ending caused once again by Flair at Uncensored, Hogan's feud with Vader culminated in a steel cage match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at ], where Hogan won by escaping the cage. After successfully retaining the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against ] and ] in two separate matches on '']'' in September 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1995092m.htm |title=WCW Monday Night Nitro – September 11th, 1995 |publisher=DDT Digest |access-date=April 22, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827202051/http://ddtdigest.com/updates/1995092m.htm |archive-date=August 27, 2008}}</ref> The October 9, 1995, broadcast of ''Nitro'' was Hogan's first appearance in an all-black attire. Hogan feuded with ], which led to a ] at ] where Hogan's team (Lex Luger, Randy Savage, and ]) won.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#95 |title=WCW Fall Brawl Results (1995) |date=September 17, 1995 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110628091514/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#95 |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref> Hogan's reign as WCW World Heavyweight Champion (which, at 469 days, is the longest in the title's history) ended when he lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to ] at ] via disqualification.<ref name="prowrestlinghistory.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#95 |title=Halloween Havoc 1995 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=October 29, 1995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331015039/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#95 |archive-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> | |||
===World Wrestling Entertainment (part-time 2005–present), Memphis Wrestling (2007)=== | |||
In 2005, weeks before ], it was announced on all WWE programming that Hogan would be inducted into the ]. On April 2, Hogan was inducted by actor and friend ].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20050322/ai_n13453252|title=Stallone set to induct Hulk Hogan into hall| publisher=Deseret News (Salt Lake City)|accessdate=2007-10-25|date=March 22, 2005}}</ref> Hogan was applauded for several minutes before he was able to make a speech. When he paused during his speech, the crowd chanted "One More Match! One More Match!" The fans also chanted "Austin, Hogan" (referring to a Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan match); Hogan responded "that may be a good match someday". At WrestleMania 21 on April 3, the "American Patriot" Hogan came out to rescue ], who was being attacked by ] and ]. Some of the build-up to Hogan's induction into the Hall of Fame and preparation for this angle were shown on the first season of '']''. | |||
Following the controversial loss (which was due to a "contract clause"), the WCW World Heavyweight Championship became vacant and a new champion was to be crowned in a ] at ], where The Giant cost Hogan the title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#95 |title=WCW World War III Results (1995) |date=November 26, 1995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623095355/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/ww3.html#95 |archive-date=June 23, 2008}}</ref> This led to a steel cage match between Hogan and The Giant at ], where Hogan won to end their feud.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wcw/february/1996.htm |title=WCW SuperBrawl VI results |publisher=PWWEW |access-date=June 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617202948/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wcw/february/1996.htm |archive-date=June 17, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> In early 1996, Hogan reformed ] with Randy Savage to feud with The Alliance to End Hulkamania, which culminated at ] in a ] that Hogan and Savage won.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#96 |title=Uncensored 1996 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=March 24, 1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623212141/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#96 |archive-date=June 23, 2008}}</ref> After coming out victorious from his feuds, Hogan began to only appear occasionally on WCW programming. | |||
] 2005]] | |||
The next night on ''Raw'', Hassan and Daivari came out to confront and assault fan favorite ]. The following week, Michaels approached ''Raw'' General Manager ] demanding a handicap match with Hassan and Daivari. Bischoff refused but told Michaels if he found a partner he would be granted a tag team match. Michaels then made a plea for Hulk Hogan to come back and team with him. On the April 18 episode of ''Raw'', Hassan again led an attack on Michaels until Hogan appeared, and saved Michaels and accepted his offer. At ], Hassan and Daivari lost to Hogan and Michaels.<ref name="Backlash 2005 - Hogan retrospective">{{cite news|first=Scott|last=Zerr|title=Hogan thrilled to be retro|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/05/01/1021236.html|publisher=SLAM! Sports|date=May 1, 2005|accessdate= 2007-10-22}}</ref> | |||
==== New World Order (1996–1999) ==== | |||
Hogan then appeared on July 4 edition of ''Raw'' as the special guest of ] on his talk-show segment ''Carlito's Cabana''. After being asked questions by Carlito concerning his daughter ], Hogan proceeded to attack Carlito. This was then followed up by an appearance of ], who made comments about Brooke, which further upset Hogan. Hogan was eventually double teamed by Carlito and Angle but was saved by Shawn Michaels. Later that night, Michaels and Hogan defeated Carlito and Kurt Angle in a tag match. During the post match celebration, Michaels delivered ] to Hogan and walked off.<ref name="RAW - July 4, 2005 results">{{cite news|title= Heartbreaker|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07042005/| publisher=WWE|date=July 4, 2005|accessdate=2007-10-22}}</ref> The following week on ''Raw'', Michaels appeared on '']'' and challenged Hogan to face him one-on-one for the first time.<ref name="RAW - July 11, 2005 results">{{cite news|title=HBK challenges Hogan for SummerSlam|url=http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/tvshows/raw/200507/11hbkchallenge| publisher=WWE|date=July 11, 2005|accessdate=2007-10-22}}</ref> Hogan appeared on ''Raw'' one week later and accepted the challenge.<ref name="RAW - July 18, 2005 results">{{cite news|title=Cena overcomes the odds|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07182005/| publisher=WWE|date=July 18, 2005|accessdate=2007-10-22}}{{Dead link|date=September 2008}}</ref> The match took place at ]. The "Legend vs. Icon" storyline was the main event for the Raw brand going into SummerSlam. The match went back and forth, with two referees getting "knocked out" and Michaels using a steel chair to try to gain an advantage. Even after Michaels hit his Sweet Chin Music, Hogan still kicked out and mounted some offense against Michaels, finally hitting him with the legdrop and scoring the victory. Michaels extended his hand to him, telling him that he "had to find out for himself," and Hogan and Michaels shook hands. Michaels left the ring to allow Hogan to celebrate with the crowd.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2005/results/|title=SummerSlam 2005 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=August 21, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2005/mainevent/|title=Legend vs. Icon: Shawn Michaels vs. Hulk Hogan|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=August 21, 2005}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|New World Order (professional wrestling)|l1=New World Order (nWo)}} | |||
At ] on July 7, during a ] pitting ] (] and ]) against WCW loyalists, Hogan interfered and attacked Randy Savage on behalf of Hall and Nash, thereby turning heel for the first time in nearly fifteen years.<ref name=beach96>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/wcw96.htm |title=WCW Show Results 1996 |publisher=The History of WCW |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=July 7, 1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123094118/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/wcw96.htm |archive-date=January 23, 2009}}</ref> After the match, Hogan delivered a ], accosting the fans and WCW for under-appreciating his talent and drawing power, and announcing the formation of the New World Order (nWo).<ref name=beach96/> The new ] gained prominence in the following weeks and months.<ref name=james/><ref name=WWEBio/><ref name=beach96/><ref name=nwooriginal>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/n/nwo-original.html |title=new World order (nWo) Profile |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=April 14, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410143837/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/n/nwo-original.html |archive-date=April 10, 2008}}</ref> Hogan grew a beard alongside his famous mustache and dyed it black, traded his red and yellow garb in for black and white clothing, often detailed with lightning bolts, and renamed himself "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan (often shortened to Hollywood Hogan).<ref name=OWW/><ref name=acceleratorbio/> Hogan won his second WCW World Heavyweight Championship at ] on August 10 by defeating The Giant for the title.<ref name=nwooriginal/><ref name=hoganwcw2>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411038 |title=Hulk Hogan's second WCW Championship reign |publisher=] |access-date=April 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327020825/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411038 |archive-date=March 27, 2008}}</ref> He spray painted "nWo" across the title belt, scribbled across the nameplate, and referred to the title as the "nWo title".<ref name=hoganwcw2/> Hogan then started a feud with Lex Luger after Luger and The Giant defeated Hogan and ] in a tag team match at ] on July 13, 1997.<ref name="prowrestlinghistory.com"/> | |||
On the August 4 episode of ''Nitro'', Hogan lost the title to Lex Luger by ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/19970804.htm |title=WCW Monday Night Nitro – Monday 08/04/97 |publisher=DDT Digest |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=August 4, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725044352/http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/19970804.htm |archive-date=July 25, 2008}}</ref> Five days later at ] on August 9, Hogan defeated Luger to regain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541108 |title=Hulk Hogan's third WCW Championship reign |work=WWE |publisher=] |access-date=April 14, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107011523/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/3044541108 |archive-date=January 7, 2008}}</ref> Hogan then lost the title to Sting in a match at ] on December 28.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/wcw/starrcade-history |title=A brief history of WCW Starrcade |publisher=] |last=Powers |first=Kevin |date=December 29, 2011 |access-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219195307/http://www.wwe.com/inside/wcw/starrcade-history |archive-date=February 19, 2012}}</ref> In the match, WCW's newly contracted Bret Hart accused referee ] of fast-counting a victory for Hogan and had the match restarted – with himself as referee.<ref name=acceleratorbio/> Sting later won by submission.<ref name=acceleratorbio/> After a rematch the following night on ''Nitro'', where Sting controversially retained the title, the WCW World Heavyweight Championship became vacant.<ref name=OWW/> Sting went on to win the vacant title against Hogan at ] on February 22, 1998,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VIII |title=SuperBrawl VIII results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=February 22, 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623094945/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/s-brawl.html#VIII |archive-date=June 23, 2008}}</ref> and Hogan then developed a rivalry with former friend (and recent nWo recruit) Randy Savage, who had just cost Hogan the title match at SuperBrawl by hitting him with a spray can.<ref name=acceleratorbio/> The feud culminated in a steel cage match at ] on March 15, which ended in a no contest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#98 |title=Uncensored 1998 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=March 15, 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623212141/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#98 |archive-date=June 23, 2008}}</ref> Savage took the WCW World Heavyweight Championship from Sting at ] on April 19, while Hogan teamed with Kevin Nash to take on ] and The Giant in the first-ever ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#98 |title=Spring Stampede 1998 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=April 19, 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131210018/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/stampede.html#98 |archive-date=January 31, 2013}}</ref> | |||
Prior to ], Hogan inducted friend and former announcer "Mean" ] into the ]. Hogan returned on the July 15, 2006 ] of ''Saturday Night's Main Event'' with his daughter Brooke. During the show, ] flirted with Hogan's daughter,<ref>{{cite web|first=Jen|last=Hunt|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/july152006/matches/258159821/results/|title=Summer slammed|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=July 15, 2006}}</ref> and he later challenged Hulk to a match at ], which Hogan won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2006/matches/|title=SummerSlam 2006 official results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=August 20, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Zack|last=Zeigler|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2006/matches/2944490/results/|title=The Legend lives on|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=August 20, 2006}}</ref> | |||
Hogan betrayed Nash by hitting him with the bat and then challenged Savage the following night on ''Nitro'' for the world title.<ref name=nwooriginal/> In the ] for Savage's newly won title, Nash entered the ring and hit a ] on Hogan as retribution for the attack the previous night, but Bret Hart interfered moments later and jumped in to attack Savage and preserve the victory for Hogan, who won his fourth WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411024 |title=Hulk Hogan's fourth WCW Championship reign |work=WWE |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215200620/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411024 |archive-date=February 15, 2008}}</ref> Nash's attack on him signified a split of the nWo into two separate factions – Hogan's became nWo Hollywood and Nash's became nWo Wolfpac{{snd}} that feuded with each other for the remainder of the year. Hogan defended the title until July of that year, when WCW booked him in a match against newcomer and then ] ], who had yet to lose a match in WCW. Late in the match, Hogan was distracted by ], and Goldberg pinned Hogan to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the July 6 episode of ''Nitro''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ddtdigest.com/updates/1998072m.htm |title=WCW Monday Nitro – Monday, 07/06/98 |publisher=DDT Digest |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=July 6, 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027062056/http://ddtdigest.com/updates/1998072m.htm |archive-date=October 27, 2007}}</ref> | |||
After a brief fall out with McMahon and WWE,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070325/ai_n18756946|title=Hogan pitches old-timers' tour|author=Blackjack Brown|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|accessdate=2007-10-25|date=March 25, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=September 2008}}</ref> Hogan was lured to ] with the proposal of wrestling ].<ref name=memphis>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070415/ai_n19013656|title=WWE derails Lawler vs. Hogan|author=Blackjack Brown|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|accessdate=2007-10-24|date=April 15, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=September 2008}}</ref> The match had been promoted on Memphis Wrestling Prime Time for several months. On April 12, 2007, however, Lawler announced in a news conference that WWE had barred him from wrestling Hogan on the basis that ] performers (including Lawler, on the basis of co-hosting the NBC-owned ]'s ''WWE Raw'' and his appearances on the biannual WWE ''Saturday Night's Main Event'') are contractually prohibited from appearing on ], the channel on which '']'' airs.<ref name=memphis/> The situation resulted in a lawsuit being filed against WWE by event promoter Corey Maclin.<ref name=memphisdailynews>{{cite web|url= http://www.memphisdailynews.com/Editorial/StoryLead.aspx?id=100606|title=Memphis Promoter Files Suit Against WWE|author=Bill Dries|publisher=Memphis Daily News|date=January 11, 2008|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> Lawler was replaced with ], formerly known as Big Show.<ref name=memphis/> Hulk Hogan defeated Paul "The Great" Wight at ] on April 27, 2007 when he picked up and bodyslammed Wight and pinned him following the leg drop. | |||
Hogan spent the rest of 1998 wrestling celebrity matches: his second tag team match with Dennis Rodman pitted them against ] and Karl Malone at ] on July 12,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#98 |title=Bash at the Beach 1998 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=July 12, 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406041758/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/beach.html#98 |archive-date=April 6, 2010}}</ref> and at ] on August 8 he and ] lost to Page and ] thanks to interference from ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#98 |title=Road Wild 1998 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=August 8, 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420063202/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/roadwild.html#98 |archive-date=April 20, 2008}}</ref> Hogan also had a critically panned rematch with ] at ] on October 25, where his nephew ] aided his victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#98 |title=Halloween Havoc 1998 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=October 25, 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331015039/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#98 |archive-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> | |||
In December 2007 on the 15th Anniversary edition of ''Monday Night Raw'', Hogan came back for a one night appearance coming to the aid of ] against ]. During his in-ring speech, Hogan said to never say never about another match and alluded to his longtime rival ] using his signature catchphrase of "Oh Yeah!". | |||
On the ] episode of '']'', Hogan officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling, as well as his candidacy for President of the United States.<ref name=president>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/nov27_hogan.html |title=Hollywood Hogan retires |last=Powell |first=John |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=October 24, 2007 |date=November 27, 1998 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311224757/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/nov27_hogan.html |archive-date=March 11, 2016}}</ref> Campaign footage aired on ''Nitro'' of Hogan and Bischoff holding a press conference, making it appear ]. Both announcements were false and made as ]s to draw some of the hype of ]'s ] gubernatorial win back to him.<ref name=president/> After some time off from WCW, Hogan returned on the January 4, 1999, episode of ''Nitro'' to challenge Kevin Nash for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship which Hogan won for the fifth time, but many people found ] to be "scandalous".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411037 |title=Hulk Hogan's fifth WCW Championship reign |work=WWE |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723225023/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411037 |archive-date=July 23, 2008}}</ref> As a result, the warring factions of the nWo reunited into one group, which began feuding with Goldberg and ]. | |||
==Other media== | |||
===Television and movie roles=== | |||
] at ] ] theme park.]] | |||
Hulk Hogan's crossover popularity led to several television and movie roles. Along with '']'' (]) and '']'' (]), he starred in the ]s '']'' (]), '']'' (]), '']'' (]), and '']'' (]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001356/|title= Hulk Hogan|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=2007-10-24}}</ref> He starred in his own television series, '']'', in 1994. He is the star of ''The Ultimate Weapon'' (1997), in which Brutus Beefcake also appears in a cameo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186647/|title=The Ultimate Weapon (1997)|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=2007-10-24}}</ref> | |||
==== Final years in WCW (1999–2000) ==== | |||
Hogan plays an old guy in a bar in '']'' (2006) in which he sings and dances about being single. Hogan also starred in a pair of ]s, originally intended as a ] for an ongoing series for TNT, produced by Eric Bischoff. The movies, ''Shadow Warriors: Assault on Devil's Island'' and ''Shadow Warriors: Hunt for The Death Merchant'', starred Hogan alongside ] and ] as a freelance mercenary team. In 1995, he appeared on ]'s ''Kids Against Crime''. | |||
Hogan lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to Ric Flair at ] in a steel cage ].<ref name=OWW/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#99 |title=Uncensored 1999 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=March 14, 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623212141/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/uncensor.html#99 |archive-date=June 23, 2008}}</ref> Later, Hogan was severely injured in a ] for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship featuring him, Diamond Dallas Page, Flair, and Sting at ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/stampede.htm |title=Spring Stampede |publisher=Thehistoryofwwe.com |access-date=May 21, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331214806/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/stampede.htm |archive-date=March 31, 2010}}</ref> On the July 12 episode of ''Nitro'', Hogan made his return as a face for the first time in three years and accepted an open challenge from Savage, who had won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at ] the night before in a tag team match by pinning Kevin Nash. Thanks to interference from Nash, Hogan defeated Savage to win his sixth and final WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110315 |title=Hulk Hogan's sixth WCW Championship reign |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011030638/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110315 |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref> Nash turned on him the next week, and the two began a feud that lasted until ]. | |||
On August 9, 1999, Hogan started the night dressed in the typical black and white, but after a backstage scene with his ] came out dressed in the traditional red and yellow for his main event six-man tag team match. Hogan then defeated Nash in a retirement match at ] to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Injuries and frustrations mounted, and he was absent from television from October 1999 to February 2000. In his book ''Hollywood Hulk Hogan'', Hogan said that he was asked to take time off by newly hired head of creative booking ] and was not told when he would be brought back at the time. Despite some reservations, he agreed to do so. On October 24 at ], Hogan was to face Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#99 |title=Fall Brawl 1999 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=September 12, 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020622221614/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#99 |archive-date=June 22, 2002}}</ref> Hogan came to the ring in street clothes, lay down for the pin, and left the ring.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#99 |title=Halloween Havoc 1999 results |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=October 24, 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331015039/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#99 |archive-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> | |||
Hogan made ]s in '']'', '']'' (the theatrical cut), and '']'' as himself. Hogan was offered the role of ] in ''Little Hercules in 3D'' on an episode of '']'' and was shown during the filming of the movie. He also had a cameo at the end of the movie '']''. Hogan also made two appearances on '']'' (in 1985 and 1986), and along with ], Hogan lent his voice for a few episodes of the stop-motion animation skit show, '']''. He guest-starred in a two-part episode of '']'' in 1999. In 2001, Hogan guest-starred on an episode of '']'', playing a reformed criminal now operating a Christian Community Center and helping Walker steer teenagers away from gangs. | |||
] | |||
===Host roles=== | |||
Soon after his return in February 2000, at ] on July 9, Hogan was involved in a controversial work with Vince Russo. Hogan was scheduled to challenge ] for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20000716/ai_n13870868 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071111062336/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20000716/ai_n13870868 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 |title=No more Hulkamania? No way |last=Brown |first=Blackjack |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=October 22, 2007 |date=July 16, 2000}}</ref> Before the match, there was a backstage dispute between Hogan and Russo; Hogan wanted to take the title, but Russo was going to have Jarrett win, and lose it to ]. Russo told Hogan that he was going to have Jarrett lie down for him, simulating a real conflict, although Jarrett was not told it was a ]. When the bell rang, Jarrett lay down in the middle of the ring while Russo threw the WCW World Heavyweight Championship belt in the ring and yelled at Hogan from ringside to pin Jarrett. A visibly confused Hogan complied with a foot on Jarrett's chest after getting on the microphone and telling Russo, "Is this your idea, Russo? That's why this company is in the damn shape it's in, because of bullshit like this!" After winning and being announced as the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Hogan immediately took the WCW title belt. Moments later, Russo returned to the ring, angrily proclaiming this would be the last time fans would ever see "that piece of shit" in a WCW stadium. This is also when the public discovered, through Russo, the "creative control" clause that Hogan had, which meant that Hogan could control what would happen with his own character, without anyone else telling him no. In his Bash at the Beach shoot promo, Russo said that he was arguing with Hogan all day prior to the event in the back because he wanted to use the clause in the Jarrett match, saying, "That means that, in the middle of this ring, when knew it was bullshit, he beats Jeff Jarrett!". Since Hogan refused to ] to Jarrett, a new WCW World Heavyweight Championship was created, setting the stage for a title match between Booker T and Jarrett later that night.<ref name=acceleratorbio/> | |||
Hogan hosts the comeback series of '']'', which has been picked up for a midseason run on ] in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportsfeatures.com/index.php?section=pp&action=show&id=43247|title=Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan To Host The Return Of Popular Competition Series "American Gladiators" Coming To NBC Midseason|accessdate=2007-10-03|date=October 3, 2007|publisher=Sports Features Communications}}</ref> He also is going to host and judge the reality show, '']''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN0533898420080606|title=Former celebrities compete in CMT wrestling show|accessdate=2008-06-06|date=June 5, 2008|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> | |||
As a result, Hogan filed a ] lawsuit against Russo soon after,<ref name=lawsuit>{{cite book |title=Eric Bischoff: Controversy Creates Cash |last=Bischoff |first=Eric |publisher=Simon and Schuster |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-4165-2729-9 |pages= |url=https://archive.org/details/controversycreat00bisc/page/344}}</ref> which was eventually dismissed in 2002. Russo claims the whole thing was a work, and Hogan claims that Russo made it a ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_2/ai_67872110 |title=Hogan Speaks on Work-shoot |publisher=Wrestling Digest |access-date=October 25, 2007 |date=December 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111042536/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_2/ai_67872110 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=November 11, 2007}}</ref> Eric Bischoff agreed with Hogan's side of the story when he wrote that Hogan winning and leaving with the belt was a work (devised by Bischoff rather than Russo), and that he and Hogan celebrated after the event over the success of the ], but that Russo coming out to fire Hogan was an unplanned shoot which led to the lawsuit filed by Hogan. It was the last time he was seen in WCW.<ref name=OWW/><ref name=lawsuit/> | |||
===Music and music video=== | |||
Hogan released a music CD, '''Hulk Rules''', as Hulk Hogan and ]. Also, ] released a single, a duet with Hogan, performing ]'s classic song "]". He has also made cameos in several music videos. The music video for ]'s wrestling-themed love song "Headlock on my Heart" features Hogan as "Starlight Starbright". In the music video "Pressure" by Belly ft. ], Hogan and his daughter ] both made brief cameo appearances. | |||
=== Post-WCW endeavors (2001) === | |||
==Endorsements and business ventures== | |||
In the months following the eventual demise of WCW in March 2001, Hogan underwent surgery on his knees in order for him to wrestle again. As a test, Hogan worked a match in ] on November 14, for the ] (XWF) promotion run by his longtime manager ]. Hogan defeated ] in this match and felt healthy enough to accept an offer to return to the WWF in February 2002.<ref name=OWW/> | |||
Hulk Hogan's ''Pastamania'' was a ] in the ] in ]. It was created and financed by Hogan. It opened on the ] weekend of 1995 and was later heavily hyped on ]'s live flagship show '']'', which actually premiered that September from the mall. The restaurant, which remained in operation for less than a year, featured such dishes as "Hulk-U's" and "Hulk-A-Roos." | |||
=== Second return to WWF/WWE (2002–2003) === | |||
In an interview on both the ''Tonight Show'' and '']'', Hogan claimed that the ] was originally offered to him, but he failed to respond in time. George Foreman was called and he chose to endorse the grill instead of a blender. This claim was validated on an episode of '']'', in which his wife Linda and the family are worried about Hogan's wrestling career and plead with him to take up a career in marketing.<ref>"]". '']. May 7, 2006. No. 8, season 2.</ref> Hulk explains about turning down the Foreman grill, and his choice to invest in a shake-mixer instead, saying that whenever he thinks about investing in something "big", he thinks about what happened with the grill and the shake-mixer. However, he has since endorsed a similar product known as "The Hulk Hogan Ultimate Grill". He also has an energy drink, Hogan Energy, distributed by Socko Energy. It was featured in an episode of ''Hogan Knows Best''. | |||
] in March 2002, his first WrestleMania in nine years]] | |||
At ] on February 17, 2002, Hogan returned to the WWF as a heel.<ref name=WWEBio/> Returning as leader of the original nWo with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, the three got into a confrontation with ]<ref name=nowayout02/> and cost ] a chance at becoming the ] against ] in the main event.<ref name=nowayout02>{{cite web |url=http://www.gerweck.net/nowayout02.htm |title=No Way Out 2002 review |publisher=Gerweck.net |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=February 17, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327162533/http://www.gerweck.net/nowayout02.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 27, 2008}}</ref> The nWo feuded with both Austin and The Rock, and Hogan accepted The Rock's challenge to a match at ] on March 17, where Hogan asked Hall and Nash not to interfere, wanting to defeat The Rock by himself. Despite the fact that Hogan was supposed to be the heel in the match, the crowd cheered for him heavily. The Rock cleanly won the contest,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm18/results/ |title=WrestleMania X8 official results |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=March 17, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311090004/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm18/results/ |archive-date=March 11, 2008}}</ref> and befriended Hogan at the end of the bout, helping him fight off Hall and Nash, who were upset by Hogan's conciliatory attitude.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gerweck.net/wrestlemania18.htm |title=WrestleMania 18 review |publisher=Gerweck.net |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=March 17, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324113713/http://www.gerweck.net/wrestlemania18.htm <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=March 24, 2008}}</ref> After the match, Hogan turned face by siding with The Rock, though he continued wearing black and white tights for a few weeks after WrestleMania X8 until he resumed wearing his signature red and yellow tights. During this period, the "Hulk Rules" logo of the 1980s was redone with the text "Hulk Still Rules", and Hogan also wore the original "Hulk Rules" attire twelve years earlier, when he headlined WrestleMania VI at the same arena, in the ]. For a time, he was still known as "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, notably keeping the Hollywood Hogan style blond mustache with black beard while wearing Hulkamania-like red and yellow tights and using the "]" entrance theme music he'd used in WCW. On the April 4, 2002, episode of '']'', Hogan began a feud with ], and then defeated him for the Undisputed WWF Championship at ] on April 21,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2002/mainevent/ |title=Hulk Hogan defeats Triple H to become new WWE Undisputed Champion |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=April 21, 2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323125255/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2002/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 23, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/30445414114 |title=Hulk Hogan's sixth WWE Championship reign |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050624014455/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/30445414114 |archive-date=June 24, 2005}}</ref> thus becoming the last ever WWF Champion, as a legal battle with the ] soon compelled the company to change its name from World Wrestling Federation/WWF to World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE in May 2002. | |||
On May 19 at ], Hogan lost the WWE Undisputed Championship to The Undertaker.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2002/mainevent/ |title=Undertaker vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWE Championship |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=May 19, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224085257/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2002/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref> After losing a number one contender match for the WWE Undisputed Championship to Triple H on the June 6 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Hogan began feuding with ] resulting in a match between the two at the ] on June 23, which Angle won by submission. On the July 4 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Hogan teamed with ] to defeat ] and capture the ] for the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413211222 |title=Hollywood Hogan and Edge's first World Tag Team Championship reign |work=WWE |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515054735/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413211222 |archive-date=May 15, 2007}}</ref> They celebrated by waving the ] as the overjoyed audience sang along to Hogan's theme song "Real American". They lost the belts to ] (] and ]) at ] on July 21.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2002/results/ |title=Vengeance 2002 official results |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=July 21, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331223336/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2002/results/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> In August, Hogan was used in an angle with ], culminating in a main event singles match on the August 8 episode of ''SmackDown!'', which Lesnar won by ] (the match was called after Hogan became unconscious from a bear hug hold). Lesnar became only the second WWE wrestler to defeat Hogan by submission (after Kurt Angle), and the first to defeat Hogan by having the match called. Following the match, Lesnar continued to beat on Hogan, leaving him bloody and unconscious in the ring. | |||
During an interview with '']'', Hogan claimed to be planning his own federation to compete against Vince McMahon.<ref name=desperate>{{cite web|url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/article256127.ece|title=I will defeat desperate Vince|publisher=The Sun|author=Simon Rothstein|accessdate=2007-10-21|date=August 16, 2007}}</ref> Hogan says he has raised $40 million of the $80–$100 million goal and his venture is something that will eventually revolutionize the sport of professional wrestling.<ref name=desperate/> | |||
]'' on ] at ]]] | |||
Hogan recently transferred all trademarks referring to himself to his liability company named "Hogan Holdings Limited". The trademarks include Hulk Hogan, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Hulkster, Hogan Knows Grillin, Hulkamania.com, and Hulkapedia.com.<ref name="Moniz">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestle-complex.com/headlines/judgement_day_08_hulk_hogan_news_ravens_trade.shtml|author=Moniz, Shawn|title=Hogan Transfers Trademarks To Liability Company|publisher=Wrestle-Complex.com|accessdate=2007-11-01|date=November 1, 2007}}</ref> | |||
As a result of Lesnar's assault, Hogan went on hiatus until early 2003, shaving off his black beard and dropping "Hollywood" from his name in his return.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} Hogan battled The Rock (who had turned heel) once again at ] on February 23 and lost<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2003/mainevent/ |title=The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=February 23, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219180229/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2003/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 19, 2008}}</ref> and defeated ] at ] on March 30 in a street fight billed as "twenty years in the making".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm19/results/ |title=WrestleMania XIX official results |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=March 30, 2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329101800/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm19/results/ |archive-date=March 29, 2008}}</ref> After WrestleMania, he had a run as the masked Mr. America, a character who, despite sounding and behaving like Hogan, consistently denied he was the Hulkster. Mr. America used Hogan's "Real American" as his entrance theme, as well as all of Hogan's signature gestures, moves, and phrases. He was the subject of a storyline that took place after Hogan was forced by Mr. McMahon to sit out the rest of his contract.<ref name=OWW/> A WWE pre-debut ] took place with mysterious Mr. America promos airing for weeks during ''SmackDown!''.<ref name=OWW/> There was also on-screen discussion on ''SmackDown!'' between then General Manager ] and other players concerning her hiring Mr. America "sight unseen".<ref name=OWW/> On May 1, Mr. America debuted on ''SmackDown!'' on a ''Piper's Pit'' segment. McMahon appeared and claimed that Mr. America was Hogan in disguise; Mr. America shot back by saying, "I am not Hulk Hogan, brother!" (lampooning Hogan's use of "brother" in his promos).<ref name=OWW/> The feud continued through the month of May, with a singles match between Mr. America and Hogan's old rival "Rowdy" Roddy Piper at ] on May 18, a match Mr. America won.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2003/results/ |title=Judgment Day 2003 official results |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=May 18, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327021814/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2003/results/ |archive-date=March 27, 2008}}</ref> | |||
Mr. America's last WWE appearance was on the June 26 episode of ''SmackDown!'' when ] and ] (] and ]) defeated Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and Mr. America in a six-man tag team match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030626.html |title=SmackDown! results – June 26, 2003 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=June 26, 2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420101557/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030626.html |archive-date=April 20, 2008}}</ref> After the show went off the air, Mr. America unmasked to show the fans that he was indeed Hogan, putting his finger to his lips telling the fans to keep quiet about his secret. The next week, Hogan quit WWE due to frustration with the creative team.<ref name=mramerica>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030706/ai_n12510640 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111062341/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030706/ai_n12510640 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 |title=No Hulk means no chance of 20th anniversary rematch |last=Brown |first=Blackjack |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=July 6, 2003 |access-date=October 23, 2007}}</ref> On the July 3 episode of ''SmackDown!'', McMahon showed the footage of Mr. America unmasking as Hogan and "fired" him, although Hogan had already quit in real life.<ref name=mramerica/> It was later revealed that Hogan was unhappy with the payoffs for his matches after his comeback under the Mr. America gimmick.<ref name=mramerica/> McMahon terminated Hogan's contract in storyline.<ref name=mramerica/> | |||
His name and likeness are also applied to a line of microwavable cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches sold at ] called "Hulkster Burgers". | |||
=== Second return to NJPW (2003) === | |||
His net worth, according to divorce papers made public on September 5, 2008, is estimated to be $26.7 - $32 million. | |||
Hogan returned to NJPW in October 2003, when he defeated ] at Ultimate Crush II in the ]. | |||
=== Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2003) === | |||
==Personal life== | |||
Shortly after Hogan left WWE, ] (TNA) began making overtures to Hogan, culminating in Jeff Jarrett, co-founder of TNA and then NWA World Heavyweight Champion, launching an on-air attack on Hogan in Japan in October 2003. The attack was supposed to be a precursor to Hogan battling Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at TNA's first three-hour pay-per-view. Due to recurring knee and hip problems, Hogan did not appear in TNA. Still, the incident has been shown several times on TNA broadcasts, and was included in the TNA DVD ''TNA's Fifty Greatest Moments''. | |||
On December 18, 1983, Bollea married Linda Claridge (born August 24, 1959). They have a daughter ] (born May 5, 1988) and a son ] (born July 27, 1990). Bollea made his personal life the centerpiece of the television show '']'', which includes his two children and his wife. | |||
=== Third return to WWE (2005–2007) === | |||
Bollea's 18 year old son Nick was indicted as an adult on November 7, 2007 on four criminal charges. The charges stemmed from an August car accident which seriously injured the passenger in Nick's car, John Graziano. Nick pleaded ] and was sentenced to eight months in jail on May 9, 2008.<ref></ref> | |||
] in 2005]] | |||
], Hulk Hogan and ]]] | |||
On April 2, 2005, Hogan was inducted into the ] ] by actor and friend ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20050322/ai_n13453252 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111062627/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20050322/ai_n13453252 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 |title=Stallone set to induct Hulk Hogan into hall |publisher=Deseret News (Salt Lake City) |access-date=October 25, 2007 |date=March 22, 2005}}</ref> At ] on April 3, Hogan came out to rescue ], who was being attacked by ] and ]. The build-up to Hogan's Hall of Fame induction and preparation for his WrestleMania angle was shown on the first season of '']''. The next night on '']'', Hassan and Daivari came out to confront and assault fan favorite ]. The following week on ''Raw'', Michaels approached Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff demanding a ] with Hassan and Daivari. Bischoff refused, but told Michaels if he found a partner he would be granted a tag team match. Michaels then made a plea for Hogan to team with him. On the April 18 episode of ''Raw'', Hassan again led an attack on Michaels until Hogan appeared, saving Michaels and accepting his offer. At ] on May 1, Hassan and Daivari lost to Hogan and Michaels.<ref>{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Zerr |title=Hogan thrilled to be retro |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/05/01/1021236.html |publisher=SLAM! Sports |date=May 1, 2005 |access-date=October 22, 2007 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731085353/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/05/01/1021236.html |archive-date=July 31, 2012}}</ref> | |||
Hogan then appeared on July 4 episode of ''Raw'', as the special guest of ] on his talk-show segment ''Carlito's Cabana''. After being asked questions by Carlito concerning his daughter ], Hogan attacked Carlito. Kurt Angle then also appeared, making comments about Brooke, which further upset Hogan, who was eventually double teamed by Carlito and Angle, but was saved by Shawn Michaels. Later that night, Michaels and Hogan defeated Carlito and Angle in a tag team match; during the post-match celebration, Michaels performed the '']'' on Hogan and walked off.<ref>{{cite news |title=Heartbreaker |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07042005/ |publisher=] |date=July 4, 2005 |access-date=October 22, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014023335/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07042005/ |archive-date=October 14, 2007}}</ref> The following week on ''Raw'', Michaels appeared on ''Piper's Pit'' and challenged Hogan to face him one-on-one for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |title=HBK challenges Hogan for SummerSlam |url=http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/tvshows/raw/200507/11hbkchallenge |publisher=] |date=July 11, 2005 |access-date=October 22, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011043518/http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/tvshows/raw/200507/11hbkchallenge |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref> Hogan appeared on ''Raw'' one week later and accepted the challenge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cena overcomes the odds |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07182005/ |publisher=] |date=July 18, 2005 |access-date=October 22, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024100521/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07182005/ |archive-date=October 24, 2007}}</ref> The match took place at ] on August 21, which Hogan won. After the match, Michaels extended his hand to him, telling him that he "had to find out for himself", and Hogan and Michaels shook hands as Michaels left the ring to allow Hogan to celebrate with the crowd.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2005/mainevent/ |title=Legend vs. Icon: Shawn Michaels vs. Hulk Hogan |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=August 21, 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728152544/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2005/mainevent/ |archive-date=July 28, 2008}}</ref> | |||
On November 20, 2007, Bollea's wife Linda filed for divorce in ].<ref name=tmzdiv>. November 23, 2007 '']''. Accessed 2007-11-23.</ref> Hulk told '']'' he was not even aware of the filing when the paper called for a comment. The Graziano family's lawyer believes the divorce might be an attempt to divide the family's assets from a planned civil suit against the Bolleas regarding their son, Nick.<ref>{{cite news | last = Rothstein | first = Simon | title = Lawyer: Hulk divorce is a ruse | date = November 28, 2007 | publisher = ] | url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/article519080.ece | accessdate = 2007-12-03}}</ref> | |||
Prior to ] in April 2006, Hogan inducted friend and former announcer "Mean" ] into the WWE Hall of Fame ]. Hogan returned on '']'' with his daughter Brooke. During the show, ] flirted with Brooke and later attacked Hogan in the parking lot.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jen |last=Hunt |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/july152006/matches/258159821/results/ |title=Summer slammed |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=July 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331124801/http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/july152006/matches/258159821/results/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> He later challenged Hogan to a match at ] on August 20, which Hogan won.<ref>{{cite web |first=Zack |last=Zeigler |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2006/matches/2944490/results/ |title=The Legend lives on |publisher=] |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=August 20, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719212909/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2006/matches/2944490/results/ |archive-date=July 19, 2008}}</ref> This was Hulk Hogan's final match wrestling for the WWE, although he had negotiations for a match against John Cena at ] which ultimately fell through.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodward |first=Hamish |date=January 16, 2023 |title=Hulk Hogan's First & Last WWE Matches Revealed - Atletifo |url=https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/hulk-hogans-first-last-wwe-matches-revealed/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127231316/https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/hulk-hogans-first-last-wwe-matches-revealed/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ayaz |first=Yasser |date=April 3, 2022 |title="I was supposed to wrestle John Cena for the title" - John Cena vs Hulk Hogan almost took place at Wrestlemania |url=https://thesportsrush.com/wwe-news-i-was-supposed-to-wrestle-john-cena-for-the-title-john-cena-vs-hulk-hogan-almost-took-place-at-wrestlemania/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=The SportsRush |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127231315/https://thesportsrush.com/wwe-news-i-was-supposed-to-wrestle-john-cena-for-the-title-john-cena-vs-hulk-hogan-almost-took-place-at-wrestlemania/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Linda Bollea was seen with her new 19 year-old boyfriend, whose name is Charlie Hill. They were seen together at the beach and Linda has been buying him gifts and clothes since they started dating. Charlie Hill went to the same high school as her kids, a year ahead of Nick and a year below Brooke.<ref> Hellarious.com Retrieved on August 25, 2008</ref> | |||
=== Memphis Wrestling (2007–2008) === | |||
Bollea was honored as the 2008 king of the ], a ] carnival organization.<ref name="autogenerated1">http://www.nola.com/ap/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-36/1197999012220380.xml&storylist=topstories</ref> As Bacchus XL, he joined the ranks of ], ], and ]. Hogan visited the ] and rode in the parade where he threw ]s with his likeness. Hogan received the honor in part because meeting Hogan is one of the most requested "wishes" of the terminally ill children benefited by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> | |||
] on the Hulkamania Tour]] | |||
After a brief fall out with McMahon and WWE,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070325/ai_n18756946 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111062346/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070325/ai_n18756946 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 |title=Hogan pitches old-timers' tour |last=Brown |first=Blackjack |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=October 25, 2007 |date=March 25, 2007}}</ref> Hogan was lured to ] with the proposal of wrestling ].<ref name=memphis>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070415/ai_n19013656 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111062406/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070415/ai_n19013656 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 |title=WWE derails Lawler vs. Hogan |last=Brown |first=Blackjack |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=October 24, 2007 |date=April 15, 2007}}</ref> The match had been promoted on ''Memphis Wrestling Prime Time'' for several months. On April 12, 2007, Lawler announced in a news conference that WWE had barred him from wrestling Hogan on the basis that ] performers (including Lawler, on the basis of co-hosting the NBC-owned ]'s ''Raw'' and his appearances on the biannual WWE's '']'') are contractually prohibited from appearing on ], the channel on which ''Hogan Knows Best'' airs.<ref name=memphis/> The situation resulted in a lawsuit being filed against WWE by event promoter Corey Maclin.<ref name=memphisdailynews>{{cite web |url=http://www.memphisdailynews.com/Editorial/StoryLead.aspx?id=100606 |title=Memphis Promoter Files Suit Against WWE |first=Bill |last=Dries |publisher=Memphis Daily News |date=January 11, 2008 |access-date=January 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115071013/http://www.memphisdailynews.com/Editorial/StoryLead.aspx?id=100606 |archive-date=January 15, 2008}}</ref> Lawler was replaced with ].<ref name=memphis/> Hogan defeated Wight at Memphis Wrestling's ] on April 27, 2007, when he picked up and hit a body slam on Wight before pinning him following his signature running leg drop. | |||
=== Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin (2009) === | |||
Bollea is currently living with his daughter Brooke who currently stars in the ] reality series '']''.<ref></ref> | |||
] | |||
On November 21, 24, 26 and 28, Hogan performed with a group of wrestlers including ], ], Eugene, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake and ] across Australia in a tour titled ]. The main event of each show was a rematch between Hogan and Ric Flair – the wrestler who defeated Hogan more times than any other. Hogan defeated Flair in all four matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=HulkAMAN09&v=SSD&searchId=278c866e-8461-4b0c-a20c-082bfcf71b96 |title=Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin |publisher=Tickettek |access-date=November 5, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708081138/http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=HulkAMAN09&v=SSD&searchId=278c866e-8461-4b0c-a20c-082bfcf71b96 |archive-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/Hulk-hogan-downs-ric-flair-in-burswood-bout/story-e6frg13u-1225803762480 |title=Hulk Hogan downs Ric Flair in Burswood bout |date=November 25, 2009 |last=Elborough |first=Brad |newspaper=Perth Now |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025112756/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/hulk-hogan-downs-ric-flair-in-burswood-bout/story-e6frg13u-1225803762480 |archive-date=October 25, 2013}}</ref> | |||
=== Return to TNA (2009–2013) === | |||
==In wrestling== | |||
]'' on ] at ]]] | |||
*'''Finishing and signature moves''' | |||
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Misplaced Pages's Manual of Style--> | |||
**'''''Atomic Leg Drop''''' (]) / '''''Hollywood Leg Drop''''' (] / WWF) (])<ref name="WWEBio"/> | |||
**'''''Axe Bomber''''' (])<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Misplaced Pages's Manual of Style--> | |||
**Back rake<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
**] | |||
**]<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
**]<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
**] into a powerful shove across the ring | |||
**] | |||
**] | |||
**]<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
**]<ref name="OWW"/> | |||
**] | |||
**Three left-handed and right-handed ] followed by a big right-handed wind-up punch | |||
*'''Signature taunts''' | |||
**''Hulk Up Combination'' (Hulk starts by taking punches while in a kneeling position and shaking violently as he raises to his feet upon which he points to the opponent and says (in unison with the crowd) "YOU!". He then punches his opponent until his opponent reaches the ropes. He then throws his opponent towards opposite ropes then hits his opponent with a big boot and finally hits the opponent with the '''''Atomic Leg Drop''''') | |||
**Wrist twist to cupping the ear | |||
**Rapidly pointing at his opponent | |||
**Finger wag | |||
**Flexing arms | |||
*''']s''' | |||
**'''"The Hulkster"''' | |||
**"The Hulk" | |||
**'''"The Immortal"''' | |||
**"The Immortal Icon of Professional Wrestling" | |||
**"The Incredible" | |||
**"Hollywood" | |||
*''']''' | |||
**]<ref name=james/> | |||
**] | |||
**] | |||
**] | |||
**] | |||
**] | |||
==== Dixie Carter's business partner (2009–2010) ==== | |||
===Theme songs and entrance music=== | |||
On October 27, 2009, it was announced that Hogan had signed a contract to join TNA on a full-time basis.<ref name=TNA>{{cite web |url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/1770/84/ |title=Hulk Hogan Joins TNA Wrestling! |date=October 27, 2009 |access-date=October 27, 2009 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029133223/http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/1770/84/ |archive-date=October 29, 2009}}</ref> The footage of his signing and the press conference at ] following it were featured on the October 29 episode of '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_36498.shtml |title=Keller's TNA Impact Report 10/29: Examining the Hulk Hogan announcement, Sabin controversy, Wolfe vs. Angle, Joe-Styles-Daniels hype |date=November 3, 2009 |last=Keller |first=Wade |publisher=PWTorch |access-date=December 18, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206234351/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_36498.shtml |archive-date=December 6, 2009}}</ref> | |||
{{seealso|Music in professional wrestling}} | |||
*Hogan's earliest entrance music was ] "'']''", the chart-topping song from '']''. It was replaced by the theme song to Hogan's animated series ''Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling'' (which was an edited version of ]'s song "''Ravishing''" from her ] album) | |||
*It was later replaced by his best-known entrance theme, "''Real American''" performed by ]. It was originally written and used as an entrance theme for the tag team of the ] prior to Hogan's use. The accompanying ] for "''Real American''" featured clips from Hulk Hogan's various WWF matches, Hogan riding his motorcycle, defeating his ] enemy ], destroying an image of then-hated Colonel ], and ] of various forms of crashing (i.e. buildings and airplanes) intersecting between footage of Hogan playing guitar in front of various American landscapes and the American flag. It was critiqued positively on an episode of '']''. | |||
*However, as the WWF owned "Real American", Hogan could not use it when he made the jump to ], instead he used the song "''American Made''", from the '']'' album until he joined the ] and began using their theme, and later the ] theme. Hogan returned to using "American Made" when he left the nWo in 2000, until his WCW departure. During his time in the nWo, he also used "'']''" by ], and then used it again for his "Hollywood Hulk Hogan"; run in WWE. | |||
*Towards the end of his 2003 WWE run, when he wore a mask and was known by the name Mr. America, he once again made his entrance to "''Real American''". Upon his return in 2005 for the ] induction, ] and subsequent appearances he also uses "Real American". | |||
On December 5, Hogan announced on ] (UFC)'s '']'' that he would make his official TNA debut on January 4, 2010, in a special live three-hour Monday night episode of ''Impact!'' to compete with WWE's ''Raw'' (which featured the return of Bret Hart).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/1836/84/ |title=Watch The Video Of Hulk Hogan On UFC |publisher=] |access-date=December 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207091124/http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/1836/84/ |archive-date=December 7, 2009}}</ref> | |||
==Championships and accomplishments== | |||
*''']''' | |||
**IWGP Tournament winner (1983) '''(First)'''<ref name="iwgp1983">{{cite web|title=The 1st International Wrestling Grand Prix Championship Tournament|work=Wrestling-Titles.com|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/newjapan/iwgp1.html|accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> | |||
On the ], Hogan debuted, reuniting briefly with former nWo partners Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and ], the latter two of whom made their returns to the company. He refused to join them for a full-fledged reunion of their group claiming, "it's a different time", and stuck to his business relations with Bischoff, who made his appearance to declare that, the two of them would "flip the company upside down" and everyone would have to earn their spot. Hogan also encountered TNA founder Jeff Jarrett on the broadcast, appearing via video wall and interrupting Jarrett's company success speech, stating that Carter was instrumental to the company's survival, and that just like the rest, Jarrett would have to earn his spot in TNA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_37861.shtml |title=Keller's TNA Impact Live Report 1/4: Jeff Hardy, NWO reunion, Hulk Hogan, TNA Knockout Title match, more surprises – ongoing coverage |last=Keller |first=Wade |date=January 4, 2010 |work=PWTorch |access-date=January 5, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106163017/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_37861.shtml |archive-date=January 6, 2010}}</ref> | |||
*''']''' | |||
**] (]) | |||
**] (]) | |||
On the February 18 episode of ''Impact!'', Hogan took ] under his wing, and during this sequence, gave him his Hall of Fame ring and claimed it would make him a "god of wrestling".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39182.shtml |title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 2/18: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast |date=February 18, 2010 |access-date=February 12, 2010 |last=Wilkenfeld |first=Daniel |publisher=PWTorch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222011546/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39182.shtml |archive-date=February 22, 2010}}</ref> Hogan made his in-ring return on the March 8 episode of ''Impact!'', teaming with Abyss to defeat ] and Ric Flair when Abyss scored a pinfall over Styles.<ref name=March82010>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39660.shtml |title=TNA Impact Results 3/8: Keller's live ongoing report covering the historic beginning of Monday Night War II |last=Keller |first=Wade |date=March 8, 2010 |work=PWTorch |access-date=March 9, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312083001/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39660.shtml |archive-date=March 12, 2010}}</ref> Afterward, the returning ] saved Hogan and Abyss from a beatdown by Styles, Flair and ].<ref name=March82010/> The storyline became a Team Flair versus Team Hogan situation, with Jarrett and the debuting ] joining Team Hogan and ] (] and ]) and Sting joining Team Flair. At ] on April 18, Team Hogan (Hulk Hogan, Abyss, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam) defeated Team Flair (Ric Flair, Sting, Desmond Wolfe, Robert Roode and James Storm) in a ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_40725.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown Results 4/18: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of PPV – Styles vs. The Pope, Team Hogan vs. Team Flair, Angle vs. Anderson |first=James |last=Caldwell |date=April 18, 2010 |access-date=April 18, 2010 |publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420121437/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_40725.shtml |archive-date=April 20, 2010}}</ref> | |||
*''']''' | |||
**] (])<ref name="wcwtitle">{{cite web|title=History of the WCW World Championship|work=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/|accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> | |||
==== Immortal (2010–2011) ==== | |||
*''']''' | |||
{{main|Immortal (professional wrestling)}} | |||
**] (])<ref name="wwetitle">{{cite web|title=History of the WWE Championship|work=WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
**] (]) – with ]<ref name="worldtagteam">{{cite web|title=World Tag Team Championship official title history|work=WWE|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> | |||
On the June 17 episode of ''Impact!'', Hogan's alliance with Abyss came to an abrupt end when Abyss turned heel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_42023.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact results 6/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV |first=James |last=Caldwell |date=June 17, 2010 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619230712/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_42023.shtml |archive-date=June 19, 2010}}</ref> Abyss later claimed that he was controlled by some entity that was coming to TNA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_42170.shtml |title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 6/24: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast |first=Daniel |last=Wilkenfeld |date=June 24, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2010 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203033237/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_42170.shtml |archive-date=February 3, 2013}}</ref> The next month, Hogan worked with Bischoff, Jeff Jarrett and ] against Sting and Kevin Nash, who claimed that they knew that Hogan and Bischoff were up to something.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1279856423 |title=Impact Results – 7/22/10 |last=Boutwell |first=Josh |date=July 8, 2010 |work=WrestleView |access-date=October 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725200932/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1279856423 |archive-date=July 25, 2010}}</ref> During this time, Abyss went on a rampage, attacking Rob Van Dam to the point that he was forced to vacate the ] and eventually put his hands on TNA president Dixie Carter, which led to her signing the paperwork, presented by Bischoff, that would have Abyss fired from TNA following his match with Van Dam at ] on October 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/12/15010951.html |title=TNA's 'The Whole F'n Show': Beer Money, Machine Guns put on match of year candidate; Fortune makes statement |first=Matt |last=Bishop |date=August 12, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2010 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=] |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629172343/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/12/15010951.html |archive-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_43238.shtml |title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 8/19: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast |first=Daniel |last=Wilkenfeld |date=August 19, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2010 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501092644/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_43238.shtml |archive-date=May 1, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44353.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 10/7: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live Spike TV show – Foley vs. Flair, battle royal, Bound for Glory hype |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=October 7, 2010 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=October 11, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010023420/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44353.shtml |archive-date=October 10, 2010}}</ref> Hogan was set to wrestle with Jarrett and Joe against Sting, Nash and ] at Bound for Glory, but was forced to miss the event due to a back surgery. He made an appearance at the end of the event, and helped Jeff Hardy win the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Championship and aligning himself with Hardy, Bischoff, Abyss and Jarrett, turning heel in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_44417.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV results 10–10–10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Angle vs. Anderson vs. Hardy, "they" reveal |date=October 10, 2010 |access-date=October 10, 2010 |last=Caldwell |first=James |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512063829/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_44417.shtml |archive-date=May 12, 2013}}</ref> On the October 14 episode of ''Impact!'', it was revealed that Bischoff had tricked Carter and the paperwork she had signed a week earlier, were not to release Abyss, but to turn the company over to him and Hogan. Meanwhile, Bischoff's and Hogan's new stable, now known as ], formed an alliance with Ric Flair's ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44521.shtml |title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 10/14: Complete "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV's live broadcast |date=October 14, 2010 |access-date=October 15, 2010 |last=Wilkenfeld |first=Daniel |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016232941/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44521.shtml |archive-date=October 16, 2010}}</ref> Dixie Carter returned on the November 25 episode of '']'', informing Hogan and Bischoff that a judge had filed an ] against the two on her behalf over not having signatory authority, indefinitely suspending Hogan from TNA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1290751829 |title=TNA Impact Results – 11–25–10 |last=Boutwell |first=Josh |date=November 26, 2010 |work=WrestleView |access-date=November 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127153530/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1290751829 |archive-date=November 27, 2010}}</ref> During his absence, Hogan underwent a potentially career–ending ] surgery on December 21.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_46266.shtml |title=Hogan News: Health update on Hulk Hogan – E! reports on Hogan's ten-hour back procedure |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=December 22, 2010 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=December 23, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226024110/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_46266.shtml |archive-date=December 26, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1293082375 |title=Update: Hulk Hogan recovering after new surgery |last=Martin |first=Adam |date=December 23, 2010 |work=WrestleView |access-date=December 23, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226115318/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1293082375 |archive-date=December 26, 2010}}</ref> | |||
**] (])<ref name="WWEBio" /> | |||
**] (])<ref name="rumble">{{cite web|title=Past Rumble Winners|work=WWE|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/3973952/|accessdate=2007-10-21}}</ref> | |||
**] (])<ref name="rumble"/> | |||
Hogan returned to TNA on the March 3, 2011, episode of ''Impact!'', declaring himself as the new owner of TNA, having won the court battle against Dixie Carter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_48210.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 3/3: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV – Hogan, wedding, 3 March 2011 reveal, Tag Title match, retirement match, celebrities |date=March 3, 2011 |access-date=March 3, 2011 |last=Caldwell |first=James |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116164819/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_48210.shtml |archive-date=November 16, 2011}}</ref> In April, he began hinting at a possible return to the ring to face the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Sting.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_49371.shtml |title=TNA News: Lockdown PPV results – Fortune member returns, one title change, Sting-Hogan hype continues, Angle uses RKO, No.1 contender |date=April 17, 2011 |access-date=April 18, 2011 |last=Caldwell |first=James |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110421070911/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_49371.shtml |archive-date=April 21, 2011}}</ref> On the May 12 episode of the newly renamed ''Impact Wrestling'', Hogan lost control of the program to ], who revealed himself as the Network consultant who had been causing problems for Immortal ever since Hogan and Bischoff took over the company. This angle was cut short three weeks later, when Foley left TNA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50020.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 5/12: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of big reveals, final PPV hype, battle royal main event |date=May 12, 2011 |last=Caldwell |first=James |access-date=May 12, 2011 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515041312/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50020.shtml |archive-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50508.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 6/2: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV – Angle & Morgan vs. Jarrett & Steiner |first=James |last=Caldwell |date=June 2, 2011 |access-date=June 11, 2011 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606130522/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50508.shtml |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> During the following months, Hogan continued to interfere in Sting's matches, costing him the TNA World Heavyweight Championship first at ] on August 7, recruiting Kurt Angle to Immortal in the process, on the September 1 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'' and finally at ] on September 11.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_51958.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Hardcore Justice PPV results 8/7: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Sting vs. Angle, five title matches, BFG Series matches |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=August 7, 2011 |access-date=September 13, 2011 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828181453/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_51958.shtml |archive-date=August 28, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/09/02/18633481.html |title=Impact: Sting looks to regain title in rematch with Angle |last=Bishop |first=Matt |date=September 2, 2011 |access-date=September 13, 2011 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=] |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629070455/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/09/02/18633481.html |archive-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_53179.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA No Surrender PPV results 9/11: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – three-way TNA Title match, BFG Series finals |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=September 13, 2011 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002124018/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_53179.shtml |archive-date=October 2, 2011}}</ref> On the September 15 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Sting defeated Immortal member Ric Flair to earn the right to face Hogan at ] on October 16.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_53235.shtml |title=Impact spoiler – double main event at Bound for Glory |date=September 13, 2011 |access-date=September 13, 2011 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116164608/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_53235.shtml |archive-date=November 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_53344.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling report – Flair vs. Sting 9/15: Blog on this week's TV main event |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=September 15, 2011 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017142232/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_53344.shtml |archive-date=October 17, 2011}}</ref> On October 4, it was reported that Hogan had signed a contract extension with TNA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_53952.shtml |title=Breaking News: Hulk Hogan renews with TNA |date=October 4, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2011 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005233142/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_53952.shtml |archive-date=October 5, 2011}}</ref> After feigning retirement from professional wrestling, Hogan accepted the match at Bound for Glory on the October 6 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', while also agreeing to hand TNA back to Dixie Carter, should Sting win the match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_54028.shtml |title=Keller's TNA Impact Wrestling report 10/6: Hulk Hogan's "retirement" ceremony, Storm vs. Roode, Kaz vs. Gunner in Knoxville |last=Keller |first=Wade |author-link=Wade Keller |date=October 6, 2011 |access-date=October 6, 2011 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009230341/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_54028.shtml |archive-date=October 9, 2011}}</ref> | |||
*''']''' | |||
**] (1987, 1991, 1994) | |||
**] (1994, 2002) | |||
**] (1986) <small>vs. ]</small> | |||
**] (1985) <small>with ] vs. ] and Paul Orndorff at ]</small> | |||
**PWI Match of the Year (1988) <small>vs. André the Giant at ]</small> | |||
**PWI Match of the Year (1990) <small>vs. ] at ]</small> | |||
**PWI Match of the Year (2002) <small>vs. ] at ]</small> | |||
**] (1983, 1999)<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiinsp.htm|accessdate=2008-07-27|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Inspirational Wrestler of the Year |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref> | |||
**] (1985, 1989, 1990) | |||
**] (1996, 1998) | |||
Hogan was defeated by Sting at Bound for Glory, ending his storyline as the president of TNA. After the match, Immortal attacked Sting, but Hogan turned on Immortal and helping Sting, turning face in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_54312.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV results 10/16: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Angle-Roode, Hogan-Sting |date=October 16, 2011 |access-date=October 16, 2011 |last=Caldwell |first=James |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204054725/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_54312.shtml |archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Hogan, wearing his trademark yellow and red again, admitted to his mistakes, and put over Sting for winning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_54431.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling report 10/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage Bound for Glory fallout, TNA World Title match |date=October 20, 2011 |access-date=January 26, 2012 |last=Caldwell |first=James |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023212511/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_54431.shtml |archive-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref> | |||
*''']''' | |||
:*] (1982-1991) | |||
:*] (1986) <small>vs. Paul Orndorff</small> | |||
:*] (1985-1987, 1989-1991) | |||
:*] (1995, 1996, 1998-2000) | |||
:*] (1985, 1986, 1994-1998) | |||
:*] (1985, 1986, 1991, 1994-1999) | |||
:*] (1991) <small>vs. ]</small> | |||
:*Worst Feud of the Year (1995) <small>vs. The ]</small> | |||
:*Worst Feud of the Year (1998) <small>vs. The Ultimate Warrior</small> | |||
:*Worst Feud of the Year (2000) <small>vs. ]</small> | |||
:*] (1987) <small>vs. ], ], ], March 29</small> | |||
:*Worst Worked Match of the Year (1996) <small>with ] vs. ], ], ], ], ], ], and ], ], ], ], March 24</small> | |||
:*Worst Worked Match of the Year (1997) <small>vs. ], ], ], February 23</small> | |||
:*Worst Worked Match of the Year (1998) <small>vs. ], ], ], October 25</small> | |||
:*] (1997) | |||
:*] (]) | |||
==== Feud with Aces & Eights (2012–2013) ==== | |||
==See also== | |||
] | |||
{{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}} | |||
During TNA's tour of the United Kingdom, on January 26 and 27, 2012, Hogan returned to the ring at ]s in ] and ], where he, James Storm and Sting defeated Bobby Roode, ] and Kurt Angle in a six-man tag team main event at both events, the latter of which was Hogan's final match.<ref name=Nottingham012611>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_57425.shtml |title=1/26 TNA results Nottingham, U.K.: Hogan & Sting in main event, Joe vs. Crimson, Styles vs. Ray |date=January 26, 2012 |access-date=January 26, 2012 |last=McNichol |first=Rob |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128233403/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_57425.shtml |archive-date=January 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Wayne |title=TNA Quick Results: Live Event – Manchester, England (1/27) |url=https://www.wrestling-news.net/tna-quick-results-event-manchester/3945/ |access-date=July 28, 2023 |work=Wrestling-news.net |date=January 27, 2012 |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211033441/https://www.wrestling-news.net/tna-quick-results-event-manchester/3945/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hogan returned to ''Impact Wrestling'' on February 2, when he was revealed as ]'s trainer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_57698.shtml |title=TNA Impact Wrestling report 2/2: Wembley Arena Edition – Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of TV show |date=February 2, 2012 |access-date=February 3, 2012 |last=Keller |first=Wade |author-link=Wade Keller |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206025036/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_57698.shtml |archive-date=February 6, 2012}}</ref> On the March 29 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Hogan returned and accepted Sting's offer to replace him as the new ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_59713.shtml |title=Turner's TNA Impact Wrestling results 3/29: Will Hulk Hogan accept the GM position?, Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson, Morgan vs. Crimson, and more |date=March 30, 2012 |access-date=March 30, 2012 |last=Turner |first=Scott |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523002358/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_59713.shtml |archive-date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
In July, Hogan, alongside Sting, began feuding with a mysterious group of masked men, who had dubbed themselves the "]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_63266.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling results 7/12: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – Aries's first show as champ, BFG Series matches |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=July 12, 2012 |access-date=July 12, 2012 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715041528/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_63266.shtml |archive-date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> The group's attack on Hogan on the July 12 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'' was used to write Hogan off television as he was set to undergo another back surgery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/3-news/26526-fri-update-big-weekend-schedule-batista-fighting-148-drug-tests-another-trt-hogan-update-kharma-new-radio-show-upgrades-chael-quotes-directv-and-impact-tons-more |title=Fri update: Big weekend schedule, Batista fighting, 148 drug tests, another TRT, Hogan update, Kharma, new radio show upgrades, Chael quotes, DirecTV and Impact, tons more |last=Alvarez |first=Bryan |author-link=Bryan Alvarez |date=July 13, 2012 |access-date=July 13, 2012 |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715234403/http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/3-news/26526-fri-update-big-weekend-schedule-batista-fighting-148-drug-tests-another-trt-hogan-update-kharma-new-radio-show-upgrades-chael-quotes-directv-and-impact-tons-more |archive-date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> | |||
==Notes== | |||
{{Reflist|2}} | |||
In November, Hogan moved into a storyline with Bully Ray after ] revealed a secret relationship between Ray and Hogan's daughter Brooke.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 11/22: Thanksgiving Edition features Gut Checks, Turkeys, more |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_66775.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210514/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_66775.shtml |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 11/29: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Championship Thursday – X Title in main event, Hogan Knows Best? |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_66909.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103031801/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_66909.shtml |archive-date=January 3, 2013}}</ref> After seeing them kissing in a parking garage on the December 20 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 12/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Champ. Thursday – Aries vs. Hardy, 1.3.13 reveal |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67417.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230212508/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67417.shtml |archive-date=December 30, 2012}}</ref> Hogan suspended Ray indefinitely on the January 3, 2013 episode of ''Impact Wrestling''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 1/3: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live show – Sting casually returns, cage main event & unmasking (updated w/Box Score) |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67639.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107081832/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67639.shtml |archive-date=January 7, 2013}}</ref> The following week on ''Impact Wrestling'', after Ray saved Brooke from a kidnapping by the Aces & Eights, Brooke accepted his marriage proposal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 1/10: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Sting-Knox, wedding angle, and, oh yeah, a PPV on Sunday (updated w/Box Score) |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67774.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114004837/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67774.shtml |archive-date=January 14, 2013}}</ref> Despite Hogan's disapproval, he still walked Brooke down the aisle for her wedding on the next episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', during which Ray's groomsmen ] interrupted and revealed himself as a member of the Aces & Eights, leading the group to attack Hogan, Ray, and the rest of the groomsmen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67961.shtml |title=Keller's TNA Impact Report 1/17: The Bully Ray-Brooke Hogan Wedding Episode – What happened? Did Hulk accompany Brooke? Did the wedding end without a hitch? |date=January 17, 2013 |last=Keller |first=Wade |access-date=January 17, 2013 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120222318/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67961.shtml |archive-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref> | |||
==References== | |||
*{{cite book|title=Hollywood Hulk Hogan|author=Hulk Hogan|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2002|isbn=0743475569}} | |||
*{{cite book|title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s|last=Shields|first=Brian|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2006|isbn=1416532579}} | |||
*{{cite book|title=The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling|last=Loverro|first=Thom|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2006|isbn=1416510583}} | |||
*{{cite book|title=Eric Bischoff: ]|author=Eric Bischoff|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2006|isbn=141652729X}} | |||
On the January 31 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Hogan reinstated Ray so he could take on the Aces & Eights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 1/31: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact in the U.K. – Angle-Anderson, Wes & Garett turn heel, Wes's hair tells the story |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_68308.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190300/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_68308.shtml |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 2/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact in the U.K. – Tag Title change, Sting & Bully main event, Aces & Eights lose again, Nash weighs in |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_68494.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002090022/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_68494.shtml |archive-date=October 2, 2013}}</ref> Hogan named Ray the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on the February 21 episode of ''Impact Wrestling''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Report 2/21: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact in the U.K. – new KO champ, Hogan's "decision" early contender for worst angle of the year (updated w/Box Score) |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_68834.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201112/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_68834.shtml |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> At ] on March 10, Ray betrayed Hogan, after Aces & Eights helped Ray defeat Jeff Hardy win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, and Ray revealed himself as the President of the Aces & Eights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown PPV Results 3/10: Live, in-person coverage from San Antonio – Hardy vs. Ray TNA Title match, Lethal Lockdown, more |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_69158.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414102411/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_69158.shtml |archive-date=April 14, 2013}}</ref> Following Lockdown, Hogan blamed Sting for Ray winning the title as it was Sting who encouraged Hogan to give Ray the title shot.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 3/14: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – Lockdown PPV fall-out from Chicago |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69310.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318031827/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69310.shtml |archive-date=March 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 3/21: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact from Chicago – new #1 contender to TNA Title, two title matches, Lockdown fall-out |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69437.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325105225/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69437.shtml |archive-date=March 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 3/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Open Fight Night – Hardy vs. Anderson, more |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69573.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401092943/http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69573.shtml |archive-date=April 1, 2013}}</ref> Sting returned and saved Hogan from an attack by Aces & Eights on the April 25 episode of ''Impact Wrestling''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 4/25 (Hour 2): Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – Bully-Hogan, title matches |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_70226.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530130040/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_70226.shtml |archive-date=May 30, 2013}}</ref> The following week on ''Impact Wrestling'', Hogan and Sting reconciled their differences.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 5/2 (Hour 1): Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Impact – Sabin returns to TV |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_70339.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507112236/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_70339.shtml |archive-date=May 7, 2013}}</ref> On the October 3 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Hogan refused an offer from Dixie Carter to become her business partner and quit; this was done to officially write Hogan off, as a result of his contract expiring with TNA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-squared-circle/Hulk-Hogan-no-longer-under-contract-with-TNA-Wrestling.html |title=Hulk Hogan no longer under contract with TNA Wrestling |date=October 2, 2013 |work=Philly.com |access-date=July 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721155925/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-squared-circle/Hulk-Hogan-no-longer-under-contract-with-TNA-Wrestling.html |archive-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref> | |||
==External links== | |||
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=== Fourth return to WWE (2014–2015) === | |||
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On February 24, 2014, on ''Raw'', Hogan made his first WWE in-ring appearance since December 2007 to hype the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_76606.shtml |title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 2/24: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Chamber PPV fall-out, Hogan's return, Taker's return, stage set for WM30, more |date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=February 25, 2014 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227025709/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_76606.shtml |archive-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref> On the March 24 episode of ''Raw'', Hogan came out to introduce the guest appearances of ] and ]; this was to promote the guests' new movie '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2014-03-24/arnold-schwarzenegger-and-joe-manganiello-join-hulk-hogan-in-the-ring-photos |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joe Manganiello join Hulk Hogan in the ring: photos |work=WWE |access-date=July 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427012016/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2014-03-24/arnold-schwarzenegger-and-joe-manganiello-join-hulk-hogan-in-the-ring-photos |archive-date=April 27, 2015}}</ref> | |||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Bollea, Terry Gene (real name) | |||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = American ] | |||
] and ] at ] in April 2014]] | |||
|DATE OF BIRTH = August 11, 1953 | |||
At ] in April, Hogan served as the host, coming out at the start of the show to hype up the crowd. During his promo, he mistakenly referred to the ], the venue the event was being held at, as the ], which became the subject of jokes throughout the night.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822014626/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/04/wrestlemania-hulk-hogan-silverdome-superdome |date=August 22, 2017 }}. USA Today. Retrieved August 21, 2017</ref> Hogan was later joined by Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, and they finished their promo by drinking beer together in the ring. Later in the show, Hogan shared a moment with ], ] and ], with whom he main-evented the first WrestleMania. | |||
|PLACE OF BIRTH = ], United States | |||
|DATE OF DEATH = living | |||
] members Hulk Hogan with ] and ] at ] in March 2015]] | |||
|PLACE OF DEATH = | |||
On February 27, 2015, Hogan was honored at Madison Square Garden during a WWE live event dubbed "Hulk Hogan Appreciation Night" with a special commemorative banner hanging from the rafters, honoring his wrestling career and historic matches he had in the arena.<ref name=banner>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/556745-photos-hulkamania-banner-msg |title=PHOTOS: MSG Honors Hulk Hogan with "Hulkamania" Banner |last=Paglino |first=Nick |date=February 27, 2015 |work=Wrestlezone |access-date=July 18, 2015 |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211033445/https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/556745-photos-hulamania-banner-msg |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On the March 23 episode of ''Raw'', Hogan along with ] confronted ] – who at the time had been "borrowing" Hogan's Hulkamania gimmick with Axel referring to himself as "AxelMania". On March 28, the night before WrestleMania, Hogan posthumously inducted longtime partner and rival "Macho Man" Randy Savage into the WWE Hall of Fame ]. The next night at ], Hogan reunited with Hall and Nash to reform the nWo, appearing in Sting's corner in his match against Triple H, who himself was joined by ] (DX) members ], ], ], and Shawn Michaels. | |||
==== Racism scandal and departure ==== | |||
{{quote box | |||
| quote = Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it. | |||
| source =—Hogan's response in '']'' to the revelation of his previous comments<ref name=peopleapology>{{cite news |last1=Kimble |first1=Lindsay |title=Hulk Hogan Apologizes for 'Unacceptable' Racist Rant as He Is Scrubbed from WWE Hall of Fame |url=http://www.people.com/article/hulk-hogan-racist-rant-statement |work=] |access-date=25 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724215657/http://www.people.com/article/hulk-hogan-racist-rant-statement |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | |||
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In July 2015, '']'' and ] publicized an ] rant made by Hogan on a leaked ] recorded in 2007. In the recording, he is heard expressing disgust with the notion of his daughter dating a black man, referenced by repeated use of the racial slur "]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/07/24/wwe-erases-hulk-hogan-mentions-from-web-site/ |title=WWE terminates Hulk Hogan's contract, erases him from Web site (updated) |last=Bonesteel |first=Matt |date=July 24, 2015 |newspaper=] |access-date=July 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724220009/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/07/24/wwe-erases-hulk-hogan-mentions-from-web-site/ |archive-date=July 24, 2015}}</ref><ref name=radarscandal>{{cite web |url=http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/hulk-hogan-racist-scandal-n-word-caught-on-tape-wrestling/ |title=Hulk Hogan Racist Scandal — Pro Wrestling Icon Caught On Tape Saying N-Word In Bigoted Rant About Daughter Brooke's Dating – Radar Online |work=Radar Online |access-date=July 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724205043/http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/hulk-hogan-racist-scandal-n-word-caught-on-tape-wrestling/ |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |date=July 24, 2015}}</ref> Hogan also admitted to being "a racist, to a point".<ref name=radarscandal/> | |||
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Once the recordings went public erupting in a media scandal, Hogan apologized for the remarks, which he said is "language that is offensive and inconsistent with own beliefs."<ref name=peopleapology/> Three black wrestlers who worked in the WWF and WCW with Hogan made supportive comments. ] commented "Hogan has never given me a reason to believe he is a racist"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2015/07/24/hulk-hogan-racist-n-word-virgil/ |title=WWE Legend Virgil – The Hulk Hogan I Knew Was Not Racist |date=July 24, 2014 |website=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026235812/http://www.tmz.com/2015/07/24/hulk-hogan-racist-n-word-virgil |archive-date=October 26, 2015}}</ref> while ] said he "most certainly is not a racist"<ref>{{cite tweet |user=dennisrodman |date=July 24, 2015 |number=624624182521917440 |title=I've known @HulkHogan for 25 years. Here he is hanging with Kylin in NJ. '''There isn't a racist bone in that mans body.'''}}<br/>{{cite tweet |user=dennisrodman |date=July 24, 2015 |number=624624728041488385 |title=Lets lend our support to the Hulkster @HulkHogan who '''most certainly is not a racist'''}}</ref> and ] added "I do not think Hogan meant harm by saying that. Hogan is my brother until he decides not to be."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/602515-kamala-supports-hulk-hogan-was-told-vince-mcmahon-does-not-like-black-people-kliq-behind-the-curtain-preview-video |title=Kamala Supports Hulk Hogan |date=July 28, 2015 |last=Jansen |first=Jonathen |website=WrestleZone |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730193504/http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/602515-kamala-supports-hulk-hogan-was-told-vince-mcmahon-does-not-like-black-people-kliq-behind-the-curtain-preview-video |archive-date=July 30, 2015}}</ref> Black wrestlers working in the WWE made different comments. ] said he was pleased by WWE's "no tolerance approach to racism" response, and that he was hurt and offended by Hogan's manner and tone.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/601543-mark-henry-issues-statement-on-hulk-hogan-comments |title=Mark Henry Issues Statement On Hulk Hogan Comments |first=Nick |last=Paglino |website=WrestleZone.Com |date=July 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101044158/http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/601543-mark-henry-issues-statement-on-hulk-hogan-comments |archive-date=November 1, 2015}}<br/>{{cite tweet |user=TheMarkHenry |number=624653728931557376 |date=July 24, 2015 |title=I'm disappointed in the comments made by Terry Bollea (Hulk Hogan). I've known Terry for a long time as both a work colleague and as someone I consider a friend. I'm hurt and offended that he expressed his feelings in the manner and tone that was presented on the tape. I am, however, pleased that the WWE took swift action in response to his comments and I support the position the organization is taking in this matter: a no-tolerance approach to racism.}}</ref> ] said he was shocked and called the statements unfortunate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/hulk-hogan-n-word-scandal-wrestler-booker-t-is-shocked-by-the-statements/ |website=TheWrap.Com |first=Greg |last=Gilman |title=Hulk Hogan N-Word Scandal: Wrestler Booker T Is 'Shocked By the Statements' |date=July 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208211245/https://www.thewrap.com/hulk-hogan-n-word-scandal-wrestler-booker-t-is-shocked-by-the-statements/ |archive-date=December 8, 2015}}<br/>{{cite tweet |user=bookert5x |number=624612626220236800 |date=July 24, 2015 |title=I am shocked by the statements made by Hulk Hogan. It's unfortunate, but that's something that he's going to have to deal with.}}</ref> | |||
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On July 24, WWE terminated their contract with Hogan, stating that they are "committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds,"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-terminates-contract-with-hulk-hogan-27695748 |title=WWE has terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan) |newspaper=WWE |access-date=July 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726190512/http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-terminates-contract-with-hulk-hogan-27695748 |archive-date=July 26, 2015}}</ref> although Hogan's lawyer said Hogan chose to resign.<ref name=peopleapology/> A day prior, WWE removed almost all references to Hogan from their website, including his listing as a judge for ''Tough Enough'', his merchandise from WWE Shop, and his entry from its WWE Hall of Fame page (he was still listed in the Hall of Fame entry of the official WWE encyclopedia released in October 2016). His ] appearance from '']'' was taken down from sale, and his character was cut from then upcoming '']'' game during development.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Caldwell |first1=James |title=Hulk Hogan removed from all-things WWE, including Tough Enough, plus Hogan posts cryptic tweet |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_86433.shtml |website=pwtorch.com |access-date=July 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724113840/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_86433.shtml |archive-date=July 24, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Montag |first=Ali |title=WWE splits with Hulk Hogan amid reported comments |date=July 24, 2015 |work=CNBC.com |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/24/wwe-splits-with-hulk-hogan-amid-reported-comments.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725012459/http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/24/wwe-splits-with-hulk-hogan-amid-reported-comments.html |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
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In response to the controversy, ] stopped producing Hogan action figures, while Hogan's merchandise was taken down from online stores of ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Michael |title=Hulk Hogan Fall-Out – Major Retailers Pull Merchandise, Update – Mattel halting production |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_86521.shtml |website=pwtorch.com |access-date=July 29, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729184048/http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_86521.shtml |archive-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> On July 28, Radar Online reported that Hogan had also used ] on the leaked sex tape.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Howard |first1=Dylan |last2=Cronin |first2=Melissa |last3=Cartwright |first3=Lachlan |title=A New Low! Hulk Hogan Spits Vile Homophobic Slurs In Latest Rant From Leaked Audiotape — The Last Straw For Fans? |url=http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/hulk-hogan-homophobic-rant-revealed-audiotape-transcript-racist-n-word/ |access-date=July 29, 2015 |date=July 28, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728203443/http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/hulk-hogan-homophobic-rant-revealed-audiotape-transcript-racist-n-word/ |archive-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref> Days later, it was reported that Hogan had used racist language in a 2008 call to his then-imprisoned son, Nick, and also said that he hoped they would not be reincarnated as black males.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a660952/hulk-hogan-is-under-fire-again-after-more-racially-charged-comments-emerge.html |title=Hulk Hogan is under fire again after more racially-charged comments emerge |last=Rigby |first=Sam |date=July 30, 2015 |website=] |access-date=August 2, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801221103/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a660952/hulk-hogan-is-under-fire-again-after-more-racially-charged-comments-emerge.html |archive-date=August 1, 2015}}</ref> | |||
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Hogan gave an interview with ''ABC'' on August 31 in which he pleaded forgiveness for his racist comments, attributing these to a racial bias inherited from his neighborhood while growing up.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gma.yahoo.com/hulk-hogan-racial-slur-scandal-please-forgive-people-112815982--abc-news-celebrities.html |title=Hulk Hogan on Racial Slur Scandal: 'Please Forgive Me ... People Get Better' |date=August 31, 2015 |work=Yahoo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001171020/https://gma.yahoo.com/hulk-hogan-racial-slur-scandal-please-forgive-people-112815982--abc-news-celebrities.html |archive-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref> Hogan claimed that the term "nigger" was used liberally among friends in Tampa; former neighbors disputed this claim.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/2015/08/31/hulk-hogan-racial-slurs-south-tampa/71480068/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150930015238/http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/2015/08/31/hulk-hogan-racial-slurs-south-tampa/71480068/ |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |title=Hulk Hogan under fire after slamming neighborhood on national TV |date=August 31, 2015 |work=10NEWS}}</ref> | |||
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In the time that followed, numerous African-Americans associated with wrestling expressed some level of support for Hogan including: ],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.etonline.com/news/169081_dwayne_johnson_talks_hulk_hogan_racist_rant |title=Dwayne Johnson on Hulk Hogan Racist Rant: 'We've All Talked Trash' |website=Entertainment Tonight |date=July 31, 2015 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722213427/https://www.etonline.com/news/169081_dwayne_johnson_talks_hulk_hogan_racist_rant |url-status=live }}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Dennis-Rodman-Defends-Hulk-Hogan-WWE-Termination-73797.html |title=Dennis Rodman Defends Hulk Hogan After WWE Termination |date=July 25, 2015 |website=CINEMABLEND |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722213030/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Dennis-Rodman-Defends-Hulk-Hogan-WWE-Termination-73797.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/05/28/booker-t-wwe-hulk-hogan/ |title=Booker T Says Hulk Hogan Belongs Back In WWE |website=TMZ |date=May 28, 2018 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722213028/https://www.tmz.com/2018/05/28/booker-t-wwe-hulk-hogan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kamala,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2531386-the-ugandan-giant-kamala-responds-to-former-foe-hulk-hogans-racist-remarks |title=The Ugandan Giant, Kamala, Responds to Former Foe Hulk Hogan's Racist Remarks |last=King |first=Jason |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722213408/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2531386-the-ugandan-giant-kamala-responds-to-former-foe-hulk-hogans-racist-remarks |url-status=live }}</ref> Virgil,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/hulk-hogans-friend-fellow-wwe-6133818 |title=Hulk Hogan's friend and fellow WWE legend Virgil defends star |last1=Bucktin |first1=Christopher |last2=McGeorge |first2=Alistair |date=July 24, 2015 |website=mirror |access-date=September 4, 2019 |last3=Rutter |first3=Claire |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722213357/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/hulk-hogans-friend-fellow-wwe-6133818 |url-status=live }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ojha |first1=Adarsh |title=Are Hulk Hogan and Mr. T Still Friends Despite Former's Controversial and Highly Criticized Comments? |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-are-hulk-hogan-and-mr-t-still-friends-despite-formers-controversial-and-highly-criticised-comments/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=EssentiallySports |date=May 22, 2022 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616220408/https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-are-hulk-hogan-and-mr-t-still-friends-despite-formers-controversial-and-highly-criticised-comments/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2018/07/mark-henry-on-what-he-told-hulk-hogan-backstage-at-wwe-642850/ |title=Mark Henry On What He Told Hulk Hogan Backstage At WWE Extreme Rules |date=July 17, 2018 |website=Wrestling Inc. |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914230857/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2018/07/mark-henry-on-what-he-told-hulk-hogan-backstage-at-wwe-642850/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thebiglead.com/2019/04/07/big-e-offers-his-blessing-for-hulk-hogan-redemption-after-apology-at-wrestlemania-35/ |title=Big E Offers His Blessing for Hulk Hogan Redemption After Apology at WrestleMania 35 |date=April 8, 2019 |website=The Big Lead |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722213031/https://thebiglead.com/2019/04/07/big-e-offers-his-blessing-for-hulk-hogan-redemption-after-apology-at-wrestlemania-35/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ], who stressed his forgiveness of Hogan, whom he saw as having made a "positive mark on humanity" for over three decades.<ref>: {{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BlRz0tfAbzk/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BlRz0tfAbzk |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=subscription |title=Elijah Burke on Instagram: "Pope's unfiltered thoughts on Hulk Hogan's Reinstatement into the WWE Hall Of Fame (Full Read on Facebook.com/ElijahBurke): If someone had…" |website=Instagram |access-date=January 8, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
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=== Fifth return to WWE (2018–present) === | |||
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On July 15, 2018, Hogan was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wwe.com/article/hulk-hogan-reinstated-into-wwe-hall-of-fame |title=Hulk Hogan reinstated into WWE Hall of Fame |work=WWE |access-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715210833/https://www.wwe.com/article/hulk-hogan-reinstated-into-wwe-hall-of-fame |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that same night, he was invited backstage to WWE's ] pay-per-view event and was briefly mentioned on the event's kickoff show. Hogan made his on-screen return on November 2, 2018, as the host of ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/hulk-hogan-makes-his-return-to-wwe-as-host-of-crown-jewel-event-in-saudi-arabia/ |title=Hulk Hogan makes his return to WWE as host of Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia |date=October 31, 2018 |access-date=November 1, 2018 |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101175748/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/hulk-hogan-makes-his-return-to-wwe-as-host-of-crown-jewel-event-in-saudi-arabia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hogan next appeared on the January 7, 2019, episode of ''Raw'' to present a tribute to his longtime friend and colleague ], who had died five days prior. It was the first time Hogan had appeared in a WWE ring in North America since his 2015 firing. Hogan subsequently appeared on a WWE Network special where he spoke further of his relationship with Okerlund. | |||
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Hogan inducted his ] tag team partner and longtime friend ] into the ] on April 6, 2019. The following night at ], he made a surprise appearance at the beginning of the show alongside WrestleMania host ], welcoming fans to the event and parodying his ] from ], when he incorrectly referred to the ] as the ]. On the June 17, 2019, Raw, WWE aired a Hogan interview about the U.S. Women's World Cup soccer team.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/2019/06/18/hulk-hogan-wwe-raw-promo-us-womens-soccer-world-cup-video/ |title=Watch: Hulk Hogan Appears on WWE Raw Via Twitter Promo |website=WWE |date=June 18, 2019 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722213832/https://comicbook.com/wwe/2019/06/18/hulk-hogan-wwe-raw-promo-us-womens-soccer-world-cup-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On the July 22, 2019, Raw, Hogan appeared as part of the "Raw Reunion" special. Hogan was one of the speakers during the "Toast to Raw" segment along with Steve Austin. On September 30, 2019, episode of ''Raw'', he and Ric Flair unveiled a 10-man tag team match, for ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://whatculture.com/wwe/team-hogan-vs-team-flair-confirmed-for-wwe-crown-jewel-2019 |title=Team Hogan Vs. Team Flair Confirmed for WWE Crown Jewel 2019 |date=October 2019 |access-date=October 2, 2019 |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002200510/http://whatculture.com/wwe/team-hogan-vs-team-flair-confirmed-for-wwe-crown-jewel-2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hogan and Flair made multiple appearances on shows with their teams leading up to the event, which saw Hogan manage his team to victory. | |||
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Hogan made it public knowledge that he hoped to have one more match in the WWE, including during an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-10-07/hulk-hogan-wwe-vince-mcmahon-terry-bollea-wrestlemania-career |title=Column: Hulk Hogan hopes to return for one final WWE match at WrestleMania |date=October 7, 2019 |access-date=July 30, 2020 |work=] |first1=Arash |last1=Markazi |archive-date=August 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801200135/https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2019-10-07/hulk-hogan-wwe-vince-mcmahon-terry-bollea-wrestlemania-career |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 9, 2019, it was announced that Hogan would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame a second time as a member of the ], together with fellow former nWo stablemates ], ], and ].<ref name=auto/> | |||
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Hogan made his only appearance of 2020 on WWE's non-WWE Network programming when he appeared via satellite on the February 14, 2020, episode of ''SmackDown'' to speak about the Hall of Fame. He was interrupted by Bray Wyatt, as Hogan warned him about his upcoming match with Goldberg.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2020-02-14/article/hulk-hogan-interrupted-by-bray-wyatt |title=Hulk Hogan was interrupted by Bray Wyatt |website=Wwe.com |access-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626204211/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2020-02-14/article/hulk-hogan-interrupted-by-bray-wyatt |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2020 Hall of Fame ceremony was subsequently delayed due to the ] and aired on April 6, 2021. | |||
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Hogan made his first appearance of 2021 on the January 4 episode of ''Raw'', which was a special Legends Night episode. He opened the show introducing the 'H-Phone,' his spin on an iPhone. He appeared in a backstage segment with ], ] and ], where he gave his approval to McIntyre, the current WWE Champion. He also watched the championship main event match between McIntyre and Keith Lee on-stage with the rest of the guest legends. | |||
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It was announced on the March 19, 2021, episode of '']'' he would co-host ] with ]. Hogan opened both nights of ] with O'Neil, appeared in multiple segments with Bayley, which led to a return of the Bella Twins, who attacked Bayley, and was introduced during the Hall of Fame celebration with Nash, Hall and Waltman. | |||
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On January 23, 2023, Hogan appeared live alongside Jimmy Hart to open the ] show, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Raw.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hulk Hogan Makes A Surprise Appearance On 'WWE Raw' & Fans Go Wild: Watch |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/hulk-hogan-makes-a-surprise-appearance-on-wwe-raw-fans-go-wild-watch/ar-AA16FKHE |access-date=January 24, 2023 |website=MSN |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124173931/https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/hulk-hogan-makes-a-surprise-appearance-on-wwe-raw-fans-go-wild-watch/ar-AA16FKHE |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 22, 2024, WWE celebrated the 40th anniversary of 'Hulkamania' with Hogan appearing in pre-taped footage.<ref>{{Citation |title=The dawn of Hulkamania: Raw highlights, Jan. 22, 2024 |url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/the-dawn-of-hulkamania-raw-highlights-jan-22-2024 |access-date=January 24, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124151650/https://www.wwe.com/videos/the-dawn-of-hulkamania-raw-highlights-jan-22-2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== Legacy === | |||
Hogan has been described as one of the largest attractions in professional wrestling history and a major reason why Vince McMahon's expansion of his promotion worked. Wrestling historian and journalist Dave Meltzer stated that "...You can't possibly overrate his significance in the history of the business. And he sold more tickets to wrestling shows than any man who ever lived".<ref>{{cite tweet |user=davemeltzerWON |number=1341929868125073408 |title=There's a lot you can say about him, but you can't possibly overrate his significance in the history of the business. And he sold more tickets to wrestling shows than any man who ever lived and I don't expect anyone to ever sell more tickets than he did ever. |date=December 24, 2020 |access-date=December 25, 2020}}</ref> Hogan's match with Andre the Giant at ] on February 5, 1988, holds American television records for a wrestling audience with a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers.<ref name="SK_Feb2021"/> ] ranked Hogan as the biggest draw in professional wrestling history, ranking him number 1 in a list with 60 other wrestlers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 60 biggest draws in professional wrestling history. |url=https://www.imdb.com/list/ls063702178/ |website=IMDb |access-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728091429/https://www.imdb.com/list/ls063702178/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In a 2022 survey, Hogan was the most often cited professional wrestler by those in the general public who could name a professional wrestler.<ref name="Forbes_2022">{{cite news |last1=Konuwa |first1=Alfred |date=December 24, 2022 |title=33% Of Adults Couldn't Name A Pro Wrestler And Few Could Name Current WWE Stars, Per Survey |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2022/12/24/33-of-adults-couldnt-name-a-pro-wrestler-and-few-could-name-current-wwe-stars-per-survey/ |work=Forbes |access-date=August 7, 2024}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Most content on Forbes.com is written by contributors with minimal editorial oversight, and is generally unreliable.|date=August 2024}} | |||
Fellow wrestler ] has said numerous times that Hogan's WrestleMania X8 match with The Rock is the greatest match in wrestling history and that it epitomized what professional wrestling is.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=CodyRhodes |number=977349057113919489 |title=Hogan vs Rock. I don't trust anybody who says otherwise. (Also, I answer this every time we do one of these ha) |date=March 24, 2018 |Access-date=June 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user=CodyRhodes |number=1018238315223396353 |title=The best match ever is Hogan/Rock. When I ask my friends their all time favorite, if they say anything else...I can determine they haven't grasped what wrestling is yet. |date=July 15, 2018 |Access-date=June 17, 2022}}</ref> | |||
Fellow WWE Hall of Fame member ] has been repeatedly critical of Hogan's wrestling abilities, including in 2021 saying that he "didn't know a headlock from a headlamp", and that he was "very limited".<ref>{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Andrew |date=December 14, 2021 |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2021/12/14/bret-hart-hulk-hogan-was-68-and-a-one-out-of-three-wrestler-he-didnt-know-a-headlock-from-a-headlamp/ |title=Bret Hart: Hulk Hogan was 6'8 and a one-out-of-three wrestler, he didn't know a headlock from a headlamp |access-date=April 10, 2022 |work=POST Wrestling |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704211125/https://www.postwrestling.com/2021/12/14/bret-hart-hulk-hogan-was-68-and-a-one-out-of-three-wrestler-he-didnt-know-a-headlock-from-a-headlamp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hart had previously referred to Hogan as a "hero" to fans.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cutis |first1=Jennifer |title=Bret Hart calls Hulk Hogan a hero… Bret Hart says, "it's hard to make everybody happy" |url=https://www.wrestlingnewsplus.com/bret-hart-says-hulk-hogan-is-a-hero-says-hulk-was-considerate-to-him/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=Wrestling News Plus |date=January 25, 2021 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518133322/https://www.wrestlingnewsplus.com/bret-hart-says-hulk-hogan-is-a-hero-says-hulk-was-considerate-to-him/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and previously complimented Hogan's look. "You look at Hulk Hogan, okay? Unbelievable look, 6'8″ with the 24-inch pythons, it's an incredible . When he walks in the room, the whole room stops. Like, you see it. He got, like, legs stuck on his shoulders. His arms are as big as somebody's legs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Alex |title=Bret Hart compares Hulk Hogan as a wrestler against himself |url=https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/732697/bret-hart-hulk-hogan-wwe/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=talkSPORT |date=July 15, 2020 |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813041452/https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/732697/bret-hart-hulk-hogan-wwe/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Former writer ], who Hogan had previously sued, said in 2022 that more wrestlers should wrestle like Hogan, as opposed to the modern-day style acrobats.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hart |first1=Danny |title=WWE veteran thinks current wrestlers should learn from Hulk Hogan (Exclusive) |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wwe-veteran-thinks-wrestlers-learn-hulk-hogan |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=Sportskeeda |date=May 19, 2022 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616215234/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wwe-veteran-thinks-wrestlers-learn-hulk-hogan |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Hogan himself has previously said he is "number two" behind Ric Flair, who he said is the greatest wrestler of all time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mendhe |first1=Abhilash |title="I'm #2"- Hulk Hogan calls former WWE Champion 'third greatest wrestler of all time' |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-i-m-2-hulk-hogan-calls-former-wwe-champion-third-greatest-wrestler-time |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=Sportskeeda |date=February 11, 2022 |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612040224/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-i-m-2-hulk-hogan-calls-former-wwe-champion-third-greatest-wrestler-time |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
] said on his podcast in 2023 that Hogan was a better worker than Flair in his experience. "Hogan is a better worker than Flair. For me. I always had amazing matches with Hogan because he knew exactly who he was as a babyface, as a heel, whatever. He was so great. He knew his audience. He didn't do anything he didn't have to. It was one of my favorite times in my career."<ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Paul |date=May 7, 2023 |title=Chris Jericho: Hulk Hogan Is a Better Worker Than Ric Flair |work=Wrestling News |url=https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/chris-jericho-hulk-hogan-is-a-better-worker-than-ric-flair |access-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511005017/https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/chris-jericho-hulk-hogan-is-a-better-worker-than-ric-flair |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On February 20, 2019, it was announced that ] would portray him in a biopic, directed by ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Chris Hemsworth to Play Hulk Hogan in Biopic Directed by Todd Phillips (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/chris-hemsworth-play-hulk-hogan-biopic-1186126 |access-date=February 20, 2019 |work=www.hollywoodreporter.com |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221012724/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/chris-hemsworth-play-hulk-hogan-biopic-1186126 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in 2024, Phillips announced the movie has been scrapped.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ankers-Range |first=Adele |date=August 22, 2024 |title=Joker Director Todd Phillips Says Hulk Hogan Biopic With Chris Hemsworth No Longer Happening |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/joker-director-todd-phillips-hulk-hogan-biopic-chris-hemsworth-no-longer-happening |website=IGN |access-date=October 7, 2024}}</ref> | |||
== Endorsements and business ventures == | |||
=== Food industry === | |||
] | |||
Hogan created and financed a restaurant called ''Pastamania'' located in the ] in ].<ref name=WrestleCrap140>{{cite book |title=Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling |last=Reynolds |first=R.D. |page= |publisher=] |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-55022-584-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre/page/140}}</ref> It opened on the Labor Day weekend of 1995 and was heavily promoted on ] (WCW)'s live show '']''. The restaurant, which remained in operation for less than a year, featured such dishes as "Hulk-U's" and "Hulk-A-Roos".<ref name=WrestleCrap140/> | |||
In interviews on '']'' and '']'', Hogan claimed that the opportunity to endorse what came to be known as the ] was originally offered to him, but when he failed to respond in time, Foreman endorsed the grill instead. However, there is no direct evidence to support this claim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahmood |first=Malik Umar Khalid |date=August 28, 2022 |title=The Ridiculous Story Of Hulk Hogan & The George Foreman Grill, Explained |url=https://www.thesportster.com/ridiculous-story-hulk-hogan-george-foreman-grill-explained/ |website=TheSportster |access-date=May 21, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=January 16, 2022 |title=Did Hulk Hogan Seriously Pass on a Chance to Endorse the George Foreman Grill? |url=https://www.cbr.com/hulk-hogan-george-foreman-grill-mistake/ |website=CBR |access-date=May 21, 2024}}</ref> Instead, Hogan endorsed a ], known as the Hulk Hogan Thunder Mixer. He has since endorsed a grill known as "The Hulk Hogan Ultimate Grill", voluntarily recalled as a fire hazard in 2008 along with other QVC and Tristar grills.<ref>{{cite web |title=QVC and Tristar Recall Electric Grills Due to Fire Hazard; Consumers to Receive New Instructions |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2008/qvc-and-tristar-recall-electric-grills-due-to-fire-hazard-consumers-to-receive-new |access-date=July 3, 2023 |work=U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |date=March 6, 2008 |archive-date=July 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703000412/https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2008/qvc-and-tristar-recall-electric-grills-due-to-fire-hazard-consumers-to-receive-new |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In 2006, Hogan unveiled ''Hogan Energy'', a drink distributed by Socko Energy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hogan Energy Powered By Socko |publisher=BeverageWorld.com |date=September 27, 2006 |access-date=November 3, 2006 |url=http://www.beverageworld.com/content/view/33168/168/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705034431/http://www.beverageworld.com/content/view/33168/168/ |archive-date=July 5, 2008}}</ref> His name and likeness were also applied to a line of microwavable hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and chicken sandwiches sold at ] called "Hulkster Burgers".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chipperprime.img.jugem.jp/20080426_337514.jpg |title=Hulkster Cheesburger. JPG Image |access-date=May 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929202754/http://chipperprime.img.jugem.jp/20080426_337514.jpg |archive-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> On November 1, 2011, Hogan launched a new website called ''Hogan Nutrition'', which features many nutritional and dietary products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hogannutrition.com |title=Hulk Hogan Nutrition |publisher=Hogannutrition.com |access-date=May 30, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603023111/http://hogannutrition.com/ |archive-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref> | |||
On New Year's Eve 2012, Hogan opened a beachfront restaurant called "Hogan's Beach", located in the Tampa area.<ref>{{cite web |last=Forbes |first=Paula |url=http://eater.com/archives/2013/01/02/hulk-hogans-florida-restaurant-hogans-beach-opens-the-drinking-has-begun.php |title=Hogan's Beach, Hulk Hogan's Florida Restaurant, Opens: 'The Drinking Has Begun' – Hulk Hogan Wire – Eater National |publisher=Eater.com |date=January 2, 2013 |access-date=May 30, 2013 |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211033446/https://www.eater.com/2013/1/2/6501631/hogans-beach-hulk-hogans-florida-restaurant-opens-the-drinking-has |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hogansbeachtampa.com |title=Welcome to Hogan's Beach Tampa |work=hogansbeachtampa.com |access-date=July 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722121200/http://www.hogansbeachtampa.com/ |archive-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref> The restaurant dropped Hogan's name in October 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/97247/hogan-restaurant-closes.html?p=1 |title=Hogan Restaurant Closes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019232003/http://pwinsider.com/article/97247/hogan-restaurant-closes.html?p=1 |archive-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref> Hogan later opened Hogan's Hangout in Clearwater Beach.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/openings-closings/article/21075790/listen-up-brother-hogans-hangout-in-clearwater-is-hiring |title=Listen up, brother, Hogan's Hangout in Clearwater is hiring right now |access-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724225748/https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/openings-closings/article/21075790/listen-up-brother-hogans-hangout-in-clearwater-is-hiring |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== Finances === | |||
In September 2008, Hogan's ] was revealed to be around $30 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/06/Hulk-hogans-net-worth-rev_n_124459.html |title=Hulk Hogan's Net Worth Revealed In Divorce Papers |work=Huffington Post |access-date=May 21, 2010 |date=September 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607101133/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/06/hulk-hogans-net-worth-rev_n_124459.html |archive-date=June 7, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/09/05/divorce_papers_reveal_Hulk_hogan_s_net_w |title=Divorce Papers Reveal Hulk Hogan's Net Worth |publisher=Starpulse.com |date=September 5, 2008 |access-date=May 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607115855/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/09/05/divorce_papers_reveal_hulk_hogan_s_net_w |archive-date=June 7, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-09-05-hogan-divorce_N.htm |work=USA Today |title=Divorce papers reveal Hulk Hogan's net worth |date=September 5, 2008 |access-date=May 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416165917/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-09-05-hogan-divorce_N.htm |archive-date=April 16, 2009}}</ref> In September 2011, Hogan revealed that his lavish lifestyle and divorce had cost him hundreds of millions of dollars and nearly bankrupted him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/09/29/18758376.html |title=Hogan lost 'hundreds of millions' |date=September 29, 2011 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=] |access-date=October 4, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714214702/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/09/29/18758376.html |archive-date=July 14, 2012}}</ref> | |||
=== Other === | |||
In October 2007, Hogan transferred all trademarks referring to himself to his liability company named "Hogan Holdings Limited". The trademarks include Hulk Hogan, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Hulkster, Hogan Knows Grillin, Hulkamania.com, and Hulkapedia.com.<ref name=Moniz>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestle-complex.com/headlines/judgement_day_08_Hulk_hogan_news_ravens_trade.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210093126/http://www.wrestle-complex.com/headlines/judgement_day_08_hulk_hogan_news_ravens_trade.shtml |archive-date=February 10, 2008 |last=Moniz |first=Shawn |title=Hogan Transfers Trademarks To Liability Company |publisher=Wrestle-Complex.com |access-date=November 1, 2007 |date=November 1, 2007}}</ref> | |||
In April 2008, Hogan announced that he would lend his license to video game developer ] to create "Hulkamania Wrestling" for mobile phones. Hogan stated in a press release that the game would be "true to experiences in wrestling" and use his classic wrestling moves like the Doublehand Choke Lift and Strong Clothesline.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111164157/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS178401+21-Apr-2008+PRN20080421 |date=January 11, 2009 }}. Reuters (April 21, 2008). Retrieved November 3, 2008.</ref> {{as of|2010}}, Hogan stars alongside Troy Aikman in commercials for ].<ref>{{YouTube|V7fKYAJ41hM|RAC TV "Seal The Deal"}}. Retrieved on May 8, 2011.</ref> On March 24, 2011, Hogan made a special appearance on '']'', giving a big surprise to wrestling fans ] and ]. On October 15, 2010, Endemol Games UK (a subsidiary of media production group ]) announced a partnership with Bischoff Hervey Entertainment to produce "Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania", an ] game featuring video footage of Hogan.<ref name=Endemol1>{{cite web |title=Endemol signs Hulk Hogan |url=http://www.egrmagazine.com/news/595547/news-in-brief-playtech-endemol-signs-hulk-hogan-nova-scotia-passes-on-egaming.thtml |access-date=August 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425012338/http://www.egrmagazine.com/news/595547/news-in-brief-playtech-endemol-signs-hulk-hogan-nova-scotia-passes-on-egaming.thtml |archive-date=April 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Endemol2>{{cite web |last=Nesmeth |first=Eliot |title=Endemol and hulk hogan team up for online gaming deal |url=http://www.ericbischoff.com/press/37-press/128-endemol-and-hulk-hogan-team-up-for-online-gaming-deal |access-date=August 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001013240/http://www.ericbischoff.com/press/37-press/128-endemol-and-hulk-hogan-team-up-for-online-gaming-deal |archive-date=October 1, 2011}}</ref> | |||
In October 2013, Hogan partnered with Tech Assets, Inc. to open a ] called "Hostamania".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/hulk_hogan_announces_launch_of_website_hosting_company_hostamania_/prweb11197629.htm |title=Hulk Hogan Announces Launch of Website Hosting Company, "Hostamania" |publisher=PRWeb |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=October 15, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007123747/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11197629.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2013}}</ref> To promote the service, a commercial video was released, featuring Hogan parodying ]'s ] commercials and ]' "]" music video.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tmz.com/2013/10/04/hulk-hogan-miley-cyrus-wrecking-ball-hostamania/ |title=Hulk Hogan MAN THONGIN' In Miley Cyrus Spoof Video |work=] |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=October 15, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011012205/http://www.tmz.com/2013/10/04/hulk-hogan-miley-cyrus-wrecking-ball-hostamania/ |archive-date=October 11, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/hulk-hogan-parodies-miley-cyrus-wrecking-ball-video-commercial-article-1.1476521 |title=Hulk Hogan wears thong, straddles wrecking ball in Miley Cyrus spoof video for new ad |last=Eby |first=Margaret |work=] |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=October 15, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016094205/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/hulk-hogan-parodies-miley-cyrus-wrecking-ball-video-commercial-article-1.1476521 |archive-date=October 16, 2013}}</ref> On November 21, 2013, Hulk Hogan and ] appeared together on a live Hangout On Air on ],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63wuQCmPE6M |title=Hulk Hogan Adapt or Become Irrelevant |publisher=YouTube |date=November 21, 2013 |access-date=November 21, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121230149/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63wuQCmPE6M |archive-date=November 21, 2013}}</ref> where Hulk Hogan had a casual conversation about Hostamania, fans, and business. | |||
Hogan became a distributor for ] company ] after looking for business opportunities outside of wrestling.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Hulk Hogan on Personal Branding, Family Life and Reality TV |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2011/08/22/Hulk-hogan-on-personal-branding-family-life-and-reality-tv/ |last=Schawbel |first=Dan |magazine=Forbes |page=3 |date=August 22, 2011 |access-date=August 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927221007/http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2011/08/22/hulk-hogan-on-personal-branding-family-life-and-reality-tv/ |archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> Hogan supports the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=American diabetic association celebrity supporters |url=http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/655-american-diabetes-association |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905074241/http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/655-american-diabetes-association |archive-date=September 5, 2011}}</ref> | |||
Hogan endorsed ] for president at the ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Balk |first=Tim |date=July 19, 2024 |title=Why Hulk Hogan Is Speaking at the Republican National Convention |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/us/politics/hulk-hogan-rnc-speech-trump.html |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=July 19, 2024}}</ref> He notably spoke at the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=October 28, 2024 |title=Hulk Hogan, Dr. Phil, Elon Musk Speak at Donald Trump's Insult-Filled Rally at Madison Square Garden |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/hulk-hogan-dr-phil-elon-musk-donald-trump-rally-madison-square-garden-1236046330/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=] }}</ref> | |||
== Other media == | |||
=== Acting === | |||
] at ]'s ] theme park]] | |||
Hogan's crossover popularity led to several television and movie roles. Early in his career Hogan played the part of Thunderlips in '']'' (1982). He also appeared in '']'' (1989), before starring in ]s '']'' (1991), '']'' (1993), '']'' (1996), and '']'' (1998).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001356/ |title=Hulk Hogan |website=IMDb |access-date=October 24, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011033155/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001356/ |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref> Hogan also appeared in 1992 commercials for ] deodorant. He starred in his own television series, '']'', in 1994. He is the star of '']'' (1998), in which ] also appears in a cameo.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186647/ |title=The Ultimate Weapon (1997) |website=IMDb |date=May 15, 2002 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014210230/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186647/ |archive-date=October 14, 2007}}</ref> | |||
In 1997, Hogan starred in the TNT original movie '']'', as the leader of a commando unit featuring fellow genre veterans ] and ]. ] was also listed as an ]. The characters were considered for a regular series, but instead received a second feature-length showcase two years later, called '']''. In 1995, he appeared on ]'s ''Kids Against Crime''. Hogan made ]s in '']'', '']'' (the theatrical cut) and '']'' as himself. Hogan also played the role of ] in ''Little Hercules in 3D''. Hogan also made two appearances on '']'' (in 1985 and 1986), along with ]. He also appeared on '']'' in 1999.<ref>{{cite book |title=Hollywood Hulk Hogan |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |publisher=Simon and Schuster |year=2002 |page=85 |isbn=978-0-7434-7556-3}}</ref> In 2001, Hogan guest-starred on an episode of '']''. | |||
Hogan has become a busy voice actor in later years making guest voice spots on '']'' and '']'' and as a primary actor in the Cartoon Network/Adult Swim series '']''. | |||
=== Reality television and hosting === | |||
On July 10, 2005, ] premiered '']'' a reality show which centered around Hogan, his then-wife Linda, and their children Brooke and Nick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hulk Hogan Knows Best: About the Series |publisher=VH1 |url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/hogan_knows_best/series_about.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020025828/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/hogan_knows_best/series_about.jhtml |archive-date=October 20, 2008}}</ref> In July 2008, a spin-off entitled '']'' premiered, which focused primarily on Hogan's daughter Brooke.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brooke Knows Best |publisher=VH1 |url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/brooke_knows_best/series.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719121334/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/brooke_knows_best/series.jhtml |archive-date=July 19, 2008}}</ref> | |||
Hogan hosted the comeback series of '']'' on ] in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sportsfeatures.com/index.php?section=pp&action=show&id=43247 |title=Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan To Host The Return Of Popular Competition Series "American Gladiators" Coming To NBC Midseason |access-date=October 3, 2007 |date=October 3, 2007 |publisher=Sports Features Communications |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011211922/http://sportsfeatures.com/index.php?section=pp&action=show&id=43247 |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref> He also hosted and judged the short-lived reality show, '']''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN0533898420080606 |title=Former celebrities compete in CMT wrestling show |access-date=June 6, 2008 |date=June 5, 2008 |work=Reuters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110070259/http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN0533898420080606 |archive-date=January 10, 2009}}</ref> Hogan had a special titled ''Finding Hulk Hogan'' on ] on November 17, 2010.<ref name=bhetv1>{{cite news |url=http://tv.broadwayworld.com/article/AE_Presents_Finding_Hulk_Hogan_20010101#ixzz13bCIqYKe |title=A&E Presents Finding Hulk Hogan |access-date=November 1, 2010 |date=October 27, 2010 |agency=Reuters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708095202/http://tv.broadwayworld.com/article/AE_Presents_Finding_Hulk_Hogan_20010101#ixzz13bCIqYKe |archive-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref> | |||
In 2015, Hogan was a judge on the ] of '']'', alongside ] and ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-tough-enough/hulk-hogan-chris-jericho-paige-daniel-bryan-headline-new-season-wwe-tough-enough-27362450 |title=Hulk Hogan, Chris Jericho, Paige and Daniel Bryan headline new season of WWE Tough Enough |website=] |date=May 7, 2015 |access-date=May 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509023409/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-tough-enough/hulk-hogan-chris-jericho-paige-daniel-bryan-headline-new-season-wwe-tough-enough-27362450 |archive-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> but due to the scandal, he was replaced by ] after episode 5. | |||
=== Music and radio === | |||
Hogan released a music CD, ''Hulk Rules'', as Hulk Hogan and the Wrestling Boot Band, which also included Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart, his then-wife Linda and J.J Maguire.<ref name=wbtb /> Despite negative reviews, ''Hulk Rules'' reached No. 12 on the ''Billboard'' Top Kid Audio chart in 1995.<ref name=wbtb>{{cite news|url=https://whatculture.com/wwe/10-worst-moments-in-hulk-hogans-career?page=4|title=C10 Worst Moments In Hulk Hogan's Career|publisher=whatculture.com|date=August 15, 2014|access-date=March 13, 2023}}</ref> ] released a duet with Hogan, performing ]'s song "]". He has also made cameos in several music videos. From her self-named show '']'', the music video for ]'s wrestling-themed love song "Headlock on My Heart" features Hogan as "Starlight Starbright". In the music video "Pressure" by Belly featuring ], Hogan and his daughter ] both made brief cameo appearances. | |||
Hogan was a regular guest on ]'s radio show. He also served as the best man at Bubba's January 2007 wedding.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.btls.com/show-staff/bubba |title=Bubba's staff profile |publisher=Bubba the Love Sponge.com |access-date=April 20, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225004250/http://www.btls.com/show-staff/bubba |archive-date=December 25, 2010}}</ref> On March 12, 2010, Hogan hosted his own radio show titled ''Hogan Uncensored'', on ]'s ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_40523.shtml |title=TNA News: Hulk Hogan to begin weekly satellite radio show on Monday nights before TNA Impact |last=Caldwell |first=James |date=April 9, 2010 |publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch |access-date=April 20, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412023116/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_40523.shtml |archive-date=April 12, 2010}}</ref> | |||
=== Merchandising === | |||
The Wrestling Figure Checklist records Hogan as having 171 different action figures, produced between the 1980s and 2010s from numerous manufacturers and promotions.<ref>{{Cite book |last=George |first=Harvey |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wrestling-Figure-Checklist-Definitive-Professional-ebook/dp/B08HVLCNKV |title=Wrestling Figure Checklist: The Definitive Guide to the Action Figures of Professional Wrestling}}</ref> | |||
== Filmography == | |||
] | |||
{|class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! style="background:#ccc; | Year | |||
! style="background:#ccc; | Title | |||
! style="background:#ccc; | Role | |||
! style="background:#ccc; | Notes | |||
|- | |||
| 1982 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Thunderlips | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| 1989 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Rip Thomas | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| 1990 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| Cameo | |||
|- | |||
| 1991 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Shep Ramsey | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 1993 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Sean Armstrong | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Randolph J. "Hurricane" Spencer | |||
| Direct-to-video | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="3"| 1996 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Steele's other Tag-Team Member | |||
| Cameo | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Ray Chase | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Blake Thorn | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="3"| 1998 | |||
| ''McCinsey's Island'' | |||
| Joe McGrai | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Dave Dragon | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Ben Cutter | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| 1999 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| Cameo | |||
|- | |||
| 2009 | |||
| ''Little Hercules'' | |||
| Zeus | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|2011 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Terrafirminator V.O. | |||
| Voice role | |||
|} | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Television | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! style="background:#ccc; | Year | |||
! style="background:#ccc; | Title | |||
! style="background:#ccc; | Role | |||
! style="background:#ccc; | Notes | |||
|- | |||
| 1984 | |||
| ''Goldie and the Bears'' | |||
| Mac McKenna | |||
| TV film | |||
|- | |||
| 1985-1986 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| 2 episodes: (], ]) | |||
|- | |||
| 1985–1986 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| Live-action parts only | |||
|- | |||
| 1994 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Randolph J. "Hurricane" Spencer | |||
| Main role; 22 episodes | |||
|- | |||
| 1995 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| 1 episode ("Sleeper") | |||
|- | |||
| 1996 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| 1 episode: (]) | |||
|- | |||
| 1997 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Mike McBride | |||
| TV film | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 1999 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| 2 episodes ("In This Corner... Susan Keane!: Part 1" & "In This Corner... Susan Keane!: Part 2") | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Mike McBride | |||
| TV film | |||
|- | |||
| 2001 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Boomer Knight | |||
| 1 episode: (]) | |||
|- | |||
| 2005–2007 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| Reality TV series | |||
|- | |||
| 2006–2016 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself, ], ], ], Various | |||
| 4 episodes | |||
|- | |||
| 2008–2009 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| Reality TV series | |||
|- | |||
| 2011–2015 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| The Dean | |||
| Main cast | |||
|- | |||
| 2012 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| 1 episode: (]) | |||
|- | |||
| 2012 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| 1 episode ("Fire!") | |||
|- | |||
| 2014 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| ] commercial for ]<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://people.com/tv/radioshack-super-bowl-commercial-every-80s-reference-in-the-ad-spot/ |title=Celebrating Every '80s Reference in That RadioShack Super Bowl Commercial |last=Jones |first=Nate |magazine=] |date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428005707/http://people.com/tv/radioshack-super-bowl-commercial-every-80s-reference-in-the-ad-spot/ |archive-date=April 28, 2017}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
| 2015 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| 1 episode | |||
|- | |||
| 2019 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| 1 episode (]) | |||
|- | |||
| 2022 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Himself | |||
| 2 episodes ("John Cena's Grounded", "Vince's Pizza Party") | |||
|} | |||
== Video games == | |||
] | |||
Hogan provided his voice for the 2011 game '']'' as Angel de la Muerte, a member of the Saints.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/118/1182800p1.html |title=Hulk Hogan Joins Saints Row Cast |first=Jamie |last=Feltham |date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=October 12, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212090910/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/118/1182800p1.html |archive-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> In October 2011, he released a video game called '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/hulk-hogans-main-event/platform/xbox360 |title=Hulk Hogan's Main Event |publisher=GameSpot.com |date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=May 22, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426152908/http://www.gamespot.com/hulk-hogans-main-event/platform/xbox360/ |archive-date=April 26, 2012}}</ref> | |||
A likeness of him, as Rex Kwan-Do, is featured as a playable police officer in ]. | |||
Hulk Hogan and Hollywood Hogan are featured in the following ]: | |||
{|class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | WWE Video games | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Year | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes | |||
|- | |||
| 1987 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Video game debut <br/> Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 1989 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| rowspan="2"| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
|- | |||
| 1990 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 1991 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| rowspan="2"| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="4"| 1992 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| rowspan="2"| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 1993 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Hogan was featured in the ] version of the game (of which he was also on the cover), but was not in the ] version | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="3"| 2002 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Hogan was on the cover of the PAL version of the game, but not the NTSC version | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="3"| 2003 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 2005 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| 2006 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| 2009 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| 2011 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| 2013 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 2014 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete on the ''Hulkamania'' edition of the game; Hogan was ] and removed after ] | |||
|- | |||
| 2015 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| 2017 | |||
| ''WWE Champions'' | |||
| Added in 2019 | |||
|- | |||
|2019 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|2020 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|2022 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete on the ''nWo 4-Life'' edition of the game | |||
|- | |||
|2023 | |||
|'']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|2024 | |||
|'']'' | |||
| Cover athlete on the ''40 Years of WrestleMania'' edition of the game | |||
|} | |||
{|class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | WCW Video games | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Year | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 1997 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Video game debut <br/> rowspan="2"| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 1998 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| rowspan="2"| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2"| 1999 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| 2000 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|} | |||
{|class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | TNA Video games | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Year | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes | |||
|- | |||
| 2010 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Hogan was featured in the ] version of the game (of which he was also on the cover), but was not in the ] version<br/> | |||
|- | |||
| 2011 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| | |||
|} | |||
{|class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Legends of Wrestling Video games | |||
|- style="text-align:center;" | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Year | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title | |||
! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes | |||
|- | |||
| 2001 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| 2002 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|- | |||
| 2004 | |||
| '']'' | |||
| Cover athlete | |||
|} | |||
== Personal life == | |||
] in 2009]] | |||
=== Legal issues === | |||
==== Belzer lawsuit ==== | |||
{{further|Belzer v. Bollea}} | |||
On March 27, 1985, just days prior to the inaugural WrestleMania, ] requested on his cable TV talk show '']'' that Hogan demonstrate one of his signature wrestling moves. After consistently refusing but being egged on by Belzer, Hogan put Belzer in a modified ], which caused Belzer to pass out. When Hogan released him, Belzer hit his head on the floor, sustaining a laceration to the scalp that required a brief hospitalization. Belzer sued Hogan for $5 million and later settled out of court. On October 20, 2006, on the '']'', it was claimed (with Hogan in the studio) that the settlement totaled $5 million, half from Hogan and half from Vince McMahon. During his June 23, 2008, appearance on Sirius Satellite Radio's ''The Howard Stern Show'', Belzer suggested that the real settlement amount was actually closer to $400,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/wrestlings-greatest-shoots-wrestlemania-edition-hulk-hogan-vs-richard-belzer/ |title=Wrestling's Greatest Shoots, 'WrestleMania' Edition: Hulk Hogan vs. Richard Belzer |author=The Masked Man |work=Grantland |access-date=August 11, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921012131/http://grantland.com/the-triangle/wrestlings-greatest-shoots-wrestlemania-edition-hulk-hogan-vs-richard-belzer/ |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |date=April 2, 2014}}</ref> | |||
==== Testimony in McMahon trial ==== | |||
{{further|United States v. McMahon}} | |||
In 1994, Hogan, having received ], testified in the trial of ] relating to shipments of steroids received by both parties from WWF physician George T. Zahorian III. Under oath, Hogan admitted that he had used ]s since 1976 to gain size and weight, but that McMahon had neither sold him the drugs nor ordered him to take them. The evidence given by Hogan proved extremely costly to the government's case against McMahon. Due to this and jurisdictional issues, McMahon was found not guilty.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/23/nyregion/a-promoter-of-wrestling-is-acquitted.html |title=A Promoter Of Wrestling Is Acquitted |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 23, 1994 |access-date=March 19, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319152909/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/23/nyregion/a-promoter-of-wrestling-is-acquitted.html |archive-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> | |||
==== Gawker lawsuit ==== | |||
{{main|Bollea v. Gawker}} | |||
In April 2012, a ] between Hogan and Heather Clem, the estranged wife of radio personality ], emerged online. On October 4, 2012, ] released a short clip of the video.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gawker.com/5948770/even-for-a-minute-watching-hulk-hogan-have-sex-in-a-canopy-bed-is-not-safe-for-work-but-watch-it-anyway |title=Even for a Minute, Watching Hulk Hogan Have Sex in a Canopy Bed is Not Safe For Work but Watch it Anyway |last=Daulerio |first=A. J. |date=October 4, 2012 |publisher=Gawker |access-date=February 17, 2013 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20150703232454/http://gawker.com/5948770/even-for-a-minute-watching-hulk-hogan-have-sex-in-a-canopy-bed-is-not-safe-for-work-but-watch-it-anyway |archive-date=July 3, 2015}}</ref> In the video, Bubba can be heard saying that the couple can "do their thing" and he will be in his office. At the end of the video, he can also be heard telling Heather, "If we ever need to retire, here is our ticket".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sextape.com/hulkhogan/ |title=Hulk Hogan Sex Tape |date=February 4, 2013 |publisher=SexTape.com |access-date=February 12, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124092747/http://sextape.com/hulkhogan/ |archive-date=January 24, 2013}}</ref> Hogan later told ] on his satellite radio show that, "it was a bad choice and a very low point" and "I was with some friends and made a wrong choice. It has devastated me, I have never been this hurt".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/hulk-hogan-devastated-leak-sex-tape-article-1.1178397 |title=Hulk Hogan 'devastated' by leak of sex tape filmed six years ago with friend's wife Heather Clem; Lawyer says wrestler suffered the 'ultimate betrayal' |work=NY Daily News |access-date=May 30, 2013 |location=New York |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525011122/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/hulk-hogan-devastated-leak-sex-tape-article-1.1178397 |archive-date=May 25, 2013}}</ref> On October 15, 2012, Hogan filed a lawsuit against Bubba and Heather Clem for ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/hulk-hogan-sue-bubba-love-sponge-sex-tape-article-1.1184039 |title=Hulk Hogan to sue former friend Bubba the Love Sponge, sex tape partner Heather Clem for invasion of privacy |work=The New York Daily News |access-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017032733/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/hulk-hogan-sue-bubba-love-sponge-sex-tape-article-1.1184039 |archive-date=October 17, 2012}}</ref> A ] with Bubba was announced on October 29, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/10/29/us/ap-us-hulk-hogan-sex-tape.html |title=Hulk Hogan Settles Sex Tape Lawsuit With DJ |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Clem publicly apologized to Hogan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/358041/hulk-hogan-settles-sex-tape-lawsuit-with-bubba-the-love-sponge |title=Hulk Hogan Settles Sex Tape Lawsuit With Bubba the Love Sponge |last=Gicas |first=Peter |date=October 29, 2012 |publisher=E! Online |access-date=February 12, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310213147/http://www.eonline.com/news/358041/hulk-hogan-settles-sex-tape-lawsuit-with-bubba-the-love-sponge |archive-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> In December 2012, a federal court, the ], found that Gawker's publication of the video snippet did not violate ]. Hogan then ] Gawker in the ongoing action against Heather Clem in state court in Florida, alleging invasion of privacy, ] and ] and seeking $100 million in ].<ref name=reason>{{cite news |last1=Krayewski |first1=Ed |title=Gawker Media is Fighting for Free Speech—and Its Life |url=http://reason.com/archives/2015/07/02/hulk-hogan-gawker-lawsuit-free-speech |access-date=July 18, 2015 |work=Reason |date=July 2, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716000655/http://reason.com/archives/2015/07/02/hulk-hogan-gawker-lawsuit-free-speech |archive-date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> | |||
On October 1, 2015, the ''New York Post'' reported that a Florida Judge granted Hogan access to Gawker's computer system for a forensic expert to search Gawker's computers and office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2015/10/01/hulk-hogan-gains-access-to-gawker-computer-system/ |title=Hulk Hogan gains access to Gawker computer system |date=October 1, 2015 |work=New York Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104041733/http://nypost.com/2015/10/01/hulk-hogan-gains-access-to-gawker-computer-system/ |archive-date=November 4, 2017}}</ref> | |||
Hogan sued Gawker for $100 million for defamation, loss of privacy, and emotional pain,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://observer.com/2015/11/hulk-hogan-v-gawker-ugh/ |title=Hogan suing for $100 million |date=November 3, 2015 |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109163755/http://observer.com/2015/11/hulk-hogan-v-gawker-ugh/ |archive-date=January 9, 2016}}</ref> and on March 18, 2016, was awarded $115 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nytimes.com/2016/03/19/business/media/gawker-hulk-hogan-verdict.html |title=Hulk Hogan Awarded $115 Million in Privacy Suit Against Gawker |date=March 18, 2016 |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318234429/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/business/media/gawker-hulk-hogan-verdict.html |archive-date=March 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/18/hulk-hogan-awarded-115m-in-damages-in-gawker-sex-tape-lawsuit |title=Hulk Hogan awarded $115m in Gawker sex tape lawsuit |last1=Woolf |first1=Nicky |last2=Helmore |first2=Edward |date=March 19, 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |access-date=March 19, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318235238/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/18/hulk-hogan-awarded-115m-in-damages-in-gawker-sex-tape-lawsuit |archive-date=March 18, 2016}}</ref> Also, on August 11, 2016, a Florida judge gave Hogan control of the assets of ], former Gawker editor-in-chief, who was involved in the posting of Hogan's sex tape.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lawnewz.com/high-profile/judge-rules-that-hulk-hogan-gets-control-of-former-gawker-editors-assets/ |title=Judge rules Hogan control of Former Gawker Editor's Assets |last=Bixenspan |first=David |date=August 11, 2016 |access-date=August 13, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813125835/http://lawnewz.com/high-profile/judge-rules-that-hulk-hogan-gets-control-of-former-gawker-editors-assets/ |archive-date=August 13, 2016}}</ref> | |||
Silicon Valley billionaire ] helped Hogan to finance his lawsuit against Gawker Media.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/tech-billionaire-thiel-backing-wrestler-hogans-gawker-lawsuit-040625660.html |title=Tech billionaire Thiel helps Hulk Hogan |last1=McBride |first1=Sarah |last2=Somerville |first2=Heather |date=May 25, 2016 |publisher=] |access-date=May 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526152009/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/tech-billionaire-thiel-backing-wrestler-hogans-gawker-lawsuit-040625660.html |archive-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref> | |||
On November 2, 2016, Gawker reached a $31 million settlement with Hogan.<ref name=settlement>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/business/media/gawker-hulk-hogan-settlement.html |title=Gawker and Hulk Hogan Reach $31 Million Settlement |date=November 2, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 2, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105235429/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/business/media/gawker-hulk-hogan-settlement.html |archive-date=November 5, 2016}}</ref> | |||
=== Past fabrications === | |||
Hogan has been accused multiple times of fabricating elements of his past, including that he was one of the last people to see ] prior to his death, that an experience with a terminally ill child through the ] at ] inspired the songs on his ''Hulk Rules'' album (despite the fact that he never made an appearance at the event and was not working for the WWF at the time), that he was scouted by ] teams prior to having suffered an elbow injury, that he played in the ] and finished with a batting average of .714 (despite ] having no record of him having played at any of those events), that ] injured his neck at the ], that ] was a fan of his (despite having died two years before Hogan's debut), that both ] and ] wanted him to play bass for their bands, that ] weighed over 600 pounds at the time of their match at ], and that he was offered the starring role in the film '']'' but turned it down.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weyer |first=Michael |date=June 6, 2022 |title=23 Of The Most Outrageous Lies Hulk Hogan Has Said |url=https://www.thesportster.com/outrageous-hulk-hogan-lies/ |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aftab |first=Manik |date=February 29, 2024 |title='Greatest' Lies Hulk Hogan has told |url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/?p=1448391 |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=Wrestlezone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dickinson |first=Martin |date=August 29, 2022 |title=Times Hulk Hogan Got Caught Lying |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/962750/times-hulk-hogan-got-caught-lying/ |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref> During an appearance on Bubba the Love Sponge, Hogan claimed to have a 10-inch penis. During the Gawker trial, he admitted in court that this was not true, claiming he was speaking as the character Hulk Hogan, and not as Terry Bollea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2016/03/08/hulk-hogan-i-do-not-have-a-10-inch-penis/|title=Hulk Hogan is asked the question every man fears|first1=Julia|last1=Marsh|first2=Bruce|last2=Golding|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref> | |||
=== Family === | |||
] | |||
On December 18, 1983, Hogan married ]. They have a daughter ] (born May 5, 1988) and a son ] (born July 27, 1990). Hogan made his personal life the centerpiece of the television show '']'', which included his wife and two children. | |||
According to an interview in the '']'', Christiane Plante claimed that Hogan had an affair with her in 2007 while the Hogan family was shooting ''Hogan Knows Best''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hines |first=Ree |date=February 28, 2008 |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/hulk-hogan-cheated-brooke-s-bff-wbna23397552 |title=Hulk Hogan cheated with Brooke's BFF |publisher=Today.com |access-date=June 6, 2009}}</ref> Plante was 33 years old at the time and had worked with Brooke Hogan on her 2006 album.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://anythinghollywood.com/2008/02/Hulk-hogan-cheating-on-his-wife-with-daughters-pal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303045053/http://anythinghollywood.com/2008/02/hulk-hogan-cheating-on-his-wife-with-daughters-pal/ |archive-date=March 3, 2008 |title=Hulk Hogan Cheated On His Wife With Daughter's Pal! |publisher=Anythinghollywood.com |access-date=May 21, 2010}}</ref> | |||
On November 20, 2007, Linda filed for divorce in ].<ref name=tmzdiv>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2007/11/23/hulk-and-wife-headed-for-divorce-court/ |title=Hulk and Wife Headed for Divorce Court |date=November 23, 2007 |publisher=] |access-date=November 23, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123143833/http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/23/hulk-and-wife-headed-for-divorce-court/ |archive-date=January 23, 2009}}</ref> In November 2008, Linda claimed to the public that she made the decision to end her marriage after finding out about Hogan's affair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b67542_linda_hogan_hulks_affair_killed_our.html |title=Linda Hogan: Hulk's Affair Killed Our Marriage |publisher=E! Online |date=November 6, 2008 |access-date=May 21, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507174623/http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b67542_linda_hogan_hulks_affair_killed_our.html |archive-date=May 7, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=De Leon |first=Chris |title=Linda Hogan Blames Christiane Plante for Failed Marriage with Hulk |work=E!News |publisher=] |date=November 7, 2008 |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/hogan-knows-best/linda-hogan-blames-christiane-24323.aspx |access-date=February 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214170309/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/hogan-knows-best/linda-hogan-blames-christiane-24323.aspx |archive-date=February 14, 2009}}</ref> In his 2009 autobiography, Hogan acknowledged that Linda on numerous occasions suspected he was having infidelities whenever he developed friendships with other women,<ref name=lk455156hlidn /> but denied allegations that he ever cheated on her.<ref name=lk455156hlidn>{{cite book |title=My Life Outside the Ring |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |publisher=St. Martin's Press |page=159 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2}}</ref> Hogan only retained around 30% of the couple's liquid assets totaling around $10 million in the divorce settlement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Details of Hulk Hogan's costly divorce become public |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/11/hulk-hogan-divorce-settlement-costly-details-linda-bollea/1 |access-date=September 22, 2014 |work=] |date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> Hogan considered committing suicide after the divorce and credits ], his co-star on ''American Gladiators'', with preventing him from doing so.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hulk Hogan says he considered suicide after breakup |last=France |first=Lisa Respers |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-21/entertainment/hulk.hogan.book_1_terry-bollea-hulk-hogan-laila-ali |publisher=CNN |date=October 21, 2009 |access-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013191902/http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-21/entertainment/hulk.hogan.book_1_terry-bollea-hulk-hogan-laila-ali |archive-date=October 13, 2010}}</ref> | |||
Hulk Hogan began a relationship with Jennifer McDaniel in early 2008.<ref name=DiamondRing>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/12/02/2009-12-02_hulk_hogan_engaged_to_jennifer_mcdaniel.html |title=From the wrestling ring to the diamond ring! Hulk Hogan engaged to Jennifer McDaniel |access-date=July 7, 2010 |work=Daily News |date=December 2, 2009 |location=New York |first=Cristina |last=Everett |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205030639/http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/12/02/2009-12-02_hulk_hogan_engaged_to_jennifer_mcdaniel.html |archive-date=December 5, 2009}}</ref> The two were engaged in November 2009<ref name=DiamondRing/> and married on December 14, 2010, in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/18413/105/ |title=Sun. update: Survivor Series preview; New PPV main; Is Hogan married: UFC cut;Rock promo last night |last=Meltzer |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Meltzer |work=] |date=November 21, 2010 |access-date=November 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216013920/http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/18413/105 |archive-date=February 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_46056.shtml |title=Hogan News: Hogan wedding update – TMZ reports on brawl during Hogan's wedding ceremony tonight in Florida |last=Caldwell |first=James |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |date=December 14, 2010 |access-date=December 15, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218192838/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_46056.shtml |archive-date=December 18, 2010}}</ref> On February 28, 2022, Hogan stated on ] that he and McDaniel divorced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garvey |first=Marianne |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Hulk Hogan is divorced from second wife Jennifer McDaniel |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/01/entertainment/hulk-hogan-divorced/index.html |access-date=March 11, 2022 |website=CNN}}</ref> | |||
Hogan became engaged to yoga instructor Sky Daily in July 2023, proposing to her at actor ]'s wedding reception.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wrestler Hulk Hogan proposes to girlfriend at St. Petersburg wedding |url=https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/2023/07/28/hulk-hogan-engaged-tampa-st-petersburg-birchwood/ |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Ryan |date=August 2, 2023 |title=Report - Hulk Hogan Proposed To His Girlfriend At Corin Nemec's Wedding |url=https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/report-hulk-hogan-proposed-to-his-girlfriend-at-corin-nemecs-wedding |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=eWrestlingNews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> They married on September 22, 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Klack |first=Erin |date=September 23, 2023 |url=https://people.com/hulk-hogan-marries-girlfriend-sky-daly-florida-7973944 |title=Hulk Hogan Marries Sky Daily in Florida Months After Revealing Engagement |magazine=] |access-date=September 24, 2023}}</ref> | |||
===Religious beliefs=== | |||
In 2007, he has spoken about his faith in his life saying, " leaned on my religion. I was saved when I was 14. I accepted ] as my savior. He died on the cross and paid for my sins{{nbsp}} I could have went the wrong way. I could have self-destructed, but I took the high road".<ref>{{cite web |title=Hulk Hogan Leans on His Faith |url=http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/idolchatter/2009/04/wrestlerreality-tv-star-hulk-h.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301134011/http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/idolchatter/2009/04/wrestlerreality-tv-star-hulk-h.html |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |date=April 17, 2009}}</ref> | |||
On December 20, 2023, he was baptized at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gryboski |first1=Michael |date=December 21, 2023 |title=Hulk Hogan, wife get baptized at Florida church: 'Only love' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/only-love-hulk-hogan-and-wife-get-baptized-at-fla-church.html |work=The Christian Post |access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref> | |||
=== Health === | |||
Hogan has suffered numerous health problems, particularly with his back since retiring as a wrestler following the years of heavy weight-training and jolting as a wrestler.<ref name=Decline>{{cite web |url=https://www.theweek.com/article/index/96230/Hulk_Hogans_painful_decline |title=Hulk Hogan's painful decline |publisher=TheWeek.com |date=May 15, 2009 |access-date=May 13, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516153144/http://www.theweek.com/article/index/96230/Hulk_Hogans_painful_decline |archive-date=May 16, 2009}}</ref> | |||
In January 2013, Hogan filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the Laser Spine Institute for $50 million, citing that the medical firm persuaded him to undergo a half-dozen "unnecessary and ineffective" spinal operations that worsened his back problems. He claimed that the six procedures he underwent over a period of 19 months only gave him short-term relief. After the procedures failed to cure his back problems, Hogan underwent traditional spinal fusion surgery in December 2010, which enabled him to return to his professional activities. In addition, the Laser Spine Institute used his name on their advertisements without his permission.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-14/hulk-hogan-wrestles-with-laser-spine-center-in-lawsuit.html |title=Hulk Hogan Wrestles with Laser Spine Center in Lawsuit |last=Armstrong |first=David |publisher=] |date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=November 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224334/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-14/hulk-hogan-wrestles-with-laser-spine-center-in-lawsuit.html |archive-date=December 2, 2013}}</ref> | |||
== Awards and honors == | |||
Hogan was honored as the ], a New Orleans carnival organization.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hulk Hogan to reign as king of Bacchus |work=Mardi Gras blog |location=New Orleans |publisher=] |date=December 18, 2007 |url=http://blog.nola.com/mardigras/2007/12/hulk_hogan_to_reign_as_king_of.html |access-date=February 23, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225064419/http://blog.nola.com/mardigras/2007/12/hulk_hogan_to_reign_as_king_of.html |archive-date=December 25, 2008}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news |title=Hulk Hogan to reign as King of Bacchus |agency=] |location=New Orleans |newspaper=The Times-Picayune |date=December 18, 2007 |url=http://www.nola.com/ap/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-36/1197999012220380.xml&storylist=topstories |access-date=February 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071225023032/http://www.nola.com/ap/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-36/1197999012220380.xml&storylist=topstories |archive-date=December 25, 2007 }}</ref> Hogan visited the ] and rode in the parade where he threw ]s with his likeness. Hogan received the honor in part because meeting Hogan is one of the most requested "wishes" of the terminally ill children benefited by the ].<ref name=autogenerated1/> | |||
Hogan was inducted in the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame on May 3, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.sescoops.com/hulk-hogan-boys-girls-clubs-alumni-hall-of-fame/ |title=Hulk Hogan Inducted Into Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame - SEScoops |date=May 3, 2018 |work=SEScoops |access-date=September 11, 2018}}</ref> | |||
{|class="wikitable" | |||
!Year !! Award !! Group !! Result !! Notes | |||
|- | |||
|1988 ||] ||Favorite Male Athlete || {{won}} || | |||
|- | |||
|2006 || ] || TV – Choice Reality Star (Male)|| {{nom}} || '']'' | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
== Championships and accomplishments == | |||
].]] | |||
] inductee - 2005 for his individual career, and 2021 as a member of the nWo.]] | |||
*''']''' | |||
**Class of 2021<ref>{{cite web |title=Induction Class 2021 {{!}} Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame |url=https://www.prowrestlinghall.org/induction |website=IPWHF |access-date=December 14, 2020}}</ref> | |||
* ''']''' | |||
** ] (])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=4654 |title=IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version) |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch |date=June 2, 1983 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref> | |||
** ] (1983)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=357 |title=IWGP League Tournament (1983) |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch |date=June 2, 1983 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref><ref name=iwgp1983>{{cite web |title=The 1st International Wrestling Grand Prix Championship Tournament |work=Wrestling-Titles.com |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/newjapan/iwgp1.html |access-date=October 21, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224225552/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/newjapan/iwgp1.html |archive-date=December 24, 2007}}</ref> | |||
** ] (1982, 1983){{snd}} with ]<ref name="G1Tag-1982">{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/msgtag.html#3rd |title=MSG Tag Team League |date=December 10, 1982 |access-date=July 30, 2010 |publisher=ProWrestlingHistory.com}}</ref><ref name="G1Tag-1983">{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/msgtag.html#4th |title=MSG Tag Team League |date=December 8, 1983 |access-date=July 30, 2010 |publisher=ProWrestlingHistory.com}}</ref> | |||
**] inductee | |||
* ''']''' | |||
** ]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/inductees.asp |title=Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, hall of famers |website=0362dc8.netsolhost.com |access-date=October 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026163526/http://0362dc8.netsolhost.com/halloffamers/inductees.asp |archive-date=October 26, 2016}}</ref> | |||
* ''''']''''' | |||
** ] (1994, 2002)<ref name="PWI Awards">{{Cite web |url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html |title=PWI Awards |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=November 18, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121172943/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html |archive-date=January 21, 2016}}</ref> | |||
** ] (1986) {{small|vs. ]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/> | |||
** ] (1983, 1999)<ref name="PWI Awards"/> | |||
** ] (1985) {{small|with ] vs. ] and Paul Orndorff at ]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/> | |||
** Match of the Year (1988) {{small|vs. ] at '']''}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/> | |||
** Match of the Year (1990) {{small|vs. ] at ]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/> | |||
** Match of the Year (2002) {{small|vs. ] at ]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/> | |||
** ] (1996, 1998)<ref name="PWI Awards"/> | |||
** ] (1985, 1989, 1990)<ref name="PWI Awards"/> | |||
** ] (1987, 1991, 1994)<ref name="PWI Awards"/> | |||
** Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the '']'' in 1991<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/1991.html |title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1991 |publisher=Internet Wrestling Database |access-date=November 18, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106134017/http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/1991.html |archive-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref> | |||
** Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the ''PWI Years'' in 2003<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm |title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years |access-date=March 14, 2009 |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707054220/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm |archive-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref> | |||
** Ranked No. 44 and No. 57 of the top 100 tag teams of the ''PWI Years'' with ] and ] in 2003<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.willywrestlefest.fr/Ressources/PWI/PWI500_PWI_Years_2003.htm |title=PWI 500 of the PWI Years |access-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401195630/http://willywrestlefest.fr/Ressources/PWI/PWI500_PWI_Years_2003.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
* ''']''' | |||
** ] (])<ref name=OWW/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=132 |title=NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division) |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch |date=December 1, 1979 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref> | |||
** ] (])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/al/secw/se-s-h.html |title=NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship History at Wrestling-Titles.com |access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=4542 |title=NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Southern Division) |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch |date=June 6, 1979 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref> | |||
*''']''' | |||
**Ranked No. 2 of the 20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time <ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Pullar III |first1=Sid |date=October 13, 2024 |title=20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/features/10-greatest-wwe-wrestlers-of-all-time |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=November 26, 2024}}</ref> | |||
* ''''']''''' | |||
** ] (1983)<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022140950/http://www.puroresu.com/awards/1980s.html |date=October 22, 2013 }}. Puroresu.com. Retrieved on May 8, 2011.</ref> | |||
** ] (1991) {{small|vs. ] on December 12, 1991}}<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022140952/http://www.puroresu.com/awards/1990s.html |date=October 22, 2013 }}. Puroresu.com. Retrieved on May 8, 2011.</ref> | |||
* ''']''' | |||
** ] (]){{Efn|During Hogan's runs as champion in 1996–1997 and again in 1998–1999 (ie from his second to his fifth reign as champion), as part of the ] storyline, the title was spray painted each time with the "nWo" initials and renamed as the nWo/WCW World Heavyweight Championship, while referred to by nWo members only as the nWo World Heavyweight Championship.}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=755 |title=WCW World Heavyweight Championship |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch |date=July 17, 1994 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref><ref name=wcwtitle>{{cite web |title=History of the WCW World Championship |work=WWE.com |url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/ |access-date=October 21, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314001932/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wcwchampionship |archive-date=March 14, 2012}}</ref> | |||
* ''']''' | |||
**]{{Efn|From Hogan's second to his fifth reign, the title was renamed and known simply as the WWF Championship. Hogan's last reign was as Undisputed WWF Champion, but the title was renamed once again as the Undisputed WWE Championship on May 6, 2002, after World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. settled a lawsuit with the ], and became simply World Wrestling Entertainment. On May 19, the day he lost the championship, it was called the WWE Undisputed Championship.}} (])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=20 |title=WWF/WWE Championship |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch |date=January 23, 1984 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref><ref name=wwetitle>{{cite web |title=History of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship |work=WWE |url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwechampionship/ |access-date=October 21, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314001941/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwechampionship |archive-date=March 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK5O-tCFw8o |title=Full-Length Match – SmackDown – Hulk Hogan vs. Chris Jericho – WWE Undisputed Championship Match |date=September 21, 2013 |via=YouTube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127233630/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK5O-tCFw8o |archive-date=November 27, 2015}}</ref> | |||
**] (]){{snd}} with ]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=60 |title=WWE Tag Team Championship |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database |date=July 2, 2002 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref> | |||
**] (], ])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=703 |title=Royal Rumble 1990 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch |date=January 21, 1990 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=702 |title=Royal Rumble 1991 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |publisher=Cagematch |date=January 19, 1991 |access-date=February 12, 2021}}</ref><ref name=OWW/><ref name=rumble>{{cite web |title=Past Rumble Winners |work=WWE |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/3973952/ |access-date=October 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020142804/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/3973952/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=October 20, 2007}}</ref> | |||
** ] (2 times) | |||
*** ] – individually <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/article/hulk-hogan-racist-rant-statement |title=Hulk Hogan Statement on Racist Rant: People.com |work=PEOPLE.com |access-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724215657/http://www.people.com/article/hulk-hogan-racist-rant-statement |archive-date=July 24, 2015}}</ref> | |||
*** ] – as a member of the ]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Mike |title=2020 WWE HALL OF FAME CLASS HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED {{!}} PWInsider.com |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/132054/2020-wwe-hall-of-fame-class-headliners-announced.html?p=1 |access-date=December 10, 2019 |work=www.pwinsider.com |date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> | |||
* ''''']''''' | |||
**] (1983) | |||
**] (1982–1991)<ref name=won>{{cite journal |last=Meltzer |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Meltzer |date=January 26, 2011 |title=Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue |periodical=] |location=Campbell, CA |pages=1–40 |issn=1083-9593}}</ref> | |||
** ] (1997)<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1996) {{small|as a member of New World Order}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1986) {{small|vs. Paul Orndorff}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1996) {{small|as a member of New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1985–1987, 1989–1991)<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000)<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1994, 1995)<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1985, 1986, 1994–1998)<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1994, 1995)<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1985, 1986, 1991, 1994–1999)<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1991) {{small|vs. ]}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** Worst Feud of the Year (1995) {{small|vs. ]}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** Worst Feud of the Year (1998) {{small|vs. The Warrior}} | |||
** Worst Feud of the Year (2000) {{small|vs. ]}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1995)<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1997)<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (1987) {{small|vs. André the Giant at ]}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** Worst Worked Match of the Year (1996) {{small|with Randy Savage vs. ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] in a ] at ]}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** Worst Worked Match of the Year (1997) {{small|vs. Roddy Piper at ]}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** Worst Worked Match of the Year (1998) {{small|vs. The Warrior at ]}}<ref name=won/> | |||
** ] (])<ref>{{cite web |title=Hulk Hogan |publisher=SLAM! Wrestling |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/hogan.html |access-date=February 5, 2009 |first=John |last=Milner |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507083927/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/hogan.html |archive-date=May 7, 2015}}</ref> | |||
== Notes == | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
== Sources == | |||
{{Portal|Biography|Florida}} | |||
*{{cite book |last=Bischoff |first=Eric |year=2006 |title=Eric Bischoff: Controversy Creates Cash |title-link=Controversy Creates Cash |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4165-2729-9}} | |||
*{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2002 |title=Hollywood Hulk Hogan |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-7434-7556-3}} | |||
*{{cite book |last1=Hogan |first1=Hulk |last2=Dagostino |first2=Mark |year=2009 |title=My Life Outside the Ring |publisher=St. Martin's |isbn=978-0-312-58889-2}} | |||
*{{cite book |last=Loverro |first=Thom |year=2006 |title=The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4165-1058-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom}} | |||
*{{cite book |last=Shields |first=Brian |year=2006 |title=Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4165-3257-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/mainevent00bria}} | |||
*{{cite book |last=Hogan |first=Hulk |year=2010 |title=My Life Outside the Ring: A Memoir |publisher= St. Martin's Publishing|isbn=978-0312588908 |url=}} | |||
== External links == | |||
* {{Official website|http://www.hulkhogan.com}} | |||
* {{WWE superstar|hulkhogan|Hulk Hogan}} | |||
* {{IMDb name|1356|Hulk Hogan}} | |||
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}} | |||
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{{Hulk Hogan}} | |||
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{{G1 Climax}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 08:45, 24 December 2024
American professional wrestler (born 1953)
Hulk Hogan | |
---|---|
Hogan in 2014 | |
Born | Terry Gene Bollea (1953-08-11) August 11, 1953 (age 71) Augusta, Georgia, U.S. |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1976 (musician) 1977–2012 (wrestler) 1982–present (actor) |
Spouses |
|
Children | Brooke Hogan Nick Hogan |
Relatives | Horace Hogan (nephew) |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Hollywood Hogan Hollywood Hulk Hogan Hulk Boulder Hulk Hogan Hulk Machine Mr. America Sterling Golden Terry Boulder The Super Destroyer |
Billed height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) |
Billed weight | 302 lb (137 kg) |
Billed from | Hollywood, California (as Hollywood Hogan) Venice Beach, California (as Hulk Hogan) Washington, D.C. (as Mr. America) |
Trained by | Hiro Matsuda |
Debut | August 9, 1977 |
Retired | January 27, 2012 |
Website | hulkhogan |
Terry Gene Bollea (/bəˈleɪə/; born August 11, 1953), better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide, the most popular wrestler of the 1980s and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977, but gained worldwide recognition after signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in December 1983. There, his persona as a heroic all-American helped usher in the 1980s professional wrestling boom, where he headlined eight of the first nine editions of the WWF's flagship annual event WrestleMania (a record which was broken by Roman Reigns). Hogan also was a regular headliner of Saturday Night's Main Event and its spin-off The Main Event in which he headlined 31 editions of both shows combined. During his initial run, he was a five-time WWF Champion, with his 1,474-day reign being the longest of the WrestleMania era ever. He is the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches, winning in 1990 and 1991. His match with André the Giant on WWF The Main Event on February 5, 1988, still holds American television viewership records for wrestling with a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers.
In 1993, Hogan departed the WWF to pursue a career in film and television. He was lured back to the ring when he signed with rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1994. He won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times, and holds the record for the longest reign. In 1996, he underwent a career renaissance upon adopting the villainous persona of "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, leading the popular New World Order (nWo) stable. As a result, he became a major figure during the "Monday Night War", another boom of mainstream professional wrestling. He headlined WCW's annual flagship event Starrcade three times (1994, 1996 and 1997) in which Starrcade 1997 was the most profitable WCW pay-per-view in the company's history.
Hogan returned to the WWF in 2002 following its acquisition of WCW the prior year, winning the Undisputed WWF Championship for his record equaling (for the time) sixth reign before departing in 2003. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, and inducted a second time in 2020 as a member of the nWo.
Hogan also performed for the American Wrestling Association (AWA), where he headlined the inaugural AWA closed circuit supercard, Super Sunday in 1983, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) – where he was the inaugural winner of the original IWGP Heavyweight Championship – and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
During and after wrestling, Hogan had an extensive acting career, beginning with his 1982 role in Rocky III. He has starred in several films (including No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny) and three television shows (Hogan Knows Best, Thunder in Paradise, and China, IL), as well as in Right Guard commercials and the video game, Hulk Hogan's Main Event. He was the frontman for The Wrestling Boot Band, whose sole record, Hulk Rules, reached No. 12 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio chart in 1995.
Early life
Hogan was born in Augusta, Georgia, on August 11, 1953, the son of construction foreman Pietro "Peter" Bollea (December 6, 1913 – December 18, 2001) and homemaker and dance teacher Ruth V. (née Moody; 1922 – January 1, 2011). Bollea is of Italian, Panamanian, Scottish, and French descent; his paternal grandfather also named Pietro was born in 1886 in Cigliano, Province of Vercelli. Bollea had an older brother named Allan (1947–1986) who died at the age of 38 from a drug overdose. When he was one and a half years old, his family moved to Port Tampa, Florida. As a boy, he was a pitcher in Little League Baseball. Hogan attended Robinson High School. He began watching professional wrestling at 16 years old. While in high school, he revered Dusty Rhodes, and he regularly attended cards at the Tampa Sportatorium. It was at one of those wrestling cards where he first noticed Superstar Billy Graham and began looking to him for inspiration; since he first saw Graham on TV, Hogan wanted to match his "inhuman" look.
Hogan was also a musician, spending a decade playing fretless bass guitar in several Florida-based rock bands. He went on to study at Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida. After music gigs began to get in the way of his time in college, he dropped out of the University of South Florida. Eventually, Hogan and two local musicians formed a band called Ruckus in 1976. The band soon became popular in the Tampa Bay region. During his spare time, Hogan worked out at Hector's Gym in the Tampa Bay area, where he began lifting. Many of the wrestlers who were competing in the Florida region visited the bars where Ruckus was performing. Among those attending his performances were Jack and Gerald Brisco, two brothers who wrestled together as a tag team in the Florida region.
Impressed by Hogan's physical stature, the Brisco brothers asked Hiro Matsuda—the man who trained wrestlers working for Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF)—to make him a potential trainee. In 1976, the two brothers asked Hogan to try wrestling. Hogan eventually agreed. At first, Mike Graham, the son of CWF promoter Eddie Graham, refused to put Hogan in the ring; according to Hogan, he met Graham while in high school and the two did not get along. After Hogan quit Ruckus and started telling people in town that he was going to be a wrestler, Graham finally agreed to accept the Brisco Brothers' request. During the first session in training, Matsuda broke Hogan's leg. After 10 weeks of rehab, Hogan returned to train with Matsuda and blocked him when he tried to break his leg again.
Professional wrestling career
Early years (1977–1979)
In mid-1977, after training for more than a year with Matsuda, the Brisco brothers dropped by Matsuda's gym to see Hogan. During this visit, Jack Brisco handed Hogan a pair of wrestling boots and informed him that he was scheduled to wrestle his first match the following week. In his professional wrestling debut, Eddie Graham booked him against Brian Blair in Fort Myers, Florida, on August 10, 1977, in CWF. A short time later, Hogan donned a mask and assumed the persona of "The Super Destroyer", a hooded character first played by Don Jardine and subsequently used by other wrestlers.
Hogan eventually could no longer work with Hiro Matsuda, whom he felt was an overbearing trainer, and left CWF. After declining an offer to wrestle for the Kansas City circuit, Hogan took a hiatus from wrestling and managed The Anchor club, a private club in Cocoa Beach, Florida, for a man named Whitey Bridges. Eventually, Whitey and Hogan became close friends, and opened a gym together; the gym became known as Whitey and Terry's Olympic gym.
Soon after, Hogan's friend Ed Leslie (later known as Brutus Beefcake) came to Cocoa Beach to help Hogan and Bridges manage both the Anchor Club and the Whitey and Terry's Olympic Gym. In his spare time, he and Leslie worked out in the gym together, and eventually Beefcake developed a muscular physique. Hogan was impressed by Beefcake's physical stature and became convinced that the two of them should wrestle together as tag team partners. Depressed and yearning to return to wrestling, Hogan called Superstar Billy Graham in 1978 with hopes that Graham could find him a job wrestling outside of Florida; Graham agreed and Hogan soon joined Louie Tillet's Alabama territory. Hogan also convinced Leslie, who had yet to become a wrestler, to come with him and promised to teach him everything he knew about the sport.
In Alabama, Hogan and Leslie wrestled as Terry and Ed Boulder, known as The Boulder Brothers. These early matches prompted a rumor among wrestling fans (who were not aware of the inner workings of the wrestling business) that the two really were brothers, as few people actually knew their real names outside of immediate friends, family, and the various promoters the two worked for. After wrestling a show for Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) in Memphis, Jerry Jarrett, the promoter for the CWA, approached Hogan and Leslie and offered them a job in his promotion for $800 a week; this was far more than the $175 a week they would make working for Tillet. Hogan and Leslie accepted this offer and left Tillet's territory.
During his time in Memphis, Hogan appeared on a local talk show, where he sat beside Lou Ferrigno, star of the television series The Incredible Hulk. The host commented on how Hogan, who stood 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) and weighed 295 pounds with 24-inch biceps, actually dwarfed "The Hulk". Watching the show backstage, Mary Jarrett noticed that Hogan was actually bigger than Ferrigno, who was well known at the time for having large muscles. As a result, Hogan began performing as Terry "The Hulk" Boulder and sometimes wrestled as Sterling Golden.
On December 1, 1979, Hogan won his first professional wrestling championship, the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division), recognized in Alabama and Tennessee, when he defeated Bob Roop in Knoxville, Tennessee. He dropped it in January 1980 to Bob Armstrong. He briefly wrestled in the Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) territory from September through December 1979 as Sterling Golden.
World Wrestling Federation (1979–1981)
In the fall of 1979, former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Terry Funk introduced Bollea to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) owner/promoter Vincent J. McMahon, who was impressed with his charisma and physical stature. McMahon, who wanted to use an Irish name, gave him the last name Hogan, and also wanted him to dye his hair red. Bollea claims his hair was already beginning to fall out by that time, and he refused to dye it, simply replying, "I'll be a blond Irish". Bollea wrestled his first match in the WWF under the ring name "Hulk Hogan" by defeating Harry Valdez on the November 17 episode of Championship Wrestling. He made his first appearance at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 1979, defeating Ted DiBiase after a bearhug. After the match, Hogan thanked DiBiase for putting him over and told him that he "owed him one", a favor he repaid during DiBiase's second run with the company in the late 1980s and early 1990s as "The Million Dollar Man". McMahon gave Hogan former tag team champion Tony Altomare as chaperone and guide. At this time, Hogan wrestled Bob Backlund for the WWF Championship, and he started his first big feud with André the Giant, which culminated in a match with André at Shea Stadium in August 1980. During his initial run as a villain in the WWF, Hogan was paired with "Classy" Freddie Blassie, himself a villainous wrestler-turned-manager.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1980–1985)
In 1980, Hogan began appearing in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) where Japanese wrestling fans nicknamed him "Ichiban" (一番, "Number One"). Hogan first appeared on May 13, 1980, while he was still with the WWF. He occasionally toured the country over the next few years, facing a wide variety of opponents ranging from Tatsumi Fujinami to Abdullah the Butcher. When competing in Japan, Hogan used a vastly different repertoire of wrestling moves, relying on more technical, traditional wrestling holds and maneuvers as opposed to the power-based, brawling style American fans became accustomed to seeing from him. In addition, Hogan used the Axe Bomber, a crooked arm lariat, as his finisher in Japan instead of the running leg drop that has been his standard finisher in America. Hogan still made appearances for the WWF, even unsuccessfully challenging Pedro Morales for the Intercontinental Championship on March 26, 1981. On June 2, 1983, Hogan became the first International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) tournament winner and the first holder of an early version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, defeating Antonio Inoki by knockout in the finals of a ten-man tournament. Since then, this championship was defended annually against the winner of the IWGP League of the year until it was replaced by current IWGP Heavyweight Championship, that is defended regularly.
Hogan and Inoki also worked as partners in Japan, winning the MSG (Madison Square Garden) Tag League tournament two years in a row: in 1982 and 1983. In 1984, Hogan returned to NJPW to wrestle Inoki to defend the early version of the IWGP title after that Inoki won in the finals of the IWGP League, becoming the new no. 1 contender to the championship. Hogan lost the match and title belt by countout, thanks to interference from Riki Choshu. Hogan also defended his WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Seiji Sakaguchi and Fujinami, among others, until ending his tour in Nagoya on June 13 losing to Inoki via count-out in a championship match for the early version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Hogan was the only challenger in the history of that title that didn't win the tournament to become the no. 1 contender to the championship.
American Wrestling Association (1981–1983)
After accepting an offer to work on the film Rocky III (a decision Vincent J. McMahon disapproved of and subsequently chose to release Hogan from the promotion for), Hogan made his debut in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), owned by Verne Gagne, in August 1981. Hogan started his AWA run as a villain, with "Luscious" Johnny Valiant as his manager. This did not last long, however, as the AWA fans fell in love with Hogan's presence and Hogan became the top fan favorite of the AWA, battling the Heenan Family and Nick Bockwinkel.
Hogan's turn as a fan favorite came at the end of July 1981, when during a television taping that aired in August, Jerry Blackwell, after suffering a pinfall loss to Brad Rheingans, began beating down Rheingans and easily fighting off anyone who tried to run in for the save. Hogan ran in, got the upper hand and ran Blackwell from the ring. Hogan was eventually victorious in his feud with Blackwell and by the end of 1981, gained his first title matches against Bockwinkel.
In March 1982, Hogan defeated Bockwinkel and his manager Bobby Heenan in a non-title handicap match in the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois. Hogan went on to repeatedly challenge Bockwinkel for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, with the matches generally ending in disqualifications (a decision wherein the Championship does not change hands). In April 1982, Hogan defeated Bockwinkel and was declared the new AWA World Heavyweight Champion, only for the decision to be overturned by AWA President Stanley Blackburn due to the use of a foreign object during the match.
Hogan left the AWA in November 1983.
Return to WWF (1983–1993)
Rise of Hulkamania (1983–1984)
After purchasing the company from his father in 1982, Vincent K. McMahon had plans to expand the territory into a nationwide promotion, and he handpicked Hogan to be the company's showpiece attraction due to his charisma and name recognition. Hogan made his return at a television taping in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 27, 1983, defeating Bill Dixon.
On the January 7, 1984, episode of Championship Wrestling, Hogan confirmed his fan favorite status (for any WWF fans unaware of his late 1981 babyface turn) by saving Bob Backlund from a three-way assault by the Wild Samoans. Hogan's turn was explained simply by Backlund: "He's changed his ways. He's a great man. He's told me he's not gonna have Blassie around". The storyline shortcut was necessary because less than three weeks later on January 23, Hogan won his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship, pinning The Iron Sheik (who had Blassie in his corner) in Madison Square Garden. The storyline accompanying the victory was that Hogan was a "last minute" replacement for the Sheik's original opponent Bob Backlund, and became the champion by way of being the first man to escape the camel clutch (the Iron Sheik's finishing move).
Immediately after the title win, commentator Gorilla Monsoon proclaimed: "Hulkamania is here!". Hogan frequently referred to his fans as "Hulkamaniacs" in his interviews and introduced his three "demandments": training, saying prayers, and eating vitamins. Eventually, a fourth demandment (believing in oneself) was added during his feud with Earthquake in 1990. Hogan's ring gear developed a characteristic yellow-and-red color scheme; his ring entrances involved him ritualistically ripping his shirt off his body, flexing, and listening for audience cheers in an exaggerated manner. The majority of Hogan's matches during this time involved him wrestling heels who had been booked as unstoppable monsters, using a format which became near-routine: He delivered steady offense, but eventually lose momentum, seemingly nearing defeat. After being hit with his opponent's finishing move, he got a sudden second wind, fighting back while "feeding" off the energy of the audience, becoming impervious to attack – a process described as "Hulking up". His signature maneuvers – pointing at the opponent (later accompanied by a loud "you!" from the audience), shaking his finger to scold him, three punches, an Irish whip, the big boot and running leg drop – followed, ensuring victory. That finishing sequence occasionally changed depending on the storyline and opponent; for instance, with "giant" wrestlers, the sequence might involve a body slam.
In 1984, similarities between Hogan's character and that of The Incredible Hulk led to a quitclaim deal between Titan Sports, Marvel Comics and himself wherein Marvel obtained the trademarks "Hulk Hogan", "Hulkster" and "Hulkamania" for 20 years, and Titan agreed to no longer refer to him as "incredible" nor simply "Hulk" or ever dress him in purple or green. Marvel also subsequently received .9% of reportable gross merchandise revenue associated with Hogan, $100 for each of his matches and 10% of Titan's portion of his other earnings under this name (or 10% of the earnings, if Titan held no interest). This extended to WCW, whose parent company Turner Broadcasting System merged with Time Warner in 1996 and became sister companies with Marvel rival DC Comics. (As Hogan was well underway with the nWo storyline under the "Hollywood Hogan" ring name at the time, this avoided Time Warner the awkward situation of paying Marvel the rights to the name while owning its chief rival.) In a story in 1988's Marvel Comics Presents #45, a wrestler resembling Hogan was tossed through an arena roof by The Incredible Hulk, because he "picked the wrong name."
International renown (1985–1988)
See also: André the Giant–Hulk Hogan rivalry Hulk Hogan, c. 1985, during his first reign as WWF World ChampionMr. T hoists Roddy Piper up onto his shoulders as Hulk Hogan cheers in the background during the main event of the first ever WrestlemaniaOver the next year, Hogan became the face of professional wrestling as McMahon pushed the WWF into a pop culture enterprise with The Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection on MTV, drawing record houses, pay-per-view buyrates, and television ratings in the process. The centerpiece attraction for the first WrestleMania on March 31, 1985, Hogan teamed with legit friend, TV and movie star Mr. T to defeat his archrival "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "Mr Wonderful" Paul Orndorff when "Cowboy" Bob Orton, who had been in the corner of Piper and Orndorff, accidentally caused his team's defeat by knocking out Orndorff after he jumped from the top turnbuckle and hit him in the back of the head with his arm cast in a shot meant for Hogan. On Saturday Night's Main Event I, Hogan successfully defended the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Orton in a match that Hogan won by disqualification.
Hogan was named the most requested celebrity of the 1980s for the Make-a-Wish Foundation children's charity. He was featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated (the first and as of 2013, only professional wrestler to do so), TV Guide, and People magazines, while also appearing on The Tonight Show and having his own CBS Saturday morning cartoon titled Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling. Hogan, as the premier WWF icon, headlined seven of the first eight WrestleMania events. He also co-hosted Saturday Night Live on March 30, 1985, during this lucrative run. AT&T reported that the 900 number information line he ran while with the WWF was the single biggest 900 number from 1991 to 1993. Hogan continued to run a 900 number after joining World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
On Saturday Night's Main Event II, he successfully defended the title against Nikolai Volkoff in a flag match. He met long-time rival Roddy Piper in a WWF title match at the Wrestling Classic pay-per-view (PPV) event. Hogan retained the title by disqualification after Bob Orton interfered and hit Hogan with his cast. Hogan had many challengers in the way as the new year began. Throughout 1986, Hogan made successful title defenses against challengers such as Terry Funk, Don Muraco, King Kong Bundy (in a steel cage match at WrestleMania 2), Paul Orndorff, and Hercules Hernandez.
In the fall of 1986, Hogan occasionally wrestled in tag team matches with The Machines as Hulk Machine under a mask copied from NJPW's gimmick "Super Strong Machine". At WrestleMania III in 1987, Hogan was booked to defend the title against André the Giant, who had been the sport's premier star and was pushed as undefeated for the previous fifteen years. A new storyline was introduced in early 1987; Hogan was presented a trophy for being the WWF World Heavyweight Champion for three consecutive years. André the Giant, who was Hogan's good friend, came out to congratulate him. Shortly afterward, André was presented a slightly smaller trophy for being "undefeated in the WWF for 15 years". Hogan came out to congratulate André, who walked out in the midst of Hogan's speech. Then, on an edition of Piper's Pit, Hogan was confronted by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who announced that André was his new protégé, and Andre challenged Hogan to a title match at WrestleMania III, where Hogan successfully defended the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against André the Giant. During the match, Hogan hit a body slam on the 520-pound André (which was dubbed "the bodyslam heard around the world") and won the match after a leg drop.
The Mega Powers (1988–1989)
Main article: Mega PowersHulk Hogan vs Big Boss Man on March 7, 1989, at the El Paso Civic Center for a video-taping of a WWF "Superstars of Wrestling" event. Hogan remained WWF World Heavyweight Champion for four years (1,474 days). In front of 33 million viewers, Hogan finally lost the title to André on The Main Event I after a convoluted scam involving "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and Earl Hebner (who assumed the place of his twin brother Dave Hebner, the match's appointed referee). After André delivered a belly to belly suplex on Hogan, Hebner counted the pin while Hogan's left shoulder was clearly off the mat. After the match, André handed the title over to DiBiase to complete their business deal. As a result, the WWF World Heavyweight Championship was vacated for the first time in its 25-year history because then WWF President Jack Tunney decreed the championship could not be sold from one wrestler to another. At WrestleMania IV, Hogan participated in a tournament for the vacant WWF World Heavyweight Championship to regain it; he and André were given a bye into quarter-finals, but their match resulted in a double disqualification. Later that night in the main event, Hogan came to ringside to stop André interfering which helped "Macho Man" Randy Savage defeat Ted DiBiase to win the title.
Together, Hogan, Savage, and manager Miss Elizabeth formed a partnership known as The Mega Powers. After Savage became WWF World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania IV, they feuded with The Mega Bucks (André the Giant and Ted DiBiase) and defeated them at the main event of the first SummerSlam. They then went on to feud with Slick's Twin Towers: Akeem and Big Boss Man.
In mid-1988, Hogan wrestled at house shows in singles competition with his "War Bonnet", a red and yellow gladiator helmet with a fist-shaped crest. This was notably used to give Bad News Brown his first WWF loss at a Madison Square Garden house show before it was discarded altogether. The War Bonnet gimmick was revisited in the WWE's online comedy series Are You Serious? in 2012.
The Mega Powers began to implode due to Savage's burgeoning jealousy of Hogan and his paranoid suspicions that Hogan and Elizabeth were more than friends. At the Royal Rumble in 1989, Hogan eliminated Savage from the Royal Rumble match while eliminating Bad News Brown, which caused tension, only to be eliminated by The Twin Towers himself. In early 1989, the duo broke up while wrestling The Twin Towers on The Main Event II, when Savage accidentally collided with Miss Elizabeth during the match, and Hogan took her backstage to receive medical attention, temporarily abandoning Savage. After ensuring Elizabeth was all right, Hogan returned to the ring and begged Savage to tag him in. Savage, in a fury, grabbed Hogan's outstretched hand with one hand, and slapped him across the face with the other before leaving the ring. Hogan eventually won the match by himself. After the match, Savage attacked Hogan backstage, which started a feud between the two. Their feud culminated in Hogan beating Savage for his second WWF World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania V.
Final WWF Championship reigns (1989–1993)
Hogan's second run in 1989 lasted a year, during which he defended the title in two matches against Savage in April that he lost both times by count-out, before defeating The Big Boss Man in a steel cage match on the Saturday Night's Main Event XXI, which was aired on May 27. In May on WWF on NESN, Hogan retained the title by losing once again by count-out against Savage. This was also the last time the WWF World Heavyweight Championship was referred to as such during a televised title defense, as Hogan's next successful title defense against The Honky Tonk Man on Saturday Night's Main Event XXII saw the title being renamed and referred simply as the WWF Championship. Also during Hogan's second reign as champion, he starred in the movie No Holds Barred, which was the inspiration of a feud with Hogan's co-star Tom Lister, Jr., who appeared at wrestling events as his movie character, Zeus (an "unstoppable monster" who was jealous over Hogan's higher billing and wanted revenge). Hogan easily beat Zeus in a series of matches across the country during late 1989, beginning with a tag team match at SummerSlam, in which Hogan and Brutus Beefcake topped Zeus and Savage. Hogan and Zeus met at the Survivor Series, where the "Hulkamaniacs" faced the "Million Dollar Team"; in the early part of the match, Hogan put Zeus over by hitting him with everything to no effect. Zeus then manhandled Hogan and shoved referee Dave Hebner down twice, with the second shove prompting Hebner to disqualify Zeus from the match. Hogan and Beefcake then defeated Zeus and Savage in a rematch at the No Holds Barred pay-per-view to end the feud. Hogan also had defeated Savage to retain the WWF Championship in their official WrestleMania rematch on October 10, at United Kingdom show First WWF UK Event at London Arena. During his second reign as the WWF Champion, Hogan won the 1990 Royal Rumble match, before losing to Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior in a title versus title match at WrestleMania VI on April 1, 1990.
Hogan soon became embroiled in a heated feud with the 468-pound Earthquake, who had crushed Hogan's ribs in a sneak attack on The Brother Love Show in May 1990. On television, announcers explained that both Hogan's injuries and his WrestleMania VI loss to Warrior took such a huge toll on his fighting spirit that he wanted to retire. Viewers were asked to write letters to Hogan and send postcards asking for his return (they got a postcard-sized picture in return, autographed by Hogan, as a "thank you"). Hogan returned by SummerSlam, and he dominated Earthquake for several months in a series of matches across the country. His defeat of this overwhelmingly large foe prompted Hogan to add a fourth demandment—believing in yourself—and he also became known as "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan. Hogan became the first wrestler to win two Royal Rumble matches in a row, as he won the 1991 Royal Rumble match. At WrestleMania VII, Hogan stood up for the United States against Sgt. Slaughter, defeating him for his third WWF Championship, and then defeating him again in the rematch at United Kingdom-only pay-per-view UK Rampage at London Arena. In the fall of 1991, Hogan was challenged by Ric Flair, the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion who recently arrived in the WWF. The challenge went unmet, as Hogan lost the WWF Championship to The Undertaker at Survivor Series. Jack Tunney immediately granted Hogan a rematch at This Tuesday in Texas six days later, which Hogan won. Flair had interfered in both matches and due to the resulting controversy, the championship was again declared vacant. It was decided that the winner of the 1992 Royal Rumble match would also be declared the new WWF Champion. Hogan entered in the #26 spot, but failed to regain the championship as he was eliminated by friend Sid Justice. In turn, Hogan helped cause Sid's elimination, leaving Flair (who had entered the match as the 3rd entrant) as the winner and new WWF Champion. Hogan and Sid patched things up and teamed together on Saturday Night's Main Event XXX against Flair and Undertaker, but during the match Sid abandoned Hogan, starting their feud. At WrestleMania VIII, Hogan defeated Sid via disqualification due to interference by Sid's manager Harvey Wippleman. Hogan was then attacked by Papa Shango and was saved by the returning Ultimate Warrior.
At this time, news sources began to allege that Dr. George Zahorian III, a doctor for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, had been selling steroids illegally to wrestlers in general and Hogan in particular. Hogan appeared on an episode of The Arsenio Hall Show to deny the allegations. Due to intense public scrutiny, Hogan took a leave of absence from the company. Hogan returned to the WWF in February 1993, helping out his friend Brutus Beefcake in his feud with Money Inc. (Irwin R. Schyster and "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase), and officially renaming themselves The Mega-Maniacs, taking on Money Inc.'s former manager "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart (a long-time friend of Hogan's outside of wrestling) as their manager in what was the first time WWF audiences had seen Hart as a fan favorite. At WrestleMania IX, Hogan and Beefcake took on Money Inc. for the WWF Tag Team Championship, a match the Mega-Maniacs lost via disqualification. Hogan went into the match injured (he had a cut above his left eyebrow, and the left eye itself was fully black). The WWF used Hogan's injury in a storyline that had DiBiase allegedly paying a group of thugs in a failed attempt to take Hogan out before WrestleMania. Later that night, Hogan won his fifth WWF Championship by pinning Yokozuna in an impromptu match only moments after Yokozuna had defeated Bret Hart for the championship. Hogan reportedly used his influence to have the finish of WrestleMania changed the weekend of the event so he would be champion during an upcoming international and de facto farewell tour.
At the first annual King of the Ring pay-per-view on June 13, Hogan defended the WWF Championship in a rematch against Yokozuna. This was Hogan's first and only title defense since defeating Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX. Yokozuna kicked out of Hogan's signature leg drop and scored the pinfall win after Hogan was blinded by a fireball shot by a "Japanese photographer" (actually a disguised Harvey Wippleman). The victorious Yokozuna proceeded to give Hogan a Banzai Drop. This was Hogan's last WWF pay-per-view appearance until 2002, as both he and Jimmy Hart were preparing to leave the promotion. Hogan continued his feud on the international house show circuit with Yokozuna until August 1993. After that, Hogan sat out the rest of his contract which expired later that year.
Return to NJPW (1993–1994)
On May 3, 1993, Hogan returned to NJPW as WWF Champion and defeated IWGP Heavyweight Champion The Great Muta in a dream match at Wrestling Dontaku. Hogan wrestled against Muta again, this time under his real name (Keiji Mutoh), on September 26, 1993. Hogan also wrestled The Hell Raisers with Muta and Masahiro Chono as his tag team partners. His last match in Japan was on January 4, 1994, at Battlefield, when he defeated Tatsumi Fujinami.
World Championship Wrestling (1994–2000)
World Heavyweight Champion (1994–1996)
Starting in March 1994, Hogan began making appearances on WCW television, as interviewer Gene Okerlund—who was now a WCW employee—visited him on the set of Thunder in Paradise episodes. Hype then built over whether Hogan should remain with Thunder in Paradise or join WCW and have an opportunity to wrestle Ric Flair. On the May 28, 1994, episode of WCW Saturday Night, Hogan tore up his Thunder in Paradise contract and stated he was now willing to quit the show and return to wrestling, and Okerlund issued a telephone survey asking if people wanted to see Hogan in WCW. On June 11, 1994, Hogan officially signed with Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in a ceremony that was held at Disney-MGM Studios. The next month, with Jimmy Hart as his manager, Hogan won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in his debut match, defeating Ric Flair in a "dream match" at Bash at the Beach. Hogan continued his feud with Flair (who defeated him by count-out on the Clash of the Champions XXVIII, thus Hogan retained the title), which culminated in a steel cage match (with Flair's career on the line and Mr. T as the special guest referee) that Hogan won.
After Hogan headlined WCW's premier annual event Starrcade (Starrcade: Triple Threat) in December 1994 by defeating The Butcher for the title, his next feud was against Vader, who challenged him for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at SuperBrawl V, where Hogan won by disqualification after the returning Flair's interference. Hogan then defeated Vader (who was managed part-time by Flair) in a non-title leather strap match at Uncensored. Because of the controversial ending caused once again by Flair at Uncensored, Hogan's feud with Vader culminated in a steel cage match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Bash at the Beach, where Hogan won by escaping the cage. After successfully retaining the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Big Bubba Rogers and Lex Luger in two separate matches on Nitro in September 1995. The October 9, 1995, broadcast of Nitro was Hogan's first appearance in an all-black attire. Hogan feuded with The Dungeon of Doom, which led to a WarGames match at Fall Brawl where Hogan's team (Lex Luger, Randy Savage, and Sting) won. Hogan's reign as WCW World Heavyweight Champion (which, at 469 days, is the longest in the title's history) ended when he lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to The Giant at Halloween Havoc via disqualification.
Following the controversial loss (which was due to a "contract clause"), the WCW World Heavyweight Championship became vacant and a new champion was to be crowned in a 60-man three-ring battle royal at World War III, where The Giant cost Hogan the title. This led to a steel cage match between Hogan and The Giant at SuperBrawl VI, where Hogan won to end their feud. In early 1996, Hogan reformed The Mega Powers with Randy Savage to feud with The Alliance to End Hulkamania, which culminated at Uncensored in a Doomsday Cage match that Hogan and Savage won. After coming out victorious from his feuds, Hogan began to only appear occasionally on WCW programming.
New World Order (1996–1999)
Main article: New World Order (nWo)At Bash at the Beach on July 7, during a six-man tag team match pitting The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) against WCW loyalists, Hogan interfered and attacked Randy Savage on behalf of Hall and Nash, thereby turning heel for the first time in nearly fifteen years. After the match, Hogan delivered a promo, accosting the fans and WCW for under-appreciating his talent and drawing power, and announcing the formation of the New World Order (nWo). The new stable gained prominence in the following weeks and months. Hogan grew a beard alongside his famous mustache and dyed it black, traded his red and yellow garb in for black and white clothing, often detailed with lightning bolts, and renamed himself "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan (often shortened to Hollywood Hogan). Hogan won his second WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Hog Wild on August 10 by defeating The Giant for the title. He spray painted "nWo" across the title belt, scribbled across the nameplate, and referred to the title as the "nWo title". Hogan then started a feud with Lex Luger after Luger and The Giant defeated Hogan and Dennis Rodman in a tag team match at Bash at the Beach on July 13, 1997.
On the August 4 episode of Nitro, Hogan lost the title to Lex Luger by submission. Five days later at Road Wild on August 9, Hogan defeated Luger to regain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan then lost the title to Sting in a match at Starrcade on December 28. In the match, WCW's newly contracted Bret Hart accused referee Nick Patrick of fast-counting a victory for Hogan and had the match restarted – with himself as referee. Sting later won by submission. After a rematch the following night on Nitro, where Sting controversially retained the title, the WCW World Heavyweight Championship became vacant. Sting went on to win the vacant title against Hogan at SuperBrawl VIII on February 22, 1998, and Hogan then developed a rivalry with former friend (and recent nWo recruit) Randy Savage, who had just cost Hogan the title match at SuperBrawl by hitting him with a spray can. The feud culminated in a steel cage match at Uncensored on March 15, which ended in a no contest. Savage took the WCW World Heavyweight Championship from Sting at Spring Stampede on April 19, while Hogan teamed with Kevin Nash to take on Roddy Piper and The Giant in the first-ever bat match.
Hogan betrayed Nash by hitting him with the bat and then challenged Savage the following night on Nitro for the world title. In the no disqualification match for Savage's newly won title, Nash entered the ring and hit a powerbomb on Hogan as retribution for the attack the previous night, but Bret Hart interfered moments later and jumped in to attack Savage and preserve the victory for Hogan, who won his fourth WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Nash's attack on him signified a split of the nWo into two separate factions – Hogan's became nWo Hollywood and Nash's became nWo Wolfpac – that feuded with each other for the remainder of the year. Hogan defended the title until July of that year, when WCW booked him in a match against newcomer and then WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Goldberg, who had yet to lose a match in WCW. Late in the match, Hogan was distracted by Karl Malone, and Goldberg pinned Hogan to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the July 6 episode of Nitro.
Hogan spent the rest of 1998 wrestling celebrity matches: his second tag team match with Dennis Rodman pitted them against Diamond Dallas Page and Karl Malone at Bash at the Beach on July 12, and at Road Wild on August 8 he and Eric Bischoff lost to Page and Jay Leno thanks to interference from Kevin Eubanks. Hogan also had a critically panned rematch with The Warrior at Halloween Havoc on October 25, where his nephew Horace aided his victory.
On the Thanksgiving episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Hogan officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling, as well as his candidacy for President of the United States. Campaign footage aired on Nitro of Hogan and Bischoff holding a press conference, making it appear legitimate. Both announcements were false and made as publicity stunts to draw some of the hype of Jesse Ventura's Minnesota gubernatorial win back to him. After some time off from WCW, Hogan returned on the January 4, 1999, episode of Nitro to challenge Kevin Nash for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship which Hogan won for the fifth time, but many people found the title change to be "scandalous". As a result, the warring factions of the nWo reunited into one group, which began feuding with Goldberg and The Four Horsemen.
Final years in WCW (1999–2000)
Hogan lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to Ric Flair at Uncensored in a steel cage First Blood match. Later, Hogan was severely injured in a Texas tornado match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship featuring him, Diamond Dallas Page, Flair, and Sting at Spring Stampede. On the July 12 episode of Nitro, Hogan made his return as a face for the first time in three years and accepted an open challenge from Savage, who had won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Bash at the Beach the night before in a tag team match by pinning Kevin Nash. Thanks to interference from Nash, Hogan defeated Savage to win his sixth and final WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Nash turned on him the next week, and the two began a feud that lasted until Road Wild.
On August 9, 1999, Hogan started the night dressed in the typical black and white, but after a backstage scene with his son came out dressed in the traditional red and yellow for his main event six-man tag team match. Hogan then defeated Nash in a retirement match at Road Wild to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Injuries and frustrations mounted, and he was absent from television from October 1999 to February 2000. In his book Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Hogan said that he was asked to take time off by newly hired head of creative booking Vince Russo and was not told when he would be brought back at the time. Despite some reservations, he agreed to do so. On October 24 at Halloween Havoc, Hogan was to face Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan came to the ring in street clothes, lay down for the pin, and left the ring.
Soon after his return in February 2000, at Bash at the Beach on July 9, Hogan was involved in a controversial work with Vince Russo. Hogan was scheduled to challenge Jeff Jarrett for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Before the match, there was a backstage dispute between Hogan and Russo; Hogan wanted to take the title, but Russo was going to have Jarrett win, and lose it to Booker T. Russo told Hogan that he was going to have Jarrett lie down for him, simulating a real conflict, although Jarrett was not told it was a work. When the bell rang, Jarrett lay down in the middle of the ring while Russo threw the WCW World Heavyweight Championship belt in the ring and yelled at Hogan from ringside to pin Jarrett. A visibly confused Hogan complied with a foot on Jarrett's chest after getting on the microphone and telling Russo, "Is this your idea, Russo? That's why this company is in the damn shape it's in, because of bullshit like this!" After winning and being announced as the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Hogan immediately took the WCW title belt. Moments later, Russo returned to the ring, angrily proclaiming this would be the last time fans would ever see "that piece of shit" in a WCW stadium. This is also when the public discovered, through Russo, the "creative control" clause that Hogan had, which meant that Hogan could control what would happen with his own character, without anyone else telling him no. In his Bash at the Beach shoot promo, Russo said that he was arguing with Hogan all day prior to the event in the back because he wanted to use the clause in the Jarrett match, saying, "That means that, in the middle of this ring, when knew it was bullshit, he beats Jeff Jarrett!". Since Hogan refused to job to Jarrett, a new WCW World Heavyweight Championship was created, setting the stage for a title match between Booker T and Jarrett later that night.
As a result, Hogan filed a defamation of character lawsuit against Russo soon after, which was eventually dismissed in 2002. Russo claims the whole thing was a work, and Hogan claims that Russo made it a shoot. Eric Bischoff agreed with Hogan's side of the story when he wrote that Hogan winning and leaving with the belt was a work (devised by Bischoff rather than Russo), and that he and Hogan celebrated after the event over the success of the angle, but that Russo coming out to fire Hogan was an unplanned shoot which led to the lawsuit filed by Hogan. It was the last time he was seen in WCW.
Post-WCW endeavors (2001)
In the months following the eventual demise of WCW in March 2001, Hogan underwent surgery on his knees in order for him to wrestle again. As a test, Hogan worked a match in Orlando, Florida on November 14, for the Xcitement Wrestling Federation (XWF) promotion run by his longtime manager Jimmy Hart. Hogan defeated Curt Hennig in this match and felt healthy enough to accept an offer to return to the WWF in February 2002.
Second return to WWF/WWE (2002–2003)
At No Way Out on February 17, 2002, Hogan returned to the WWF as a heel. Returning as leader of the original nWo with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, the three got into a confrontation with The Rock and cost Stone Cold Steve Austin a chance at becoming the Undisputed WWF Champion against Chris Jericho in the main event. The nWo feuded with both Austin and The Rock, and Hogan accepted The Rock's challenge to a match at WrestleMania X8 on March 17, where Hogan asked Hall and Nash not to interfere, wanting to defeat The Rock by himself. Despite the fact that Hogan was supposed to be the heel in the match, the crowd cheered for him heavily. The Rock cleanly won the contest, and befriended Hogan at the end of the bout, helping him fight off Hall and Nash, who were upset by Hogan's conciliatory attitude. After the match, Hogan turned face by siding with The Rock, though he continued wearing black and white tights for a few weeks after WrestleMania X8 until he resumed wearing his signature red and yellow tights. During this period, the "Hulk Rules" logo of the 1980s was redone with the text "Hulk Still Rules", and Hogan also wore the original "Hulk Rules" attire twelve years earlier, when he headlined WrestleMania VI at the same arena, in the SkyDome. For a time, he was still known as "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, notably keeping the Hollywood Hogan style blond mustache with black beard while wearing Hulkamania-like red and yellow tights and using the "Voodoo Child" entrance theme music he'd used in WCW. On the April 4, 2002, episode of SmackDown!, Hogan began a feud with Triple H, and then defeated him for the Undisputed WWF Championship at Backlash on April 21, thus becoming the last ever WWF Champion, as a legal battle with the World Wildlife Fund soon compelled the company to change its name from World Wrestling Federation/WWF to World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE in May 2002.
On May 19 at Judgment Day, Hogan lost the WWE Undisputed Championship to The Undertaker. After losing a number one contender match for the WWE Undisputed Championship to Triple H on the June 6 episode of SmackDown!, Hogan began feuding with Kurt Angle resulting in a match between the two at the King of the Ring on June 23, which Angle won by submission. On the July 4 episode of SmackDown!, Hogan teamed with Edge to defeat Billy and Chuck and capture the WWE Tag Team Championship for the first time. They celebrated by waving the American flag as the overjoyed audience sang along to Hogan's theme song "Real American". They lost the belts to The Un-Americans (Christian and Lance Storm) at Vengeance on July 21. In August, Hogan was used in an angle with Brock Lesnar, culminating in a main event singles match on the August 8 episode of SmackDown!, which Lesnar won by technical submission (the match was called after Hogan became unconscious from a bear hug hold). Lesnar became only the second WWE wrestler to defeat Hogan by submission (after Kurt Angle), and the first to defeat Hogan by having the match called. Following the match, Lesnar continued to beat on Hogan, leaving him bloody and unconscious in the ring.
As a result of Lesnar's assault, Hogan went on hiatus until early 2003, shaving off his black beard and dropping "Hollywood" from his name in his return. Hogan battled The Rock (who had turned heel) once again at No Way Out on February 23 and lost and defeated Mr. McMahon at WrestleMania XIX on March 30 in a street fight billed as "twenty years in the making". After WrestleMania, he had a run as the masked Mr. America, a character who, despite sounding and behaving like Hogan, consistently denied he was the Hulkster. Mr. America used Hogan's "Real American" as his entrance theme, as well as all of Hogan's signature gestures, moves, and phrases. He was the subject of a storyline that took place after Hogan was forced by Mr. McMahon to sit out the rest of his contract. A WWE pre-debut push took place with mysterious Mr. America promos airing for weeks during SmackDown!. There was also on-screen discussion on SmackDown! between then General Manager Stephanie McMahon and other players concerning her hiring Mr. America "sight unseen". On May 1, Mr. America debuted on SmackDown! on a Piper's Pit segment. McMahon appeared and claimed that Mr. America was Hogan in disguise; Mr. America shot back by saying, "I am not Hulk Hogan, brother!" (lampooning Hogan's use of "brother" in his promos). The feud continued through the month of May, with a singles match between Mr. America and Hogan's old rival "Rowdy" Roddy Piper at Judgment Day on May 18, a match Mr. America won.
Mr. America's last WWE appearance was on the June 26 episode of SmackDown! when Big Show and The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and Mr. America in a six-man tag team match. After the show went off the air, Mr. America unmasked to show the fans that he was indeed Hogan, putting his finger to his lips telling the fans to keep quiet about his secret. The next week, Hogan quit WWE due to frustration with the creative team. On the July 3 episode of SmackDown!, McMahon showed the footage of Mr. America unmasking as Hogan and "fired" him, although Hogan had already quit in real life. It was later revealed that Hogan was unhappy with the payoffs for his matches after his comeback under the Mr. America gimmick. McMahon terminated Hogan's contract in storyline.
Second return to NJPW (2003)
Hogan returned to NJPW in October 2003, when he defeated Masahiro Chono at Ultimate Crush II in the Tokyo Dome.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2003)
Shortly after Hogan left WWE, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) began making overtures to Hogan, culminating in Jeff Jarrett, co-founder of TNA and then NWA World Heavyweight Champion, launching an on-air attack on Hogan in Japan in October 2003. The attack was supposed to be a precursor to Hogan battling Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at TNA's first three-hour pay-per-view. Due to recurring knee and hip problems, Hogan did not appear in TNA. Still, the incident has been shown several times on TNA broadcasts, and was included in the TNA DVD TNA's Fifty Greatest Moments.
Third return to WWE (2005–2007)
On April 2, 2005, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2005 by actor and friend Sylvester Stallone. At WrestleMania 21 on April 3, Hogan came out to rescue Eugene, who was being attacked by Muhammad Hassan and Khosrow Daivari. The build-up to Hogan's Hall of Fame induction and preparation for his WrestleMania angle was shown on the first season of Hogan Knows Best. The next night on Raw, Hassan and Daivari came out to confront and assault fan favorite Shawn Michaels. The following week on Raw, Michaels approached Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff demanding a handicap match with Hassan and Daivari. Bischoff refused, but told Michaels if he found a partner he would be granted a tag team match. Michaels then made a plea for Hogan to team with him. On the April 18 episode of Raw, Hassan again led an attack on Michaels until Hogan appeared, saving Michaels and accepting his offer. At Backlash on May 1, Hassan and Daivari lost to Hogan and Michaels.
Hogan then appeared on July 4 episode of Raw, as the special guest of Carlito on his talk-show segment Carlito's Cabana. After being asked questions by Carlito concerning his daughter Brooke, Hogan attacked Carlito. Kurt Angle then also appeared, making comments about Brooke, which further upset Hogan, who was eventually double teamed by Carlito and Angle, but was saved by Shawn Michaels. Later that night, Michaels and Hogan defeated Carlito and Angle in a tag team match; during the post-match celebration, Michaels performed the Sweet Chin Music on Hogan and walked off. The following week on Raw, Michaels appeared on Piper's Pit and challenged Hogan to face him one-on-one for the first time. Hogan appeared on Raw one week later and accepted the challenge. The match took place at SummerSlam on August 21, which Hogan won. After the match, Michaels extended his hand to him, telling him that he "had to find out for himself", and Hogan and Michaels shook hands as Michaels left the ring to allow Hogan to celebrate with the crowd.
Prior to WrestleMania 22 in April 2006, Hogan inducted friend and former announcer "Mean" Gene Okerlund into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2006. Hogan returned on Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIII with his daughter Brooke. During the show, Randy Orton flirted with Brooke and later attacked Hogan in the parking lot. He later challenged Hogan to a match at SummerSlam on August 20, which Hogan won. This was Hulk Hogan's final match wrestling for the WWE, although he had negotiations for a match against John Cena at WrestleMania 25 which ultimately fell through.
Memphis Wrestling (2007–2008)
After a brief fall out with McMahon and WWE, Hogan was lured to Memphis Wrestling with the proposal of wrestling Jerry Lawler. The match had been promoted on Memphis Wrestling Prime Time for several months. On April 12, 2007, Lawler announced in a news conference that WWE had barred him from wrestling Hogan on the basis that NBC performers (including Lawler, on the basis of co-hosting the NBC-owned USA Network's Raw and his appearances on the biannual WWE's Saturday Night's Main Event) are contractually prohibited from appearing on VH1, the channel on which Hogan Knows Best airs. The situation resulted in a lawsuit being filed against WWE by event promoter Corey Maclin. Lawler was replaced with Paul Wight. Hogan defeated Wight at Memphis Wrestling's PMG Clash of Legends on April 27, 2007, when he picked up and hit a body slam on Wight before pinning him following his signature running leg drop.
Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin (2009)
On November 21, 24, 26 and 28, Hogan performed with a group of wrestlers including Spartan-3000, Heidenreich, Eugene, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake and Orlando Jordan across Australia in a tour titled Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin. The main event of each show was a rematch between Hogan and Ric Flair – the wrestler who defeated Hogan more times than any other. Hogan defeated Flair in all four matches.
Return to TNA (2009–2013)
Dixie Carter's business partner (2009–2010)
On October 27, 2009, it was announced that Hogan had signed a contract to join TNA on a full-time basis. The footage of his signing and the press conference at Madison Square Garden following it were featured on the October 29 episode of Impact!.
On December 5, Hogan announced on Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)'s The Ultimate Fighter that he would make his official TNA debut on January 4, 2010, in a special live three-hour Monday night episode of Impact! to compete with WWE's Raw (which featured the return of Bret Hart).
On the January 4 episode of Impact!, Hogan debuted, reuniting briefly with former nWo partners Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman, the latter two of whom made their returns to the company. He refused to join them for a full-fledged reunion of their group claiming, "it's a different time", and stuck to his business relations with Bischoff, who made his appearance to declare that, the two of them would "flip the company upside down" and everyone would have to earn their spot. Hogan also encountered TNA founder Jeff Jarrett on the broadcast, appearing via video wall and interrupting Jarrett's company success speech, stating that Carter was instrumental to the company's survival, and that just like the rest, Jarrett would have to earn his spot in TNA.
On the February 18 episode of Impact!, Hogan took Abyss under his wing, and during this sequence, gave him his Hall of Fame ring and claimed it would make him a "god of wrestling". Hogan made his in-ring return on the March 8 episode of Impact!, teaming with Abyss to defeat A.J. Styles and Ric Flair when Abyss scored a pinfall over Styles. Afterward, the returning Jeff Hardy saved Hogan and Abyss from a beatdown by Styles, Flair and Desmond Wolfe. The storyline became a Team Flair versus Team Hogan situation, with Jarrett and the debuting Rob Van Dam joining Team Hogan and Beer Money (James Storm and Robert Roode) and Sting joining Team Flair. At Lockdown on April 18, Team Hogan (Hulk Hogan, Abyss, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam) defeated Team Flair (Ric Flair, Sting, Desmond Wolfe, Robert Roode and James Storm) in a Lethal Lockdown match.
Immortal (2010–2011)
Main article: Immortal (professional wrestling)On the June 17 episode of Impact!, Hogan's alliance with Abyss came to an abrupt end when Abyss turned heel. Abyss later claimed that he was controlled by some entity that was coming to TNA. The next month, Hogan worked with Bischoff, Jeff Jarrett and Samoa Joe against Sting and Kevin Nash, who claimed that they knew that Hogan and Bischoff were up to something. During this time, Abyss went on a rampage, attacking Rob Van Dam to the point that he was forced to vacate the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and eventually put his hands on TNA president Dixie Carter, which led to her signing the paperwork, presented by Bischoff, that would have Abyss fired from TNA following his match with Van Dam at Bound for Glory on October 10. Hogan was set to wrestle with Jarrett and Joe against Sting, Nash and D'Angelo Dinero at Bound for Glory, but was forced to miss the event due to a back surgery. He made an appearance at the end of the event, and helped Jeff Hardy win the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Championship and aligning himself with Hardy, Bischoff, Abyss and Jarrett, turning heel in the process. On the October 14 episode of Impact!, it was revealed that Bischoff had tricked Carter and the paperwork she had signed a week earlier, were not to release Abyss, but to turn the company over to him and Hogan. Meanwhile, Bischoff's and Hogan's new stable, now known as Immortal, formed an alliance with Ric Flair's Fortune. Dixie Carter returned on the November 25 episode of Reaction, informing Hogan and Bischoff that a judge had filed an injunction against the two on her behalf over not having signatory authority, indefinitely suspending Hogan from TNA. During his absence, Hogan underwent a potentially career–ending spinal fusion surgery on December 21.
Hogan returned to TNA on the March 3, 2011, episode of Impact!, declaring himself as the new owner of TNA, having won the court battle against Dixie Carter. In April, he began hinting at a possible return to the ring to face the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Sting. On the May 12 episode of the newly renamed Impact Wrestling, Hogan lost control of the program to Mick Foley, who revealed himself as the Network consultant who had been causing problems for Immortal ever since Hogan and Bischoff took over the company. This angle was cut short three weeks later, when Foley left TNA. During the following months, Hogan continued to interfere in Sting's matches, costing him the TNA World Heavyweight Championship first at Hardcore Justice on August 7, recruiting Kurt Angle to Immortal in the process, on the September 1 episode of Impact Wrestling and finally at No Surrender on September 11. On the September 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, Sting defeated Immortal member Ric Flair to earn the right to face Hogan at Bound for Glory on October 16. On October 4, it was reported that Hogan had signed a contract extension with TNA. After feigning retirement from professional wrestling, Hogan accepted the match at Bound for Glory on the October 6 episode of Impact Wrestling, while also agreeing to hand TNA back to Dixie Carter, should Sting win the match.
Hogan was defeated by Sting at Bound for Glory, ending his storyline as the president of TNA. After the match, Immortal attacked Sting, but Hogan turned on Immortal and helping Sting, turning face in the process. On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Hogan, wearing his trademark yellow and red again, admitted to his mistakes, and put over Sting for winning.
Feud with Aces & Eights (2012–2013)
During TNA's tour of the United Kingdom, on January 26 and 27, 2012, Hogan returned to the ring at house shows in Nottingham and Manchester, where he, James Storm and Sting defeated Bobby Roode, Bully Ray and Kurt Angle in a six-man tag team main event at both events, the latter of which was Hogan's final match. Hogan returned to Impact Wrestling on February 2, when he was revealed as Garett Bischoff's trainer. On the March 29 episode of Impact Wrestling, Hogan returned and accepted Sting's offer to replace him as the new General Manager.
In July, Hogan, alongside Sting, began feuding with a mysterious group of masked men, who had dubbed themselves the "Aces & Eights". The group's attack on Hogan on the July 12 episode of Impact Wrestling was used to write Hogan off television as he was set to undergo another back surgery.
In November, Hogan moved into a storyline with Bully Ray after Austin Aries revealed a secret relationship between Ray and Hogan's daughter Brooke. After seeing them kissing in a parking garage on the December 20 episode of Impact Wrestling, Hogan suspended Ray indefinitely on the January 3, 2013 episode of Impact Wrestling. The following week on Impact Wrestling, after Ray saved Brooke from a kidnapping by the Aces & Eights, Brooke accepted his marriage proposal. Despite Hogan's disapproval, he still walked Brooke down the aisle for her wedding on the next episode of Impact Wrestling, during which Ray's groomsmen Taz interrupted and revealed himself as a member of the Aces & Eights, leading the group to attack Hogan, Ray, and the rest of the groomsmen.
On the January 31 episode of Impact Wrestling, Hogan reinstated Ray so he could take on the Aces & Eights. Hogan named Ray the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on the February 21 episode of Impact Wrestling. At Lockdown on March 10, Ray betrayed Hogan, after Aces & Eights helped Ray defeat Jeff Hardy win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, and Ray revealed himself as the President of the Aces & Eights. Following Lockdown, Hogan blamed Sting for Ray winning the title as it was Sting who encouraged Hogan to give Ray the title shot. Sting returned and saved Hogan from an attack by Aces & Eights on the April 25 episode of Impact Wrestling. The following week on Impact Wrestling, Hogan and Sting reconciled their differences. On the October 3 episode of Impact Wrestling, Hogan refused an offer from Dixie Carter to become her business partner and quit; this was done to officially write Hogan off, as a result of his contract expiring with TNA.
Fourth return to WWE (2014–2015)
On February 24, 2014, on Raw, Hogan made his first WWE in-ring appearance since December 2007 to hype the WWE Network. On the March 24 episode of Raw, Hogan came out to introduce the guest appearances of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joe Manganiello; this was to promote the guests' new movie Sabotage.
At WrestleMania XXX in April, Hogan served as the host, coming out at the start of the show to hype up the crowd. During his promo, he mistakenly referred to the Superdome, the venue the event was being held at, as the Silverdome, which became the subject of jokes throughout the night. Hogan was later joined by Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, and they finished their promo by drinking beer together in the ring. Later in the show, Hogan shared a moment with Mr. T, Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper, with whom he main-evented the first WrestleMania.
On February 27, 2015, Hogan was honored at Madison Square Garden during a WWE live event dubbed "Hulk Hogan Appreciation Night" with a special commemorative banner hanging from the rafters, honoring his wrestling career and historic matches he had in the arena.
On the March 23 episode of Raw, Hogan along with Snoop Dogg confronted Curtis Axel – who at the time had been "borrowing" Hogan's Hulkamania gimmick with Axel referring to himself as "AxelMania". On March 28, the night before WrestleMania, Hogan posthumously inducted longtime partner and rival "Macho Man" Randy Savage into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2015. The next night at WrestleMania 31, Hogan reunited with Hall and Nash to reform the nWo, appearing in Sting's corner in his match against Triple H, who himself was joined by D-Generation X (DX) members Billy Gunn, X-Pac, Road Dogg, and Shawn Michaels.
Racism scandal and departure
—Hogan's response in People to the revelation of his previous commentsEight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it.
In July 2015, National Enquirer and Radar Online publicized an anti-black rant made by Hogan on a leaked sex tape recorded in 2007. In the recording, he is heard expressing disgust with the notion of his daughter dating a black man, referenced by repeated use of the racial slur "nigger". Hogan also admitted to being "a racist, to a point".
Once the recordings went public erupting in a media scandal, Hogan apologized for the remarks, which he said is "language that is offensive and inconsistent with own beliefs." Three black wrestlers who worked in the WWF and WCW with Hogan made supportive comments. Virgil commented "Hogan has never given me a reason to believe he is a racist" while Dennis Rodman said he "most certainly is not a racist" and Kamala added "I do not think Hogan meant harm by saying that. Hogan is my brother until he decides not to be." Black wrestlers working in the WWE made different comments. Mark Henry said he was pleased by WWE's "no tolerance approach to racism" response, and that he was hurt and offended by Hogan's manner and tone. Booker T said he was shocked and called the statements unfortunate.
On July 24, WWE terminated their contract with Hogan, stating that they are "committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds," although Hogan's lawyer said Hogan chose to resign. A day prior, WWE removed almost all references to Hogan from their website, including his listing as a judge for Tough Enough, his merchandise from WWE Shop, and his entry from its WWE Hall of Fame page (he was still listed in the Hall of Fame entry of the official WWE encyclopedia released in October 2016). His DLC appearance from WWE 2K15 was taken down from sale, and his character was cut from then upcoming WWE 2K16 game during development.
In response to the controversy, Mattel stopped producing Hogan action figures, while Hogan's merchandise was taken down from online stores of Target, Toys "R" Us, and Walmart. On July 28, Radar Online reported that Hogan had also used homophobic slurs on the leaked sex tape. Days later, it was reported that Hogan had used racist language in a 2008 call to his then-imprisoned son, Nick, and also said that he hoped they would not be reincarnated as black males.
Hogan gave an interview with ABC on August 31 in which he pleaded forgiveness for his racist comments, attributing these to a racial bias inherited from his neighborhood while growing up. Hogan claimed that the term "nigger" was used liberally among friends in Tampa; former neighbors disputed this claim.
In the time that followed, numerous African-Americans associated with wrestling expressed some level of support for Hogan including: The Rock, Dennis Rodman, Booker T, Kamala, Virgil, Mr. T, Mark Henry, Big E, and D'Angelo Dinero, who stressed his forgiveness of Hogan, whom he saw as having made a "positive mark on humanity" for over three decades.
Fifth return to WWE (2018–present)
On July 15, 2018, Hogan was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame. Later that same night, he was invited backstage to WWE's Extreme Rules pay-per-view event and was briefly mentioned on the event's kickoff show. Hogan made his on-screen return on November 2, 2018, as the host of Crown Jewel. Hogan next appeared on the January 7, 2019, episode of Raw to present a tribute to his longtime friend and colleague Mean Gene Okerlund, who had died five days prior. It was the first time Hogan had appeared in a WWE ring in North America since his 2015 firing. Hogan subsequently appeared on a WWE Network special where he spoke further of his relationship with Okerlund.
Hogan inducted his Mega-Maniacs tag team partner and longtime friend Brutus Beefcake into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 6, 2019. The following night at WrestleMania 35, he made a surprise appearance at the beginning of the show alongside WrestleMania host Alexa Bliss, welcoming fans to the event and parodying his gaffe from WrestleMania XXX, when he incorrectly referred to the Superdome as the Silverdome. On the June 17, 2019, Raw, WWE aired a Hogan interview about the U.S. Women's World Cup soccer team. On the July 22, 2019, Raw, Hogan appeared as part of the "Raw Reunion" special. Hogan was one of the speakers during the "Toast to Raw" segment along with Steve Austin. On September 30, 2019, episode of Raw, he and Ric Flair unveiled a 10-man tag team match, for Crown Jewel. Hogan and Flair made multiple appearances on shows with their teams leading up to the event, which saw Hogan manage his team to victory.
Hogan made it public knowledge that he hoped to have one more match in the WWE, including during an interview with the Los Angeles Times. On December 9, 2019, it was announced that Hogan would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame a second time as a member of the New World Order, together with fellow former nWo stablemates Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman.
Hogan made his only appearance of 2020 on WWE's non-WWE Network programming when he appeared via satellite on the February 14, 2020, episode of SmackDown to speak about the Hall of Fame. He was interrupted by Bray Wyatt, as Hogan warned him about his upcoming match with Goldberg. The 2020 Hall of Fame ceremony was subsequently delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and aired on April 6, 2021.
Hogan made his first appearance of 2021 on the January 4 episode of Raw, which was a special Legends Night episode. He opened the show introducing the 'H-Phone,' his spin on an iPhone. He appeared in a backstage segment with Jimmy Hart, Drew McIntyre and Sheamus, where he gave his approval to McIntyre, the current WWE Champion. He also watched the championship main event match between McIntyre and Keith Lee on-stage with the rest of the guest legends.
It was announced on the March 19, 2021, episode of WWE SmackDown he would co-host WrestleMania 37 with Titus O'Neil. Hogan opened both nights of WrestleMania 37 with O'Neil, appeared in multiple segments with Bayley, which led to a return of the Bella Twins, who attacked Bayley, and was introduced during the Hall of Fame celebration with Nash, Hall and Waltman.
On January 23, 2023, Hogan appeared live alongside Jimmy Hart to open the WWE Raw is XXX show, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Raw. On January 22, 2024, WWE celebrated the 40th anniversary of 'Hulkamania' with Hogan appearing in pre-taped footage.
Legacy
Hogan has been described as one of the largest attractions in professional wrestling history and a major reason why Vince McMahon's expansion of his promotion worked. Wrestling historian and journalist Dave Meltzer stated that "...You can't possibly overrate his significance in the history of the business. And he sold more tickets to wrestling shows than any man who ever lived". Hogan's match with Andre the Giant at The Main Event on February 5, 1988, holds American television records for a wrestling audience with a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers. IMDb ranked Hogan as the biggest draw in professional wrestling history, ranking him number 1 in a list with 60 other wrestlers.
In a 2022 survey, Hogan was the most often cited professional wrestler by those in the general public who could name a professional wrestler.
Fellow wrestler Cody Rhodes has said numerous times that Hogan's WrestleMania X8 match with The Rock is the greatest match in wrestling history and that it epitomized what professional wrestling is.
Fellow WWE Hall of Fame member Bret Hart has been repeatedly critical of Hogan's wrestling abilities, including in 2021 saying that he "didn't know a headlock from a headlamp", and that he was "very limited". Hart had previously referred to Hogan as a "hero" to fans. and previously complimented Hogan's look. "You look at Hulk Hogan, okay? Unbelievable look, 6'8″ with the 24-inch pythons, it's an incredible . When he walks in the room, the whole room stops. Like, you see it. He got, like, legs stuck on his shoulders. His arms are as big as somebody's legs.
Former writer Vince Russo, who Hogan had previously sued, said in 2022 that more wrestlers should wrestle like Hogan, as opposed to the modern-day style acrobats.
Hogan himself has previously said he is "number two" behind Ric Flair, who he said is the greatest wrestler of all time.
Chris Jericho said on his podcast in 2023 that Hogan was a better worker than Flair in his experience. "Hogan is a better worker than Flair. For me. I always had amazing matches with Hogan because he knew exactly who he was as a babyface, as a heel, whatever. He was so great. He knew his audience. He didn't do anything he didn't have to. It was one of my favorite times in my career."
On February 20, 2019, it was announced that Chris Hemsworth would portray him in a biopic, directed by Todd Phillips. However, in 2024, Phillips announced the movie has been scrapped.
Endorsements and business ventures
Food industry
Hogan created and financed a restaurant called Pastamania located in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. It opened on the Labor Day weekend of 1995 and was heavily promoted on World Championship Wrestling (WCW)'s live show Monday Nitro. The restaurant, which remained in operation for less than a year, featured such dishes as "Hulk-U's" and "Hulk-A-Roos".
In interviews on The Tonight Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Hogan claimed that the opportunity to endorse what came to be known as the George Foreman Grill was originally offered to him, but when he failed to respond in time, Foreman endorsed the grill instead. However, there is no direct evidence to support this claim. Instead, Hogan endorsed a blender, known as the Hulk Hogan Thunder Mixer. He has since endorsed a grill known as "The Hulk Hogan Ultimate Grill", voluntarily recalled as a fire hazard in 2008 along with other QVC and Tristar grills.
In 2006, Hogan unveiled Hogan Energy, a drink distributed by Socko Energy. His name and likeness were also applied to a line of microwavable hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and chicken sandwiches sold at Wal-Mart called "Hulkster Burgers". On November 1, 2011, Hogan launched a new website called Hogan Nutrition, which features many nutritional and dietary products.
On New Year's Eve 2012, Hogan opened a beachfront restaurant called "Hogan's Beach", located in the Tampa area. The restaurant dropped Hogan's name in October 2015. Hogan later opened Hogan's Hangout in Clearwater Beach.
Finances
In September 2008, Hogan's net worth was revealed to be around $30 million. In September 2011, Hogan revealed that his lavish lifestyle and divorce had cost him hundreds of millions of dollars and nearly bankrupted him.
Other
In October 2007, Hogan transferred all trademarks referring to himself to his liability company named "Hogan Holdings Limited". The trademarks include Hulk Hogan, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Hulkster, Hogan Knows Grillin, Hulkamania.com, and Hulkapedia.com.
In April 2008, Hogan announced that he would lend his license to video game developer Gameloft to create "Hulkamania Wrestling" for mobile phones. Hogan stated in a press release that the game would be "true to experiences in wrestling" and use his classic wrestling moves like the Doublehand Choke Lift and Strong Clothesline. As of 2010, Hogan stars alongside Troy Aikman in commercials for Rent-A-Center. On March 24, 2011, Hogan made a special appearance on American Idol, giving a big surprise to wrestling fans Paul McDonald and James Durbin. On October 15, 2010, Endemol Games UK (a subsidiary of media production group Endemol UK) announced a partnership with Bischoff Hervey Entertainment to produce "Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania", an online gambling game featuring video footage of Hogan.
In October 2013, Hogan partnered with Tech Assets, Inc. to open a web hosting service called "Hostamania". To promote the service, a commercial video was released, featuring Hogan parodying Jean-Claude Van Damme's GoDaddy.com commercials and Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" music video. On November 21, 2013, Hulk Hogan and GoDaddy.com appeared together on a live Hangout On Air on Google Plus, where Hulk Hogan had a casual conversation about Hostamania, fans, and business.
Hogan became a distributor for multi-level marketing company ViSalus Sciences after looking for business opportunities outside of wrestling. Hogan supports the American Diabetes Association.
Hogan endorsed Donald Trump for president at the 2024 Republican National Convention. He notably spoke at the 2024 Trump rally at Madison Square Garden.
Other media
Acting
Hogan's crossover popularity led to several television and movie roles. Early in his career Hogan played the part of Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982). He also appeared in No Holds Barred (1989), before starring in family films Suburban Commando (1991), Mr. Nanny (1993), Santa with Muscles (1996), and 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998). Hogan also appeared in 1992 commercials for Right Guard deodorant. He starred in his own television series, Thunder in Paradise, in 1994. He is the star of The Ultimate Weapon (1998), in which Brutus Beefcake also appears in a cameo.
In 1997, Hogan starred in the TNT original movie Assault on Devil's Island, as the leader of a commando unit featuring fellow genre veterans Carl Weathers and Shannon Tweed. Eric Bischoff was also listed as an executive producer. The characters were considered for a regular series, but instead received a second feature-length showcase two years later, called Assault on Death Mountain. In 1995, he appeared on TBN's Kids Against Crime. Hogan made cameo appearances in Muppets from Space, Gremlins 2: The New Batch (the theatrical cut) and Spy Hard as himself. Hogan also played the role of Zeus in Little Hercules in 3D. Hogan also made two appearances on The A-Team (in 1985 and 1986), along with Roddy Piper. He also appeared on Suddenly Susan in 1999. In 2001, Hogan guest-starred on an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger.
Hogan has become a busy voice actor in later years making guest voice spots on Robot Chicken and American Dad! and as a primary actor in the Cartoon Network/Adult Swim series China, IL.
Reality television and hosting
On July 10, 2005, VH1 premiered Hogan Knows Best a reality show which centered around Hogan, his then-wife Linda, and their children Brooke and Nick. In July 2008, a spin-off entitled Brooke Knows Best premiered, which focused primarily on Hogan's daughter Brooke.
Hogan hosted the comeback series of American Gladiators on NBC in 2008. He also hosted and judged the short-lived reality show, Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling. Hogan had a special titled Finding Hulk Hogan on A&E on November 17, 2010.
In 2015, Hogan was a judge on the sixth season of Tough Enough, alongside Paige and Daniel Bryan, but due to the scandal, he was replaced by The Miz after episode 5.
Music and radio
Hogan released a music CD, Hulk Rules, as Hulk Hogan and the Wrestling Boot Band, which also included Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart, his then-wife Linda and J.J Maguire. Despite negative reviews, Hulk Rules reached No. 12 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio chart in 1995. Green Jellÿ released a duet with Hogan, performing Gary Glitter's song "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)". He has also made cameos in several music videos. From her self-named show Dolly, the music video for Dolly Parton's wrestling-themed love song "Headlock on My Heart" features Hogan as "Starlight Starbright". In the music video "Pressure" by Belly featuring Ginuwine, Hogan and his daughter Brooke both made brief cameo appearances.
Hogan was a regular guest on Bubba the Love Sponge's radio show. He also served as the best man at Bubba's January 2007 wedding. On March 12, 2010, Hogan hosted his own radio show titled Hogan Uncensored, on Sirius Satellite Radio's Howard 101.
Merchandising
The Wrestling Figure Checklist records Hogan as having 171 different action figures, produced between the 1980s and 2010s from numerous manufacturers and promotions.
Filmography
Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1982 | Rocky III | Thunderlips | |
1989 | No Holds Barred | Rip Thomas | |
1990 | Gremlins 2: The New Batch | Himself | Cameo |
1991 | Suburban Commando | Shep Ramsey | |
1993 | Mr. Nanny | Sean Armstrong | |
Thunder in Paradise | Randolph J. "Hurricane" Spencer | Direct-to-video | |
1996 | Spy Hard | Steele's other Tag-Team Member | Cameo |
The Secret Agent Club | Ray Chase | ||
Santa with Muscles | Blake Thorn | ||
1998 | McCinsey's Island | Joe McGrai | |
3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain | Dave Dragon | ||
The Ultimate Weapon | Ben Cutter | ||
1999 | Muppets from Space | Himself | Cameo |
2009 | Little Hercules | Zeus | |
2011 | Gnomeo & Juliet | Terrafirminator V.O. | Voice role |
Television | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1984 | Goldie and the Bears | Mac McKenna | TV film |
1985-1986 | The A-Team | Himself | 2 episodes: ("Body Slam", "The Trouble with Harry") |
1985–1986 | Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling | Himself | Live-action parts only |
1994 | Thunder in Paradise | Randolph J. "Hurricane" Spencer | Main role; 22 episodes |
1995 | Space Ghost Coast to Coast | Himself | 1 episode ("Sleeper") |
1996 | Baywatch | Himself | 1 episode: ("Bash at the Beach") |
1997 | Assault on Devil's Island | Mike McBride | TV film |
1999 | Suddenly Susan | Himself | 2 episodes ("In This Corner... Susan Keane!: Part 1" & "In This Corner... Susan Keane!: Part 2") |
Assault on Death Mountain | Mike McBride | TV film | |
2001 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Boomer Knight | 1 episode: ("Division Street") |
2005–2007 | Hogan Knows Best | Himself | Reality TV series |
2006–2016 | Robot Chicken | Himself, Abraham Lincoln, The Giving Tree, Bigfoot, Various | 4 episodes |
2008–2009 | Brooke Knows Best | Himself | Reality TV series |
2011–2015 | China, IL | The Dean | Main cast |
2012 | American Dad! | Himself | 1 episode: ("Stanny Tendergrass") |
2012 | The Inbetweeners | Himself | 1 episode ("Fire!") |
2014 | The '80s Called | Himself | RadioShack commercial for Super Bowl XLVIII |
2015 | Smosh | Himself | 1 episode |
2019 | The Goldbergs | Himself | 1 episode ("WrestleMania") |
2022 | Camp WWE | Himself | 2 episodes ("John Cena's Grounded", "Vince's Pizza Party") |
Video games
Hogan provided his voice for the 2011 game Saints Row: The Third as Angel de la Muerte, a member of the Saints. In October 2011, he released a video game called Hulk Hogan's Main Event.
A likeness of him, as Rex Kwan-Do, is featured as a playable police officer in This Is The Police.
Hulk Hogan and Hollywood Hogan are featured in the following licensed wrestling video games:
WWE Video games | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Notes | |
1987 | MicroLeague Wrestling | Video game debut Cover athlete | |
1989 | WWF WrestleMania | Cover athlete | |
WWF Superstars | |||
1990 | WWF WrestleMania Challenge | Cover athlete | |
1991 | WWF WrestleMania | Cover athlete | |
WWF WrestleFest | |||
1992 | WWF Super WrestleMania | Cover athlete | |
WWF European Rampage Tour | |||
WWF Superstars 2 | Cover athlete | ||
WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge | |||
1993 | WWF Royal Rumble | Hogan was featured in the Sega Genesis version of the game (of which he was also on the cover), but was not in the SNES version | |
WWF King of the Ring | Cover athlete | ||
2002 | WWF WrestleMania X8 | Cover athlete | |
WWE Road to WrestleMania X8 | |||
WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth | Hogan was on the cover of the PAL version of the game, but not the NTSC version | ||
2003 | WWE Crush Hour | ||
WWE WrestleMania XIX | |||
WWE Raw 2 | |||
2005 | WWE Day of Reckoning 2 | ||
WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 | |||
2006 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 | ||
2009 | WWE Legends of WrestleMania | Cover athlete | |
2011 | WWE All Stars | Cover athlete | |
2013 | WWE 2K14 | ||
2014 | WWE SuperCard | ||
WWE 2K15 | Cover athlete on the Hulkamania edition of the game; Hogan was downloadable content and removed after his racial scandal | ||
2015 | WWE Immortals | ||
2017 | WWE Champions | Added in 2019 | |
2019 | WWE 2K20 | ||
2020 | WWE 2K Battlegrounds | ||
2022 | WWE 2K22 | Cover athlete on the nWo 4-Life edition of the game | |
2023 | WWE 2K23 | ||
2024 | WWE 2K24 | Cover athlete on the 40 Years of WrestleMania edition of the game |
WCW Video games | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Notes | |
1997 | WCW vs. the World | Cover athlete | |
WCW vs. nWo: World Tour | |||
1998 | WCW Nitro | Cover athlete | |
WCW/nWo Revenge | |||
1999 | WCW/nWo Thunder | Cover athlete | |
WCW Mayhem | |||
2000 | WCW Backstage Assault |
TNA Video games | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Notes | |
2010 | TNA Impact! Cross the Line | Hogan was featured in the Nintendo DS version of the game (of which he was also on the cover), but was not in the PSP version | |
2011 | TNA Wrestling Impact! |
Legends of Wrestling Video games | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Notes | |
2001 | Legends of Wrestling | Cover athlete | |
2002 | Legends of Wrestling II | Cover athlete | |
2004 | Showdown: Legends of Wrestling | Cover athlete |
Personal life
Legal issues
Belzer lawsuit
Further information: Belzer v. BolleaOn March 27, 1985, just days prior to the inaugural WrestleMania, Richard Belzer requested on his cable TV talk show Hot Properties that Hogan demonstrate one of his signature wrestling moves. After consistently refusing but being egged on by Belzer, Hogan put Belzer in a modified Guillotine choke, which caused Belzer to pass out. When Hogan released him, Belzer hit his head on the floor, sustaining a laceration to the scalp that required a brief hospitalization. Belzer sued Hogan for $5 million and later settled out of court. On October 20, 2006, on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show, it was claimed (with Hogan in the studio) that the settlement totaled $5 million, half from Hogan and half from Vince McMahon. During his June 23, 2008, appearance on Sirius Satellite Radio's The Howard Stern Show, Belzer suggested that the real settlement amount was actually closer to $400,000.
Testimony in McMahon trial
Further information: United States v. McMahonIn 1994, Hogan, having received immunity from prosecution, testified in the trial of Vince McMahon relating to shipments of steroids received by both parties from WWF physician George T. Zahorian III. Under oath, Hogan admitted that he had used anabolic steroids since 1976 to gain size and weight, but that McMahon had neither sold him the drugs nor ordered him to take them. The evidence given by Hogan proved extremely costly to the government's case against McMahon. Due to this and jurisdictional issues, McMahon was found not guilty.
Gawker lawsuit
Main article: Bollea v. GawkerIn April 2012, a sex tape between Hogan and Heather Clem, the estranged wife of radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge, emerged online. On October 4, 2012, Gawker released a short clip of the video. In the video, Bubba can be heard saying that the couple can "do their thing" and he will be in his office. At the end of the video, he can also be heard telling Heather, "If we ever need to retire, here is our ticket". Hogan later told Howard Stern on his satellite radio show that, "it was a bad choice and a very low point" and "I was with some friends and made a wrong choice. It has devastated me, I have never been this hurt". On October 15, 2012, Hogan filed a lawsuit against Bubba and Heather Clem for invading his privacy. A settlement with Bubba was announced on October 29, 2012. Clem publicly apologized to Hogan. In December 2012, a federal court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, found that Gawker's publication of the video snippet did not violate U.S. copyright law. Hogan then joined Gawker in the ongoing action against Heather Clem in state court in Florida, alleging invasion of privacy, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress and seeking $100 million in damages.
On October 1, 2015, the New York Post reported that a Florida Judge granted Hogan access to Gawker's computer system for a forensic expert to search Gawker's computers and office.
Hogan sued Gawker for $100 million for defamation, loss of privacy, and emotional pain, and on March 18, 2016, was awarded $115 million. Also, on August 11, 2016, a Florida judge gave Hogan control of the assets of A.J. Daulerio, former Gawker editor-in-chief, who was involved in the posting of Hogan's sex tape.
Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel helped Hogan to finance his lawsuit against Gawker Media.
On November 2, 2016, Gawker reached a $31 million settlement with Hogan.
Past fabrications
Hogan has been accused multiple times of fabricating elements of his past, including that he was one of the last people to see Kerry Von Erich prior to his death, that an experience with a terminally ill child through the Make-A-Wish Foundation at SummerSlam in 1992 inspired the songs on his Hulk Rules album (despite the fact that he never made an appearance at the event and was not working for the WWF at the time), that he was scouted by MLB teams prior to having suffered an elbow injury, that he played in the Little League World Series and finished with a batting average of .714 (despite Little League Baseball having no record of him having played at any of those events), that The Undertaker injured his neck at the Survivor Series in 1991, that Elvis Presley was a fan of his (despite having died two years before Hogan's debut), that both The Rolling Stones and Metallica wanted him to play bass for their bands, that André the Giant weighed over 600 pounds at the time of their match at WrestleMania III, and that he was offered the starring role in the film The Wrestler but turned it down. During an appearance on Bubba the Love Sponge, Hogan claimed to have a 10-inch penis. During the Gawker trial, he admitted in court that this was not true, claiming he was speaking as the character Hulk Hogan, and not as Terry Bollea.
Family
On December 18, 1983, Hogan married Linda Claridge. They have a daughter Brooke (born May 5, 1988) and a son Nick (born July 27, 1990). Hogan made his personal life the centerpiece of the television show Hogan Knows Best, which included his wife and two children.
According to an interview in the National Enquirer, Christiane Plante claimed that Hogan had an affair with her in 2007 while the Hogan family was shooting Hogan Knows Best. Plante was 33 years old at the time and had worked with Brooke Hogan on her 2006 album.
On November 20, 2007, Linda filed for divorce in Pinellas County, Florida. In November 2008, Linda claimed to the public that she made the decision to end her marriage after finding out about Hogan's affair. In his 2009 autobiography, Hogan acknowledged that Linda on numerous occasions suspected he was having infidelities whenever he developed friendships with other women, but denied allegations that he ever cheated on her. Hogan only retained around 30% of the couple's liquid assets totaling around $10 million in the divorce settlement. Hogan considered committing suicide after the divorce and credits Laila Ali, his co-star on American Gladiators, with preventing him from doing so.
Hulk Hogan began a relationship with Jennifer McDaniel in early 2008. The two were engaged in November 2009 and married on December 14, 2010, in Clearwater, Florida. On February 28, 2022, Hogan stated on Twitter that he and McDaniel divorced.
Hogan became engaged to yoga instructor Sky Daily in July 2023, proposing to her at actor Corin Nemec's wedding reception. They married on September 22, 2023.
Religious beliefs
In 2007, he has spoken about his faith in his life saying, " leaned on my religion. I was saved when I was 14. I accepted Christ as my savior. He died on the cross and paid for my sins I could have went the wrong way. I could have self-destructed, but I took the high road".
On December 20, 2023, he was baptized at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida.
Health
Hogan has suffered numerous health problems, particularly with his back since retiring as a wrestler following the years of heavy weight-training and jolting as a wrestler.
In January 2013, Hogan filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the Laser Spine Institute for $50 million, citing that the medical firm persuaded him to undergo a half-dozen "unnecessary and ineffective" spinal operations that worsened his back problems. He claimed that the six procedures he underwent over a period of 19 months only gave him short-term relief. After the procedures failed to cure his back problems, Hogan underwent traditional spinal fusion surgery in December 2010, which enabled him to return to his professional activities. In addition, the Laser Spine Institute used his name on their advertisements without his permission.
Awards and honors
Hogan was honored as the 2008 King of the Krewe of Bacchus, a New Orleans carnival organization. Hogan visited the Children's Hospital of New Orleans and rode in the parade where he threw doubloons with his likeness. Hogan received the honor in part because meeting Hogan is one of the most requested "wishes" of the terminally ill children benefited by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Hogan was inducted in the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame on May 3, 2018.
Year | Award | Group | Result | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Male Athlete | Won | |
2006 | Teen Choice Awards | TV – Choice Reality Star (Male) | Nominated | Hogan Knows Best |
Championships and accomplishments
- International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2021
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version) (1 time)
- IWGP League Tournament (1983)
- MSG Tag League Tournament (1982, 1983) – with Antonio Inoki
- Greatest 18 Club inductee
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Comeback of the Year (1994, 2002)
- Feud of the Year (1986) vs. Paul Orndorff
- Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1983, 1999)
- Match of the Year (1985) with Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff at WrestleMania I
- Match of the Year (1988) vs. André the Giant at The Main Event I
- Match of the Year (1990) vs. The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI
- Match of the Year (2002) vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X8
- Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1996, 1998)
- Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (1985, 1989, 1990)
- Wrestler of the Year (1987, 1991, 1994)
- Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1991
- Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003
- Ranked No. 44 and No. 57 of the top 100 tag teams of the PWI Years with Antonio Inoki and Randy Savage in 2003
- Southeastern Championship Wrestling
- Sports Illustrated
- Ranked No. 2 of the 20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time
- Tokyo Sports
- Best Foreigner Award (1983)
- Match of the Year (1991) vs. Genichiro Tenryu on December 12, 1991
- World Championship Wrestling
- World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
- WWF/WWE Championship (6 times)
- WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Edge
- Royal Rumble (1990, 1991)
- WWE Hall of Fame (2 times)
- Class of 2005 – individually
- Class of 2020 – as a member of the New World Order
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Strongest Wrestler (1983)
- Best Babyface (1982–1991)
- Best Box Office Draw (1997)
- Best Gimmick (1996) as a member of New World Order
- Feud of the Year (1986) vs. Paul Orndorff
- Feud of the Year (1996) as a member of New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling
- Most Charismatic (1985–1987, 1989–1991)
- Most Embarrassing Wrestler (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000)
- Most Obnoxious (1994, 1995)
- Most Overrated (1985, 1986, 1994–1998)
- Most Unimproved (1994, 1995)
- Readers' Least Favorite Wrestler (1985, 1986, 1991, 1994–1999)
- Worst Feud of the Year (1991) vs. Sgt. Slaughter
- Worst Feud of the Year (1995) vs. The Dungeon of Doom
- Worst Feud of the Year (1998) vs. The Warrior
- Worst Feud of the Year (2000) vs. Billy Kidman
- Worst on Interviews (1995)
- Worst Wrestler (1997)
- Worst Worked Match of the Year (1987) vs. André the Giant at WrestleMania III
- Worst Worked Match of the Year (1996) with Randy Savage vs. Arn Anderson, Meng, The Barbarian, Ric Flair, Kevin Sullivan, Z-Gangsta, and The Ultimate Solution in a Towers of Doom match at Uncensored
- Worst Worked Match of the Year (1997) vs. Roddy Piper at SuperBrawl VII
- Worst Worked Match of the Year (1998) vs. The Warrior at Halloween Havoc
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
Notes
- During Hogan's runs as champion in 1996–1997 and again in 1998–1999 (ie from his second to his fifth reign as champion), as part of the New World Order (nWo) storyline, the title was spray painted each time with the "nWo" initials and renamed as the nWo/WCW World Heavyweight Championship, while referred to by nWo members only as the nWo World Heavyweight Championship.
- From Hogan's second to his fifth reign, the title was renamed and known simply as the WWF Championship. Hogan's last reign was as Undisputed WWF Champion, but the title was renamed once again as the Undisputed WWE Championship on May 6, 2002, after World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. settled a lawsuit with the World Wildlife Fund, and became simply World Wrestling Entertainment. On May 19, the day he lost the championship, it was called the WWE Undisputed Championship.
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Sources
- Bischoff, Eric (2006). Eric Bischoff: Controversy Creates Cash. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4165-2729-9.
- Hogan, Hulk (2002). Hollywood Hulk Hogan. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7434-7556-3.
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- Shields, Brian (2006). Main Event: WWE in the Raging 80s. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4165-3257-6.
- Hogan, Hulk (2010). My Life Outside the Ring: A Memoir. St. Martin's Publishing. ISBN 978-0312588908.
External links
- Official website
- Hulk Hogan on WWE.com
- Hulk Hogan at IMDb
- Hulk Hogan's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame profile
- TNA Impact Wrestling profile (archived)
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